AV 28th June 2025

Council to collect data on Sikh, Jewish identities P04

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Indian-origin women make mark on UKtech50 list P13

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Modi denies US mediation in Pakistan ceasefire P22

Probe ramps up into deadly Air India crash

Days after the devastating crash of Air India Flight 171, which killed at least 270 people, investigators from around the world are racing to uncover what went wrong

The tragedy has shattered the airline’s narrative of renewal under Tata Group ownership and exposed alarming gaps in safety culture and regulatory oversight in India’s rapidly growing aviation market

A recent report revealed that just days before the crash, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), had warned the a i r l i n e a b o u t o p e r a t i n g t h r e e A i r b u s aircraft without mandatory emergency slide inspections, with some checks overdue by more than three months.

Dreamliner wreckage, which crashed into a medical college hostel, to a site near the city s airport, where

months

JUSTICE BEFORE POLITICS

Anusha Singh

The British government has launched a national inquiry into organised child sexual abuse, following a damning report by Baroness Louise Casey that exposed decades of institutional failure in protecting children from so-called “grooming gangs.”

Commissioned earlier this year by Keir Starmer, the Casey Review examined how authorities in England and Wales responded to group-based child sexual exploitation Its findings triggered a major policy reversal from the Labour government, which had previously resisted calls for a fresh inquiry preferring instead to i

Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)

Starmer’s earlier reluctance was widely seen as an attempt to shield Labour’s electoral coalition and avoid further amplifying farright narratives, particularly given Labour’s longstanding support w i t h i

around the issue was further complicated by the fact that many of the areas where grooming gangs operated have been under Labour control for decades, and most still are, making the party accountable

Nandy discusses

Family mourns beside a loved one’s coffin at Ahmedabad cremation ground

Grooming gang members jailed for historic sex offences in Keighley

Assisted Dying Bill faces uphill battle in Lords amid cost and ethical concerns

The Assisted Dying Bill has c l e a r e d t he H o use of Commons by a narrow ma rg in o f 23 v ot e s, b ut fa ce s f i e r ce o pp o si t io n in t he House of Lords, where pe ers have vowed t o use procedur al tactics to bl ock its passage

T h e b i l l , w h i c h w o u l d allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to end their lives under strict condi-

t i o n s , p a s s e d d

a shrinking majority and deep political divisions More than a dozen MPs, including cabinet ministers such as Health Secretar y Wes Streeting and

D e p u t y P r i m e M i n i s t e r Angela Rayner, voted against the bill

St r e e t i n g l a t e r w a r n e d t h a t w h

compassion, it comes at a f inancial cost the NHS cannot bear With no allocated budget, he fears the policy could divert resources from

£425 million implementation

c o s t o v e r a d e c a d e c o u l d

o v e r w h e l m a n a l r e a d y stretched system

Su p p o r t e r s l i ke L a b o u r

MP Kim Leadbeater argue the bill offers dignity and choice for the terminally ill, but critics such as former Foreign Secretar y Sir James Cleverly and disability rights groups fear it could create pressure on vulnerable indi-

viduals to end their lives prem a

highlighted warnings from medical bodies and charities

potential coercion and inad-

being overlooked

D

w remains far from assured

As the bill heads to the House of Lords, peers, many of whom are medical experts or religious leaders, have the power to delay or derail the legislation With opposition

a l r e a d y m o b i l i s i n g a n d a backlog of bills clogging the u p p e r c h a

g the controversial Hereditar y Pe

Leadbeater Even if it does become law, implementation is projected to take up to four y

r s m e a n i n g a s s i s t e d dying may not be available in

the UK until late 2029 Ethical and sa fe guarding gaps

Labour MP Rupa Huq, who voted against the bill, spoke emotionally of her late Bangladeshi mother’s experience being dismissed in an overstretched NHS She fears the law could enable subtle coercion, particularly in vulnerable communities where language barriers and f inancial dependence create pressure

Huq also criticised the bill’s limited equality impact a s s e s s m

y addresses racial disparities or the complex social realities e

n end-of-life care “Ethnicity is a

wrote, warning of a slipper y slope where f inancial press u

decisions masked as choice

UK to push for human rights reform

J u st ic e S ec re tar y S h a ba na

M ah m o o d h a s c al led fo r r efo rm o f th e Eu ro p e an C o n v en ti on o n H um an

R i g h ts ( E C HR ) , w ar ni ng

t ha t p u bli c co nf i d enc e i n the rule of law is “fraying”

I n a s p e e c h a t t h e

Council of Europe, she said the convention must evolve once again to maintain credibility and relevance “The ECHR is one of the great postwar achievements,” she said “But we must preser ve r i g h t s b y r e s t o r i n g p u b l i c trust in them – not by giving ground to populism, but by ensuring they reflect fairness and common sense ”

M a h m o o d ’ s r e m a r k s come amid growing unease in government over highprof ile cases where foreign

n a t i o n a l s h a v e a v o i d e d deportation by citing over-

c r o w d i n g i n t h e i r h o m e c o u n t r y ’ s p r i s o n

Article 3 of the convention

At the same time, the Home Off ice is reviewing Article 8, the right to family life, following repeated concerns it is being misused to prevent deportation in cases involving serious criminality

Ministers are examining

L aw bans ethnicity from inf luencing sentencing decisions

Judges in Eng land and Wales are no w barred from consid ering a criminal’s eth nicity d uring sentencing , following the p assage of new legislation that has receiv ed royal assent T he mov e aims to uphold equal treatment under th e law and resolve a controv ersy over perceived “twotier” j ustice

The law was introduced in response to guidance issued by the Sentencing Council, which was set to take effect in April That guidance advised judges to consider whether an offender belonged to an ethnic, cultural, or religious minority when determining whether to impose a custodial or community sentence

Critics argued that such considerations could result in lighter sentences for offenders f

public conf idence in the justice system The proposed guidance faced criticism from across

Secretar y Shabana Mahmood to introduce emergency legislation to override it

A

Mahmood said, “Equality before the law is the backbone of public conf idence in our justice system, and today’s change to the law ensures fairness for all in our courts ”

The legislation marks a f irm stance by the government to ensure that all offenders are treated equally, regardless of background, an effort to reaff irm the core principle of impartiality in British justice

Starmer pledges to hit 5% security spending target

Prime M inister Sir Keir Starmer has pled ged that the U K w ill m eet NATO’s new targ et of spend ing 5% of GDP o n national security by 203 5, in a m ove aimed at reinforcing Britain’s global standing amid rising internatio nal tensions

I N B R I E F BMA ACCUSED OF ANTISEMITISM COVER-UP

The British Medical Association (BMA) is facing accusations of a cover-up after dropping an antisemitism complaint against its president, Dr Mary McCarthy, despite an independent review finding she had a case to answer The complaint, lodged by Labour Against Antisemitism (LAAS), accused McCarthy of creating a "hostile environment" for Jewish doctors by reposting contentious material about Gaza on her X account The review concluded McCarthy may have breached the BMA’s code by publicly promoting only one view of the IsraelGaza conflict despite her duty to represent all members Although LAAS was initially told a resolution panel would be formed, the BMA later said its rules barred complaints from non-members LAAS s Alex Hearn condemned this as a “shameful coverup and accused the BMA of “dragging its feet ” The BMA said it took complaints seriously and was considering “appropriate internal steps ” McCarthy reportedly told the review she was highlighting humanitarian concerns, but it found she should have avoided reposting provocative material without context

APPROVAL FOR CHINA’S MEGAEMBASSY

wh e t h e r

guidance on applying these rights, or whether legislative re

pressure from Reform UK and some Conser vative MPs to abandon the convention a

Mahmood strongly opposes

“The UK remains f irmly committed to the principles

Europe, rules are being test-

trust is under strain

y, whose parents moved to the UK from Pakistan seeking fairness and the rule of law, said her family’s belief in British justice had inspired her public ser vice

Unveiled ahead of a key NATO summit in the Netherlands, the target includes 3 5% for core defence and 1 5% for wider security measures, such as resilience, energy security, and tackling organised crime The structure is designed to satisfy pressure from the U S particularly from Donald Trump while offering flexibility to European allies facing budget constraints

Starmer framed the commitment as a long-term strategy to protect Britain’s national interest and boost the economy “Economic security is national security,” he said, promising the plan would also generate jobs and growth But the announcement drew sharp criticism Conser vative shadow foreign secretar y Dame Priti Patel accused the government of making promises without “ new money ” and warned that the world faces a “real and pres e n t t h r e a t ” L i b e r a l D e m o c r a t d e fe n c e spokesperson Helen Maguire backed the goal but blamed the Conser vatives for weakening the UK’s defences

The pledge marks a major shift in UK defence policy, but questions remain over how and when the funding will materialise

A controversial plan for a massive Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court in central London has been recommended for approval by the Planning Inspectorate and is expected to be formally cleared by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner within weeks The project, initially blocked over national security concerns, was revived following direct lobbying by Chinese President Xi Jinping Intelligence agencies and the US government have raised alarm about the embassy’s proximity to sensitive communication cables and key financial centres, warning of potential espionage risks The Royal Mint Court Residents Association, opposing the development, called the approval a “David versus Goliath battle” and is preparing a legal challenge Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also urged the government to block the plan noting its vast scale Critic s including the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China say the decision reeks of diplomatic duress China has dismissed the security concerns as slanderous attacks by anti- China elements

Ho sp i ta l c o ns u lt ant s m ay join junior do ctors on strike lat er t h is ye ar, af ter

British Med ical Association (BM A) lau nched an indicati v e ba

T

p

union is demand ing

3 5% p ay r is e by 20

Consultants earn an average of £145,000 annually The BMA wants a 14% increase this

experienced doctors abroad They urged the government to open talks or risk joint strike action later this year He a l t h S e c r e t a r y We s Streeting has ruled out furt h e r

Mortimer said

Rupa Haq

Wes streeting

Shabana Mahmood

The non-dom exodus: A costly misstep for Britain?

The UK’s recent overhaul of non-dom tax policies, intended to promote fairness, is beginning to show signs of unintended fallout Fearing punitive tax regimes, a growing number of wealthy individuals are relocating their assets or residency abroad This quiet exodus is more than a private decision it’s a public challenge in the making

High-net-worth individuals like Lebanese-Nigerian entrepreneur Bassim Haidar have issued clear warnings “The notion that the UK is simply too good to leave is incorrect,” he told Reuters, adding that taxing wealth earned abroad “perhaps years before people even moved to the UK, is unfair ” While many non-dom love London, Haidar said the tax shift is driving families to reconsider staying

This isn’t just about lost tax revenue The wealthy fund essential services through their contributions and generate significant economic activity from creating jobs and investing in British businesses to supporting philanthropy Their departure risks reducing national revenues and shrinking social capital, innovation, and inward investment The burden shifts to the middle class, already squeezed by inflation and high living costs

For the UK’s global diaspora, this trend is worrying Many BAME professionals and entrepreneurs act as vital economic bridges, linking British and global markets A hostile climate for success could undermine those efforts

and Britain’s position as an international hub

The non-dom regime’s dismantling has also become a political thorn for the new Labour government Since taking office, Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have faced growing backlash over rushed decisions, from winter fuel benefit reversals to the non-dom tax row

Though Conservatives like George Osborne and Jeremy Hunt had previously tightened non-dom rules, L

Thousands of millionaires have already relocated to more favourable tax environments Their departure affects not only the Treasury but also Britain's economic reputation and competitiveness

Reform UK’s Nigel Farage has complicated the picture further by proposing a £250,000 “Britannia Card” allowing non-doms to pay a flat fee and remain exempt from tax on foreign income As his party rises in the polls, Labour is feeling the heat Reports suggest Reeves may now reconsider aspects of the policy to avoid deeper economic damage and political risk

The lesson here is clear: ideology must be balanced with pragmatism As BAME business leaders and global investors watch closely, the UK must demonstrate it values ambition, enterprise, and mobility A blanket approach to taxation may win headlines, but it risks shrinking the pie we all share

Let’s talk about aviation safety, not just one airline

The crash of Air India Express flight AI171 in Ahmedabad has left the nation in mourning Over 260 lives were lost, including innocent bystanders on the ground The images have shocked the country and shaken public confidence in flying In moments like these, anger and fear are inevitable and understandable But amid the grief, we must resist the urge to single out Air India as uniquely unsafe The problem is far more complex, and our response must reflect that

Air India, now part of the Tata Group, is in the middle of a sweeping transformation Under the leadership of Campbell Wilson, formerly of Singapore Airlines, the airline is working to modernise its fleet, improve passenger experience, and re-establish global credibility Wilson has stated, “We will be fully transparent Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft of any type for service ” These are not the words of a company in denial but of one willing to be held accountable

It is also worth remembering that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft had no reported faults and had undergone engine replacement just months before the incident As Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran noted, this was “the most heartbreaking crisis” he had faced in his tenure, a s s u r i n g

through a dedicated trust

The investigation is still underway It could reveal pilot error, mechanical failure, or even a design flaw, possibilities that have haunted the aviation industry globally Just earlier this year, British Airways and other carriers grounded planes over potential technical issues Aviation safety is

a shared challenge, not a national embarrassment

Comedian Vir Das, who was recently trolled for expressing his views, put it best He wrote, “It is not an airline without problems, but without fail no crew will judge you less, or welcome you more It is a shame no one acknowledges their loss, too, in a tragedy ” He was right Crew members lost their lives too, doing their jobs with dignity Their memory also deserves respect

Air India’s past may carry baggage, but it is not the same airline today Since the Tata Group took over, the carrier has introduced new aircraft, announced a historic merger with Vistara, and embraced customer-first reforms Change takes time, and sometimes, tragically, incidents interrupt progress But they should not erase it

Instead of finger-pointing, now is the time for a larger, global conversation Aircraft are built by multinational companies, maintained in complex environments, and flown through increasingly congested skies Accidents, while rare, are rarely caused by a single factor Blaming one airline risks ignoring the systemic reform aviation truly needs

What we owe the victims is clarity, not outrage A transparent investigation must run its course, and global regulators must re-examine procedures, reporting systems, and safety protocols

Manufacturers, too, must take greater responsibility when lives are lost aboard machines they build

This tragedy is a reminder not of failure alone, but of how fragile safety is, and how collective our responsibility must be to protect it

Iran-Israel tensions: A region on the brink

The long-standing hostility between Iran and Israel has entered a dangerous new phase What was once limited to cyberattacks and proxy engagements is now inching closer to confrontation At the heart of this escalation is Iran’s steady advance towards nuclear capability, a development that could dramatically alter power dynamics in the Middle East

Israel, established in 1948 as a homeland for the Jewish people following the horrors of the Holocaust, is a small but highly developed nation with a population of just over nine million Despite its size, Israel has built a robust defence system, advanced technological infrastructure, and a strong military alliance with the United States It views Iran’s nuclear ambition not just as a regional rivalry but as a direct threat to its survival

A nuclear Iran would likely emerge as the region’s dominant Islamic power, prompting rival states to consider nuclear options of their own The risk of an arms race is high, and the implications are global Israel, with strong support from the United States, views a nuclear Iran as an existential threat US President Donald Trump recently stated, “I think they were a few weeks away from having one I believe they would use it ” He added, “Iran better be careful they can come back to bite you like nobody has been bitten before ”

Today’s diplomatic meetings have underscored the urgency of preventing further escalation World leaders called for strategic restraint and renewed dialogue, but tensions remain palpable Any military confrontation would not remain confined to the region It could spike oil prices, destabilise economies and displace populations far beyond the Middle East

Ironically, Iran is now overwhelmed by the same proxy

war strategy it spent decades building In its quest for regional influence, Iran has funded and armed militant groups across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Gaza But following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, the regional calculus shifted Israel responded with a firm strategy to dismantle Iran’s proxy network

Meanwhile, Iran’s traditional allies are hesitant Iran failed to secure strong backing at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Turkey Russia and China have issued only cautious statements Even militias in Iraq have shown little interest in escalating the conflict

Trump’s earlier statement now feels prescient “I will bring this game to an end ” Iran, long the architect of destabilisation through proxies, now finds itself increasingly isolated and struggling to retain control of a regional order it once helped create

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability ”In response, the Iranian side acknowledged India’s constructive role as important in restoring peace in the region

This moment is alarming for Britain’s diaspora, many of whom have deep ties to the region The conflict no longer sits on the periphery of international affairs It is a central threat to global security, energy markets and humanitarian stability

The message is clear Global powers must act with urgency Diplomatic posturing is not enough Without coordinated deterrence, engagement and restraint, the Middle East may become the epicentre of the next great crisis This is a crisis the world cannot afford to ignore

Thought

“You are your best thing ” – Toni Morrison

P akistan’s generals hav e always fancied themselv es not just as military men but masterful puppeteers of global perception Whether thro ugh carefully curated d iplomatic ov ertures (Trump fo r Nobel), headline-grabbing interviews, or think-tank charm offensiv es, Islamabad ’ s public dip lom acy particularly und er the stewardship of the m ilitary has aimed to portray Pakistan as a rational actor, a p eace-seeking state, and ev en a linch pin o f reg ional stability

On paper, this is smart diplomacy But like all wellscripted theatre, the applause fades when the audience realises the plot doesn’t match reality

Take the latest example: General Asim Munir reportedly offering U S basing rights in Pakistan a strategic carrot dangled at precisely the right moment With the Biden administration bogged down in the Middle East and pivoting to Asia, and Trump looming large in the 2024

Washington’s indispensable regional partner

It’s a page straight from the Cold War playbook When G

rewarded Billions in aid Strategic parity with India A starring role in Washington’s war games Munir’s move seems to echo that historical muscle memory

There’s only one problem: the world has moved on And Pakistan hasn’t

Public diplomacy isn’t just about slick interviews or a

Pakistan’s is in tatters

While its diplomats stress regional peace, the country continues to give shelter tacit or otherwise to militant proxies targeting India and Afghanistan While it claims to be a bulwark against extremism, its textbooks and clerics still promote intolerance And while it lectures on sovereignty, it remains economically beholden to China and politically hostage to the same military establishment that has sabotaged every civilian leader daring to assert independence

The Munir-Trump flirtation, if substantiated, reeks of desperation more than strategy Trump, a known transactionalist, might well take the offer but what would Pakistan gain? Another decade of being a frontline state, cannon fodder for someone else’s war, while its economy crumbles and its institutions decay?

Public diplomacy only works when it’s backed by public policy Iran’s attempts to paint itself as a victim of Western aggression fall flat because it supplies drones to Russia and represses its own people Pakistan suffers from a similar credibility gap Its attempts to cast itself as a peacekeeper ring hollow while its soil continues to be used for launching ideological and actual attacks

Even the optics are starting to fray Former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar once the photogenic face of a “ new Pakistan” could not escape association with a regime whose actions belied her words The same applies now You can’t preach moderation while wearing the camouflage of a military autocracy

Ultimately, Pakistan’s public diplomacy will fail not because it lacks talent but because it lacks truth

In the end, you can’t charm your way out of geography, economics, or history You can only delay the reckoning

Ministers order Sadiq Khan to raise tube fares above inflation until 2030

T ube passeng ers face annual

a bo v e- in fl at io

are

s u ntil the end of the decad e, u nder a new Gov ernment d irectiv e L o

Transport for London fares must rise by the RPI rate of

% ) plus 1% each year from 2026 to 2029

I

receive nearly £2 2bn from Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s recent spending review for

over the next four years The move was outlined in a let-

Secretary Heidi Alexander to the Mayor, who sets TfL fares annually

It marked a second blow

revealed a year-long delay in the arrival of new Piccadilly line trains

In her letter, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote: “The funding in this s

d e d against an assumed scenario that overall TfL fares will rise by RPI+1 each year ”

In March, Mayor Sadiq

Khan raised most TfL fares

Elizabeth line and London

O v

4 6 % , while freezing bus fares at £1 75 Though he sets the fares, Khan typically follows national rail increases The

March 2026 but could be

separate from fare hikes on non-TfL services

Tory critics say Khan’s

past fare freezes for TfL’s

transport spokesman Keith P

asleep at the wheel his politically convenient fare freezes came at the cost of

Sir Alan Bates calls for new Post Office payout body

S ir Alan Bates is calling for a “ fresh start” on Post Office com pensation, citing delays a nd “ in ap p r o p ri ate ” s taf f h andling claims

It has been learned that, even this month, the Post Office identified staff in its remediation unit with past roles linked to the Horizon scandal, which saw over 900

s u b - p o s t m a s t e r s w r o n g l y convicted

Former sub-postmaster

P e t e r V e r r e c h i a , w h o l o s t

£16,000, his home, and marriage, has flagged at least

f i v e s u c h i n d i v i d u a l s h e

b e l i e v e s s h o u l d n o t b e involved The Government

r e l i e s o n t h i s u n i t f o r employment details needed to settle compensation

“The culture at the Post Office hasn’t changed it’s still ‘ no comment and no action’, just like during the Horizon cover-up, ” said for-

Verrechia

Board, recently told the Post Office that victims continue to find the situation “deeply distressing and inappropriate ” A

and concerns over the remediation unit, Sir Alan Bates has called for compensation to be managed by an independent body rather than the Government The Post Office said it

c o u l d n o t c o m m e n t o n “ i n d i v i d u a l e m

matters” but confirmed that three staff members will be leaving the organisation “at the earliest opportunity ” New payout scheme fo r captu re victim s T h e G o v e r n m e n t w i l l launch a new compensation

Alan Bates

scheme this autumn for Post Office victims of Capture, a 1990s software blamed for accounting errors that led to sackings and prosecutions

Sir Alan Bates warned victims could face delays like t h o s e s e e n w i t h H o r i z o n payouts An initial group of 1 5 0 s u b - p o s t m a s t e r s w i l l receive interim £10,000 payments The CCRC is reviewing 29 convictions, while the Post Office will provide key data for the new scheme

Maidenhead woman charged with boy’s murder

A w o m a n h a s be en ch arged with the m urd er

o f a fo u r-yea r-o ld bo y found d ead at a hom e in Berkshire

Police were called to a property on Dunholme

End at around 6 30pm

o n T u e s d a y , J u n e 1 0 , where the child was pro-

scene

A k a n k s h a A d i v a r e k a r , 37, of Dunholme End, has now been charged with one count of murder

Akanksha Adivarekar is due to appear at Reading

y , June 19

CHANGE OF NAME

POONAM

Residing at 58 Lees Road, Uxbridge UB8 3AU hereby give notice of intension to change my name to POONAM CHHINA. So relinquished to the intent that I may hereafter be called/known and identified the new name of POONAM CHHINA

Council to collect data on Sikh, Jewish identities

B ir m in gh a m Ci t y Counc il will bec om e the f irst in Engl and to r e c og n is e Si k h a n d Jewis h identit ies in its data colle ction

A L a b o u r

l e d motion passed at a full council meeting will update council questionnaires, which cur-

m having over 30,000 Sikh and 2,000 Jewish residents

The Labour group said the move will help the council better understand its comm u n i t i e s a n d a d d r e s s d

crimination

The Labour group noted

have been legally recognised

as ethnic groups for over 40 years, public bodies still do not routinely collect this data leaving these communities "invisible" to policymakers

The motion, led by Cllr Jamie Tennant and seconded by Cllr Rinkal Shergill, was

and urged other councils to follow S

tion of the four-year-old boy has not yet taken place, but his next of kin are being supported by specially trained officers

The boy’s death followed the arrest of a woman on the same day

property until June 17, with a van and patrol car stationed outside in the days following the incident

Detective Inspector Rob Underhill of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit said: “This is an exceptional-

thoughts are with the boy’s family at this incredibly difficult time

concern in the local comm

there is no wider risk We

Slough arson suspect to deny terror charge

A man accused of two arson attacks and a bomb hoax in Sloug h has indicated he will deny planning acts o f terrorism

Ilyas Akhtar, 20, allegedly started fires at Salt Hill Activity Centre on May 31 a n d S l o u g h I c e A r e n a o n May 14, and made a bomb h o a x a

Drive on May 9

H e f a c e

g e s o f preparing acts of terrorism, possessing information useful to terrorists, two counts o f

s o n w i t h i n t e n t t o endanger life, and causing a bomb hoax

I l y a s A k h t a r , o f C r e s s Road, Slough, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Wormwood Scrubs for a preliminary hearing before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb He spoke only to confirm his identity, with his

lawyer indicating he would plead not guilty

A plea and case managem e n t h e a r i n g

s e t f o r October 31, with a provisional four-week trial scheduled from October 19 next y e a r a t W o o l w i c h C r o w n Court

Akhtar, wearing a grey prison T-shirt, was remanded in custody until the next hearing

Akhtar was charged following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing South East, with approval f r o m t h e C r o w n Prosecution Service At the time of the fires, D e t e c t i v e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t A n d y P e n r i t h

s Valley Police sought to reass

h

p u b

c , s a y i n g patrols in the area would be increased

British Stealth Fighter Jet still stranded in India

A n £8 8 million Royal Nav y F-3 5B Lig htning fig hter jet h a s bee n st ran d ed at a sou th ern Ind ia ai rp ort fo r ov er a w eek after an emergency land ing in the Arabian Sea on June 1 4

T h e f i f t h - g e n e r a t i o n s t e a l t h j e t p a r t o f t h e H M S P r i n c e o f W a l e s Carrier Strike Group was

c o n d u c t i n g j o i n t m i l i t a r y drills with the Indian Navy

It is understood the aircraft could not return to the carr i e r d u e t o p o o r w e a t h e r conditions

The pilot issued a dist r e s s s i g n a l a r o u n d 9 p m l o c a l t i m e l a s t S a t u r d a y , t r i

T h i r u v a

h a p u r a m a i rport, Kerala’s second busiest, Indian media reported Flight-tracking data showed the US-designed jet landing s a f e l y a b o u t 3 0 m i n u t e s later, though it reportedly suffered a hydraulic failure

India’s air force said the F-35B was “undertaking rout

Identification Zone,” with Thiruvananthapuram designated as its emergency airfield

A m a i n t e n a n c e t e a m from HMS Prince of Wales was unable to fix the fault, a n d a l a r g e r U K t e a m i s expected in Kerala For now, the jet remains parked in the open under local security, with British personnel overseeing recovery Defence sources said it is unclear how long the aircraft will remain out of service

Overseas doctors shun UK over pay, living costs

D oc to r s a re in c r e a s i n gl y c hoos ing not to work in the U K , d is c our a g ed b y l ow s alaries, high living cost s, and poor qual it y of life

Research by the General M e d i c a l C o u n c i l ( G M C ) found many are instead moving to the US, Australia, and Canada for better pay and living conditions

O f t h e d o c t o r s t r a i n e d a b r o a d s u r v e y e d , 8 4 % s a i d other countries offered better salaries, while only 5% believed the UK was competi t i v e B r i t a i n a l s o s c o r e d poorly on cost of living and quality of life, with ratings of m i n u s 4 4 a n d m i n u s 4 3 , respectively

Among doctors weighing c a r e e r o p t i o n s , t h e U K r a n k e d l o w e r t h a n r i v a l countries on 14 out of 15 factors, according to the GMC It also scored poorly for being an advanced healthcare system (minus 26), respect for doctors (minus 20), quality of patient care (minus 17), and staffing levels (minus 17)

These findings come as resident doctors in England vote on launching a new sixmonth strike for a 29% pay

r i s e , w h i l e c o n s u l t a n t s a r e a l s o h o l d i n g a n i n d i c a t i v e ballot on possible walkouts G M C c h i e f C h a r l i e

Massey called the findings “ w o r r y i n g ” a n d u r g e d t h e NHS to improve conditions for overseas-trained doctors t o a v o i d d e e p e n i n g s t a f f shortages

While 36% of NHS doctors are now non-UK nationals (up from 26 6% in 2016), many leave soon after arriving Though the UK ranks well for registration and job access, concerns about pay and working conditions persist

The findings are based on a GMC survey of 3,092 doctors abroad 2,556 moved to the UK, while 536 chose other countries

Sadiq Khan

Sir

Councillors Rinkal Shergill and Jamie Tennant

Ilyas Akhtar is accused of starting a fire at a trampolining and bowling centre

Windrush Legacy celebrated at prime minister’s residence

N o 10 hosted a Windrus h

D ay reception to honour the Caribbean migrants who arrived in the UK i n 1948 to help rebuild postwar Britain

In a video posted on

Instagram, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Today is a day of celebrating the Windrush generation the first nurses and midwives in our NHS, veterans who fought for freedom in WWII and returned to serve again, construction workers who helped rebuild Britain, transport staff, teachers, shopkeepers, cleaners all who shaped modern Britain I’m here to make good on the promise we made ” He highlighted the government’s £1 5 million Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund and the appointment of the new Windrush Commissioner, Reverend Clive Foster Starmer added: “We must learn the lessons of the past so such injustice can never happen again ”

A post accompanying the video read: “This government will never forget the legacy of the Windrush generation, who laid the foundations for modern Britain ”

Windrush Day, celebrated on 22 June since 2018, marks the contribution of Caribbean migrants and their families

The HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury, Essex, in 1948, carrying over 1,000 passengers more than 800 from the Caribbean

Many had served in the British armed forces and came in response to the UK’s call for workers to help rebuild the nation

In 2018, it emerged that the government had failed to properly document many of these individuals,

leading to wrongful mistreatment The Empire Windrush has since become a powerful symbol of the wider post-war migration that helped shape Britain

First Wi ndrush commi ssioner to drive long-overdue reform

The government has appointed the first-ever Windrush commissioner, seven years after the scandal emerged Reverend Clive Foster, a senior pastor at Pilgrim Church in Nottingham and founder of the Nottingham Windrush Support Forum,

will serve a three-year term

A key focus will be improving the long-

criticised Windrush Compensation Scheme, which campaigners say is slow, unfair, and often overturned on appeal Calls remain for the scheme to be run independently, though the Home Office insists it is committed to speeding up justice

Mr Foster pledged to deliver change the Windrush generations “ can see and feel” and to carry out the role “independently, without fear or favour,” while working constructively with the government to ensure transparent improvements

Community gathers for Mayor’s Civic Service

M ay o r o f Ha rro

Anjana Patel, was formally welcom ed into the community d uring the annu al Civ ic Service h eld on Sunday at St Mary’s C hurch, Harro w-onthe-Hill

School for his warm hospitality ” The Mayor’s Chaplain,

The event was attended by councillors, faith leaders,

Deputy Lieutenant Simon Ovens

Cllr Anjana Patel said:

“It is an honour to be welcomed as Mayor The Civic Service highlights our unity and shared commitment to

This year is especially meaningful as we mark the 60th anniversary of the borough of Harrow a milestone that reflects how far we ’ ve come together

“I would like to thank R e v G r a h a m D a l e a n d S t Mary’s for hosting the serv

Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Vernesta Cyril OBE

Reverend Clive Foster

Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Anjana Patel (Left) exchanging the sacred texts at the Civic Service

Tulip Siddiq accuses Bangladesh leader of political smear campaign

rchestra ting

interf

in British politics, a ccor ding to

o bta ined by Sky Ne ws

The letter, sent by Ms

n C o m m i s s i o n (ACC), claims the ongoing corruption inquiries into her are unlawful and based on a deliberate attempt to tarnish her public standing It demands that the investigations be dropped a n d a c c u s e s B a n g l a d e s h i authorities of using “copious briefings to the media” and refusing to properly engage with Siddiq during their recent UK visit

The legal letter states, “The time has now come for the chief adviser and the ACC to abandon their wholly misconceived and u n l a w f u l c a m p a i g n t o smear Ms Siddiq’s reputation and interfere with her public service ”

Siddiq, who is the niece o f f o r m e r B a n g l a d e s h i P r i

Hasina, has been the subject of several corruption investigations launched by t h e A C C I n M

P

assumed power following Hasina’s ousting last year, told Sky News that Siddiq had “ so many wealth left behind here” and “should be made responsible” S

right to a fair investigation and directly influenced the inquiries “They need to stop this political vendetta, this smear campaign,

and this malicious perse-

News, adding, “Nothing is

doing the job I was elected t

e people of Hampstead and Highgate ”

Yunus during his recent UK visit to “clear up ” the matter, but he refused, citing the importance of not

i

ceedings

n u s ’ s press secretary denied any political interference, stating, “The ACC relies not on hearsay but on documentary evidence and witness testimony,” and that S

the court summons issued in Bangladesh “Should she ignore the

may continue in absentia,” t

support if needed

The letter sets a deadline of 30 June 2025 for the Bangladeshi authorities to r e s p o n d I f n o r e p l y i s received, Siddiq will consider the matter closed

Nursing regulator wrongly approved hundreds, report finds

The Nur sing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the UK r egu l a t o r fo r m or e t ha n 8 0 0 ,0 0 0 n u r se s a n d m idw i ve s , i s un d e r i n t e n se

s cr u t in y a ft e r a wa t c hd o g

f ou n d i t h a d w r on g l y a ppr ove d over 3 50 “fraudul ent ” or underq ua lified indiv idual s to wor k as nurses

A r e v i e w b y t h e

P r o f e s s i o n a l S t a n d a r d s Authority (PSA), prompted b y T h e I n d e p e n d e n t ’ s e x p o s é , u n c o v e r e d s e r i o u s f a i l i n g s i n h o w t h e N M C

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

The PSA found the NMC failed to meet seven out of 18

c o r e r e g u l a t o r y s t a n d a r d s ,

citing a “dysfunctional” culture, delays in investigating fitness-to-practise cases, and r i s k s t o p a t i e n t s a f e t y

Among the most alarming

r e v e l a t i o n s w e r e c a s e s o f individuals approved witho u t m e e t i n g E n g l i s h - l a ng u a g e o r t r a i n i n g r e q u i r ements, particularly from test centres in India, Nigeria, and Pakistan

While the NMC claims to have removed some of the fraudulent entries, including 19 from Nigeria and 16 from P a k i s t a n , t h e P S A w a r n e d the register still contains sign i f i c a n t i n a c c u r a c i e s T h e regulator was also criticised for failing to act promptly on safeguarding issues, includ-

i n g n o t p u r s u i n g c r i m i n a l information in a case involving domestic abuse allegations

A w h i s t l e b l o w e r w h o first raised concerns said the report confirms the NMC is incapable of reforming itself, warning, “How many more people need to come to harm before action is taken?”

T h e f i n d i n

r Afzal KC, which exposed a toxic culture at the NMC and failures to address serio

P S A has now escalated its concerns to the health secretary and called for urgent and sweeping reforms to restore public confidence

All babies in England to receive DNA screening by 2035

T h e U K g o v e rn m

a nno u nc ed p

to o ff er DNA sequencing to all newborns in Eng land w ithin the next d ecad e, as part o f a £ 650 millio n inv estment in g enomic healthcare

Currently, babies receive a heel-prick test that

will allow early detection of hundreds of genetic disorders, enabling earlier treatment and more personalised

reducing long-term pressure on the NHS

pilot launched in October

Leicester rapist’s lenient sentence increased after appeal

A L ei c es ter m an wh o film ed himself raping a vulnerable w o m a n af ter a night ou t has had his p rison sentence i nc re as ed af ter

j u d g e s ru le d th e

o ri g i na l t erm w as u nd uly lenient

G a g a n d e e p

Gulati, 20, assaulted the intoxicated w o m a n i n C a s t l e G a r d e n s , L e i c

September last year and filmed the attack, sharing the footage with others He later falsely claimed to police that the woman had forced herself on him

Initially sentenced in March to six years for rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and sharing or threatening to share intimate images, Gulati's case was referred to the Court of Appeal by Solicitor General Lucy Rigby On June 19, three senior judges extended the rape sentence to nine years and imposed concurrent terms of four and six years for the other

images was quashed due to a legal error but treated as an aggravating factor in sentencing Lord Justice Popplewell said Gulati filmed the rape to falsely imply consent, calling it a “significant aggravating factor ” The judge added the victim was “completely out of it” due to intoxication and unable to consent

Rigby welcomed the ruling, calling Gulati’s crimes “sickening ” Gulati, a business student, showed no reaction during the hearing His lawyer admitted the original sentence was generous but argued it was not unduly lenient

Labour

trails as Reform UK takes lead in recent polls

Reform UK h as surged to a striking ninepoint lead o ver Labour, acco rding to a new Ip so s p oll, signalling a potential political earthquake

Th e survey puts Reform at 34 % of th e v ote share, ahead of Labou r ’ s 25%, a rev ersal of fortu nes j ust a year after L abour’s landslide 2024 victory

If an election were held today, Reform leader Nigel Farage would likely become prime minister The Conservatives, meanwhile, have sunk to an all-time low of just 15%, the worst performance ever recorded for the party by Ipsos, and the best on record for Reform

I N B R I E F WAIT

FOR TRIAL IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS DOUBLES

The average wait between a crime and trial in magistrates’ courts has reached a record 346 days more than double the wait a decade ago Even minor offences can now take over three years to reach court Magistrates courts where all criminal cases begin, are under pressure to help ease the crown court backlog, yet new figures show outstanding cases in these courts have risen by 25% in two years to 310 000 The delays are driven by staff shortages, disrupted prisoner transport missing interpreters, and late evidence disclosure The situation has worsened since over half of magistrates’ courts were closed between 2010 and 2019 and magistrate numbers dropped from 32,000 in 2006 to 14,500 Today, 22% of trials fail to proceed on their scheduled day In Swindon for example a lack of legal advisers has cut trial days from three a week to one Experts urge urgent reform despite government pledges of more funding

ZOMBIE DRUG SURGE IN SCHOOLS

Teachers have raised alarm over the rising use of dangerous substances like the zombie drug” spice among schoolchildren with some students reportedly getting high on school premises A NASUWT union survey of nearly 4,000 teachers found that 24% said pupils had taken spice outside school, while 9% had witnessed its use within school grounds The findings also revealed instances of students using ketamine, cocaine, cannabis, and nitrous oxide, as well as drinking alcohol and accessing gambling apps during school hours Teachers highlighted other concerns, including the widespread use of nicotine pouches (snus) and excessive consumption of energy drinks Ketamine use is reportedly increasing rapidly among UK youth with one teacher describing users as “volatile and disconnected ” making it difficult to engage them in learning The NASUWT is urging the government to take stronger action to address these issues both within schools and in the wider community

TEACHERS’ UNION SLAMMED OVER ‘PALTRY’ PAY OFFER

babies were tested for over 200 conditions The wider

increased focus on community care, improved access to digital health services, and

based treatment

extra £29 billion annually to the NHS over the next three years A full ten-year strategy outlining these reforms is

soon

The poll of 1,180 adults reveals a sharp fall in satisfaction with Prime Minister Keir Starmer Just 19% are content with his performance, while 73% express dissatisfaction Even among 2024 Labour voters, 54% have shifted their allegiance, many to Reform Among Conservative voters, 48% have also defected

If these trends hold, Labour could crash from 403 seats to just 140, and the Conservatives could be left with as few as 10 MPs Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK politics at Ipsos, said the data reflects widespread disillusionment, “The disappointment with Labour is clear, even among its own 2024 voters Public frustration over issues like the cost of living, immigration, and overstretched public services has not eased and Labour is not yet seen as delivering the change people hoped for ”

The National Education Union (NEU) is facing backlash from its own staff after proposing a 2% pay rise well below inflation and half the amount secured for the teachers it represents The offer was made while inflation stood at 3 4% and has been rejected by Unite the union representing NEU employees NEU staff already voting on strike action over a proposed restructure said the below-inflation offer has worsened internal tensions One insider called it hypocrisy of the highest order, accusing the NEU of using tactics it publicly condemns Last year, the NEU criticised government suggestions of a 2 8% rise for teachers, calling it inadequate While the School Teachers’ Review Body later recommended a 4% increase, the NEU said it was not fully funded The NEU described the 2% proposal as an “opening offer” and said talks are ongoing A spokesperson said they aim to ensure a fair settlement that reflects the rising cost of living

Tulip Siddiq

Gagandeep Gulati

Nigel Farage

Students should defend views they oppose, says free speech chief

U niv ersity stud ents shou ld b e en co u r ag e d to w ri te essays defending views they find offensive, according to A rif Ahm ed , th e UK’ s free sp eech commissioner

Speaking to The Times, Ahmed said this would help prepare students for open debate as part of their academic development A former Cambridge philosophy professor, Ahmed also urged universities not to impose

s

Palestinian protests, warning against stifling expression

H

women, to research controversial topics like race and

Ahmed criticised the "heckler’s veto", when speakers are silenced by shouting or disruptions, as a threat to free speech He stressed that universities should regulate where protests occur, not

force in August, Ahmed said

induction sessions on free expression, encourage challenging debates, and invite controversial speakers

Although a clause allowing students to sue institutions for free speech violations has been dropped, the

will still be able to fine universities that breach their duties Ahmed said the OfS would remain “completely neutral” on divisive topics,

for all viewpoints S

he warned, doesn’t elimi-

speech is about content n

silence others

54 UK universities fall in global rankings

T he UK’ s stand ing in global h igher education h as taken

a h it, with 54 British u niv ersities slipp ing in the latest Q S Wo rl d U ni v ers i ty Ranking s E v e n

like Oxford and Cambridge

l

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

Cambridge fell from fifth to sixth For the second con-

formed both, ranking just behind MIT, which retained the top spot

Although four UK uni-

over 60% of British institutions fell in the rankings T

s u c h a s G l a s g o w , Manchester, Warwick and the LSE Only 24 UK universities improved their posi-

Nottingham re-entering the global top 100 Eleven institutions held their ground Universities UK, which represents 141 universities,

Britain s educational edge Its chief executive, Vivienne Stern, said other nations are actively funding their universities, while the UK risks falling behind

Fewer state school pupils admitted to Oxford and Cambridge

T h e nu m be r o f state school pup ils g aining ad missio n to

High Court upholds VAT on private school fees

T h e Hi g h C o ur t h a s d i smissed multiple leg al challe n g e s t o t h e UK g ov e r nme nt's de cision t

school

dom ga ine d after Bre xit I n a w r i t t e n r u l i n g ,

Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Guy Newey, and Mr J u s t i c e C h a m b e r l a i n s a i d such a tax would not have b e e n p o s s i b l e u n d e r E U rules, noting, “This is therefore one respect in which the UK’s exit from the EU has

increased the scope of parliament’s freedom to determine policy ” The VAT addition, introduced in January as part of L a b o u r ’ s 2 0 2 4 e l e c t i o n pledge, aims to help fund the r e c r u i t m e n t o f 6 , 5 0 0 n e w t e a c h e r s i n s t a t e s c h o o l s

Legal claims brought by parents, schools, and advocacy groups challenged the tax on grounds including parental c h o i c e , r e l i g i o u s f r e e d o m , and the needs of children w i t h s p e c i a l e d u c a t i o n a l requirements

T h e j u d g e s a c k n o w l -

edged the difficulties famil i e s m i g h t f a c e b u t n o t e d t h a t m a n y c h i l d r e n w i t h similar needs already struggle within the state system They concluded the policy fell within the government's right to balance competing interests in public spending J u l i e R

n d e n t S c h o o l s C o u n c i l , o n e o f t h e claimants, called the ruling “ an unprecedented tax on education” and said the ISC was reviewing the judgment and considering next steps

Arif Ahmed

LCUK hosts dinner to launch LIBF Expo 2026 and Global Lohana initiatives

es s exhibition scheduled to take p lace from 3 0th January to 1 st February 2026 at the pres-

t i g io u s J i o W o rld

C o nv e nti o n C e ntr e i n M u m ba i’ s B an d ra K u rla

C omp lex (BKC )

The dinner offered a spe-

c i a l o c c a s i o n f o r t h e U K

Lohana community to interact directly with Satishbhai Vithlani, President of Shree

L o h a n a M a h a p a r i s h a d a n d

C h a i r m a n o f L I B F H e shared compelling insights into the ambitious vision and s c a l e o f t h e f o r t h c o m i n g Expo, which is set to bring together entrepreneurs, professionals, startups, investors

a n d i n d u s t r y l e a d e r s f r o m around the globe More than

j u s t a n e t w o r k i n g e v e n t , LIBF Expo 2026 will serve as a dynamic platform where innovative products connect with the right markets, flour-

i s h i n g e n t e r p r i s e s d i s c o v e r strategic partners, and seri-

o u s c o n v e r s a t i

t

tions Positioned as a springboard for business growth and international cooperation, the Expo is poised to be

a

n advancing the Lohana community’s global presence and economic influence

B e y o n d t h e E x p o announcement, the evening also served as a platform to highlight several key initia-

Connect, a global networking endeavour to strengthen community ties, as well as

lored for the new generation

Attention was also drawn to the Jobs Portal, an initiative to support employment within the community, and

p

ogramme aimed at assisting

Essex Indians charity hosts vibrant food and folk festival

Essex Indians

Registered C harity ho sted a v ibrant Food and F olk Festival at C am pion School, Hornch urch, Essex, celebrating the richness of Indian cuisine and folk traditions

The lively event brought together the Indian and British communities, creating a joyful atmosphere of cultural exchange and connection The school hall buzzed with energy, featuring a diverse array of pan-Indian food stalls, traditional music, colourful dance performances, and DJ sets that reflected the spirit of India’s regional diversity

The event was expertly led by trustees Dr Arpita Ray, Mr Piyank Dutta, Dr Anirban Mandal, and Dr Dipankar Mukherjee, with vibrant décor by Chitra Jadav Turekar and Tua Dutta

Guests enjoyed a diverse culinary spread, from Kolkata kati rolls and jackfruit burgers to chole bhature and masala dosa, with external stalls like Bhoomika’s, Mital Kitchen,

students with financial constraints The announcement of the SP Jain Scholarship and Saraswati Sanman award

d

ship’s commitment to promoting education and recognising academic excellence

and Ceylon Hut adding Sri Lankan and traditional Indian treats

The marketplace buzzed with ethnic fashion, jewellery, décor, and Mehendi art from vendors such as Meraki Jewellery, Enticing Colours, and House of Amaya

Cultural highlights included folk dances by Ashvee Dance Academy and Rhythm Performing Arts, along with workshops in Bihu, Giddha, and Bollywood, a folk quiz, life support demo, and a lively DJ finale

With over 500 attendees, the event was a resounding success Trustees thanked the community and invited all to upcoming events: Durgapuja (26–29 Sept) and East Meets West (18 Oct 2025)

also invited to anticipate the 75th anniversary of LMP in 2 0 2 7 , w i t h t h e L M P Adhiveshan in Rajkot tenta-

In the spirit of celebration and achievement, the u p c o m i n g L M P International Awards were introduced, alongside plans t

Branches both generating

UK attendees A key highlight was the launch of the L

(LBN), inspired by the BNI

global business referrals and growth L

expanding the forum’s global reach The community was

around the same time

To round off the vision, t

e c o n c e p t o f a n L M P Global Sports and Cultural Festival was introduced a vibrant platform to celebrate t h e c o m

i c e , t h

a t t r a c t e d k e y f i g u r e s a n d enthusiastic members of the U K L o h a n a c o m m u n i t y , reflecting strong support for these global ambitions The e v e n i n g e n d e d o n a h i g h note, with renewed energy and a shared determination to elevate the Lohana comm u n i t y ’ s p r e s e n c e o n t h e world stage

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

A T T H E B H A V A N

1) Experience “The Music of Nature’s Timely Rhythms and Melodies” an enchanting evening with internationally acclaimed sitarist Reshma Srivastava Renowned for her deeply meditative performances that promote harmony and wellbeing, Reshma has been trained in a distinguished musical lineage since the age of six An A-Grade artist with All India Radio & Television, she brings over four decades of global performance experience to the stage Join us on Saturday, 28 June at 7:00 pm for this special concert

2) Enjoy Kalmrigaya Rabindranath Tagore’s celebrated opera based on the Ramayana The evening will also pay tribute to three iconic figures of Bengali culture: Rabindranath Tagore, Salil Chowdhury, and Ritwik Ghatak The performance, presented in Bengali, will take place on Sunday, 29 June, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm

3) Nrityanjali – A Divine Celebration of Dance will feature a series of beautifully choreographed pieces that blend grace, rhythm, and storytelling, taking the audience on a journey through spiritual and moral themes The event will showcase the artistry of Kavita Gupta, a professionally trained Kathak dancer with over 15 years of performing across India, Hong Kong, and London The performance will take place on Saturday, 5 July, from 5 00 to 6 30 pm

4) Nayab Midha – Live in London presents Rajkumari, a poetic and heartfelt exploration of modern love through the eyes of a woman The performance challenges childhood fairy tales and the ideal of a “Prince Charming,” delving into the emotions and realities when love doesn’t unfold as expected The event will take place on Sunday, 6 July 2025, at 6 30 pm

5) Odissi Recital by Dr Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, a renowned Odissi dancer and senior disciple of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, accompanied by Odissi students led by Katrina Rute The performance will take place on Thursday, 17 July, at 7 00 pm

Three questions that can change your life

Rohit Vadhwana

S ome questions have tremend ous p ower to chang e a person's life We all encounter such questions, at least o nce in our lives, and our answer to that question determ ines our future fo rever Recently, in an email from Tony Robbins' team , the follow ing three qu estions w ere m entioned to be life-ch anging, as Tony terms them I have reframed th em a bit They are as follow s:

1 Wh at d o I really want?

Think beyond your daily tasks What exciting result or goal would truly make you feel happy and fulfilled?

2 Wh y is th is so im portant to me?

What’s your personal reason for wanting it? Dig deep and connect with the emotions behind your goal this is what will keep you going when things get tough

3 Wh at step s can I take to reach it?

List a few clear actions you can take to move forward When you know exactly what to do, it’s easier to stay focused and make progress

What do you think about the above three questions, and if you have to write down your answers, what would they be? Do you think these questions and your genuine answers could bring any change in your life? Could they bring a positive transformation to your future? Would you like to give them credibility of having the power to bring good health, prosperity, success and satisfaction in your life?

Since this is about questions, and the answers should come from your side, I would keep it short this time, and allow you time for reflection and introspection The only advice I would give here is that you need to take a pen and paper, and sit down in a quiet place Be in the moment when you go over them in your mind, and analyse them Note down your points and answers And then decide what is best for you

(Expressed opinions are personal)

Asian community raises £70k for St Luke’s Hospice

R e pr e s e n t a t iv e s fr om t h e Asian Foundation for Hel p, Lions Club of Kingsbury, a nd Pr a n a s ha v i si t e d St L uk e ’ s Hospice in Kent on t o pre sen t a £70,300 cheq ue ra ised at a community fundraiser

The donation will supp o r t s p e c i a l i s t e n d - o f - l i f e care for people in Harrow and Brent Trustees and staff warmly thanked the groups for their continued support The Asian Foundation, a l o n g - t i m e s u p p o r t e r o f S t Luke’s, raised £70,300 at a t w o - p a r t f u n d r a i s e r a t Dhamecha Lohana Centre on 22 March The event featured H a n u m a n C h a l i s a , T h a l Aarti, Maha Prashad, and an evening of Bollywood music, all in support of the hospice S t L u k e ’ s C h i e f Executive Lindsey Bennister called the £70,000 raised “ an i n c r e d i b l e a c h i e v e m e n t , ” adding, “We are so grateful to the Asian Foundation for H e l p , L i o n s C l u b o f Kingsbury, and Pranasha for their generosity and com-

mitment These funds are already being put to use refurbishing our physiothera p y r o o m a n d i m p r o v i n g spaces where patients and families spend time ” After speeches from St L u

P

t and Bennister, guests toured the hospice to see first-hand how their support is helping local people Ketan Mehta, speaking

to support St Luke’s The event brought our comm

both vital funds and awareness for such an important cause We’re proud of what we achieved and look for-

Asian Foundation for Help supports global causes, with a focus on education in India and promoting Gujarati cultural heritage In the UK, it actively donates vital equipment to NHS hospitals

Organisation members presenting cheque to St Luke’s Hospice

Community members enjoying the vibrant event

Satishbhai Vithlani

Guests present at the event

O O T S T H A T P U L L U S H O M E

A reflection on culture, faith, and identity

Hina Vadgama

I recently had the pleasu re of attend ing a local event organised by th e V allabh Youth Organisation ( VYO) v ia Balham Mandir, and I m ust say I w alked away inspired What touched me most was watching

m Krishna Leela with such joy and confidence This wasn’t just a stage performance; it was a quiet yet p

V Y O Education team did a phenomenal job putting it all together, creating a platform where children could

c

itage in such a meaningful way

In a world that often pulls us in countless direct i o n s b e t w e e n w o r k , family, and the ever-demanding pace of life it s refreshing and reassuring to know that organisations like VYO Education exist Their mission to instil pride and confidence in Hindu children is not only timely, but also essential Especially now, as demographics shift and cultural influences diversify, it’s more important than ever to give our children a strong sense of who they are and where they come from

I n i t i a

cross-legged every morning, lighting a diya, reading from the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita a n d o t

wasn’t just a ritual It was a masterclass in faith, discipline, and quiet strength

dharma, righteousness, the importance of respecting all

feeding others Her grandmother, a deeply revered Vaishnav, and her father my Nana passed away with the Bhagwat Gita in his hands These are not just memories; they are my roots, my compass

Thousands attend Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji’s London discourses

Bridge India honours Harshad Kothari by Community Service Award

H a rs h a d K o t h a ri wa s rec ently ho noured with the Community S ervice Award at a prestigiou s black-tie dinner ho sted by Bridge India T hi nk T ank at Lo ndon’s Royal La n ca s te r H

a wa rd c el

h mythology or tradition they build social awareness, comm unity belonging, and emotional g rou nd ing For many parents, maintaining a work-life balance is already a struggle Add to that the challenge of nurturing cultural values, and the task can feel overwhelming That’s why VYO’s work is so valuable it lifts some of that burden, offering support and structure to families trying to raise grounded, compassionate, and culturally-aware children

So why did I attend this event? Honestly, my roots pulled me in

My mother whom we lovingly called Ba was born into a Vaishnav family, and h

Growing up, I often joined her for darshan at

Mothers shape more than just our childhoods they influence our emotional lives, our sense of self, and our understanding of love and purpose Even after their passing, that connection doesn’t fade In my own times of struggle, Ba has come to me in dreams, reciting Saraswati shlokas, urging me to keep the faith and stand tall It felt like divine guidance a reminder of the Sanatan belief that Atma Amar Chhe the soul is immortal

Sanatan Dharma isn’t just a religion; it’s a way of life It’s a collection of eternal truths that shape how we live, love, and serve We are truly blessed to be born into this spiritual legacy And if we want to keep it alive, we must pass it on not just through words, but through meaningful actions and collective efforts like those of VYO Education

Let’s support and celebrate these spaces that help our children grow not just smart, but sp iritu ally rooted Because in a world full of noise, it’s our roots that remind us who we are

Oxford newsagent scoops three national titles

H o ne y ’ s o f th e H i gh , Newsagents & Off Licence

o n O x fo rd’ s p i c tu r es q u e H igh S treet, was crowned

B e s t Ne ws a ge nt s & O f f Licence, Best Convenience

S to re, and Best for Home

N e ws D e li v er y by T h e F ederation of Independent Retailers (F ED) at a glitteri n g c er em o n y o n Wednesday, 18 th June

H e l d a t B i r m i n g h a m ’ s Hilton Metropole, the event brought together over 600

r e t a i l e r s , i n d u s t r y e x e c utives, and business leaders to celebrate the best in the industry With thousands of entries from across the UK and Ireland, owners Hiten and Kinnari Patel claimed

t h e p r e s t i g i o u s n a t i o n a l awards, outshining strong competition from across the country

T h e j u d g e s r e m a r k e d : “Building on last year ’ s Best

C u s t o m e r S e r v i c e w i n , H i t e n a n d K i n n a r i h a v e s h o w n i m p r e s s i v e g r o w t h while keeping the customer at the heart of the business ”

They praised the store’s attention to detail and creative touches, such as hand-

written labels on the wine range to guide meal pairings The judges also highlighted its “well-lit, clear, and easy-to-shop displays” and wide selection of stock, i n c l u d i n g f o r e i g n n e w s titles

Speaking to As ian Voic e a n d G uj a ra t Sa m ac h ar , Kinnari said, “This was our s e c o n d y e a r a t t h e F e d Awards, and we were fortunate to be finalists in three categories We are absolutely delighted to have won the awards and to have received a ‘Highly Commended’ in such a tough field It has been a wonderful evening, very well organised, and my husband Hiten and I couldn’t be happier We want to thank our amazing team at

Honey’s, without their hard work and dedication, none of this would be possible

We are also grateful to our family and friends for their

kind customers, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued

Your tremendous support has played a vital role in getting us to where we are now It is your trust and

thrive Honey’s is committed to serving you and being a cornerstone of this community for many years to come

h i s decades-lo ng dedicati on t o c o m mu ni t y s er vi c e and h is excep tional co ntribu tio ns to so ciety

For more than 40 years, Harshad has been a key figu r e i n s t r e n g t h e n i n g a n d uniting the British Indian and East African Asian communities

As a Board Member and A m b a s s a d o r o f t h e A s i a n Business Association (ABA) w i t h i n t h e L o n d o n Chamber of Commerce and

Industry (LCCI), Harshad’s leadership has been instrum e n t a l i n s h a p i n g a n d strengthening the business ecosystem

In a recent speech, Tony Matharu, renowned hotel i e r , p h i l a n t h r o p i s t , a n d B o a r d M e m b e r o f t h e L o n d o n C h a m b e r o f Commerce, remarked: "Harshad is the kind of

selfless person who does a lot behind the scenes

nised His involvement

LCCI and ABA, over

East African Asians, uniting

refugees to the UK, Canada,

world

In a fitting tribute to his lifelong service, he was also awarded the Freedom of the City of London, one of the C

ours, at a special ceremony held at Guildhall

Children performing Krishna Leela

Beautiful decoration of Krishna bhagwan at the event

Hiten and Kinnari Patel

Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji’s meeting Consulting Editor of Gujarat Samachar, Jyotsna Shah

Harshad Kothari; CB Patel, Chairman, ABPL and Padma Shri Kalpana Saroj, Chairperson, Kamani Tubes

Crossing the

line: Billions spent, still no answers on channel crossings

Before the last general election, Keir Strarmer made a bold promise: to take back control of illegal immigration across the Channel A new Border Security Force was announced with great fanfare and marketed as the solution to stop the flow of small boats Fast forward to today, and not only the boats are still coming but the numbers have gone up So where is this new force? And more importantly, why are people still risking their lives to come here?

Let us be honest, these are not people fleeing war zones They are travelling through safe, prosperous countries like France and Germany, and still choosing to come to Britain Why? Because the UK is seen as the softest landing The language is familiar The asylum process is painfully slow Once you are in, removal is rare Meanwhile, support systems kick in free accommodation, legal aid, allowances, and yes, better heating than many pensioners receive Add in established communities already here, and the UK begins to look like the destination of choice, not the last resort

For those of us who came here legally, especially from South Asia, this feels deeply unfair We followed the rules, filled out the paperwork, paid the fees, waited our turn, and contributed to Britain’s growth success Watching others skip the queue doesn’t just insult that effort, it undermines the entire system This is not about lacking compassion It is about fairness It is about upholding the rule of law and restoring confidence in a system that currently feels broken

If the government is serious, the answer is not more slogans or press conferences It’s action Speed up removals

Get a grip on illegal entries End the mixed messages and review the systems that make long-term stay so easy And yes, work with European partners with real pressure and real consequences Because the crossings are not happening in a vacuum They are happening because the incentives are still here Until those are removed, the boats will keep coming And Britain will keep spending billions while trust in the system continues to sink

Dr Narsinhbhai P atel

Doctors render selfless service to the society

National Doctors’ Day is celebrated in India on July 1 to express gratitude for the relentless service provided by doctors to the people across the nation It is observed in honour of Bidhan Chandra Roy, the physician turned politician who was the second chief minister of West Bengal

This day highlights the significant role of doctors in promoting the well-being and health of individuals and communities Every year, Doctor’s Day has a theme and this year the theme is "Behind the Mask: Caring for Caregivers" This theme emphasizes the need to acknowledge and support the well-being of doctors, recognizing that they also require care and attention despite their dedication to patients

Since the beginning of the pandemic, doctors have selflessly served the people of the nation This special occasion of National Doctors’ Day appreciates the contributions made by doctors towards making a healthy nation

Jubel D'Cruz

Convicted paedophile arrested for staging child 'wedding' at Disneyland

A 39-year-o ld British man on th e U K’s sex offender reg ister was arrested in F rance after o rganising a disturbing m ock wed ding at Disneyland Paris, featuring a nine-year-old U krainian g irl as the “bride ” The ceremony took place near Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in front of a b o u t 1 0

used a false Latvian identity and forged documents to book the park venue, valued at over €100,000, claiming it was for a lavish adult celebration He hired extras who believed they were attending a genuine high-end wedding and had no idea a child was involved

Disney staff became alarmed when they noticed the girl awkwardly wearing taped-on heels and appearing distressed

T

authorities A medical check confirmed the child was physically unharmed The suspect, his accomplices, including the child’s mother, and two others are now facing charges of fraud, identity theft, money laundering, breach of trust, and corruption of a minor French and British police are collaborating on the case, which has drawn international attention to the lengths offenders will go to exploit vulnerable children and the importance of vigilance at even the most celebrated public venues

Virat Kohli embraces private life in Notting Hill

T h e bu i ld -u p to I nd i a ’ s series against England has focused as mu ch on absent stars as o n th os e playing Wi th R o h it S h ar m a a nd Rav ic h an d ra n A s h w i n retired , the big gest shadow is cast by Virat Kohli, w ho is based in London with h is w if e, Bo l lyw o o d ac tre s s Anushka S harma, and their young family

K o h l i a n d S h a r m a , believed to live quietly in Notting Hill, often enjoy top Indian restaurants and public transport in England, a stark contrast to their superstar life in India With 274

million Instagram followers, K o h l i r a n k s j u s t b e h i n d

Ronaldo and Messi, while Sharma has nearly 70 million Their fame rivals lege n d s l i k e T e n d u l k a r a n d

Dhoni This immense popu-

Pride in ‘Indian’

wi despread us

of the term “South Asian” i n W estern media and academia, arguing it oversi mplifies India’s ri

lum

and Banglades h Many prefer to be identified as Indian rather than under a broad regional label especially as the term has a

y linked to issues like grooming gangs (see page 12)

Last week, Insight UK a "social movement of British Hindus and Indians"

Stokes facing overwhelming c

Indian cricketers’ stardom far exceeds even IPL fame

Tragically, Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL win sparked a deadly crush at the victory parade, highlighting his massive followi

tional match is India’s ODI t

August, while Middlesex has

England This leaves Kohli

close yet distant from the India-England series Recently, Kohli hosted India’s new leadership team at his home but stayed

identity, not ‘South Asian’ umbrella term

voiced similar concerns on social media about the

Asian ” The group argued that the label, often used by W

tinct cultural identity, his-

s b y lumping it with countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka Insight UK highlighted I n d i a ’ s u n i q u e l i n g u i s t i c , culinary, and religious heritage, particularly its Hindu and Dharmic roots, which set it apart It also warned that such broad generalisations overlook key differ-

tion, employment, and even incarceration trends

With over 2 million people, Indians form the UK’s largest ethnic minority The group stressed that grouping them under a “South Asian” umbrella oversimplifies complex realities and diminishes India’s historical and cultural significance

I n s i g h t U K o f f e r e d a comparison to highlight the issue, saying it would be like “ c o n

a u s e both are in Europe,” while ignoring their distinct lan-

guages, cultures, and histories

The group also emphasised that for many in the I n d i a n d i a s p o r a , b e i n g called “Indian” is a source of pride and a true reflection of their rich heritage The broader “South Asian” label, they argued, risks diluting this deep, individual identity rooted in centuries of unique history and culture

If you are an individual o r o r g a n i s a t i o n w i t h thoughts on the use of the blanket term “South Asian,” we’d love to hear from you Please email us at: subhasini naicker@abplgroup com

Sunak, Murthy call for values-based leadership

Aks hat

Stanf ord’ s Gra dua te Sc hool of B us

25 , sharing le ssons on leaders hip and E ast ern value s Central to their t alk was the Sans krit concept of ‘D harm a ’ f ulf ilm e nt th

er reward

Sunak said the concept of ‘Dharma’ guided his return to politics during the 2022 cri-

out but Akshata reminded me: my ‘Dharma’ was clear ” H e s h

s Chancellor, the Covid crisis taught him that while data is vital, values and instinct ultim a t e l y s h a p e t o u g h d e c i -

s i o n s “ D a t a c a n ’ t l o o k a r o u n d c o r n e r s , ” h e s a i d , crediting Akshata for helping him trust his judgement, a lesson that helped him resist a second national lockdown in 2021

Dharma for the new er a of le ade rship

The concept of ‘Dharma’ wasn’t just for prime minist e r s , A k s h a t a M u r t h y t o l d

S t a n f o r d ’ s G S B g r a d u a t e s Through her UK education p r o j e

people

anchor

comes: “Successes and failures are part of leadership Dharma gives resilience and c l a r i t y t o f a c e w h a t e v e r comes ” Sunak echoed this, saying leadership requires both

data and instinct: “You’ve got t o g e t c o m f o r t a b l e w

Britain’s first Indian-origin

d West, tradition and modernity I n i

they called for a new kind of global leadership For graduates facing climate crises, AI

upheaval, the takeaway was clear: don’t just optimise

e Bhagavad Gita teaches: “You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions ”

Resham Kotecha appointed director of Conservative Friends of India

C o ns er v at iv e F ri en d s o f

In d i a ( C F I n d i a) h a s ann o u nc ed th e ap p o i ntment o f Resham Kotech a as its new Director, marking a sig nificant step in the organisati on ’ s con ti nued effo rts to deep en ties between the Conservativ e Party and the British Indian com munity Resham brings with her a n i m p

d t h o f experience, having served in senior roles across government, think tanks, and the c h a r i t y s e c t o r S h e h a s advised Cabinet ministers, s t o o d a s a p a r l i a m e n t a r y candidate, and has played a key role in shaping inclusive, future-focused policy agen-

das expertise that will be

growth

A long-time supporter of CF India, R

tion since its incep-

strong commitment to further

As Director, Resham will

Virat Kohli

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murthy

Resham Kotecha with Oliver Dowden

Jacky Jahj

Probe ramps up into deadly Air India crash

Authorities have identified all but one of the 260 bodies recovered, and funerals have begun Yet the tragedy remains etched in public memory, fuelling calls for a swift

a

provide answers and ensure such a disaster is never repeated

Amid speculation that the aircraft’s black box would be sent abroad for analysis, Civil Aviation

remains in India and is currently

where the investigation is

gressing

Funerals held fo r victims

The British man who survived

Ahmedabad helped lay his brother

bandaged from his injuries, joined mourners as a pallbearer for his brother Ajay, who perished in the crash The brothers were among

2 4 2 p a s s

e crash also claimed 19 lives on the ground

Elsewhere, a joint funeral was held for three British victims Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee, and four-year-old Sara Nanabawa with their family expressing gratitude to the community for its support

In Dagachi Dui, 25-year-old Faizan Rafik, who was returning h o m e t o L e i c e s

Madina mosque “We kept hoping for good news, but there were no updates,” said his cousin, Sameer Rafik

H u n d r e d s g

d

n Mumbai for the funeral of Roshni Songhare, 26, a cabin crew mem-

H

grief “She was full of dreams Her parents gave everything to support her,” said Songhare’s uncle

Similar scenes unfolded at the funeral of crew member Deepak Pathak in Badlapur His body was handed over after a nine-day DNA identification process, with a large turnout following the procession to Manjarli crematorium

Funerals have also been held f

Maithili Patil in Maharashtra Meanwhile, UK-based Umang P

d

another struggle fighting Royal

is all speculation The black box is with the AAIB, and the investigation is ongoing,” Mr Naidu said,

a technical process and will take time

Speaking at the Helicopters & Small Aircraft Summit 2025, Mr Naidu also confirmed that a highlevel panel is probing the crash and the investigation is progressing smoothly “Decoding the black box will provide key insights into what happened just before the crash,” he said Nearly all v ictim s id entified in Air India crash

Authorities in Gujarat say they have identified all but one of the 260 bodies recovered after the Air India crash in Ahmedabad earlier this month

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed in a fireball shortly after takeoff on June 12, striking a medical college hostel One passenger survived, while 19 people on the ground also died

The death toll is now confirmed at 260, slightly below earli-

identified 259 victims 240 passengers and 19 on the ground DNA results for one passenger are still awaited,” said Rakesh Joshi,

civil hospital

income The community has rallied, gathering over 1,200 signatures and raising £11,000 through crowdfunding Patel has asked for the campaign to end after funeral costs were met, saying they didn’t want to take advantage of public generosity No plan to send black box abroad, says m inister

n M

r K

Rammohan Naidu said the black box from the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad is being examined by t h e A i r c r a f t A c c i d e n t Investigation Bureau (AAIB), dismissing reports that it would be sent abroad for analysis

R e c o v e r e d o n J u n e 1 3 , t h e black box which records crucial flight data remains in India “It

rostering Among those named in the June 20 order is a divisional vice president of the Tata Groupowned airline Air India has been directed to submit a report on the actions taken against the officials within 10 days

acknowledged the DGCA’s directive to terminate three employees over safety lapses and confirmed the order has been implemented “We acknowledge the regulator’s directive and have implemented

through the window the smoke quickly filled the building, and we couldn’t breathe ” In support, UAE-based philant h r o p i s t D r S h a m s h e e r V a y a l i l pledged 6 crore (£60,000,000) to bereaved families and injured doctors, while Air India’s parent Tata G

family Dr Vayalil said he was moved by memories of his own time in Indian hostels as a young medical student “These students carried

the hopes of entire communities Their dreams must not be forgotten,” he said

C

(IOCC) Air India remains committed to full compliance with safety protocols,” the airline said Air India CEO and Managing D i r e c t o r C a m p b e l l W i l s o n a l s o reassured the public and employees that the airline’s fleet remains safe, following additional checks, especially on its Boeing 787 airc r a f t “ H a v e o u r a i r c r a f t b e e n deemed safe? Yes We have completed precautionary checks on our 787 fleet as requested by the D G C A , w h i c h c o n f i r m e d t h e y meet required standards,” Wilson stated He added that the airline will continue voluntary pre-flight

c h e c k s a s a n e x t r a p r e c a u t i o n , emphasising, “Where there is any doubt, we will not release aircraft, of any type, for service ”

Last week, DGCA had warned

A i r I n d i a f o r o p e r a t i n g A i r b u s planes with overdue or unverified emergency equipment checks a v i o l a t i o n o f a i r w o r t h i n e s s a n d s a f e t y s t a n d a r d s , a c c o r d i n g t o documents

Injured stud ent battles traum a after tragedy

Officials cautioned that the toll may still change as the crash site is being cleared So far, the remains of 256 victims have been handed to families 253 identified through DNA, six by facial recognition

DGCA tells Air India to d ismiss 3 officials after d eadly crash India’s aviation watchdog, the

ordered Air India to terminate three employees over recent safety lapses just days after a Londonbound Air India flight crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 270 people

The DGCA instructed the air-

related to

scheduling

Junior doctors and relatives are still grappling with the trauma of the Air India Flight 171 crash, which killed 270 people after the plane ploughed into their hostel in western India, triggering a devastating fireball

A m o n g t h e s u r v i v o r s i s 2 1y e a r - o l d p h y s i o t h e r a p y s t u d e n t

Dr Shravani Varpe, now recoveri n g f r o m s e c o n d - d e g r e e b u r n s

With her hands in bandages and fingers immobile, she is determined to complete her final exam with the help of a writer "I’m reall y s t r u g g l i n g b u t I m u s t h o l d myself together, she said

The psychological scars run deeper “Even small sounds take us back to that terrifying day,” Dr Varpe recalled “We know these burn scars will last for life ” She and fellow students narrowly escaped the blaze by soaki n g b l a n k e t s a n d c l i m b i n g o u t onto a balcony “At first, we heard the noise, then saw a fireball burst

Passeng ers, crew fall ill on A ir Ind ia L ond on-M umbai flight

Five passengers on board Air India Flight AI 130 from London t o M u m b a

g h t , reportedly showing symptoms of food poisoning such as nausea and dizziness

The airline confirmed that five passengers and two crew members were affected Upon landing in Mumbai, two passengers and

attention before being discharged

The cause is under investigation An airline official, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested the incident may have been caused by slow decompression a gradual loss of cabin pressure

An airport official added that some of the affected individuals were taken to the airport medical room in wheelchairs The flight’s pilots were not impacted, as their meals are served after passengers have been catered

“On board flight AI-130 from L

members reported feeling dizzy

phases of the flight,” Air India said in a statement

“The flight landed safely in M

were on hand to provide immediate assistance After landing, two passengers and two cabin crew

were taken to the airport medical room for further examination and later discharged The incident is under investigation, and the regulator has been duly notified ” In the wake of the Air India

issues and mid-air incidents on other flights have heightened anxiety among crew and passengers From cabin pressure drops to sudden illnesses on board, these prob-

raised

concerns about

Continued from page 1

Vishwashkumar Ramesh being pallbearer for his brother Ajay

Manipur mourns as mortal remains of Air India crash victim Nganthoi Sharma body reach Imphal

Dr Shravani Varpe

Starmer’s earlier reluctance was widely seen as an attempt to shield

L a b o u r ’ s e l e c t o r a l c

i t i o n a n d avoid further amplifying far-right

n

within British Muslim communi-

T

i t y around the issue was further complicated by the fact that many of the areas where grooming gangs operated have been under Labour control for decades, and most still are, making the party accountable, In January, Asian Voice report-

e d g r o w

how the scandal was being portrayed The use of the broad term “Asian” to describe perpetrators, many of whom were of British Pakistani heritage, has drawn criticism for unfairly stigmatising all South Asian men, including communities that have no connection to the crimes Women from these same backgrounds have also been among the victims, further complicating the narrative

T h e I I C S A h a d n o t e d t h a t political and institutional hesitancy to label offenders as “British Pakistani” was driven by fear of being seen as Islamophobic Now, B a r o n e s s C a s e y ’ s f i n d i n g s h a v e revealed that authorities have consistently avoided addressing the ethnicity of grooming gang offenders, over the fear of being termed racist The audit revealed that ethn i c i t y d a t a i s m i s s i n g f o r t w othirds of known perpetrators, making it impossible to draw accurate conclusions at a national level

P r e s e n t i n g t h e f i n d i n g s t o Parliament, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper apologised to victims and announced a new national inquiry into grooming gangs “We as a society owe these women a debt

T h e y s h o u l d n e v e r h a v e b e e n allowed to suffer such appalling abuse and violence as children ”

T h e r e p o r t a l s o f o u n d t h a t

m a n y o r g a n i s a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g schools and social services, avoided confronting the abuse due to fears of being labelled racist or damaging community relations This failure, it said, led to missed opportunities to protect children

“If we had seen these girls as victims rather than troublemakers

a n d c o l l e c t e d p r o p e r e t h n i c i t y data, we might not be in this position today,” the report concluded, criticising the system for failing to understand and respond adequately to the scale of the abuse

One such victim is Samantha Walker-Roberts who was just 12 w h e n s h e w a s g a n g - r a p e d i n a house in Chadderton, Oldham, in 2006 Only one of her attackers, Shakil Chowdhury, was convicted and served just three years of a sixyear sentence The others were never brought to justice

S h e , r e j e c t s t h e f a r - r i g h t ’ s attempts to exploit grooming scandals for political gain, stressing that the focus must remain on survivors and insists a national, survivor-led inquiry with full statutory powers is essential to compel testimony, uncover the truth, and d e l i v e r j u s t i c e W i t h o u t i t , Samantha says, the system continues to fail victims like her, and the culture of denial remains unbroken

Casey’s most stinging indictment comes in her warning that this deliberate evasion doesn’t just

JUSTICE BEFORE POLITICS

protect abusers, it betrays communities "You're doing a disservice to two sets of population,” she says, “the Pakistani and Asian heritage community, and victims ” Voices fr om wit hin the community

F o r t h e w i d e r S o u t h A s i a n community, the concern isn’t just a b o u t d e m o n i s a

these crimes simply due to shared ethnic and regional identity This becomes even more painful when w o m

f r o m w i t h i n t h e s a m e communities have also been victims, yet their suffering is sidelined The dominant narrative has reduced a complex, tragic issue to o n e o f “ b r o w n m e n g r o

white girls,” erasing the full scope of abuse and ignoring victims and

frame

T h e H in d u C o m m u ni ty

Or g an is at i o ns G ro u p ( HC OG ) Leicester called on media, policymakers, and public institutions to end the careless use of the term "Asian" in discussions and reporti n g o f g

s across Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist communities in the UK

According to the organisation, reports have consistently shown that many of the perpetrators in t h e s

repeated use of the blanket term "Asian" has unfairly and inaccurately implicated entire communities who have no connection whatsoever to these crimes

"This is not just a matter of semantics-it has real-world consequences," said a spokesperson for HCOG Leicester "British Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists are wrongly stigmatised and associated with heinous acts they have no part in It's time the language used in public dialogue reflected the truth and respected the diversity within the Asian diaspora "

The organisation further added t

s , distinctions of culture, name, and religion are immediately recognisable What may seem like generalisation to outsiders can feel like disc

lumped together under the same label

Previously, there was serious backlash about Keir Starmer and other authorities and media using the term “South Asian” to address what were accused mostly from the Pakistani community

Kri sh na Bh an, C h air, Hin d u Cou ncil UK commenting on this issue, previously told Asian Voice that, “Hindu Council UK has long campaigned to the media for not using the word ‘Asian’ to describe these gangs as our Hindu and Sikh girls were also their victims and given the present lash-back on the

Asian in their news reports for a more accurate description of the gangs, but we are dismayed that the Prime Minister still chose to whitewash this heinous atrocity with the word ‘Asian’ in his press conference ” Experts w eig h in Professor A isha K Gill, Ph D F R S A C BE , P

C rim inolog y, University of Bristol, Head of C entre for Gender and Vio lence Research had previously told us that linking ethnicity to child sexual exploitation overlooks

favouring ethnicity over the broader statistics and causal socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and neglect, that are often at the root of sexual exploitation S h e f u r t h e

d , “ R a i

moral outrage over the issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation is a matter of priority, but it should be achieved without recourse to

racial stereotyping this is helpful to no one, least of all the victims of such crimes ”

As Asian Voice reached out to Prof Gill again about her opinion on the audits finding and course of a c t i o n , s

s widespread mistrust in the government s ability to act meaningfully and public frustration has been exploited by far-right groups “One of the problems facing this new inquiry is how to address the current crisis of confidence and doubt whether the government will heed these calls for change As recently as January 2025, many survivors

whether a national inquiry was the most effective way to address the inherent problems associated with investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators, as well as supporting

exploitation (CSE)

Professor Alexis Jay’s report was released, no disciplinary action has been taken against these professionals CSE victims/survivors thus

d e

t e l y s u p p o r t e d , which has compounded the distrust of, and dissatisfaction with, the police and local systems of government Alarmingly, some of that anger has fed attempts by the far right to weaponise the issue for political ends ”

Furthermore, she pointed out that , many victims are now afraid

to report abuse, fearing they won’t be believed or will be blamed and that the inquiry must tackle this fear head-on to restore trust and encourage reporting

S h e f u r t h e r s a i d , “ S e v e r a l actions are already underway (i e , r e o p e n i n g c a s e s ) , a n d C a s e y ’ s report has prompted further action (i e , the National Crime Agency working with local police forces) In the case of the latter, the NCA have been tasked with working with police forces to deliver “longawaited justice” for victims whose c a s e s h a v e n o t y e t p r o g r e s s e d through the criminal justice system Their operational remit aims to “put an end to the culture of denial in local services and authorities about the prevalence of this crime” and also improve how local p o l i c e f o r c e s i n v e s t i g a t e s u c h crimes

“Other factors must also be considered as part of these processes, however; adequate training and data collection are integral Knowledge about the perpetrators is essential Baroness Casey has recommended that police forces in England should improve how they collect ethnicity data in CSE and child exploitation cases: mapping the characteristics of individuals w h o p e r p e t r a t e C S E i s v i t a l t o u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e r e c r u i t m e n t tactics they may use, both online and offline, and examining how CSE occurs on a continuum ”

According to Dr Rima Saini, S enio r L ec ture r in S oc io lo g y at Mid dlesex U niv ersity London, collecting information about people’s ethnicity when studying crime is very important, but also complicated and sensitive She told Asian Voice, “Collecting robust ethnicity data on a national scale, especially to map a particular criminalised subset of the population, is both m e t h o d o l o g i c a l l y d i f f i c u l t ( h o w granulated would/should that data be, how accurate is self-reported let alone police recorded data, can sufficient resources and expertise be allocated to do this well etc ) and ethically fraught

“On a basic level it is fundamentally important to collect and

use ‘good’ demographic data to better understand the prevalence of, and tackle, particular crimes, as well as support victims of crime

The data must, however, be collected ethically, be as comprehensive as possible, used responsibly a n d c

and in relation to other existing, relevant data sets and data sources (both quantitative and qualitative) to further broaden our picture of the scope and nuance of the crimes in question

“Incomplete data is never ideal but the communication of data outputs must also not be reduced to simplistic, erroneous headlines (which may e g essentialise ‘ethnicity’ or ‘ race ’ as a sole, causative

rather than tackling it

Why ethnicity can ’ t be the whole story

Over the past year, any public

regardless of accuracy has often triggered extreme reactions, both verbal and physical In this case too, shortly after presenting data showing a disproportionate data of ethnicity, Baroness Casey had to urge the public to “stay calm” when addressing the ethnicity of grooming gang offenders She warned that some police data is being misused in public debate and could lead to harmful generalisations

Her report looked at police figures from areas like Rochdale and Oldham, where grooming gangs have been convicted In one set of cases involving multiple victims a

were of Asian background and 38% were white However, when looking at all child sex abuse cases, not just group exploitation, the data showed that most suspects were white (44%), 16% were Asian, and 32% had unknown ethnicity

Lady Casey stressed that while some crimes may show a higher number of 'Asian suspects', broader data on child abuse does not She urged people to look at the data carefully and avoid jumping to c

alone

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s

forthcoming national inquiry into grooming gangs must place

agendas

S

analysing the testimonies of victims of child sexual abuse in other contexts, often the ethnicity of the perpetrator remains vague, citing the example of the 2015 inquiry’s Truth Project She further added,

“One reason is that whiteness goes unremarked upon in many areas of life in a majority-white country such as the UK Another serious issue is the poor levels of reporting of child sexual abuse in general in

Overall, we lack a good understanding of both victim and perpetrator characteristics ”

“If coming from a particular community is a risk factor for perpetration of a certain form of child sexual abuse, more accurate data is needed to say this confidently and in a way that can engage communities rather than alienating them It is our hope that this new inquiry can do that ”

Dr Rima Saini Prof Aisha Gill

Baroness Louise Casey

Kemi Badenoch

No more prosecutions for women over late-term abortions

I n a hi storic shift to aborti on law

i n England and W ales, women will no longer face criminal pros ec ution for undergoi ng lateterm abortions The House of Commons pass ed the amendment on Tuesday by 37 9 votes to 137 , a majority of 2 42 , marking the most signific ant reform to abortion legislation in over 50 years

The change, brought forward by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, removes the threat of criminal charges for women who terminate pregnancies after 24 weeks or without approval from two doctors However, those who facilitate unlawful abortions, including medical professionals, remain subject to prosecution

The vote was held as a free vote, with MPs allowed to vote according to personal conscience While 11 cabinet ministers backed the change, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has consistently supported access to safe and legal abortion, was absent due to the G7 summit in Canada

During the Commons debate, Antoniazzi described the current legal system as cruel and outdated, pointing to cases where women were criminalised after suffering abuse or trauma “This is not justice It is cruelty It has got to end,” she said

Despite widespread Labour support, the amendment drew opposition from 92 Conservative MPs, including party leader Kemi Badenoch, and several members of Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats Critics warned the change could erode safeguards and increase late-term procedures

Supporters argued that abortions after 20 weeks account for just 1% of all terminations and usually involve serious medical complications They said the law was long overdue for reform, particularly as women were increasingly being investigated for breaching complex rules

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service hailed the vote as a “landmark moment for women ’ s rights ” In contrast,

anti-abortion groups condemned it, warning that even the limited protections for unborn children were being dismantled

Under the 1967 Abortion Act, abortion was permitted up to 24 weeks with the approval of two doctors But recent high-profile prosecutions exposed how the law could be used to punish vulnerable women, including cases where women were forcefed abortion pills by abusive partners or prosecuted after miscarriages

While the amendment shields women from prosecution, full decriminalisation, including the removal of abortion-related clauses from the Victorian-era Offences Against the Person Act 1861, remains a key demand from reproductive rights campaigners Advocates argue that abortion should be treated like any other medical procedure: regulated by healthcare bodies, not governed by criminal law

Profes sor Sally Sheldon, CoDirector, Centre for Health, Law and Society told Asian Voice, “Abortion in England remains governed by punitive and anachronistic laws that are grounded in the moral values and clinical realities of mid-Victorian Britain Parliament has taken an important step into the twentyfirst century with the vote to remove the criminalisation of women who act to end their own pregnancies

“However, health professionals continue to operate within a criminal law framework that restricts their ability to offer

the high quality, safe and accessible services that women and pregnant people need and deserve The vote must be the first step on the path towards more wide-ranging reforms ”

Professor Ranee Thakar, President of the R oyal College of O bstetricians and Gynaecologists in a statement, said, “This is a victory for women and for their essential reproductive rights The College has been campaigning to see this achieved for many years, and the decision reflects the voices of over 50 medical, legal and public health organisations It also reflects the views of the public, who overwhelmingly support the right of women to access abortion care safely, confidentially, and without fear of investigation and prosecution

“ Now, we must maintain this momentum as the Crime and Policing Bill moves to the House of Lords The College will continue to work with our partners to ensure that women ’ s essential reproductive rights are protected and abortion is treated as an essential form of healthcare, subject to regulatory and professional standards like other medical procedures, not criminal sanctions ”

For now, however, Scotland remains the only part of the UK where women can still be prosecuted for terminating a pregnancy Though this reform marks a major step forward, campaigners say the fight for full reproductive freedom is far from over

Government launches urgent national probe into NHS maternity failings

T he UK government h as lau nch ed a major national investigatio n into m a ter n it y an d n e o na ta l ca re across England, fo llo wing years of mou nting co ncerns and multip le h i gh - p r o f i le s c an d al s i n vo l

avoidable deaths of mothers and babies

Health Secretary Wes Streeting

a n

, offering a public apology to families affected by failings in care He stressed the need for swift and meaningful action, stating: “We must act and we must act now ”

The investigation will unfold in two phases The first phase will focus on up to ten hospital trusts with some of the poorest maternit y c

units already under scrutiny, such as University Hospitals Sussex and Leeds Teaching Hospitals Initial findings are expected by December

Indian-origin women make mark on UKtech50 list

The annual UK tech50 list, published by Com puter Weekly, h as once ag ain h ighlighted the growing influence o f Indian-o rigin professionals in Britain’s tech nology secto r, with sev eral Ind ian wom en se cu

ground breaking w ork across tech , entrep reneursh ip , and innovation

Arfah Farooq stands out as a powerful voice for diversity in the t

Muslamic Makers and a scout at A

well-known advocate in the edtech and AI space, using her platform to promote access and equity Bina Mehta continues to lead at the highest levels of UK business As Chair of KPMG UK, Mehta was awarded an MBE for services to trade and investment, and is recognised for her work supporting female entrepreneurship and economic growth Her leadership within one of the "Big Four" firms u n d e r s c o r e s t h e c r i t i c a l r o l e women of Indian heritage are playing in shaping corporate technology agendas

S o n

Officer at NHS England, is another

Known for her commitment to digital transformation in public health, Patel has led major innovation programmes across the NHS Her leadership has played a pivotal

role in improving healthcare delivery through digital systems, with a focus on patient safety, data security, and equitable access I n d i a n - o r i g i n d

entrepreneur Lopa Patel MBE, featured in previous editions of the UKtech50, also continues to influence the sector Patel has long been a prominent advocate for digital transformation and data-driven innovation, while also promoting greater diversity in leadership Together, these recognitions s

women are driving technological progress in Britain From community-based innovation to top-tier

helping shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking tech landscape

Asma Khan attends Royal Ascot, honours her mother’s legacy

Celebrated chef and restaurateu r Asma Kh an made her first appearanc e

Ro y al A s co

Kent, and Nottingham, aiming to form a single national action plan for reform

The review comes amid stark statistics showing a 27% rise in maternal deaths over 15 years, with Black and Asian women significantly more likely to die during

women Not a single maternity unit inspected in 2024 received the top safety rating

I

launching a digital safety alert system, interventions at failing trusts, and new efforts to combat racial

and including bereaved parents, will oversee the implementation Families and experts have welcomed the inquiry as long overdue

ear , attend ing the prestig ious event as a g uest of Sod exo UK & Ireland Kh an is a p rou d patro n o f the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, which wo rks to tackle fo od insecurity around the world

S

social media, Asma described the day as emotional and significant not just for the glamour of Royal Ascot, but for deeply personal reasons Her late mother had spent many years catering for the Royal Calcutta Turf Club, and Asma said attending Ascot felt like she was walking in her mother’s footsteps K n o w n f o

h e

a l l - w o m e n kitchen team at Darjeeling Express and her global work around food j u s t i c e a n d w o m e n ’ s e m p o w e rment, Khan brought her signature warmth and purpose to the event Her presence at Ascot, an icon of B r i t i s h t r a d i

powerful blend of heritage, inclu-

sion, and social commitment

Asma’s attendance also highlighted the growing diversity and r e p r e s e n t a t i o n a t h i g h - p r o f i l e

national events, showing how cultural legacy, service, and elegance can all come together on one of Britain’s grandest stages

“It was emotional to be there,” she said “This was more than just a day at the races it was about h o n o u r i n g t h e p a s t , c e l e b r a t i n g progress, and standing for something meaningful ”

Professor Ranee Thakar

Professor Sally Sheldon

Bina Mehta MBE

Lopa Patel MBE

Arfah Farooq

Asma Khan

Wes Streeting

Sonia Patel

Fusing tradition with modern soundscapes

Subhasini Naicker

K apil S eshasyee is a British -

T a m i l ar ti st kno w n fo r

blending R&B, S outh Indian classical m usic, and exp eri-

m ental rock He has g ained reco gnition throug h notable

c o ll ab o rat i o ns , in cl u d i ng

rew orking a Rav i Sh ankar

com position for BBC A sian

N etw o rk’ s ce le bra ti o n o f S hankar’s 100 th birthd ay

I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h

Asian Voice, Kapil discussed

h i s u p b r i n g i n g w i t h Carnatic music, his creative themes, and more

Can you tell us how your British Tamil background and early musical influences shaped your sound as an artist?

I w a s b o r n i n T a m i l Nadu and moved to the UK in the ’ 90s when I was a year old My sister was born here

G r o w i n g u p , I w a s s u r -

r o u n d e d b y C a r n a t i c

m u s i c m y c o u s i n s , t h e

R a g a m S i s t e r s , a r e w e l l -

k n o w n v o c a l i s t s i n

M y l a p o r e , C h e n n a i

W a t c h i n g t h e m r e h e a r s e

a n d p e r f o r m i n s p i r e d m e from a young age to pursue music

Although I didn’t start

l e a r n i n g C a r n a t i c m u s i c u n t i l m u c h l a t e r , m a i n l y because I grew up in a predominantly white area with little access to South Indian

m u s i c t e a c h e r s , m y d a d would often play artists like

U S r i n i v a s , K a d r i

G o p a l n a t h , a n d L

S u b r a m a n i a m a t h o m e

These musicians, along with Bollywood and other Indian

classics, deeply influenced me Guitar wasn’t common

i n C a r n a t i c m u s i c , s o I

found my path through lis-

t e n i n g a n d i m m e r s i o n rather than formal training

I a l s o e n j o y m o d e r n

Carnatic vocalists like Sid Sriram

You

fuse R&B, South Indian classical, and experimental rock that’s a rare and powerful mix How did you arrive at this distinctive sound?

I grew up on Western rock, later got into jazz and R&B, and initially just wanted to be in a guitar-driven band It wasn’t until my 20s that I reconnected with my

S o u t h I n d i a n r o o t s a n d began experimenting with Carnatic music on guitar As

a s e l f - t a u g h t m u s i c i a n , i t was tough at first I even g a v e u p f o r a w h i l e

Eventually, I started posting daily Carnatic guitar videos

They didn’t take off right a w a y , a n d s o m e f e e d b a c k was rough, but I kept at it

Over time, my content went

v i r a l o n I n s t a g r a m a n d

TikTok My sound evolved

t o b l e n d r o c k , R & B , a n d

Carnatic influences artists

l i k e S o l a n g e a n d F r a n k Ocean helped shape that I release music under my real name, so you can hear that j o u r n e y i n m y c a t a l o g u e

Now, every few weeks, I put out new tracks each one carrying a bit of my Carnatic heritage

Whatthemes do you usually explore in your music, are there personal or political elements?

I’ve been an anti-caste musician for several years, and many who follow my Carnatic guitar work also know me for my activism

Though I grew up with caste privilege and didn’t face discrimination directly, I saw h o w d e e p l y

restrictions and social exclusion Even in London, where m

T wo new p re-contemporary art ev ents d ebut in L ond on next w eek, aim ing to keep the historical art m arket vibrant during this key perio d for the capital

C l a s s i c A

L

d

(CAL), running 23 June to 4 July, will host exhibitions across Mayfair, St James’s, Cecil Court and Belgravia It steps in after the closure o f L o n d o n A

k (LAW) in 2024, which had run for a decade

C A L i s o r g

d

y Silke Lohmann and Pippa Roberts, former PR leads for LAW “With support from many former LAW dealers, we wanted to fill the gap and ensure London remains on the art world map in today’s c

casteism still exists I

Hindu issue, but I’ve wit-

parts of South Asian Islam To me, it’s a broader cultural

nationalism, and disability rights I was inspired by a friend’s political music to

my own Lately, I’ve been

This’, which includes Tamil lyrics was inspired by my

touch with my roots I’m relearning Tamil now, and

through language and travel, I do it through music

I

layered I’m finding my way back in my own way

What's one message you'd like to give to young British South Asians artists to hear?

There’s no single way to connect with your heritage, and it’s never too late to do so Many in Carnatic music start young, but I didn’t have access to formal training as a child, so I found my way

b a c k t o m y S o u t h I n d i a n roots later in life That journey is just as valid as some-

Unfortunately, stereotypes e

s t

k e w h e n B r i t i s h South Asians are mocked for speaking Tamil imperfectly

o r c a l l e d “ w h i t e w a s h e d ”

That kind of judgment can make people distance themselves from their identity I

k n

years My message to other British South Asians, especially artists, is this: whether you fully embrace your heritage or reconnect with it

l a t e r , y o u r e x p e r i e n c e i s valid There’s no single right way to be Indian, and every path is worth respecting

Classic Art London’s organ-

gramme, with sessions on

y o f Antiquaries covering shared ownership, climate change, a

Latin America

GNNSJ hosts Gurmat education and rare Sikh

A t th e G u ru N ana

(GNNSJ) com plex on Soho Road , Birming ham, families arr iv e i n w av e s, l ang ar is serv ed w ith care, and th e gu rd wara resonates w ith the sounds of Gurbani But on th i s d a y, t h e a tm o s p h er e holds a deep er p urp ose

Inside the hall, scholars, spiritual leaders, and educa-

Gurmat Education ”

GNNSJ, led by Bhai Sahib ( D r ) M o h i n d e r S i n g h

A h l u w a l i a O B E K

The Kalgidhar Trust of Baru Sahib, led by Dr Davinder Singh

At its core, the partnership champions a simple yet p

o n should nurture both intellect and character

A s t h e G u r m a t

coins

S

Daniel Katz Gallery (Paul Nash landscapes); a rediscovered Titian ‘Madonna and Child with St Mary Magdalene’ (c 1555-60) at

available works by Thomas Jones at Karen Taylor Fine

Cubism’ at Ben Elwes Fine Art, showcasing Swedish

Adrian-Nilsson (GAN)

unknown in the UK, faced

sourced three major GAN pieces, including ‘Seglatsen (Sail)’ (1918), for the show,

$25,000 to €2m

M a h a r a j a R a n j i t S i n g h ’

C u r a t e d b y R a v i n d e r P a l

profit and supported by Bhai Sahib, the display is a personal archive passed down through generations of his Rawalpindi-based family

G

rare Sikh coins from Guru N

Punjab in 1849 Highlights

‘Sacha Sauda’, silver linked t o M a k h a n S h a h L u b a n a , and gold mohurs used after

Education dialogue continues at GNNSJ, an adjacent hall quietly captivates visit o r s w i t h a n e x h i b i t i o n t i t l e d ‘ S a r k a r - e - K h a l s a o f

Chhote Sahibzade Also featured are coins issued dur-

crackdown in the 1700s Each artefact is carefully

with ‘Sat’ or ‘Akal Sahai’, and others etched with symbols like the Khanda and Kirpan n o

war, but as emblems of survival and justice Early coins in Farsi gradually give way to Gurmukhi, reflecting a cultural shift, while some carry symbols of other faiths a s

Punjab’s inclusive Sikh rule

Queen Elizabeth memorial to feature tiara-inspired bridge

The win ning de sig n for the n ation al me morial to Que en Eliza be th II will fe a tu re a t ran slucen t bridg e inspir ed by her wedd in g tia ra, new ga t es, a nd comme mora t ive ga rde ns in St Jame s ’ s Par k, Lon don

The design, led by Lord Norman Foster’s team, also i n c l u d e s a s t a t u e o f t h e Q u e e n a l o n g s i d e P r i n c e P h i l i p , o v e r l o o k i n g T h e

Mall The gardens will honour the Commonwealth and UK communities, while the new Prince Philip Gate will complement the main monument “We respect the biodiversity and nature of the p a r k , w h i c h i s a l i v e w i t h wildlife,” Lord Foster said

Lord Foster said including Prince Philip reflected their “inseparable quality ” The design, selected from five finalists, balances “tradit i o n a l a n d m o d e r n e l em e n t s , ” s a i d L o r d R o b e r t

Janvrin, chair of the memor i a l c o m m i t t e e a n d t h e

Queen’s former private secretary He hopes the memorial will inspire reflection on her extraordinary life and service

Lord Janvrin believes the Queen would have approved of the St James’s Park locat i o n , v i s i b l e f r o m Buckingham Palace, and the b r i d g e ’ s g

d

, echoing her 1947 wedding tiara

The memorial, featuring s t a t u e s o f E l i z a b e t h a n d Philip, a Prince Philip Gate, gardens, and a new bridge, reflects their 73-year marriage No completion date or f i n a l c o s t h a s b e e n c o nf i r m e d , t h o u g h e s t i m a t e s range from £23m to £46m C a m

n

o u p Republic argues the royals s

, “They can pay for their own statue ” L o r d F o s t e r , w h o s e works include the Gherkin and Berlin’s Reichstag dome, c a l l e

design a memorial capturing “the values she represented ”

Crystal Palace Film festival faces council fee row

Th e founder of th e C rystal P a lac e I nte rn ati o na l F il m Festiv al ( CPIFF) says it “will nev er happen ag ain” if local councils insist on charging to rate its film s Neill Roy, who launched C P I F F i n 2 0 0 9 , s a y s L a m b e t h

councils want to charge over £

films a cost he claims no festival can afford Bromley Council said its approach “has not changed i n o v e r a d e c a d e , ” w h i l e Lambeth said fees apply to any organisation requesting film classification

A petition to save CPIFF, which also screens films at C r y s t a l P a l a c e ’ s E v e r y m a

Cinema, has already gained over 1,500 signatures P

‘Adolescence’

l F i l m a n d T V School graduate, and come-

dians like Andy Zaltzman and Kerry Godliman “ T h i s i s a m u c h - l o v e d c o m m u n i t y f e s t i v

can keep inspiring kids ” Roy has offered to rate all films as 18 or let councils review a selection “They’re applying rules in a draconian way no child has been harmed in 16 years, ” he said “It would be devastating to lose something I’m

Kapil Seshasyee

TKetan Dattani

of

he cultural ties between th e U nited Kingd om and co untries like India, Pakistan, Bang ladesh, S ri Lanka, and Nep al are rich, and enduring and continu e to flo urish From ch erish ed festivals and v ibrant fashion to treasured sp ices and handcrafted textiles, o ur heritag e h as not only enriched British life but has becom e an essential part o f it But as we pass these trad itions on to future g enerations, it is worth asking : what is th e env iro nm ental co st of keeping this connection alive?

Visiting ‘Ancient India: Living Traditions’

Rupanjana Dutta

A Beng ali Hindu by birth raised in a non-conservativ e, secular ho useho ld , faith for me has been more cu ltural and

o m

Each year, the UK imports large quantities of goods from South Asian countries to meet the demand for cultura l l y i m p o r t a n

Ratnagiri, embroidered kurtas ahead of Eid, or colorful Diwali decorations made in Rajasthan These products support a thriving economy, but the carbon emissions involved in transporting them, especially by air, cannot be ignored

According to the BBC, flying in food produces 47 times more greenhouse gases than shipping it by sea Planes release around 500 grams of CO₂ per metric tonne per kilometre, while ships release between 10 and 40 grams Multiply that by the thousands of tonnes flown in during festive seasons and the environmental toll becomes clear

Packaging also poses a challenge Many items arrive in non-recyclable plastic wraps Even when efforts are made in countries like India or Bangladesh to use biodegradable packaging, these materials do not always meet UK recycling standards As a result, a lot ends up in landfill or is incinerated Fashion adds another layer to this environmental impact The UK imports significant amounts of clothing from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, particularly during festivals and wedding seasons

These garments are often produced through fast fashion practices that involve toxic dyes, high water usage, and sometimes questionable labour conditions By importing them, we are also inheriting the environmental burden that comes with their production

That said, change is happening Across the UK and South Asia, many are taking steps to reduce this impact Businesses rooted in our communities are championing sustainable alternatives From upcycled saris and reusable wedding décor to organic spice blends and eco-conscious catering, the shift is encouraging Back in South Asia, fair trade practices and environmentally friendly production methods are slowly gaining ground too

Consumers have a vital role to play Supporting responsible importers, choosing sea freight over air where possible, and buying local alternatives can all help reduce harm Governments also have a part to play by encouraging sustainable trade and holding polluters accountable

Our heritage is something to be proud of But if we are to pass it on in good conscience, we must do so with an eye on the planet Sustainability is not about abandoning tradition It is about preserving it in a way that ensures a better future for everyone

London alley to turn into Lego playground

A d i su se d b a c k st r e e t in Ne wha m, east London, wil l b e transfor me d into a Legofill ed play ground this summe r to e ncourag e outdoor pl ay and creat ivity

T h e L e g o G r o u p i s

d o n a t i n g a r o u n d 2 0 , 0 0 0 bricks, roughly the weight of a grown lion, to Story Street

T h r o u g h o u t A u g u s t , c h i ldren can enjoy the alleyway, which will also offer materials like paint, costumes, and cardboard for building and games

T h e p r o j e c t , l e d b y

D i s c o v e r C h i l d r e n ’ s S t o r y Centre, convinced the local council to repurpose the dis-

u s e d a l l e y n e x t t o i t s Stratford station site The council approved, with one

c o n d i t i o n : t h e L e g o c a n ’ t stay out overnight So each day, 20,000 bricks will need to be packed up and reset the next morning

“It will all get rolled away

e a c h e v e n i n g a n d s e t u p again in the morning,” said Helen Tovey, interim chief

e x e c u t i v e o f D i s c o v e r , adding the team welcomed the challenge

S h e c a l l e d i t a g r e a t

chance to turn an unused street into a space for play and imagination This comes after a report showing outdoor play for British children has halved in a generation, with Baroness Longfield urging an end to “ no ball games ” signs

A separate Lego survey of 10,000 parents and children across ten countries found 70% felt their cities lacked safe, accessible play spaces

T o v e y s a i d s h e h o p e d Story Street would inspire s i m i l a r i d e a s , n o t i n g t h a t cities often aren’t designed with children in mind “It’s about giving public spaces back to children That feels really important,” she said Paul Lindley, chair of the Raising the Nation play commission, called play “ one of the most powerful tools” to t a c k

e s s a n d learning loss He added that over the past 30 years, space, time and freedom for childhood play have been eroded through service cuts, risk-

a v e r s e p l a n n i n g , i n c r e a s e d traffic and shrinking school break times

Museum, as U K’s first ever British Sou th A sian exhibition, has been a true and pleasant revelation With community contributions to inception of three

and Buddhism) - the exhibition through its over 180

year-old sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, drawings, opens to share similarities between the three religions from 200 BC and onwards

how they evolved and affected the lives of the strong diaspora settled globally

It also explores the ori-

a n i m a l - h e a d

d e i t i e s t o divine serpents to various forms such as idols, Arhats,

Tirthankaras

Jansari (interviewed in AV issue 31 May-6 June 2025, P

t i s h museum collections, loans from other museums in the UK, as well as from Indian cities viz Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai among others, the diaspora donation, and priv

world - to create this mysti-

transport you to a rich landscape of ancient India, with

lands, huge perennial rivers and dense forests with flora and fauna

People then mostly lived in rural communities and worshipped powerful natural spirits to be blessed with a b u n

through offerings, may lead to punishments

C o-existing with nature

Jansari on a tour of the e

people lived in villages, in mainly agricultural settings, c

w e r f u l natural spirits (yakshas and yakshis), sacred and many

headed animals (such as five headed snake) They worshipped and believed these s p i r i t s o r a n i m a l s w o u l d bless them with success of good harvests, wealth, fertili t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n T h e y were believed to be so powerful that they were incorporated in all three religions

a n d s e e n i n m o n u m e n t a l

stone sculptures and small terracotta figures

V i s i t o r s , a t t h e v e r y entrance of the exhibition

can see a striking statue of Lord Ganesha, symbolising w i s d o m a n d n e w b e g i nnings If you look closely at the edges of this 1000-yearo l d s t a t u e , y o u w i l l f i n d t r a c e s o f p i n k p i g m e n t (something like vermillion), proving as evidence of years of worship Lord Ganesha’s a p p e a r a n c e , i n c l u d i n g t h e hooded cobra rising above his shoulder, is the proof of the influence of nature spirits in the lives of people

In fact, a key highlight in this exhibition is the evolution of Buddha- a transformation from symbolic representation to the human form, as we know him today But in contrast, images of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, associated with wealth and g o o d f o r t u n e , h a v e remained almost the same for over two millennia

B e t w e e n 2 0 0 B C a n d 600 AD, Hindu, Buddhist, a n d J a i n s c u l p t u r e s w e r e produced in the same workshops in artistic and religious centres such as the a n c i e n t c i t y o f M a t h u r a , I n d i a , m e a n i n g t h e r

Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, commented, “India's sacred art has had a profound impact on its own cultural landscape and the broader global context By bringing together centuries of devotional imagery and collaborating closely with our community partners, we not only celebrate the legacy of these faiths, but also recognise the ongoing influence of South Asian traditions here in the UK & worldwide. This exhibition is a testament to the vibrancy, resilience, and continued relevance of these living traditions ”

Mediterranean, and spreading these ancient religions a n

t h e world Inv olv em ent of the d iaspo ra The biggest strength of t h i s e x h i b i t i o n i s t h e involvement of the South Asian community settled in t h e U K M a n y s c u l p t u r e s however have been accident a l l y d e s t r o y e d d u r i n g extraction by local workmen or during the colonial rule

J a n s a

many similarities in this religious art Great temples and

shrines across the subcontin e n t w e r e c o s m o p o l i t a n hubs, drawing pilgrims from a c r o s s A s i a a n d t h e

Krishna Omkar, a visitor from the community, said: “It was wonderful to see Ancient Indian traditions take centre stage at the British Museum Often the focus in cultural curation like this is on medieval, Mughal, or colonial history, and Ancient South Asia has been long overdue its spotlight The content-rich exhibition is beautifully contextualised and linked to continuing spiritual practice. It is spine-tingling to stand in front of nearly 3,000year-old objects and immediately recognise their incarnation in today s living traditions The sensitivity of curation, from a

i n e d h o w people from different faiths were consulted in the complex collection of historical data and in learning how to treat all the objects appropriately as per the culture in t h

b i t i o n S h e explained, “It has been both a pleasure and an honour to work closely with our comm u

h i s vibrant and exciting exhibition The show explores the origins of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist art in the nature

through exceptional sculptures and other works of art

We also bring the story into the present: with almost two

o

t h e s e faiths globally, these sacred images hold deep contemporary relevance and resonance ” They have also used ecof r i e n d l y , r

products in line with the principle of ahimsa or nonviolence to keep the exhibition cultural appropriate A must visit for the community, the exhibition is on till October 2025

community advisory board to avoiding the use of animal-based products and glues in the display materials, is remarkable ”

Another visitor, Aekta

said: The

India exhibition was great I loved how they showed Hinduism, Buddhist and Jainism in one exhibition. Showing their similarities and highlighting their historical significance in India The concept is beautifully delivered, and you feel like you have stepped into India for a short while They even had a gift shop dedicated to various Indian crafts, food items and scents Absolutely loved it

Balancing Heritage with Sustainability: The Environmental Impact

Cultural Imports from South Asia

Dr Sushma Jansari, Tabor Foundation Curator South Asia and Kajal Meghani, Project Curator and PhD candidate, British Museum

Sandstone figure of Lord Ganesha from Uttar Pradesh, India on display

Seated Jain enlightened teacher meditating on display

Mahajan

Krishna Omkar

Aekta Mahajan

IGF London explores future of UK–India partnership

Ind ia Global Fo rum Londo n (IGF

L o nd o n ) U K - I nd i a W ee k, h e ld from 16 to 20 June, hig hlights the story of contempo rary India a natio n driving rapid chang e and growth th at creates opp ortunities for the w orld IGF acts as a g ateway for businesses and countries to eng ag e w ith this potential

I G F L o n d o n 2 0 2 5 c o

s influential leaders, visionary policymakers, and pioneering innovators to shape the next decade of UK-India collaboration across digi

frontier technologies, and inclu-

sive growth Key figures include former UK Prime Minister Rishi

S u

M

Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, Dame Priti Patel, among many others

On the opening day of India

G l o b a

F

Co m merce & Ind ustry M inister Piyush Go yal and UK Secretary o f S tat e f o r Bu s i ne ss an d T ra d e Jonathan Reynolds jointly defended the recently finalised India-UK Free Trade Agreement, pushing back against criticism of national insurance exemptions for shortterm Indian workers

In a rare joint session at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, both leaders addressed concerns over the provision, which has drawn

s c r u t i n y f r o m s e c t i o n s o f t h e British media and political circles

Goyal dismissed claims that the exemption was a one-sided concession: “It’s unfair to call it a giveaway The agreement offers stability for businesses and benefits workers on both sides Similar arrangements exist in many count r i e s t h i s i s a w i n - w i n f o r mobility and trade ”

He further stressed: “Workers should not face double taxation, as they already pay social security costs in both the UK and India ”

UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds defended the provision, stating that British workers would not be negatively impacted “No British worker is undercut by this UK–India FTA,” he said “Business mobility has improved, enhancing access to services and procurement ”

Both leaders highlighted the strategic alignment between the t w o n a t i o n s R e y n o l d s n o t e d : “India is one of the most exciting and important countries globally, we can’t tackle today’s challenges without India playing a leading role ”

This joint appearance, their first since the FTA’s conclusion, underscored strong bilateral commitment Goyal remarked: “India

a n d t h e U K c o m p l e m e n t e a c h other This is a good partnership, I see bilateral trade doubling over

of the 74 fastest-growing companies, followed by the South of E

North (9 5% each)

noted: “The surge in Indian businesses reflects growing investor confidence and the opportunities unlocked by stronger bilateral ties The FTA will further accelerate this momentum, and this report clearly maps where that growth is taking shape ” M ullick’ s ‘ The Way Hom e ’ w ins prize

the next five years ” R

mism: “I am genuinely excited by the future opportunities for both countries ” Da m e P ri ti P ate

C onserv ativ

P arty, stressed the need for the UK to adapt its for-

s

n g l y volatile global landscape Drawing on her experience in government, Patel called for a future-focused, alliance-driven approach, underp i n n e d b y s t r o n g a n d d

leadership

New tracker lau nched at IGF L ond on The 12th edition of the Grant

T

B

n Tracker was launched by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

a t I G F L o n d o n , f o l l o w i n g t h e landmark UK–India Free Trade Agreement and a record year for Indian business presence in the UK

Produced with India Global Forum and the Confederation of Indian Industry, the 2025 report i d e n t i f i e s 1 , 1 9 7 I

companies in the UK a 23% rise f r o m l a s

n

began in 2017

The new FTA is expected to boost UK GDP by £4 8 billion and wages by £2 2 billion annually, reinforcing the economic strength of the UK–India corridor T e c h

M

Telecom leads with 31% of companies, followed by Pharmaceuticals

inaugural winner of the IGF Archer Amish Award for Storytellers, presented in partnership with The H

A

Lodha, during a special ceremony on Day 1 of IGF L o n d o n a

Q u e e n Elizabeth II Centre Her acclaimed novel T h e W a y H o m

w

s recognised for its moving exploration of grief, iden-

,

temporary Indian fiction that

Created with bestselling authors

Lo rd Jeffrey A rch er and A m ish

Trip athi

U K–India fo rum sh owcases future tech collabo ration

T h e U K – I n d i a F u t u r e

Frontiers Forum, hosted in partnership with the Science Museum, spotlighted cutting-edge collaborations in AI, quantum, health, space, and clean energy

U K M i n is te r f o r S ci e nc e, Res earch a nd In nov a tio n, L o rd

Oliv er Dow den reinforced shared values, adding: “India and the UK must lead on global standards in 6G, quantum, and more ” Health innovation was a key focus, as Lord Ara Darzi, Alisha Mo open ( Aster DM Healthcare), an d M o n i ca Hu a ng (Z y d u s Lifesciences) explored how India’s tech-driven health models could

solutions offer real opportunity,” said Lord Darzi

A

return of Pitchers and Punters,

included Zypp Electric (winner of

Energy, Steamology Motion Ltd, and Electric Miles

E

Minister Rishi Sunak joined a special discussion on how tech and innovation can further strengthen UK–India ties

Culture forum charts new fro ntiers

In a post-FTA world, the 4th London Edition of IGF’s Culture & Creativity Forum explored how cultural exchange goes beyond art

tity, and healing, following three m i

Goa and strength through friendship and self-discovery

Ho

M ed ia and Sport, who attended

award, emphasised its wider cul-

connections are vital As the world becomes more fractured, there is an urgent need for leadership that bridges divides something both Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have committed to ” She also spoke with

India (See page 17 for an exclusive i

Asian Voice)

Dr Mullick received a $25,000 cash prize, one of the largest global awards for fiction L

Patrick Vallance, called for deeper collaboration, urging both nations

t o a l i g n i n n o v a t i o n p r i o r i t i e s

“The upcoming industrial strategy will outline eight key sectors a s t r o n g f o u n d a t i o n f o r p a r t n e rships,” he said, while emphasising the need for stronger scientist-toscientist links and greater start-up collaboration

Opening the forum, Science M u s eu m D ir ec to r; S i r Ia n

Bl atc h f o rd w e l c o m e d t h e U K –I n d i a S c i e n c e a n d I n n o v a t i o n

Partnership Roadmap, highlighting $170 million in joint funding a n d I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e ’ s n e w

B e n g a l u r u h u b d r i v i n g A I , h e a l t h t e c h , c l e a n t e c h , a n d advanced materials

I n d i a ’ s C o m m e r c e M i n i s t e r

P i y u s h G o y a l u n d e r s c o r e d t h e FTA’s role in boosting innovation: “It’s about friendship and mutual benefit Innovation in India delivers global impact at a fraction of the cost ” F o r m e r U K D epu ty PM Si r

identity, and social impact B

Tripathi and Nicolas Granatino unveiled The Age of Bhaarat an Indian myth-based video game set

global screens, tapping into the rising trend of game-first IPs The forum also featured discussions on What’s Next for Film and TV in India-UK, the evolving cultural equation, and more In a fireside chat, I S KC ON mo nk Gauranga Das urged global

dom, and inner balance “Indians drive global economic impact but can also transform Dharma,” he said, defining it as sammaan (respect), while highlighting the c r

c t i o n a n d mental health “Globally, 230 million are addicted to social media; in Bharat, 70% of teens spend seven hours online daily ”

Reflecting on his journey from IIT Bombay to spiritual life, he quipped to Sundar Pichai: “You deal with Google, which creates stress I deal with God, who releases stress ” He also highlighted the global impact of the Indian diaspora, noting Indian CEOs now lead 22 US Fortune 500 companies, employing 1 7 million people A

a n exclusive fireside chat with maestro AR Rahman, exploring the

from Bollywood to Hollywood, tradition to technology and the power of music, memory, and culture in shaping the future

Dignitaries launching the Grant Thorton’s India meets Britain Tracker 2025 at the event

IGF Chair and Founder Manoj Ladwa and former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Piyush Goyal India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and UK’s Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds

Sir Ian Blatchford and Piyush Goyal

L to R: Lord Jeffery Archer, Amish Tripathi, Rt Hon Lisa Nandy, Shalini Mullick and Manoj Ladwa

“THE SKY IS THE LIMIT”

Culture Secretary Rt Hon Lisa Nandy discusses strengthening UK-India creative ties Anusha Singh

The UK Secretary of State for C ulture, M ed ia and Sport, Rt Ho n Lisa Nand y, recently attend ed the inaugu ral IGF Arch er Am ish Award fo r Sto rytellers, wh ere she presented the prize and spoke extensively to the press about the UK’ s deep ening cu ltural and creative ties w ith India

Her comments touched on the newly signed UK-India Cultural Cooperation Agreement, creative industry partnerships, AI-driven innovation, and the economic potential of bilateral collaboration

In a wide-ranging discussion, she outlined how culture and creativity are becoming central to the growth story of both nations

Cultu ral coop eration and shared am bitions

Speaking about the Cultural Cooperation Agreement between the UK and India, Nandy shared that the respective science museums in both the countries are curating joint exhibitions and opening up amazing shared collections to a new generation of young Brits and young Indians “We signed the cultural cooperation agreement to build more people-topeople contact, more cooperation to enrich lives, and, most importantly, a shared ambition between both our nations that the creative industries are central to our growth plans , she said

She hailed the Wave Summit as the most ambitious statement Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made regarding India’s commitment to investing in the creative industries and further highlighting the agreement’s benefits for the UK, she said, "Here in the UK, we ’ ve identified the creative industries as one of our eight key economic sectors with the greatest potential for growth By collaborating further, whether through music, TV, film, or fashion, we know there’s even more we can achieve together

“If we get this right, it will mean good jobs, new opportunities, and richer lives for people across the UK and throughout India We’re truly excited about all that we can accomplish together "

In an exclusive interview, when asked by Asian Voice about the

future of the sector and the role of the UK-India cultural agreement in strengthening collaboration, Nandy revealed that she had just met India’s Minister for Commerce to explore how to build on the agreement signed in Delhi

"Some of the areas where we are committed to working much more closely together are around film and technology While I was in India, I had the opportunity to see incredible collaborations between Indian media giants and UK start-ups, enabling filmmakers to create from home, without having to rent a full studio It’s opening up amazing opportunities for future storytellers in both countries "

She also highlighted upcoming sports diplomacy, noting the Indian Women’s Cricket Team’s tour of the UK this summer, "I had the chance to hit a few balls with them while in India We hope, together with our amazing women ’ s cricket team, they’ll inspire a new generation of girls, just like the Lionesses have done with football The team is touring across the UK and it will bring real economic benefits "

Turning to music, she cited the creative partnership between Ed Sheeran and AR Rahman, whom she met during the Wave Summit, "That collaboration helped not

"I’m in big trouble with my Indian family for not visiting while I was there! But those personal ties were something our Prime Minister was very keen to highlight "

only to produce incredible music and reach new audiences, but the Mumbai leg of Ed’s tour became the biggest of his entire world tour It’s proof of the massive and direct benefits that come from cultural cooperation The sky really is the limit when it comes to our ambition ”

AI and cu ltural p olicy

Addressing a question about AI integration in cultural policy and its impact on job creation, Nandy said, "I saw some of the best examples of AI while I was in India, particularly in film, where it's opening doors for young filmmakers But also in sports, where AI is being used to expand reach, improve commentary, and give fans immersive experiences they’ve never had before "

She gave the example of an Indian tech company that helps bring events like Wimbledon to global audiences, and said the UK is exploring more ways to collaborate in this space

Nandy also emphasised the important role that regional leaders and diaspora communities are playing in fostering deeper ties She mentioned recent visits to India by the Mayors of London, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire, highlighting one success story, stating, "Tracey Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, understood the power of the diaspora community in Bradford and secured a

direct investment agreement for jobs from India This shows the realworld impact of local leadership in driving cultural and economic cooperation "

She added that both the cultural and trade agreements help build trust, improve mutual understanding, and showcase each country’s strengths

L ink to the UK-India trade d eal and personal connection

When asked about whether the cultural agreement helped move the long-anticipated UKIndia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) forward, Nandy acknowledged a direct connection "We were in the final stages of trade negotiations when I went to India I travelled at the request of our Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi, both of whom were keen to see senior UK representation at the Wave Summit Our shared ambitions around the creative industries made it clear that cultural diplomacy could play a big role in moving things forward "

Furthermore, Nandy, the first Labour Cabinet Minister of Indian heritage, added a personal note She said, "I’m in big trouble with my Indian family for not visiting while I was there! But those personal ties were something our Prime Minister was very keen to highlight This trade deal is the product of ten months of intense negotiations since we took office But by being there, and extending the hand of friendship, we were able to help get the final details over the line "

She concluded by emphasising the tangible benefits this collaboration is already bringing to people in both countries "As Johnny (Jonathan Reynolds) said this morning, this has brought enormous benefits to people here in the UK as well as in India

The IGF event served as a powerful platform not only to celebrate storytelling but also to underline the growing cultural and creative synergy between the UK and India From trade and technology to sport and storytelling, the message from Secretary Nandy was clear: this is just the beginning of a new era of collaboration

(With help from Pooja Raval)

Jasvir Singh receives CBE from King Charles III

Jasvir Sin gh, Co-Founde r of City Sikhs, was a ward ed a CBE by King Cha rle s III at an

the honour

Singh’s outstanding contributions to faith communities, charity, and social cohesion in the UK City Sikhs congratulated him on this well-deserved honour, praising his continued efforts to inspire others

During the ceremony in t

and the King spoke about the impact of South Asian Heritage Month, the work of the British Asian Trust, and the King’s pride in the contributions of Britain’s Sikh community

Reflecting on the occas i o

deeply honoured to receive this from the King When my grandfather came to the UK in 1965, he worked for Royal Mail, sorting letters f o r B u c

h a m P a l a c e Sixty years later, I stood in that same Palace to collect my CBE and deliver a message of hope for the future ” T h e a w a r d r e c o g n i s e s

Jasvir Singh is a leading British South Asian community activist and practising family law barrister, as well as a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4 ’ s ‘Thought for

hbased and LGBTQ+ chari-

Month, celebrating

history, and identity He was awarded an OBE in 2017, a CBE in 2023 for his commu-

King’s College London

Comedian’s school appeal for son turned down

d i n a s c h o o l a c r o s s town, rather than with his elder brothers, but received no reply His MP was told the council "can’t do anything about it W S C C s a i d i t o f f e r e d

y applicants their first-choice school and nearly 97% one of their top three It added that applications are prioritised based on criteria like d i s t a n c e f r o m h

whether siblings attend the same school

Ro m e sh R ang ana th a n, a comedian and TV p resenter, revealed that his app eal to get his youngest son into a preferred second ary sch ool was rejected In an Instagram video, he said he had "accepted the decision" but felt "the syst e m w a s n ' t w o r k i n g " H e added that many others in s i m i l a r s i t u a t i o n s h a d r e a c h e d o u t , n o t i n g t h e challenges were "particularly bad for people with special needs and disabilities " A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said t h e y u n d e r s t o o d p a r e n t s ’ disappointment when preferred school places aren't o f f e r e d R a n g a n a t h a n acknowledged there was "no easy solution" and his family would "go with an alternative " In April, he said he’d

Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chair of India Global Forum, Lisa Nandy, UK s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and H E Vikram

Doraiswami High Commissioner of India to the UK

Pooja Raval of Asian Voice with Secretary of State Lisa Nandy at IGF London 2025

Jasvir Singh (right) with King Charles III

Krupesh Hirani AM

From

London's Scars to Pahalgam's Pain: Standing in Solidarity Against Terror

Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow

This month London is set to showcase its status as a worldclass city like never before

Four globally significant events are taking place right here in our city: the inaugural SXSW London, the 2025

C o n c o r d i a E u r o p e S u m m i t , L o n d o n T e c h W e e k , a n d

London Climate Action Week Between them, they’ll draw thousands of business leaders, tech pioneers, cultural creatives and policymakers from around the world

What does this mean for Londoners and particularly B r i t i s h A

changemakers?

I

Investment opportunity Opportunity to connect, create, and lead

T h

championed this moment He has reflected how London is the engine of the UK economy

Recent figures show that London & Partners, the Mayor’s official growth agency, secured over £677 million in trade and investment last year alone Over 5,000 new jobs were created as a direct result, alongside nearly £60 million generated from international events

L o n d o n ’ s t o t a l e c o n o m i c o u t p u t i n 2 0 2 3 w a s a n astonishing £531 billion, which is more than a fifth of the UK’s entire economy These upcoming events are fuelling long-term prosperity

For British Asian communities, many of whom have deep ties to sectors like technology, hospitality and small businesses, this growth is more than symbolic It’s a chance to shape the future economy in a way that reflects our creativity, resilience, global outlook and strong sense of community

It’s also worth noting that this boom comes at a time when the UK, under a new Government, is reasserting itself on the world stage We've seen the fastest growth in the G7, and landmark trade deals with India, the US, and the European Union

T h e r e c e n t U K – I n d i a T r a d e D e a l m a r k s a m a j o r milestone, eliminating or reducing tariffs on 90% of UK exports and 99% of Indian imports This will benefit sectors like textiles and technology It will boost trade by an estimated £25 5 billion annually by 2040 UK businesses gain access to India’s £38 billion public procurement market, and mobility provisions will strengthen cultural and professional ties The deal represents a bold step towards deeper economic cooperation, with significant gains for British Asian entrepreneurs and global-facing businesses across London and beyond

The UK-EU deal is also a step towards healing the economic wounds left by Brexit Mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed the agreement, pointing out its potential to lower living costs, support job creation, and even simplify European travel through the return of e-gate access London is open And London’s diversity is helping drive that I encourage everyone to get involved where they can and take every possible opportunity

Rachel Reeves weighs inheritance tax concessions

Chancellor Rachel R eeves is re po rt e dl y w e i gh i n g

c ha n ge s t o h e r gov e rnment’ s recently introduced inherita nce tax rule s, followin g sustai ned lobbyi ng from the City and conc erns about wea lthy i ndi vi duals leaving the UK

A

Financial Times, Reeves is considering easing aspects of the tax regime that came into effect in April, which makes the worldwide assets of all UK residents, includ-

subject to the 40% inheritance tax rate

“exodus” of high-net-worth

Reeves is said to be open to further tweaks to reassure

estimated that between 12%

doms may leave the UK this year due to the changes

u r y spokesperson said, “As the Chancellor set out at the Spring Statement, the government will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure the new regime is internationally competitive and continues to focus on

and investment to the UK ” The discussion comes as Reeves grapples with a difficult fiscal landscape ahead

of the autumn budget The OBR is expected to downgrade productivity growth forecasts, which could limit her room for manoeuvre Meanwhile, Reform UK has unveiled a rival proposal

p

n , non-doms would be offered the option to pay a one-off £ 2

“Britannia Card”, exempting them from UK tax on

Inheritance

would

not apply The revenue from

claims, would be distributed tax-free to the lowest-paid 10% of full-time UK workers amounting to an estimated £600 to £1,000 per worker annually, based on projected revenues of £1 5–£2

Farage said the offer could attract “tens of thousands”

the UK, who would bring

investment “Many talented people are leaving,” he said

entrepreneurs, risk-takers, job creators, and investors as possible

M i ll i o n s o f

e h o l ds acro ss Britain will rec ei ve £150 off their energy bi lls thi s winter after the government bro adened the eligibility criteria for the Warm H ome Di scount scheme

matically qualify for the discount, regardless of their p

n g T h

c h a n g e i s e x p e c t e d t o extend support to an addit i o n a l 2 7 m i l l i o n h o u s eholds, including nearly one million families with children

The discount is funded and distributed by energy

s u p p l i e r s i n E n g l a n d , S c o t l a n d , a n d W a l e s , b u t eligibility is determined by the government Previously, only those on the guarant e e d e l e m e n t o f p e n s i o n credit or on means-tested

b e n e f i t s l i v i n g i n e n e r g yinefficient homes were eligible

The reform follows the g o v e r n m e n t ’ s d e c i s i o n t o reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment for most pensioners While energy companies will fund the expanded d

e passed on to all customers through an increase in the Standing Charge However, the government argues that e n

from reduced spending on d

ment rates, helping to offset the cost

C h a n c e

o

R a c h e l Reeves recently confirmed a £13 2 billion commitment to t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’ s W a r m Homes Plan, which aims to boost energy efficiency and r e d u c e b i

term

nd u s tr y i s so und ing th e alarm as delays in securing a sector-specific US trad e deal and a surge o f ch eap g lobal imports driv e do w n pri ces and th reaten the fu ture of do mestic productio n Prime Minister Sir Keir S

Trump administration have s

British steel from the 25% tariffs on exports to the US Industry insiders say British s t

e l p r i c e s h

v e a l r e a d y dropped by up to 10% as e x p o r t e r s r e d i r e c t s t o c k originally meant for the US to other markets, causing global oversupply

The crisis may worsen n e x t m o n t h w h e n t h e

E u r o p e a n U n i o n t i g h t e n s restrictions on steel imports to protect its own producers While the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority is considering similar safeguards, no action is expcted until a u t u m n I n d u s t r y f i g u r e s

argue this delay is too late to avert serious damage

T h e u r g e n c y c o m e s a m i d P r e s i d e n t T r u m p ’ s announcement of tariff cuts on British car and aerospace e x p o r t s H o w e v

k s r e m a i n d

a d l o c k e d o v e r steel and aluminium, with US concerns that the UK m i g h t b e u s e d t o b y p a s s import restrictions T a t

,

exclusion from any eventual deal due to current US rules t h a t d i s q u

“melted and poured” in the exporting country Tata is temporarily importing steel from India and Europe for finishing in the UK while transitioning its Port Talbot plant to electric arc technology UK Steel director Gareth Stace called for urgent gove

c u r e the US deal and protect the domestic industry from collapsing under global oversupply and price pressures

UK steel industry pressured by US trade deal delays UK and Bahrain sign £2bn deal

The UK and B ahra in have signed a landmark £2 bil lion St

nd Col

a bo

on

hi p (SIP) to bols ter key sec tor s of the British ec onomy, including f inanc ia l se rvic es, t echnology, manufac turing, and clean energy

The deal, announced on June 19, doubles the £1 billion investment committed in 2023 The agreement was formalised during a meeting i

Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa According to the UK government, the invest-

ment aligns with its “Plan for Change” and will underpin

Industrial Strategy

B

Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hailed the commitment as “ a m a j o

Business insolvencies surge amid rising costs and trade uncertainty

dence in the UK economy, ” saying it backs

Reeves added that the

corners of our count r y

more money in people’s pockets ” The SIP will also benefit British companies by opening up access to Bahrain’s p

Busin ess ins olvenc ies in En gla nd and Wa les s urged in M ay, driven by mounting staff c os ts and ongoi ng un certainty over trade arrangements with the Uni ted States

According to the Insolvency Service, 2,238 companies became insolvent last month, a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2024 The rise was led by a 13% jump in creditors’ voluntary liquidations, reaching 1,734, and a 12% increase in company administrations, typically involving larger firms

Experts point to a combination of financial pressures In April, businesses began paying higher national insurance contributions and faced an increase in the minimum wage Uncertainty around trade tariffs, despite the UK’s recently signed deal with the US, has also complicated business planning Tom Russell, president of R3, the insolvency and restructuring trade body, noted that the ambiguity around trade costs is making “medium and long-term planning more difficult ” Analysts warn that, unless conditions ease, the upward trend in business failures is likely to persist

ment The agreement aims to support regional stability and enhance defence cooperation, further deepening

w o nations Bahrain is home to the UK’s largest naval base outside British territory, and its

training from UK forces The two nations reiterated their strong defence relationship as part of the agreement A delegation of Bahraini

Leeds, and Sheffield during their UK visit, exploring projects aligned with Britain’s economic growth priorities

Mortgage terms stretch as rates stay high

Firs t-time ho mebuyers in the U K are inc reas ingly turning to longer mortgage terms, w ith th e average no w reac hing 31 years, as ris ing ho use p ric es and high borrow ing cos ts continu e to strain aff ordability

A decade ago, the average term for first-time buyers stood at 28 years, according to data from UK Finance, the banking trade body But in today’s climate, higher mortgage rates have pushed many to extend their loan durations in order to reduce monthly repayments Even though mortgage rates have eased slightly in recent months, there has been no corresponding drop in term lengths Recent figures indicate that around 40% of new mortgages would see homeowners still making repayments into retirement Most lenders currently allow mortgage terms of up to 40 years, and these extended terms have proven especially popular with first-time buyers in their 30s, many of whom are stretching their budgets to get on the property ladder

Rachel Reeves Nigel Farage

Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister for a bilateral meeting in 10 Downing Street

Surge in Indian wealth: Swiss Bank deposits triple

as millionaire count rises in 2024

I n dia ’ s g ro w ing e c o n o m ic

c l o u t w a s u n de r s c o r e d i n

2 02 4 b y t w o s ig ni f ic a nt

indi ca to r s : a s h ar p r is e i n

funds h el d by I ndian c lients

in S w is s b an ks a nd a

s ub st ant ial inc re as e in t he number o f do llar mil lionaires in the cou ntry

A c c o r d i n g t o d a t a r e l e a s e d b y t h e S w i s s N a t i o n a

tripled to 3 55 billion Swiss francs (CHF), approximately

£ 3 1 b i l l

highest level since 2021 The all-time high remains CHF

6 5 billion, recorded in 2006 The surge reverses a 70% drop in 2023, when Indian deposits had fallen to a fouryear low of CHF 1 04 billion

The increase is largely attributed to a dramatic rise in funds held through local b r a n c h e s a n

report highlights structural imbalances in how personal wealth is held In India, only

account for more than half of global individual wealth O

wealth increased by 6 2% in 2024 Non-financial wealth, such as real estate, saw a more modest 1 7% growth On the debt front, India

r

million (o ver ₹2,0 00 crore) in India th is year to expand and m o d ern i se it s operational infrastructure

4 4% increase in the

financial trend, India also saw

millionaires, adding 39,000 new individuals to the list, according to the UBS Global Wealth Report With a total

millionaire growth

Despite this growth, the

wealth is stored in financial assets such as equities and bonds This relatively low financial asset penetration could limit wealth growth potential unless addressed

market participation

India’s share of global personal wealth stands at

reported the highest debt ratios between 21% and 26% of personal wealth

A separate data set from the Bank for International

deposits, showed

Madhvani Group to invest ₹10,000 crore in India

M

U gan da-based multina tiona l con glome rat e, has un veiled

following

M in ist er N are ndr a Modi in N ew Delhi

T h r o u g h

subsidiary, INSCO, the group is in the process of acquiring Hindustan National Glass & Industries Ltd (HNGIL), the c o u n t r y ’ s

T h e acquisition follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that resolved a protracted legal b a t t l e s t e m m i n g

H N G I L

y proceedings initiated in 2021,

expansion and job creation

Gadhia, met Prime Minister Modi at his official residence The meeting reportedly f

proposed business ventures

n v e s t m e n

A portion of this capital will be used to develop new t o o l s a n d t e c h n

fulfilment network, as the Seattle-headquartered giant gears up to take on quick commerce rivals like Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy

serviceable pin codes across India,” the company said in a statement on Thursday “It w

M inis ter N irmala Sitharaman h as said

Speaking at the Digital

organised by the Department

y t o “fearlessly innovate peoplecentric solutions” to sustain I n d i a ’ s g l o b a l l

d e r s h i p India now accounts for over

forward with its investment

investments of up to ₹10,000 crore over the next five years,

( J u n e 1 5 ) , S h r a i M a d h v a n i , Promoter of the Madhvani Group, accompanied by his wife, Aparna Madhvani, and G r o u p D i r e c t o r N i t i n

she said

Modi’s “Make in India,

vision, the minister said

abroad UPI-based merchant

m a n highlighted that India’s speed of innovation is unmatched, with fintech firms creating

4 8 5 % o f g l o b a l r e a l - t i m e digital transactions, with a fintech adoption rate of 87%, far above the global average o f 6 7 % S

accepted in seven countries including France, Singapore, and the UAE

S

opportunities The Madhvani Group operates acros s key s

m

c t o r s s u c h a

n

f a c t u

i n

a g r i c u l t u r

o s p i t a l i t y , a n d e n e r g y i n s e v e r a l c o u n t r i e s , w i t h a strong footprint in Africa

I t s p l a n n e d e n t r y i n t o the Indian market marks a significant milestone in the strengthening of economic t i e s b e t w e e n I n d i a a n d Africa

inclusion rate in just six years t

b l i c Infrastructure (DPI), a feat the World Bank says would h a v e o t h e r w i s e t a k e n f i v e d e c a d e s D u r i n g t h e pandemic, fintech played a c r i t i c a l r o l e i n e n a b l i n g c o n t a c t l e s s p a y m e n t s a n d doorstep banking

According to the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s Digital Payments Index rose from 100 in 2018 to 465 in 2 0 2 4 , r e f l e c t i n g a f o u r f o l d increase in digital payment adoption Over 35 crore users a r e n o w p a r t o f t h e U P I ecosystem

Ap p le I n c i s e xp l o ri n g partnersh ip s with I ndian companies to manu facture the sp ec iali sed mach ine s an d c ap i ta l eq u i p m en t re qu ir ed fo r i P h o n e p ro du c ti o n i n I nd i a, ac c o rd i ng t o a B u s i ne s s Standard rep ort

The move comes as key equipment imports, primarily f r o m C h i n a , f a c

threatening to disrupt production timelines A senior official f r o m t h e M i n i s t r y o f E l e c t

Technology (MeitY) confirmed the development, noting that A p p l e i

building the complex machinery used in iPhone assembly

“This is part of Apple’s broader effort to localise its supply chain and reduce dependence on imports,” the official said The need for such equipment is expected to rise sharply, especially with two major iPhone manufacturing plants, Foxconn and Tata Electronics, gearing up to begin operations in India

H

upcoming iPhone 17 series, including the Pro and Pro Max models expected globally in September–October, poses a significant challenge These models require new, highly specialised machines or retrofitting existing ones; processes

domestic sales and export schedules

Traditionally, Apple’s key suppliers like Foxconn source machinery through Apple-owned subsidiaries Indian firms, including Tata Group, which recently took over Wistron and Pegatron’s local operations, have already invested over ₹20,000 crore in iPhone manufacturing However, industry experts believe Indian capital equipment makers will need

suppliers to meet the company ’ s stringent quality and performance standards If Apple expands iPhone production in India to cater to global demand, including the US market, the production value could rise from $22 billion in FY25 to as much

(L-R) Group director Nitin Gadhia, promoter Shrai Madhvani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Aparna Madhvani

Nirmala Sitharaman

f

T hursd ay

China hosts trilateral dialogue with Bangladesh and Pakistan

unm ing , ju st w eeks after a similar initiativ e involving P akistan and Afgh anistan

The closed-door talks were

attended by Bangladesh’s Acting

Imran Ahmed Siddiqui Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch joined the opening session

The three sides agreed to

described the meeting as a step towards advancing peace, stabil-

region

W

Bangladesh and Pakistan “good neighbours, good friends, and good partners” of China, high-

lighting their importance in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects He emphasised that deeper

with the shared interests of all three nations and would continue through future engagements While the official statement f

Putin claims all Ukraine belongs to Russia

V ladimir Putin has issued o ne of h is most h ardline statem ents o n U kraine in years, declaring “all o f Ukraine is ours ” during a pu blic ap pearance in S t Petersburg

Speaking at an investment

was asked about his goals in the ongoing war, now approaching its fourth year Putin responded by reiterating a long-standing claim of cultural unity between Russians and Ukrainians, stating, “I have said many times that I c

“There is an old rule: ‘Where a Russian soldier sets foot, that is ours ’” His remarks were met with applause from a room filled with Russian officials and business elites

Though Putin has recently hinted at the possibility of peace talks, even suggesting a willingn e s s t o m e e t U k

a

n i a n President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he has stopped short of any concrete diplomatic offers

His latest comments came as Russian forces continue their

focusing heavily on the Donetsk region On Saturday, Moscow’s

Zaporizhzhia settlement in the area

Putin also issued a fresh nuclear threat Warning of “catastrophic” consequences, he said any attempt by Ukraine to use a soc

ment and partnership, the trilate

unease over China’s expanding i

New Delhi already opposes the C

Corridor, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir The prospect of Bangladesh engagi n

Beijing and Islamabad, particularly under its interim administration, introduces new uncertainties for India’s strategic positioning in South Asia

The working group will follow up on ideas discussed during the meeting, which may include trade, infrastructure, and security collaboration More meetings are expected as the countries e x p l

cooperation

e Kyiv has firmly denied would be “ a colossal mistake ” “It could be their last mistake,” Putin warned “We always r e s p o n d , a n d w e r e s p o n d i n kind Our response will be very tough ”

Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 25, injures 63

SY RI A : At least 25 people h av e been killed and 63 injured in a s u i c id e bo m b i ng a t a G ree k Orthod ox church in Dam ascus, S yria’s health ministry has confirmed

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e i n t e r i o r m i n i s t r y , a m a n o p e n e d f i r

D

neighbourhood during evening p

n explosive vest The attacker was

reportedly linked to the Islamic State (IS) group, though IS has not claimed responsibility It was the first such attack in D a m a s c u

rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December, ending 13 years of civil war The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch called the bombing “ a treacherous act of evil,” mourning those who were “martyred during the evening liturgy ” The

shippers both inside and nearby

uphold the sanctity of religious

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis echoed the call, urging the transitional government to safeguard ethnic and religious

Anas Khattab said an investiga-

Bangladesh summons Hasina as BNP alleges India conspiracy

Th e Banglad es h International

C ri mes Tri bunal (I CT) su mmoned f ugi tive former prime mi ni ster S heikh Hasi na and f o r m er h o m e m i n i s te r A saduzzaman Kh an to appear before i t on June 24 i n conn ec t i o n w i t h c h a rge s o f c ri mes agai nst humani ty

B o t h a r e a c c u s e d o f d e p l o y i n g s t a t e f o r c e s t o murder and torture opposit i o n a c t i v i s t s d u r i n g t h e mass uprising of 2024 that ultimately led to the fall of the Awami League government The ICT has ordered public notices summoning both Hasina and Khan, while prosecutors told the t r i b u n a l t h a t r e p e

t

d

m p t s t o arrest them have failed Former inspect o r g e n e r a l o f p o l i c e C h o w d h u r y Abdullah Al-Mamun, currently in custody, will face trial alongside them

The developments come amid rising political tensions as the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)

a c c u s e d I n d i a o f m e d d l i n g i n

Bangladesh’s internal affairs, claiming New

"Indian policymakers cannot accept Sheikh

said senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, ref-

between Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairperson

Tarique Rahman as the trigger for what he described as “targeted conspiracies” by India

Describing the Awami League as authoritarian, Rizvi accused the former g o v

funds over 16 years and laundering money to countries like Canada and Malaysia

“Hasina tried to manipulate public opinion through media control,” he said, “but 180 million people cannot be silenced ”

tion was underway, condemning the bombing as a “reprehensible c r i m e ” t h

t w o u l d n o t d e r a i l Syria’s pursuit of civil peace Interim President Ahmed alS h

r a a , w h o s e I s l a m i s t g r o u p H a y a t T a h r i r a l - S h a m ( H T S ) seized power after Assad’s fall, has pledged to protect minorities HTS is a former al-Qaeda affiliate and is designated a terrorist organisation by the UN, US, and UK

Sri Lanka deports Chinese cybercrime suspects

Sr i Lan ka de porte d 8 5 Chinese na tiona ls on Fr iday , mon ths a ft er t hey wer e det aine d on suspicion of ca rr ying out cy be rcrimes ta rge ting in ter nat ional ba nk s

The group, which included 13 women, was expelled for violating the terms of their tourist visas and fined approximately $250 each They were flown out on a c

h

t o G

h

u , accompanied by Sri Lankan police and Chinese security personnel

“They were arrested by police in October over allegations of running online scams against international banks,” a senior immigration official told AFP, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media Sri Lankan police confirmed that a court in Kandy district has ordered the electronic devices seized from the group to be handed over to Chinese authorities for further investigation The deported individuals are part of a larger group of around 230 Chinese nationals arrested in October in connection with cybercrime operations

Legal proceedings are still underway for the remaining suspects At the time of the arrests, the Chinese embassy noted that Beijing’s intensified crackdown on cybercrime within its borders may have prompted some perpetrators to shift their operations abroad This incident follows a similar case last year when Sri Lankan authorities arrested nearly 200 suspects, mostly Indian nationals, accused of running online financial scams

in brief

UKRAINIAN DEPUTY PM ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION

Ukraine s anti-corruption authorities have named a sitting deputy prime minister as a suspect in a $345,000 kickback scheme tied to a property development project, marking the latest high-level graft investigation amid the country’s push for EU membership The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) announced it was investigating allegations that the official abused his position by approving the development of state-owned land in a deal that could have cost the state an estimated $24 million The alleged misconduct dates back to his tenure as minister of regional development Responding to the allegations Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov told the Kyiv Independent he was “absolutely not involved” and had no intention of stepping down from his post

DILJIT DOSANJH TO BE STUDIED AT CANADIAN

UNIVERSITY

Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh is set to become the subject of a university course at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Canada Launching in late 2026 through TMU’s Creative School, the course will examine the “cultural, musical, and diasporic relevance” of Dosanjh’s work, according to Billboard Canada Touted as the first of its kind, the course will explore how the actor-singer has bridged Punjabi culture with global music scenes and how his growing international influence reflects broader trends in diaspora identity and representation The announcement was made at the Billboard Summit during the NXNE festival in Toronto Dosanjh known for his dynamic stage presence and crossover appeal is currently on his Dil-Luminati” tour with upcoming performances across France the UK Germany Ireland and the Netherlands

2024 CONFIRMED AS ASIA'S HOTTEST YEAR ON RECORD

The year 2024 was officially the hottest year ever recorded in Asia, according to the World Meteorological Organisation s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report The continent experienced prolonged and widespread heatwaves with record ocean temperatures and devastating climate extremes Globally 2024 also marked the warmest year on record since 1850 surpassing the previous high set in 2023 All six global datasets tracked by the WMO confirmed this new record, with global temperatures exceeding pre-industrial levels by more than 1 45°C Each year from 2015 to 2024 ranks among the ten hottest ever, noted WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo The report highlights alarming glacial retreat in Asia’s high mountains Of 24 glaciers studied in the central Himalayas and Tian Shan ranges, 23 experienced mass loss, increasing the risk of landslides, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and threatening long-term water security

TOKYO PROTESTS CHINESE NAVAL DRILLS

A Chinese naval drill near Japan has raised serious concerns in Tokyo, prompting a formal protest and an unusual public disclosure of Chinese military movements For the first time, both of China s aircraft carriers the Shandong and the Liaoning, conducted simultaneous drills in the Pacific, with over 500 landings and take-offs by Chinese fighter jets and helicopters observed Some jets reportedly flew close to Japanese surveillance aircraft In response, Japan s Defence Ministry released a map showing the carriers' daily positions since 25 May, revealing that they sailed near Japanese islands and through its exclusive economic zone While Tokyo called the actions provocative Beijing defended the drills as legal under international law and accused Japan of making “dangerous moves” in the region

(L-R) Acting Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Ruhul Alam Siddiqui, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Pakistan’s Additional Secretary Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui

Sheikh Hasina

in brief

INDIAN STUDENT PASSES AWAY IN CANADA

The Consulate General of India in Vancouver confirmed on Thursday the sudden death of Tanya Tyagi, an Indian student at the University of Calgary in Canada Details surrounding the circumstances and cause of her death remain unclear at this time In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Consulate said, “We are saddened by the sudden demise of Tanya Tyagi, an Indian student at the University of Calgary “The Consulate is in touch with the authorities and will provide all required assistance to the bereaved family Our heartfelt condolences and prayers are with her family and friends ” The Consulate has assured that it is working closely with local officials to support the family during this difficult time

US CLOSE TO INDIA, PAKISTAN TRADE DEALS: TRUMP

President Donald Trump indicated that the United States is close to finalising trade agreements with both India and Pakistan, as his administration s assertive tariff policies continue to drive countries toward individualised trade arrangements ahead of a key July 8 deadline Speaking to reporters in New Jersey on June 20, Trump said, “It looks like we’re going to be making the trade deal with India, and we had Pakistan in it’s a beautiful thing to watch ” His remarks suggest growing progress in the administration’s strategy of using tariffs as leverage to reshape global trade on a bilateral basis

MASSIVE DATA BREACH EXPOSES 16 BILLION CREDENTIALS

In one of the largest data breaches ever recorded cybersecurity researchers have confirmed the exposure of over 16 billion login credentials, including passwords, raising serious concerns over online security According to Forbes, the leaked data could potentially compromise access to nearly every major online platform, including Apple, Google, Facebook, GitHub, Telegram, and various government services The breach comes amid earlier reports of a mysterious, unprotected database containing 184 million records However, the latest findings suggest that was only a small part of a much larger leak Researchers have since discovered 30 separate datasets, each with up to 3 5 billion records, uncovered since early 2025 The leaked information spans a wide range of platforms from social media and VPN services to corporate and developer accounts

US STUDENT VISAS RESTART WITH SOCIAL MEDIA VETTING

The US State Department announced the resumption of student visa processing, previously suspended, but with a significant new requirement: all applicants must now grant access to their social media accounts for government review This move aims to scrutinise online activity for any content deemed hostile towards the United States Consular officers will be specifically looking for posts or messages that could indicate animosity towards the US government, its culture, institutions, or founding principles The department stated that refusing to make social media accounts public or allow their review could lead to visa rejection as it might suggest an attempt to evade the requirement or conceal online behaviour This decision follows a temporary halt in new visa interview scheduling for foreign students by the Trump administration last month which was implemented to facilitate expanded social media screening

Iran and Israel agree to ceasefire

A short but intense war between Iran and Israel has co me to a halt after a ceasefire w as announced following 12 d ays of fig hting

The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise wave of airstrikes on Iran’s

including facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan Israel said the strikes were aimed at weak-

and military capabilities

Iran quickly responded with hundreds of missiles and drones targeting Israeli cities Civilian areas were hit, and dozens of people were killed on both sides

The violence escalated further when the United States joined the conflict US bombers carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear

Udeid Air Base of US in Qatar

Most of the missiles were inter-

reported casualties

dent he has set, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been agreed upon o n M o n d

expected to stop attacks first,

both Iran and Israel initially gave mixed signals, and there were

announcement Trump publicly expressed frustration over the violations, urging both sides to respect the deal Now, The fighting has finally stopped, and Israel confirmed that it had halted its military operations Iran also appeared to

hold fire While the ceasefire is now in place, it remains fragile, and tensions are still high The w

h a s d r a w n

i o n a l concern, briefly spiked oil prices, raised fears about wider instability in the Middle East and had global disruptions

Hundreds of students evacuated

A large-scale evacuation of s t u d e n t s f r o m b o t h I

d Israel was executed during the twelve-day war I

Operation Sindhu on June 18 to bring back its citizens By June 24, around 2,003 Indians, primarily students from cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Urmia, had been safely evacuated The operation began with land transport to Armenia, followed by airlifts to New Delhi Early batches included 110 students on June 18, followed by hundreds more in subsequent days, including 596 in one flight on June 22 Students described dormitory evacuations and harrowing escapes amid continuous missile warnings

CSIS confirms Khalistani extremism on Canadian soil

C A NA DA : For the first time, C anad a ’ s intellig ence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Serv ice (C SIS), has officially acknow led ged that Kh alistani extrem ists are using Canadian territory to p romote, fundraise, and plan acts of v iolence, primarily targeting India

This marks a significant shift in Canada’s public stance and reinforces long-standing concerns repeatedly raised by India The CSIS annual report explicitly states that “Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India ” It also highlights that since the mid1980s, Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) have posed the dominant threat under Politically Motivated Violent Extremism within the country

The report adds that both real and perceived Khalistani extremism has driven Indian foreign interference activities in Canada, reigniting questions about national security, foreign meddling, and the state of Canada–India relations Interestingly, it also notes that potential links between India and the Nijjar killing may signal an escalation in India’s counter-Khalistan stance abroad

This acknowledgment comes shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stabilise bilateral ties at the G7 summit in Alberta, including the reinstatement of high commissioners

Facing criticism, Prime Minister Carney defended his engagement with India at the G7, citing its growing global influence as the world’s most populous nation and fourth-largest economy

Tel Aviv were taken by bus to

flights home During the crossing of the Jordan River, the convoy came under attack alarms,

briefly under tight security Evacuation efforts were

Germany, the UK and Uganda

nationals from Iran and Israel, with evacuees rerouted via land

Indians stranded in Haifa and

countries

Modi’s diplomacy of balance

strategically communicating

maintaining strong ties with the United States

On June 22, amidst esca-

Israeli attacks on Iran, Modi

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Modi

emphasised the urgent need for de-escalation, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy” and urged the restoration of peace and stability across the region The very next day, June 23, Modi placed a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu He urged restraint, called for an end to the fighting, and reiterated India’s preference for diplomatic solutions

Modi’s diplomacy during the crisis highlighted India’s ability to n

national interests He swiftly engaged both Iran and Israel amid Trump’s self-congratulatory quest for a Nobel Peace Prize coinciding, ironically, with airstrikes on Iran

India welcomed the reported ceasefire between Iran and Israel, lauding the efforts of the United States and Qatar in facilitating the breakthrough The government also affirmed its readiness to contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the broader conflicts in the region

Indian climber rescued from Alaska’s Mount Denali

A d aring rescu e u nfold ed o n th e icy slopes o f M ount Denali, Alaska, on June 18 , as Indian m ountaineer S haikh Hassan Khan was saved after being strand ed in a fierce blizzard at 1 7,00 0 feet

employee on sabbatical and a seasoned mountaineer, was attempting his second ascent of Denali when extreme weather suddenly trapped him at a high-altitude camp With supplies running low, he managed to send a distress call via satellite phone, sparking an urgent rescue operation

He was located and confirmed safe the following day, June 19

The rescue was coordinated by Tucker Chenoweth, South District Ranger at Denali National Park Park officials confirmed that Khan and a fellow climber were able to self-rescue and are now making their way back to base camp

Khan had previously summited Denali in 2023 This year's expedition carried deeper meaning as he intended to raise a banner honouring the Indian Armed Forces and Operation Sindoor

His rescue drew swift support from Indian officials including Union Minister George Kurian, MP Shashi Tharoor, and the Indian Embassy in Washington, who coordinated with US authorities to ensure timely intervention

portfolio

MIT's chief innovation and strate

Engineering In her announce-

In

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian

Shaikh Hassan Khan

Prof Anantha Chandrakasan

Modi denies US mediation in Pakistan ceasefire

In the wake of US President Donald Trump’s controversial claim that his mediation ended last month’s

I

Minister Narendra Modi has firmly

brokered solely through direct talks between the two militaries, with no i

statement came after Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House in an

u

risking further tensions with India I

Vikram Misri stated: “PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this period, there was no discussion on an India–US trade d

Ceasefire talks happened directly

through military channels, and at P

s never accepted mediation in the past and never will ” The clarification followed a 35minute phone call between Modi and Trump, initiated by Trump after the two leaders were unable to meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, which Modi attended as a guest Trump had

nations to focus on trade instead of conflict

Speaking later at a public event

commitments: “I was in Canada for the G7 Summit when President Trump invited me to Washington for talks and lunch I thanked him, saying I had to visit Odisha, the land of Lord Jagannath ” Marking his first appearance at

Odisha, Modi also launched development projects worth

Modi had invited Trump to visit India later this year for the Quad Summit Following Modi’s declined

Pakistan’s army chief, the first of its kind at the White House, triggered renewed debate over his claim of having prevented a potential nuclear escalation

After the talks, Trump said he was honoured to meet Munir and thanked him for helping end the

praised PM Modi: “Two very smart people decided not to keep going with that war; that could have been a nuclear war, ” Trump told reporters

Last week, President Donald Trump expressed optimism about

India and Pakistan Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in New Jersey, Trump predicted that the US would successfully negotiate agreements with both nations

23-Year-Old from Uttar Pradesh joins Indian Army’s Judge Ranks

Janh avi Gupta, a 23-year-old

f ro m S a n t K ab i r Na ga r, Uttar Pradesh, has broken

st ereo t yp es b y se cu ri ng a c o ve te d J u dg e Ad vo c a te General ( JAG) po st in the I nd i an Ar my R an k i ng

s ec o n d n at io na ll y i n t h e

co mp eti ti ve s elec ti on , h er achievement brings p ride to her family and state

C u r r e n t l y s e r v i n g a s

C h i e f D e v e l o p m e n t L a w Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Janhavi is the only child of her parents

H e r l a t e f a t h e r , G y a n

P r a k a s h S h a h , h a d l o n g

h a r b o u r e d t h e d r e a m o f seeing his daughter become

a j u d g e J a n h a v i ' s commissioning into the JAG branch stands as a poignant

f u l f i l m e n t o f h i s v i s i o n ,

honouring his memory and b r i n g i n g c o n s i d e r a b l e d i s t i n c t i o n t o h e r community

J a n h a v i G u p t a ’ s a c h i e v e m e n t h a s d r a w n widespread acclaim from all quarters Among those who c o n g r a t u l a t e d h e r w e r e MLA Pankaj Singh (son of D e f e n c e M i n i s t e r R a j n a t h

S i n g h ) , D i s t r i c t J u d g e M a h e n d r a P r a s a d

C h a u d h a r y , D i s t r i c t

Modi wraps G7 with strong anti-terror message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently concluded a key diplomatic tour, attending the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, and visiting Croatia A central theme of his engagements was a strong call for a unified global stance against terrorism, urging nations to reject double standards

At the G7 outreach session on energy security, PM Modi called for accountability for nations supporting terrorism, questioning the global community’s credibility when such countries are “rewarded ” Referring to the recent Pahalgam attack as “ an assault on all humanity,” Modi urged international institutions to act decisively and avoid equating perpetrators with victims

H

conflicts disproportionately impact these nations, particularly in food,

commitment to amplify their voice

On the G7 sidelines, Modi met Canadian PM Mark Carney to

Commissioners, normalise diplomatic channels, and collaborate in clean energy, AI, digital transformation, and critical minerals Talks also covered resuming comprehensive economic partnership negotiations

PM Modi also met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, all aimed at deepening trade, economic ties, and strategic cooperation

Following the G7, PM Modi visited Croatia, the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, where he was warmly received by Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic The two leaders signed MoUs in agriculture, culture, and science to boost trade, innovation, and defence cooperation Plenkovic

economic corridor, seeing it as an opportunity for Croatia to enhance its Mediterranean role

The Bhavan hosts art inspired by ragas and planets

A unique painting exhibitio n, ‘ Swara Raga

C h i tr a ’ , by H N S u r es h , D i rec to r o f Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru, was inaug urated o n 1 4 June by Su preme Co urt

H

Magistrate Alok Kumar, and S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f P o l i c e Sandeep Kumar Meena On h e r r e t u r n t o S a n t K a b i r Nagar, Janhavi received a h e r o ’ s w e l c o m e l o c a l r e s i d e n t s c e l e b r a t e d w i t h drums and sweets as she visited a temple with her family to offer prayers, a g e s t u

becoming a Judge Advocate General in the Indian Army

through perseverance and determination She credited her parents, especially her father, for their unwavering

Addressing young aspirants,

shortcuts to success Only consistent hard work and a c l

there ” Her story stands as

can achieve

India to set up advanced

A d v o ca te S an th a na K ri s h na n at T h e Bhav an

Open from 14–22 June, the exhibition featured digital prints exploring the links between cosmology and Indian classical music It also showcased Suresh’s works ‘Navagraha Mandala’ and ‘Rashi Mandala’, b l e n d i n g a s t r o l o g y , a s t r o n

m y , a n d traditional aesthetics

The 50 paintings in ‘Swara Raga Chitra’

Indian and Western experts in astronomy and astrology Centred on themes of time

and

with music composed by scholar-musician Dr T S Sathyavathi The exhibition runs from 14–22 June, 11 am to 7 pm daily, with artist H N Suresh is present throughout

Pakistan extends airspace restrictions for Indian aircraft again

upon lessons learned from p a s t s e i s m i c a n d o c e a n i c events

The proposed system will i n v o l v e d e p l o y i n g a n e x t e n s i v e n e t w o r k o f advanced underwater sensors strategically positioned along India's vast coastline and in

k e y s e i s m i c z o n e s T h e s e

sensors are designed to detect even the slightest changes in

f l o o r p r e s s u r e , w h i c h a r e c r i t i c a l i n d i c a t o r s o f i m p e n d i n g e a r t h q u a k e s o r t s u n a m i s B y t r a n s m i t t i n g real-time data to a central processing unit, the system will allow for rapid analysis a n d t h e d i s s e m i n a t i o n o f t i m e l y w a r n i n g s T h i s n e w g e n e r a t i o n o f w a r n i n g t e c h n o l o g y p r o m i s e s t o provide a much-needed lead t i m e , e n a b l i n g c o a s t a l c o m m u n i t i e s a n d d i s a s t e r m a n a g e m e n t a g e n c i e s t o i n i t i a t e e v a c u a t i o n s a n

a r more efficiently than current systems

The goal is to minimise loss of life, mitigate property d a m a g e , a n d s t r e a m l i n e h

t e c t o n i c p l a t e m o v e m e n t s , seismic activity, and ocean

Pakistan has once again announced an extension o f i ts ai rs p a ce ba n fo r I nd i a n c o m m e rc ia l ai rl i nes a nd a i rc raf t by a fu rt h er m o n th , prolo ng ing a sig nificant operational challeng e for c arr ie rs and a n i nc o nv e ni en ce f o r passengers

T h i s r e c u r r e n t d e c i s i o n u n d e r s c o r e s t h e p e r s i s t e n t d i p l o m a t i c c h i l l between the two South Asian n e i g h b o u r s , c o n t i n u i n g t o i m p a c t r e g i o n a l a i r t r a v e l dynamics

M i d d l e E a s t , a n d N o r t h

A m e r i c a S u c h d i v e r s i o n s lead to considerably longer flight durations, translating directly into increased fuel

T h e a i r s p a c e c l o s u r e , initially implemented during p e r i o d s o f h e i g h t e n e d bilateral tension, has become a p r o t r a c t e d i s s u e , w i t h

P a k i s t a n p e r i o d i c a l l y r e n e w i n g t h e r e s t r i c t i o n s F o r I n d i a n a i r l i n e s , t h i s o n g o i n g b a n n e c e s s i t a t e s s u b s t a n t i a l r e - r o u t i n g o f f l i g h t s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e d e s t i n e d f o r E u r o p e , t h e

c o n s u m p t i o n a n d h i g h e r o p e r a t i o n a l c o s t s T h i s f i n a n c i a l b u r d e n i s ultimately absorbed by the a i r l i n e s o r p a s s e d o n t o consumers through elevated ticket prices Passengers, in turn, face extended journey t i m e s a n d p o t e n t i a l d i s r u p t i o n s t o t h e i r t r a v e l p l a n s F l i g h t

airspace are forced to take

c i r c u i t o u s r o u t e s , adding hours to travel i t i n e r a r i e s

The

Inauguration of Swara Raga Chitra

Narendra Modi

Yoga Day celebrations across India and the world

From New York to Tokyo, the world came together on June 21

to celebrate the 11th International Yoga Day, themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health ” Events were held in iconic locations across continents, drawing thousands of participants who engaged in yoga sessions and mindfulness practices, underscoring the global appeal of this ancient tradition.

In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted yoga ’ s unifying power and described it as a vital path to inner and collective

such as those between Israel and Iran, he stressed the importance of

continues to promote worldwide

Echoing the global spirit of International Yoga Day 2025, the Consulate General of India (CGI) in New York, in collaboration with the Town of Greenburgh and the I

North America (ICANA), hosted

v i b r a n t c

l e b r a t i o n s i n Westchester In a post on X, the C o n s u l a t e h i g h l i g h t e d y o g a ’ s universal message of harmony and well-being

Building on this momentum, the Consulate organised a highenergy yoga session at New York’s Times Square, in partnership with @TimesSquareNYC bringing the spirit of wellness to one of the w o r l d ’ s m o s t i c o n i c l o c a t i o n s

B o l l y w o o d a c t o r A n u p a m K h e r joined thousands of participants, w i t h C G I N e w Y o r k s h a r i n g glimpses of the celebration online

B e y o n d N e w Y o r k , s i m i l a r events were held in Washington, DC, where the Indian Embassy

h o s t e d a l i v e l y s e s s i o n a t t h e Lincoln Memorial ahead of Yoga Day The Embassy of India in La

P a z , i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e Mayor’s office, hosted a yoga event

o n J u n e 2 1 t o m a r k t h e 1 1 t h International Day of Yoga Held on a mountain cliff over 4,000 metres high, with the iconic 'La Paz' sign as a backdrop, the event

coincided with celebrations of the Andean, Amazonian, and Chaco

and the Foreign Minister’s spouse

George In Dhaka, the Indian High

earlier yoga events in Cochabamba and Tiwanaku India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, led the 11th International Day of Yoga

friends of India In his address,

Commission partnered with local yoga groups to organise a major event led by the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre

families joined Modi for a grand

Doraiswami called yoga “ a path to h e a l

a n d shared King Charles III’s message praising the theme “Yoga for One

E a r t h , O n e H e a l t h ” a n d yoga ’ s growing popularity in the UK The Ayurveda Centre

o f E x c e l l e n c e ( A C E ) , s u p p o r t e d b y t h e A P P G

I n d i a n T r a d i t i o n a l Sciences, also marked the occasion at the Houses of Parliament Hosted by Bob Blackman MP, the event

yoga was performed against the

inaugurated Chenab Rail

Nirmala Sitharaman in Faridabad, a

S Jaishankar in Delhi Delhi Chief

Minister Rekha Gupta led a unique

everyone, ” Modi described

spiritual strength He also praised the Andhra Pradesh government

yoga session on boats along the Yamuna

Modi leads massive Yoga Day event in Andhra Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said yoga has become an integral part of life for millions worldwide, transcending boundaries to inspire a g l

and CM Chandrababu Naidu for the grand celebrations Modi noted that over two crore people have joined the YogAndhra Abhiyan and stressed this year ’ s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One H e a l

, ” u

harmony Amid rising

peace, and harmony

Around five lakh people took part in a mass yoga session along a 26-km stretch from Ramakrishna

p r o m o t e d “ U n i t y W i t h i n Diversity” and proposed a White P

d r e w w i d e p

R o h i t V a d h w

participants and thanked Mayor

Iván Arias Duran, who attended as Chief Guest Led by four Shanti Y o g a

NHS reform Leaders from p

including Dr Manoj Nesari, L

conventional and holistic

i n g honoured wellness leaders, launched Dr Rajinder Pal Singh’s ‘Journey Across Boundaries’, and highlighted integrative care ’ s role in enhancing well-being and NHS sustainability In Tokyo, Japan’s First Lady

Force personnel held a session at the Attari border in Amritsar

In Delhi, celebrations spanned

hosted a special session led by MP Bansuri Swaraj and ASI officials,

organised by IndiaTourism Delhi At Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker

attended by MPs and parliamentary staff

Top leaders also participated

B e a c h t o B h o g a p u r a m i n Vizianagaram district

M o d i w a s j o i n e d a t the RK Beach event

b y A n d h r a P r a d e s h

G o v e r n o r S A b d u l

N a z e e r , C h i e f

M i n i s t e r N Chandrababu Naidu, D e p u t y C h i e f Minister Pawan Kalyan, and State

IT Minister Nara Lokesh

Addressing the large gathering, Prime Minister Modi highlighted yoga ’ s growing global embrace and its power to unite people across c u l t u r e s a n d g e n e r a t i o n s H e recalled India’s 2014 proposal to the U N t o d e c l a r e J u n e 2 1 a s I n t e r n a t i o n a l Y o g a D a y , w h i c h

gained the support of 175 countries

“Today, after 11 years, yoga has become an integral part of life for c r o r e s w o r l d w i d e t r a n s c e n d i n g b o u n d a r i e s a n d e v o l v i n g i n t o a global movement for health, peace, and harmony,” he said, noting its presence from the Sydney Opera House to Mount Everest

Emphasising that “Yoga is for

stress, he called on the world to adopt yoga for peace and cooperation H

scientific work on

health benefits, training of over 6 5 lakh certified volunteers, the “Heal in India” initiative, digital platforms,

popularising yoga globally, noting its practice in 175 countries and at 12 lakh locations He highlighted the role of AI in making yoga more accessible and lauded 22,000 tribal students for setting

Namaskar

Guinness

Naidu also shared that 1 44 lakh yoga instructors are now part

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan

PM Modi participated in the 11th International Day of Yoga

Glimpses of the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations at Visakhapatnam

PM Modi addressing the gathering at Visakhapatnam Community members celebrating Yoga day in Westchester, New York

Vibrant yoga session at Times Square

H E Rohit Vadhwana and other members at Yoga session in La Paz

Participation from the Indian diaspora and yoga enthusiasts in London

President Draupadi Murmu participated in mass Yoga demonstration

L to R: Amarjeet S Bhamra Virendra Sharma Bob Blackman MP Dr Pawan Sharma, Jihn McDonnell MP and Ranjula Madhani MBE

NORTH-EAST

Village girl's dream soars: IITBombay for Tamil Nadu student

I n an i ns p i r i n g t al e o f

p ers everanc e and acad emi c bril liance, a yo ung girl f ro m a government s chool in Sath ur v i l l ag e, T a mi l N a d u , h as d efied consi derable odd s to s ecu re a coveted ad missi on to the Aerospace Engineeri ng p rogramme at IIT -Bombay H er achi evement s tands as a t e s ta me nt t o un w ave r i ng d etermination, overcoming the typi cal

c h all enges as s oc i ated w i th a h u mbl e rural background

The student, whose name has been withheld to respect her privacy, has navigated a path far removed from the p r i v i

premier technical institutions Growing up in a village with limited resources, h

government school system would have p

m access to quality study materials

triumph but a beacon of hope for countless other aspiring students in rural

y illustrates that talent and

socio-economic barriers Her story is set to become an inspiration within her community, encouraging more girls,

demanding fields like engineering and

Bombay’s highly competitive Aerospace

E

achievement especially for a student from a village government school Her success reflects immense talent and determination, and will likely open new opportunities for her, her family, and h

underscores the power of accessible quality education, proving that great dreams can take flight from even the humblest beginnings

Punjab relaunches all-out war against drugs with second phase

P u nj a b i s p o i s e d t o u n l ea s

seco nd p hase of its critical anti-drug

c a mp ai gn , ‘ Y u dh N a sh i an V i ru d h ’ ( War Against Drugs), co mmencing o n

1 0th J uly Th is intensified initiative

s i g na ls t h e s ta te g o ve rn me nt 's resolute co mmitment to combating the pervasive menace o f dru g abuse, aiming fo r a decisive victory against n a rc o t ic s de va st at i ng i ts co mmu nities

Building on the foundations laid by its initial phase, which primarily focused on awareness generation and preliminary enforcement, this new offensive is set to expand its scope

s i g n i f i c

d t o e m b

a c e b r o a d e

community participation, alongside enhancing the existing rehabilitation programmes and support networks

Crucially, it will also implement even stricter measures targeting illicit drug trafficking networks that continue to

cutting off the supply at its roots

State leadership is determined to build on the momentum of the first phase of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ c

impact of narcotics on youth and society, the campaign brings together law enforcement, health services, and community groups for a coordinated response

Amritsar police recently seized 7 4 kg o

reportedly smuggled from Pakistan A

recovered the drugs from a village in Amritsar district a significant win in t

border trafficking The seized drugs, valued at several crores on the black market, highlight the scale of the c

sustained enforcement efforts

'Doomsday fish' sighting in Tamil Nadu sparks ancient warning fears

A rare o arfish , often dubbed th e 'do omsday fish ' due to an o ld J a p ane se bel i ef l in ki n g i t s ap p e ara nc e to im pend ing natural disasters, has been sp otted in Tam il Nadu, sparking wid espread discussion A cco rd ing to th is ancient folklore, the deep -sea creature's surfacing acts as a harbinger of earthquakes o r tsunamis

The enigmatic oarfish, which can grow up to an astonishing 11 metres in length, typically inhabits the ocean's abyssal depths Its rare appearances near the surface are usually attributed to illness, a dying state, or breeding cycles However, particularly in Japan, sightings of oarfish washing ashore have, in some instances, preceded major seismic events, leading to the popular,

humanity This intriguing theory, however, remains unconfirmed by scientific research

While spotting an oarfish remains a rare occurrence, there have been several recent appearances worldwide, adding to the mystique surrounding these creatures Just

discovered washed ashore at Ocean Beach near Strahan in Tasmania by a local resident during a beach walk Similarly, in February, another one of these elusive deepsea creatures was observed in the shallow waters of Baja California Sur, along Mexico's Pacific Coast

Jalandhar woman rescued from Oman after harrowing trafficking ordeal

A wom an from Jaland har district h as recently returned home to Ind ia, hav ing surv ived a traumatic ordeal in Om an where she w as alleg ed ly sold , ph ysically abu sed, and subjected to forced labour Her safe repatriatio n was orchestrated th ro ug h th e ded icated efforts of Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir S ing h Seech ewal, wh o coordinated with th e Ministry of External Affairs and th e Ind ian Embassy

employment, seeking to alleviate severe family financial hardship However, she tragically discovered she had

denied wages, deprived of basic necessities, and endured repeated physical abuse under constant threat

Shockingly, the woman alleged her own sister-inlaw, in collusion with a recruitment agent, arranged her travel before selling her in Oman for ₹4 lakh Betrayed and isolated, she found herself without legal recourse Her situation worsened after trying to escape; for nearly two months, she lived on Oman's streets During this time, she encountered numerous other stranded Indian women and witnessed a deeply disturbing incident of a young woman being violently dragged into a car, which severely scarred her hope

PepsiCo India opens 10 soil testing centres in Bengal

CM Biswa Sarma alleges foreign meddling in Assam politics

Himanta Bisw a Sarm

nificant alarm, alleg ing that

oting the Assam Congress ov

onth

the past

A significa nt politica l cont roversy has e rupt ed in We st Benga l following the sta te govern me nt's de cision t o de liver 'prasad’, sacr ed food offerings from the Puri Jagann ath Templ e to an estimated 10 4 mill ion households

Critics, primarily the opposition

h a

e swiftly condemned the move as an apparent attempt to politicise religious sentiments ahead of crucial elections

The 'prasad' distribution coincided with the auspicious Rath Yatra festival, a hugely popular event dedicated to L o r d J a g a n n a

government framed the initiative

couldn't visit Puri to receive blessings, the timing and scale of the operation h

motives Opponents argue that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is using 'soft Hindutva' tactics to woo

adopting strategies

opposed The TMC defends the act as a g e

a l traditions, dismissing BJP’s criticism as political opportunism The controversy h

religion and politics in West Bengal, with both sides leveraging the issue to influence voters ahead of the elections

PepsiCo India has significant ly b olstere d it s commitmen t

st ewardship with the inaugurat ion of 10 'Mitti Jaanch Kendras' (soil testing cen tres) acr oss West Be ngal These specialised facilities aim to provide farmers w

empowering them to cultivate their land more effectively and sustainably

These pioneering soil testing centres are managed by specially trained local women, affectionately known as 'Mitti Didis', ensuring accessible and reliable services for the farming community The initiative stems from a crucial need to equip farmers with precise and actionable data regarding their soil's nutrient composition, pH levels, a

understanding enables them to make informed decisions on crop management, optimal fertiliser application, and n

enhanced crop yields and reduced cultivation costs

highlighted soil's key role in sustainable farming, noting the Kendras offer "scientific, data-backed insights" for better decisions Tapasi Paul, a farmer from Bankura, shared how PepsiCo’s 'Mitti Didi' project cut her costs and boosted potato yields from 5 to 27 bags per katha

Assam Congress leader and the party’s

pages "We

influence Assam elections through social media I think we will find out more facts on this matter,” CM Sarma stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation Sarma expressed his surprise that these accounts show no engagement with posts from prominent national Congress figures like Rahul Gandhi or even the Indian National Congress's

exclusively directed towards a particular state leader and the Assam Congress

PM MODI LIKELY TO OPEN BAIRABI–SAIRANG RAIL LINK IN JULY

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the nearly complete 51 38 km Bairabi-Sairang rail line, linking Mizoram to the rest of India, in July, according to Northeast Frontier Railway officials While they remain hopeful, the final decision on the inauguration is still pending from the Ministry of Railways Sumeet Singhal, Commissioner of Railway Safety (Northeast Frontier Circle), inspected the final 33 86 km stretch from Hortoki to Sairang between June 6–10 and has submitted a safety report pending approval from the Ministry of Railways Officials reported that over ₹5 000 crore 97% of the total budget has been spent with 94 5% of the work completed on the Bairabi–Sairang rail line Touted as an engineering feat the project includes 48 tunnels spanning 12,853 metres, 55 major bridges 87 minor bridges, 5 road over bridges, and 6 road under bridges It is divided into four segments from Bairabi to Sairang The project s progress marks a significant step in connecting Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, to the national railway network, reinforcing Indian Railways’ commitment to infrastructure development in remote and strategic regions

SIKKIM MARKS 50 YEARS WITH ‘CONNECT TO EARTH’ DRIVE

Sikkim is celebrating 50 years of statehood with a focus on environmental conservation through its “Connect to Earth” initiative launched in 2023 by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang A highlight was the large-scale tree-planting drive on World Environment Day 2025 themed A Tree for Mother ” where thousands of trees were planted across the state Officials noted that Sikkim s forest cover has steadily grown under the current government A major milestone in Sikkim s conservation efforts is the designation of Khachoedpalri Lake as the state s first Ramsar site, earning global recognition Building on its early plastic ban, Sikkim is also expanding composting and recycling, especially in rural areas, to promote eco-friendly living Community involvement is key, with residents engaged in organic farming, green festivals, and sustainable traditions Chief Minister Tamang recently met Buddhist leaders in Delhi to explore how spiritual teachings can further environmental awareness

WEST BENGAL

Yogeshwari Selvam (left) being honoured by Virudhunagar Collector

‘Pakistan faces water crisis, Indus Treaty won’t return’

U nio n Home M inister A mit S hah has deliv ered a stark w arn in g r eg a rd i ng

P a ki s tan 's f u tu re w at er security, asserting that the

n at io n w i ll b e s tar v ed o f w ater an d that Ind ia wi ll

n ev e r res to r e t h e I n d u s Waters Treaty to its prev i-

o us o perational state

Shah’s forceful remarks

u n d e r s c o r e a s i g n i f i c a n t hardening of India’s stance on shared water resources with its western neighbour, signalling a potentially new

e r a i n t h e i r c o n t e n t i o u s bilateral relations

T

T h e I n d u s W

e

e d b y t h e World Bank, has long been hailed as one of the most

s u c c e s s f u l w a t e r - s h a r i n g agreements globally, surviving multiple wars and peri-

o d s o f e x t r e m e t e n s i o n between the two nuclear-

a r m e d r i v a l s U n d e r t h e

t r e a t y , I n d i a c o n t r o l s t h e waters of the Eastern Rivers

says Amit Shah

while Pakistan has access to

W

However, recent years have seen increasing calls within India to reconsider aspects of the treaty, particularly in

diplomatic ties

Shah’s declaration that t h e t r e a t y w i l l n e v e r b e restored to its original form suggests that India intends to fully utilise its share of

Rivers as well This could i

hydro-power and irrigation projects on Indian

historically been delayed or faced objections from

impact Pakistan's water supply, which is heavily reliant on the Indus River

and burgeoning population

Shah’s remarks are expected to draw strong condemnation from Islamabad, which

W

Treaty (IWT) as vital and any unilateral move by India as hostile Shah’s firm stance

strategy of asserting national security and sovereignty It also signals that India is

Pakistan, especially over its alleged support for terrorism

Woman's unrequited love leads to 21 bomb hoaxes in Gujarat

A nat ion wide in ve st iga tion

int o a series of hoax b omb t hreats has cul mina ted in t he

a r r e s t o f a Ch e n n a i-b a s e d e ngineer , accused of sen din g 21 thre atening emails acr oss G ujar at

The motive behind these alarming threats was reportedly an attempt to frame a man she had once hoped to marry, exposing a disturbing

c a s e o f u n r e q u i t e d l o v e turned vengeful

The accused, identified as Rene Joshilda, a senior consultant at a multinational firm in Chennai, was allegedl y i n l o v e w i t h D i v i j Prabhakar

However, her hopes were

d a s h e d w h e n P r a b h

k a r married another woman ear-

lier this year Unable to come to terms with this rejection, Joshilda reportedly leveraged h

r t e c h n i c a l e x p e r t i s e t o orchestrate a targeted campaign of fear and misinformation

wanted to marry him, but it

Prabhakar married another

Final preparations for Jagannath festival

The Ja ganna th Festival is in ful l swin g across India, with vib rant celeb rations t aking place in t emples and cities nationwide D evotees

a r e t hr o n g in g p r oc e ss io n s a n d o ffe r i n g pr ayers, as el aborat ely decorate d cha riot s of Lord Ja gannat h, Bal abhadr a, and Sub ha dra r ol l through the stree ts to chants of devotion

In Odisha, the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri Ahmedabad police, communities join hands for Rath Yatra

In Ahmedabad, city police are on high alert as Friday prayers and the grand Rath

Y a t r a f a l l o n t h e s a m e d a y t h i s y e a r C o m m u n i t y l e a d e r s a n d o r g a n i s e r s h a v e coordinated to ensure harmony, with security measures in place along the Yatra route and sensitive areas

Muslim clerics agreed to shorten Friday prayers, while Rath Yatra organisers will pause the procession if it coincides with Azan “Our officers are in constant dialogue with both communities to ensure a peaceful Yatra,” said police chief DGP G S Malik

To foster goodwill, police are also hosting volleyball and cricket matches between communities “Even Muslims are preparing to welcome the Rath Yatra in Muslim-majority areas, ” Malik added

ONGC

girl in February, filling her with revulsion and revenge "

emails, VPNs, virtual numbers, and the dark web to send bomb threats targeting

Stadium, BJ Medical College,

m

Prabhakar The plot came to light after a June 3 FIR at

lowed, timed with VIP visits and religious events across 12 states A minor technical slip allowed police to trace her

a n d s e i z e c r u c i a l e v i d e n c e from her Chennai home

officer duped of Rs 1.36 crore in sophisticated 'digital arrest' scam

A 5 1-year -old woma n officer empl oyed wit h Oil a nd Nat ur al Gas Corporation (ONG C) fe ll v ictim to an e lab or ate cyb er sca m, losing ₹ 1 36 crore t o fraudsters posing a s official s fr om TRAI an d t he CB I

The fraud began on May 31, when the Gota-based officer received a call warning of her phone number being deactivated Soon after, a man in police uniform video-called her via WhatsApp, claiming to be a CBI officer He falsely alleged her Aadhaar was linked to a ₹2 crore black money account in Canara Bank and that she was under investigation

The pressure intensified with more video and audio calls, including one from someone impersonating a judge named ‘Justice Gogoi’, who claimed a court order required verification of her bank funds She was instructed to remain isolated, keep her phone on, and not speak to anyone

Believing the story, the woman transferred ₹36 lakh initially, followed by ₹35 lakh and ₹15 lakh from her fixed deposits the next day totaling ₹1 36 crore When the fraudsters demanded another ₹50 lakh, she confided in a relative, who informed the police, exposing the scam Authorities are investigating the incident

Gujarati women shine in ‘Hurun 2025 Leaders List’

Hurun India and C andere unveiled the inaug ural 20 25 ‘ W o m en L ead ers L i s t’ , reco gnising 9 7 exceptional

Deputy Managing Director o

topped the list of leading

Radha Vembu, co-founder o

generation wealth creators category with a net worth of ₹55,300 crore Roshni Nadar

HCL Technologies, headed the next-generation leaders list, with HCL Technologies valued at ₹4 87 lakh crore, h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e g r o w i n g i n f l u e n c e o f f e m a l e

e n

e s s i o n a l s i n I n d i a ’ s corporate landscape The list, released across v a r i o u s c a t e g o r i e s ,

featured several women of G

ranked as the most-followed influencer and the youngest honouree, with 5 5 million Instagram followers Saloni A n a n d , a 3

founder of Traya Health in Vasai, was selected in the S

secured the sixth position in the Art category with annual

earnings of

crore Shuvi

Ahmedabad, was recognised in the Investor category for

India Partners Isha Ambani,

Ambani, was featured in the

category Falguni Nayar, 62, founder of Nykaa and born

India’s nuclear edge boosts China counter-strategy: report

A recent high-p rofile report fro m a p rom inent defence intelligence source suggests India has d ev eloped a nuclear arsenal that is not only quantitatively larger but also te ch no lo g i c al ly m o r e ad v an ce d th an P a ki s tan 's

T h i s si g n i fi c ant enh a nc em e nt o f I nd i a ’ s s tra teg ic c apab ili ties i s i ncrea si ng ly aimed at countering C hina’s expanding geopo litical and m i l it ary re ac h a cr o ss t h e Ind o-P acific reg io n, m arking a crucial shift in New D elh i' s lo ng -t erm d ef enc e posture

T h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e a n a l y s i s i n d i c a t e s a s u stained period of modernisation and expansion within India's nuclear programme Experts believe this encom-

passes a diversification of delivery systems, including advanced ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and potent i a l l y s u b m a r i n e - l a u n c h e d c a p a b i l i t i e s , a l o n g s i d e sophisticated warhead techn o l o g i e s T h i s r e p o r t e d qualitative and quantitative s u p e r i o r i t y p r o v i d e s I n d i a w i t h a m o r e r o b u s t a n d credible deterrence against potential adversaries

H i s t o r i c a l l y , I n d i a ' s nuclear strategy has often been perceived as primarily Pakistan-centric However, the findings of this report u n d e r s c o r e a p r a g m a t i c adaptation to the evolving regional security landscape W i t h C h i n a ' s f o r m i d a b l e m i l i t a r y m o d e r n i s a t i o n , growing naval presence, and

assertive territorial claims, India is now evidently reorienting its strategic calculus to address the dual-threat scenario more effectively India’s growing nuclear capabilities aim to project power and ensure stability a c r o s s a w i d e r r e g i o n , b e y o n d i m m e d i a t e n e i g hbours While Pakistan has its own arsenal, the report suggests India’s technological edge is widening the gap, p o t e n t i a l l y p r

s nuclear strategy This arms r a c e , d r i v e n b y r e g i o n a l r i v a l r i e

, underscores India’s push to counter China and solidify its role in Indo-Pacific security as a more formidable nuclear power

The results of the eagerly a n ti c i p at e d a s s e mb l y b yelections , held on 19 th June across five cons ti tuencies in f ou r I n d i an s ta t es , we re declared on, June 2 3 202 5 Thes e contests, preci pitated by the unfortunate passi ng of incumbent legislators or the resignati ons of MLAs, have provi ded a fresh s napshot of the c ountry's evolving political dynamics I n G u j a r a t , t h e A a m Aadmi Party (AAP) celebrated a notable triumph in the V i s a v a d a r c o n s t i t u e n c y , with Gopal Italia securing a victory over the BJP's Kirti Patel by a margin exceeding 17,000 votes This outcome h a s b e e n e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y received by AAP leadership, i n c l u d i n g P u n j a b s i ncharge Manish Sisodia, who sees it as a fillip for party morale and an indication of growing public dissatisfac-

tion with the BJP in the

s t a t e C o n v e r s e l y , t h e Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) s u c c e s s f u l l y r e t a i n e d t h e K a d i ( S C ) s e a t , w h e r e Rajendra Chavda secured a comfortable win by 39,452 votes Kerala's Nilambur constituency witnessed a sign i f i c a n t u p s e t a s t h e

( U

F ) clinched the seat Aryadan S h o u

wresting

the

F r o n t ( L D F ) P r

n k a G a n d h i V a d r a , C o n g r e s s General Secretary, extende d h e r c o n g r a t u l a t i

Amit Shah

Shanti Ekambaram

Rene Joshilda

Bringing regional stories to global shelves

Subhasini Naicker

Moutushi Mukherjee is a commissioning editor at Penguin Random House India, w h e

translations With a strong passion for

audience, she played a key editorial role in Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi a work that went on to win the International Booker Prize 2025. Speaking to Asian Voice, about journey

Commissioning Editor at Penguin Random House, Moutushi said, “My journey into

Happenstance, as it were I completed my PhD and was all set on becoming a serious academic, but I began working at a rather nice publishing house in Delhi with rather nice people around me It stuck, and so did the profession I learnt everything on the job: shaping manuscripts, keeping an eye on market trends, identifying new voices, new writing Juggling and innovating I did the leg work I realised that my job allowed me to lean into very compelling narratives and stories I was always a reader, so this was me being able to be part of a process that I truly enjoyed It’s been 13 years, and I have worked across some of the biggest and brightest academic and trade publishing houses in this country across fiction, nonfiction, trade and academic One learns something new every day, and with the advent of AI, I suppose there is a lot of learning yet to do ”

Emphasising the importance of defining her editorial voice and how it has evolved, Moutushi said, “An author submits what they believe is the best possible version of their draft It’s the editor’s voice that then engages with the content, shaping it in ways the author may not have imagined The best editor is one who isn’t in love with the book I consciously maintain that distance so I can give clear, honest feedback good, bad, or ugly My first reading determines the level of e n g a g e m e n t : w h e t h e r i t n e e d s e x t e n s i v e editing, light revisions, or just no-nonsense feedback As for evolution, I feel the essence of editing hasn’t changed the editor’s primary role remains to serve the reader Across markets and cultures, editors aim to use their voice productively, always with the reader in mind ”

“You don’t come across many such writers nowadays”

M

across the manuscript of ‘Heart Lamp’ was curious She said, “I had never heard of Banu

Deepa Bhasthi, the translator After we spoke, I did a deep dive into who she was, her body of work, her legacy What I discovered gave the

audacious, reflective of the long struggle of a community one that I discovered Banu had close links to I was inspired by her life and wanted to champion her work in the same way that she had championed the women she wrote about You don’t come across many such writers nowadays She was unequivocal

reproductive rights, and she didn’t want to comprise of how she told them That being said, I didn’t commission the translation Deepa Bhasthi came upon Banu’s work herself and was perhaps stimulated in the same way as was to do the translation She brought in her skill, her love for her language, and her unique clarity of thought to the book ”

Speaking about the book winning the Booker Prize, Moutoshi said, “To be very honest, I didn’t think of winning beyond the Longlist Short stories (until now) have never made it to victory Kannada has never m

s unprecedented, so one didn’t keep one ’ s hopes up, and no, we didn’t anticipate any of it It’s just been an invigorating journey ever since ”

Europe’s best cities for a sunny break

W i th o u td o o r c o nc er ts , alf re sc o d i ni n g , buzzing rooftop bars, and an abund ance of p arks and ou tdo or swim ming sp ots, these cities truly com e aliv e in the summ er

Whether you're looking to soak up the sun at an open-air café, catch live music under the stars, unwind with a cocktail at a sky-high terrace, or enjoy a refreshing dip surrounded by nature, these destinations offer the perfect blend of culture, relaxation, and seasonal charm Ideal for a memorable s u m m e r g e t a w a y , e a c h c i t y p r o m i s e s a vibrant atmosphere and countless ways to make the most of those long, warm days

1) Rig a, Latvia

I t ’ s a m y s t e r y w h y L a t v i a ’ s c a p i t a l remains under the radar Vecrīga’s cobbled

s t r e e t s a n d s t u n n i n g a r t n o u v e a u architecture easily make Riga one of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful cities Long summer evenings, with mild temperatures, set the scene for rooftop bars with live DJs, alfresco concerts in leafy parks, and day trips to the sandy beaches of nearby Jūrmala, just 30 minutes away Start with a stroll along the city canal and Alberta Street’s art nouveau mansions, then explore the Central Market’s local cheeses and smoked meats In summer, enjoy free concerts in Dzegužkalns Park and Vērmanes Gardens, or catch the Rīgas Ritmi jazz festival (2–5 July)

2) Antwerp, Belgium

Anyone who thinks Belgium is boring clearly hasn’t been to Antwerp a vibrant, artsy city buzzing with cocktail bars, coffee

shops, and indie galleries In summer, life spills outdoors: locals flock to Sint-Anneke beach on the River Scheldt for sun, mussels, and riverside bistros, while parks host street

during the Zomer van Antwerpen festival (19 June to 31 August) Explore Antwerp’s past at MAS, a riverside museum with panoramic views from its rooftop 3) Bolzano, Italy

, blends Germanic charm with Italian flair, set against the stunning Dolomites Surrounded by vineyards and alpine plateaux, it boasts one of Europe’s top summer music scenes from the Südtyrol Jazz Festival (27 June–6 July) to the classical Bolzano Festival Bozen (5 Aug–7 Sept) in historic venues Summer is perfect for exploring stroll the Guncina Promenade or take the cable car to the Ritten plateau for panoramic hikes and rides on South Tyrol’s only narrowgauge railway

Abandoned dog saves Buddhist monk from bear attack

Tougen Yoshihara, a Japanese Buddhist monk who adopted an abandoned dog received the reprieve of a lifetime when the same dog protected him during a bear attack Yoshihara, the abbot of Youkoku Temple, a historic temple in Niigata in central Japan, was on a walk in the woods near the temple when the unexpected encounter took place Yoshihara, alongside his one-year-old Beagle, Chico, was suddenly flanked by a bear who looked ominous, according to a report In the fight or flight mode, Yoshihara decided to take off but stumbled and fell, trying to engineer an escape The tumble was severe and resulted in an instant dislocated right shoulder, further lowering Yoshihara's chances of survival against the predator Despite being physically fit and having an exceptional muscular physique, all Yoshiara could do was feel helpless in the situation With the odds stacked against him, the monk was ready to throw in the towel until Chico intervened Displaying extraordinary courage, the little puppy started barking fiercely at the bear Eventually, the bear got scared and ran away with Chico running after it As Chico drifted deeper into the woods, Yoshihara gathered himself and ran after him, despite the intense pain from his shoulder While searching the forest, he received a call from his wife who informed him that Chico had returned home

Tourist destroys crystal-studded 'Van Gogh' chair

A tourist has been caught on camera, sitting on a 'Van Gogh' chair at an Italian art gallery before the antique buckled under him The chair, named after the famous Dutch painter, was created by Italian artist Nicola Bolla and had been housed in the Maffei Palace, Verona The chair is believed to be studded with hundreds of Swarovski crystals The tourist, accompanied by a woman, initially pretended to sit on the chair for the photo The security footage then showed him deciding to sit on the delicate chair As soon as he sat down, the delicate chair crumbled as the man lost his balance The woman came to his rescue and helped him stand up However, instead of informing the museum authorities, the pair quickly scurried out of the room The museum took to social media to highlight the irresponsible act of the tourists and shared the footage As the video went viral, social media users slammed the man for destroying the piece of art The museum later revealed that after initially being pessimist about the chair's future, they managed to restore it

French restaurant fines diners for dining mistakes

A small restaurant in Amboise, France, has stirred controversy after its owner announced a new policy to fine customers for arriving with a different number of guests than stated in their reservation Olivier Vincent, chef and manager of L'ilot, a 20-seat eatery, introduced the 15 Euro charge per missing or extra person to tackle what he calls a "weekly" issue Frustrated by frequent no-shows or unexpected additions to booked tables, Vincent said the move is meant to make customers more responsible and respectful of restaurant operations In a Facebook post, he informed patrons that the new rule would be enforced moving forward In a statement Olivier explained, "The L'Ilot restaurant announces a change From now on, if you do not come to the number of guests for whom you have booked, 15 euros will be charged per person Missing or in addition Thank you for understanding " Olivier said that the charge could easily be avoided by people calling the restaurant to let them know about the change in numbers before arriving, especially as most have their phones on them 24/7

Man seeks love by flaunting ownership of two buildings

A Chinese man has gained popularity on social media platforms after he tried to attract female attention at a boat racing event by displaying a placard, mentioning that he owned two buildings The 35-year-old man, surnamed Lin, was attending an event in Guangzhou, Guangdong province to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival when he flung the placard around his neck and instantly went viral Unmarried Haizhu Two buildings, the placard read, with a QR code on the flipside carrying Lin's social media handles As per Lin, as many as 1,000 people have reached out to him after he went viral online Despite being single for three years, having separated from his girlfriend, Lin said he was not rushing to forge new contacts "Many people applied to build contacts with me But I only approved a few of them because I need to know more about them before chatting," said Lin, adding that he agreed to advance the talking stage with some due to their 'funny' responses Lin got the idea of advertising himself for matrimony from his friend

Fake flight attendant fools US airlines for over 6 years

A US man who fraudulently posed as a flight attendant for six years and managed to book over 120 free flights has been convicted by a federal jury The man, identified as 35year-old Tiron Alexander, availed the free flights between 2018 and 2024 across multiple major US airlines, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida Alexander accessed the websites reserved for flight crew to book the free flights using employee benefits Free flights for crew members are a longstanding industry perk The indictment revealed that although Alexander worked for an airline since November 2015, he was never a flight attendant or a pilot He is now being charged with wire fraud and entering into a secure area of an airport by false pretences "While Alexander was able to board flights by fraudulently obtaining a boarding pass, he underwent all applicable TSA security procedures, including ID verification and physical screening, and did not pose a threat to other airline passengers," the TSA said Robot dog leaves shoppers stunned Robot dogs, developed by various countries and companies, are rapidly gaining popularity Their lifelike movements and cutting-edge design have captivated people worldwide, especially as their videos flood social media Used in surveillance, rescue m

advancement A recent viral video of a Texas mall brought this futuristic reality even closer to home A TikTok user from San Antonio shared a video on the "San Antonio Lifestyle" page, showing someone casually walking a robot dog on a leash inside the Rivercenter Mall Describing the moment as "scary", the user sparked both curiosity and debate about the growing presence of robotics in everyday life "We had never seen one before, and our first impression was disbelief, the TikTok creator tells MySA It s scary to know the future is here " In the video, the TikTok user greets their followers before being startled by the robot, exclaiming, "What in the hell is that?"

Moutushi Mukherjee

NHS introduces 'Trojan horse' cancer drug in world first for myeloma patients

In a global first, the NHS in England is offering a groundbreaking "Trojan horse" cancer therapy that significantly extends remission in patients with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer

The drug, belantamab mafodotin, works by attaching a powerful chemotherapy agent to an antibody designed to recognise and bind to cancerous plasma cells Once absorbed by the cells, the antibody releases its toxic payload from within mirroring the ancient myth where Greek soldiers used a wooden horse to infiltrate Troy

Clinical trials show the drug can halt the progression of myeloma for up to three years, compared to just 13 months with current therapies Paul Silvester, among the first to receive the treatment, called it “life-changing,” adding that he is now planning new adventures thanks to improved health

Roughly 33,000 people in the UK live with myeloma

While the disease cannot be cured, this treatment offers longer remission with fewer side effects Common reactions, such as dry eyes and blurred vision, occur when traces of the drug escape into the body after cancer cells are destroyed

Approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the therapy will initially be available to 1,500 patients annually when first-line treatments fail

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, called the treatment a “life-changing” development Experts say antibody-drug conjugates like this are paving the way for smarter, more targeted cancer therapies with potential for broader use in breast, bowel, and stomach cancers

NHS ‘soup and shake’ diet a success

s

u p and

ake ” diet of fered by the NHS has help ed nearly a th ird of p articip ants with type 2 diabetes ac h ieve re mis s io n, ac co rdin g to new da t a f r o m a n at i o nw i de

t i n England

T h e p r o g r a m m e , w h i c h r e p l a c e s

regular meals with calorie-controlled soups and shakes for up to 12 weeks, is aimed at overweight or obese individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes NHS England reports that over 50% of participants lost more than 10kg, with 30% entering remission a state where blood sugar levels return to a non-diabetic range without the need for medication Initially piloted in 10 areas in 2020, the initiative has since expanded across England as part of NHS efforts to tackle obesity-related illnesses and reduce the long-term burden of diabetes on the healthcare system

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity, said the results are “life-changing” for patients and represent a major step in reversing the growing trend of type 2 diabetes “Weight loss can lead to remission and reduce the need for lifelong medication,” he said Participants also receive support to gradually reintroduce solid foods and maintain healthier habits The programme aligns with NHS England’s broader prevention strategy, which focuses on lifestyle changes to reduce chronic disease risks

With over 4 million people in the UK living with type 2 diabetes, the success of the diet-based intervention offers hope for a scalable, non-invasive alternative to manage and potentially reverse the disease

Chatterbox brain boost

Ever catch yourself talking out loud while working through a problem? Don’t worry, you’re not losing it, you’re sharpening it Verbal selfguidance, or talking to yourself, can actually improve focus, concentration, and task performance It helps organise thoughts, reinforces memory, and keeps distractions at bay Athletes and performers do it all the time to stay on track. So go ahead and mutter those to-dos, coach yourself aloud, or cheer yourself on. Your brain’s secretly listening and loving it

Hot flushes & honest conversations

Breaking taboos, embracing change - a practical guide to navigating menopause with knowledge, culture and care

For generations, many British Asian women have been expected to "just get on with it" whether it’s raising families, supporting households, or managing careers

Menopause is no different Despite affecting half the population, it’s still a taboo topic in many of our homes and communities But it shouldn’t be Menopause, a natural biological

woman ’ s reproductive years Yet, for many, it can feel anything but natural Mood swings, hot flushes, fatigue, brain fog, and sleep disruption are just some of the symptoms that can affect daily life But with the right support, information, and lifestyle choices, the

greater ease and confidence

Menopause is a natural stage in

through in silence With the right support, lifestyle changes, and cultural

smoother, healthier, and far less isolating

Here are expert-backed tips for a

g h menopause: Talk about it at home and with your GP

issues, especially those related to ageing or women ’ s bodies, aren’t openly

y makes things harder Start by talking to your GP If you feel you ’ re not being heard, ask for a menopause-trained doctor or someone familiar with cultural nuances You deserve care that understands your background

Know the signs

Menopause symptoms vary, but common ones include irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, fatigue, mood swings, and memo r y f o g M a n y A s i a n w o m e n a l s o report joint pain and sleep issues

P e r i m e n o p a u s e ( t h e l e a d - u p t o menopause) can begin in your 40s, sometimes earlier, so awareness is key

Watch what you eat, but stay true to your culture

Traditional South Asian diets are rich in spices, lentils, and vegetables which is a great foundation But be mindful of ghee-heavy foods, excess sugar, or caffeine, especially if you ’ re managing hot flushes or blood pressure Focus on calcium-rich foods like yoghurt, sesame seeds, and leafy greens for bone health, and consider a vitamin D supplement

Get moving

Exercise doesn’t have to mean the gym Walking in the park, yoga, or even a few Bollywood dance moves in the living room can help reduce stress, i m p r o v e s l e e p ,

n

m a n a g

w

h t changes that come with menopause Movement also helps with joint pain, a c o m m o n s y m p t o m i n S o u t h A s i a n women

Are you Perimenopausal?

Irregular periods

Sleep disturbances

Sudden anxiety or brain fog

Joint aches

Hot flushes or night sweats

If you ’ ve ticked 2 or more, speak to your GP

Break the silence

Whether it’s chatting with your sister, mum, or friends from the mandir, gurdwara, or mosque, open up about what you ’ re going through Cultural change begins with honest conversations If your community doesn’t talk about menopause, you can be the one to start

Seek culturally sensitive support

There are now menopause cafes, support groups, and webinars that cater to South Asian women Look for doctors or therapists who understand your cultural context whether that’s the p

around ageing, or language barriers

You’re not alone, or invisible T

women feel invisible even more so if they already feel marginalised in society But this phase can also be a time of renewal Your wisdom, resilience, and life experience matter more than ever It’s time to advocate for your wellbeing, just as you do for everyone else

Menopause is a transition, not a d e c l i n e W i t h

community, it can also be a time of renewed strength, clarity, and purpose

Ethnic minority donors surge, but inequality remains

The num be r of l

om

Black , As ian, and m ixed-ethnic ity donors in the UK has reached its highes t level in a de cade, ac cording to new figure s fr om NHS Blood a nd Tr ans pl ant (NHSB T) Since 2 01 5 / 1 6, r e gi s t r at i on s f r om ethnic minority donors have ris en by 151%, and donations have doubl ed a prom ising step forward

However, the NHS warns t

over Only 11% of those registered as potential stem cell d

d s , despite patients being most likely to find a match from someone of a similar heritage This shortage means Black, Asian, and mixed-ethnicity patients still face significantly lower chances of f i n d i n g a s u i t a b l

m a t c h compared to white patients

C a m p a i g n s b y N H S B T a n d c h a r i t i e s s u c h a s t h e

A f r i c a n C a r i b b e a n

Ber ries

den

L e u k a e m i a T r u s t ( A C L T ) have helped raise awareness a n d b o o s t s i g n - u p s , b u t experts say more support is u r g e n t l y n e e d e d N i c o l a Rouse, a biomedical scientist who donated stem cells to a stranger in 2024, described t h e e x p e r i e n c e a s “ o v e rwhelming ” She joined the NHS register during a routine blood donation and was contacted 21 years later “I was the only match The process was easy, and I’d urge anyone, especially those from underrepresented communities, to join the register ”

increase in donors but said t h

actions could save a life ”

People aged 17 to 40 can ask to join the NHS Stem

Cell Donor Registry at their next blood, plasma or platelet donation Those who can’t give blood can still register through Anthony Nolan or DKMS

: www blood co uk/ stem cel ls

A family’s lifeline

For Andre Dorset, 53, from North Yorkshire, the lack of

” Andre said “That’s why more ethnic minority donors are urgently needed ” Ajahne, now 22, said, “Registering is simple, just like giving blood, and it could save a life ” Doctors stress that while half-matched donations can work, fully matched donors remain the best option, making a diverse register vital

Berries: Small fruits with big health benefits

Nicola Rouse

Ajahne and Andre Dorset

Professor Jonathan Valabhji

Karisma Kapoor attends ex-husband

Sunjay Kapur’s prayer meet in Delhi with family

Actress Karisma Kapoor attended the prayer meet of her ex-husband, businessman Sunjay Kapur, held today at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi. She was joined by her children, Samaira and Kiaan, as well as her sister Kareena Kapoor Khan and brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan, who stood by her during the emotionally charged gathering Karisma, dressed in white, was seen

o f f e r i n

Kapur’s wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur In a poignant moment captured on camera, K

e n while Priya, seated nearby, folded her hands in tribute The family paid their respects as part of a heartfelt ceremony that brought together relatives, friends, and members of Delhi’s business and social circles

The prayer meet followed Sunjay K a p u

Delhi on June 19 During the funeral, K a r i s m a w a s

h e r grieving son Kiaan, who broke down in tears at the loss of his father Kareena, visibly shaken, remained close to her

s i s t e r t h r o u g h o u t , o f f e r i n g s i l e n t support

Also present at the ceremony was

a c t o r S a i f A l i K h a n , w h o w a s s e e n engaging with fellow mourners Actress Neha Dhupia was also spotted at the prayer meet

Sunjay Kapur passed away on June 12 in London at the age of 53 The businessman reportedly suffered a fatal

t c h , triggered by a rare allergic reaction after a c c i d e n t a l l y s w a l l o w i n

attention, he could not be revived

S u n j a y K

married to fashion designer Nandita

M a h

Kapoor in 2003 The couple’s marriage e n d e d i n 2 0 1 4 ,

children: 20-year-old Samaira and 14year-old Kiaan Sunjay later married Priya Sachdev Kapur, with whom he had a son, Azarias He was also a father figure to Safira, Priya’s daughter from her earlier marriage to Vikram Chatwal Sunjay Kapur is survived by his wife

P r i y a , h

mother, Rani Surinder Kapur

Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par earns over £4.75 million in opening weekend as global demand sparks post-midnight

AamirKhan’s latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par, defied early expectations and is now recording a remarkable box office turnaround Despite a lukewarm response during bookings and a modest opening day

screenings

audience demand This trend, first seen with the release of Sooryavanshi during Diwali 2021, has since been associated with films that experience extraordinary popularity, such as Gangubai Kathiawadi,

collection of 10 70 crore (approximately £1 million), the film has seen a historic jump in collections on Saturday This has prompted several multiplexes in Mumbai and other key markets to add post-midnight screenings to accommodate the growing demand

In an unusual move, the makers had decided not to schedule any shows before 11 am on the day of release, possibly to avoid drawing attention to potentially empty theatres Though the film’s initial figures were considered underwhelming for a star of Aamir Khan’s calibre, the actor’s longstanding credibility and the film’s positive word-of-mouth have started paying off

Saturday saw a dramatic rise in footfall, with many shows running to full houses This surge has led theatres to introduce late-night shows at 1 am, 2 am and even as late as 3 am and 6 am to meet

The film is projected to earn approximately 20 crore (around £1 5 million) on its second day and is heading towards a solid opening weekend figure of 50 crore (roughly £4 75 million)

Bookings for Sunday indicate that the upward trend is likely to continue Industry analysts also predict a strong hold on Monday, often considered a test for a film’s long-term viability

Interestingly, while Sitaare Zameen Par initially appealed mainly to audiences in premium urban centres and A-grade cinemas, it has now begun drawing significant footfall from mass circuits as well This expansion across audience segments bodes well for the film’s longevity at the box office and strengthens expectations of a healthy lifetime run

Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Sholay’ to

premiere in 4K at Bologna Film Festival

Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 cult classic Sholay is set to premiere in a restored 4K version at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna, Italy, on June 27, 2025

The screening will take place at 9:45 pm on the iconic open-air screen at Piazza Maggiore, marking the film’s 50th anniversary with a grand international celebration

The Film Heritage Foundation and Sippy Films jointly announced the world premiere of the restored uncut version of Sholay Their Instagram post read, Sholay like you ’ ve never seen before!" The restoration offers audiences a chance to view the film as it was originally envisioned, with the original ending and deleted scenes that were removed from the theatrical release

This restoration was carried out by the Film Heritage Foundation at the L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory, in association with Sippy Films, and funded by Sippy Films Special thanks were extended to Shehzad Sippy for championing the restoration of what is widely considered one

of Indian cinema’s most iconic films

Directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by the legendary duo Salim–Javed, Sholay was first released in Indian theatres on August 15, 1975 Produced by GP Sippy, Sascha Sippy, and Shaan Uttamsingh, the action drama starred Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, and Amjad Khan in unforgettable roles

The Bologna screening not only pays tribute to the film’s legacy but also brings a new generation of global audiences closer to the magic of Sholay With its restored visuals and unseen content, the screening promises to offer a fresh perspective on a timeless Indian classic

Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh has unveiled the much-anticipated trailer for Sardaar Ji 3, the third installment in his popular supernatural comedy franchise. Sharing the trailer across his social media platforms, Diljit announced, “Sardaar Ji 3 releasing 27th June OVERSEAS only, FADH LAO BHOOND DIAN LATTAN ” Staying true to its roots, the film promises a quirky, ghost-filled adventure packed with humour and mystery

Directed by Amar Hundal, Sardaar Ji 3 brings back the beloved character Jaggi, a ghost hunter, and his spirited

escapades take them to a haunted castle in the UK, where they stumble upon

Diljit, the film features Neeru Bajwa and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, with

Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela

H

Aamir has sparked backlash online A section of social media users expressed disappointment with Diljit’s choice to cast a Pakistani actor, referencing her alleged comments following Operation Sindoor The criticism appears to have p

release plan

In a notable shift from tradition, Diljit confirmed that Sardaar Ji 3 will not be screened in Indian theatres Citing the current political tensions between India and Pakistan, he clarified

internationally from June 27 onwards The decision to skip

domestic

disheartened, especially those who have followed the franchise since its debut

Drishyam 2, Pathaan, Gadar 2, Jawan, Animal, Stree 2 and Chhaava

Anushka Sharma on keeping kids out of spotlight:

“We don’t want to raise brats”

Anushka Sharma and Virat

have consistently kept their children, Vamika and Akaay, out of the public eye, despite their own immense popularity. The couple has made a conscious effort to protect their children’s privacy.

Recently, Anushka opened up about their approach to parenting, explaining their decision to shield their kids from the spotlight and emphasising the importance of raising them with strong values

In a chat with ‘Vogue’, Anushka Sharma spoke about her parenting approach, saying, “Conditioning shapes how we see the world I come from a progressive background, and love and respect are key values in our home We don’t want to raise brats you have to build that value structure ”

She added, “Times have changed Children learn by watching their parents, and there’s a sense of normalcy in both of us working You just have to manage things efficiently ” On the challenges of parenting, Anushka said, “You learn as you go; you can’t pressure yourself, but you do need to be prepared for curveballs ”

The ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ actress also spoke about keeping her children out of the limelight: “We’ve thought a lot about it We don’t want to raise a child in the public eye or on social media It should be their choice No child should be made to feel more special than another It won’t be easy, but we intend to follow through ” Since embracing motherhood, Anushka has largely stayed away from films and is now selective about her projects

Janhvi Kapoor soaks up London vibes

TheUK remains a favourite destination for many Bollywood celebrities, with Janhvi Kapoor being no exception The ‘Mr & Mrs Mahi’ actress is currently enjoying a London holiday with her sister Khushi Kapoor and rumoured boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya Giving fans a peek into her trip, Janhvi shared a fun Instagram reel that captures 24 hours of her London adventures in just 30 seconds packed with food, fitness, fashion, and plenty of laughter

Captioning the post, “Thnx Khushu for introducing me to powdered sunscreen Can you guys tell @orry edited my reel?”, Janhvi treated followers to glimpses of her day from devouring delicious meals and hitting the gym, to glamming up with Khushi, relaxing at a park picnic, and visiting museums A sweet moment with Shikhar, where Janhvi playfully leans over to steal a bite from his plate, quickly became a fan favourite Janhvi’s post quickly drew fun reactions from friends and family Her brother Arjun Kapoor playfully teased, “U have a ‘NAC’ of doing this while eating ” while ‘Bawaal’ costar Varun Dhawan joked, “Please be calm and eat sugar-free ice cream ” Janhvi’s cheeky reply? “Can’t be calm till Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari releases,” referencing her upcoming film with Varun

Sonakshi backs

Deepika’s 8-hour shift demand, calls ‘Spirit’ exit ‘fair’

Thedebate over structured work hours in the film industry gained momentum after reports emerged that Deepika Padukone exited ‘Spirit’ over her demand for an eight-hour work shift Many actors have since voiced their support In a recent interview, Sonakshi Sinha backed Deepika, emphasising the need for personal time

‘Spirit’ is true, but if it is, it’s a very fair reason, ” Sonakshi said “I’ve worked with actors who won’t go beyond eight hours, so it shouldn’t be different for female actors It depends on the project, but schedules can easily be planned around those hours It’s very achievable ” Sonakshi Sinha, reflecting on her 15 years in the industry, said she’s worked with actors on both shorter and longer schedules “That’s fine, but you also need time for yourself beyond shooting,” she e x

requires me to be extremely fit, I need two hours to work out If I’m on set for 12–14 hours, that’s not possible Where it’s not required, adjustments can be made ” Deepika Padukone reportedly exited ‘Spirit’ after her demands including an eight-hour workday, profit share, and not s

declined, with Triptii Dimri later cast opposite Prabhas S

Roy’, directed by her brother Kussh S Sinha, stars Paresh Rawal, Arjun Rampal, a

thriller, releasing on 27 June 2025, will clash with Kajol’s ‘Maa’ at the box office

Janhvi Kapoor has been serving up back-to-back fashion moments during her UK trip For a casual city outing, she kept it effortlessly edgy in a strapless black crop top paired with dusty olive cargo pants perfect summer style with a hint of cool Skipping heavy accessories, she completed the look with just a sleek black watch For a relaxed lakeside picnic, Janhvi channelled laid-back charm in a beige collared top with delicate frill detailing, teamed with classic blue denim shorts Her fresh, glowing look had us wondering about her skincare secrets! With Wimbledon just around the corner, the UK is set to welcome a wave of Bollywood celebrities The iconic tennis tournament has long been a favourite among stars, offering the perfect blend of sport, style, and social buzz This year too, many are expected to fly in not just to catch the thrilling matches, but also to soak up the summer vibe in London and beyond

MON 30 JUN - FRI 04 JUL 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

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19:30 Baa Vahu ane Baby

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21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

22:00 Lakshya

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MON 30 JUNE - FRI 04 JUL 2025

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18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

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21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 Choti Sardarni

23:00 Udaariyan

SATURDAY 05 JULY 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

17:30 Rasoi Show

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20:00 Rashi Rikshawali

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21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

22:00 Lakshya

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09:00 Deshi Beats

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16:30 Lakshya

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19:30 Baa Vahu ane Baby

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18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka Season-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 Choti Sardarni

23:00 Udaariyan

SUNDAY 06 JULY 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Shrukra Mangal

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka Season-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 Choti Sardarni

23:00 Udaariyan

Kohli

Nagarjuna on playing villain in ‘Coolie’: “I could tell someone to shut up-so

liberating”

Fans are eagerly awaiting Lokesh Kanagaraj’s upcoming film Coolie, featuring an ensemble cast led by Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Nagarjuna confirmed he will be playing the villain, calling the experience “liberating ” He shared that Lokesh had approached him directly about taking on an antagonist’s role, saying they could simply have tea and part ways if he wasn’t comfortable Intrigued but cautious, Nagarjuna agreed to hear the script before deciding

Recalling his reaction after reading the script, Nagarjuna said, “I liked it so much I had Lokesh come back six or seven times to work out my role! If anyone asks me about my character in Coolie, I’d sum it up in one word: liberating There was no pressure on how I performed unlike Deepak in Kuberaa, who always has to behave a certain way, even when drinking coffee In Coolie, all that went out the window ”

Explaining why it felt so freeing, he added, “I could tell someone to shut up and get out of my face something I’ve never done on screen! Everyone said I made for a very charming villain Lokesh presented me that way I even asked him a couple of times if he was sure people really acted like that, and he’d reply, ‘Yes sir, people can be very evil!’”

Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Pictures, Coolie is an action thriller starring Rajinikanth and Nagarjuna, alongside Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, and others Marking Rajinikanth’s 171st film as lead, it is set to release on 14 August, clashing at the box office with Ayan Mukerji’s War 2, featuring Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan

Suresh Gopi says Simran, like Anupama, was sidelined in Malayalam films

Despite a dream debut in Alphonse Puthren’s Premam (2016), Anupama Parameswaran’s Malayalam cinema journey has been challenging, with films like James & Alice, Jomonte Suvisheshangal, and Kurup not significantly advancing her career. Meanwhile, success in Tamil and Telugu films, especially the recent hit Dragon (2025), cemented her status as a South Indian star

Now, Anupama is making a comeback in Malayalam with a key role in N

m d Janaki v/s State of Kerala, along Suresh Gopi At a recent promot

moved Gopi, who publicly off his support

Recalling her early strug-

shared that she faced rejection and trolling, with many dismissing her as talentless

“Many people rejected me in

lot of trolling,” she said, thanking

casting her in Janaki v/s State of Kerala

In response, Suresh Gopi noted she wasn’t alone, citing how actor Simran faced similar neglect in the industry “Simran was let go by Malayalam cinema, t later top directors wanted her back The same happened with actors like Asin and Nayanthara, who found greater success elsewhere The same will happen for Anupama That is karma My prayers are er, ” he added in made her debut in Sathyan

ained her only Malayalam film anthara, meanwhile, appeared ive Malayalam films early on,

003), followed by roles opposite M

y , before moving into other industries She returned in 2010 and was last seen in Malayalam cinema in Alphonse Puthren’s G

Prithviraj Sukumaran

Samantha shuts down ‘Ye Maaya Chesave’ promo rumours with Naga Chaitanya

Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya, who met on the set of Ye Maaya Chesave (2010), married in 2017 and divorced in 2021. Now, 15 years later, the film is set for a July 18 re-release. While fans had hoped the former couple might reunite for promotions, Samantha shut down the idea.

, Samantha said, “No, I’m not promoting Ye Maaya Chesave with anyone In fact, I’m not promoting the film at all ” She added that while fans may want to see the “lead pair together,” she can’t live her life based on audience expectations “I don’t know where this talk is coming from Maybe fans of the film want to see the lead pair together But one can’t live one ’ s life through the audience’s lensing of life,” she explained It was after Ye Maaya Chesave that Samantha Ruth Prabhu found success in Telugu cinema, and she fondly recalled that she still remembers every single day from the shoot “I really remember every single shot The first shot I did for that the gate, with my character Jessie Karthik (Naga Chaitanya) for the time And I remember everything ut it every single detail It was fanstic working with Gautham Menon, ho knew exactly what he wanted nd how the character should come across, ” she said

Anirudh

Naga Chaitanya’s love story led to a

n vorce On a 2022 episode of Koffee h Karan, Samantha admitted their ionship wasn’t amicable, saying, “If t us both in a room, you have

arried actor Sobhita Dhulipala

hide

Ravichander on marriage rumours with Kavya Maran

Rumours of a wedding between music composer-singer Anirudh Ravichander, Rajinikanth’s nephew, and businesswoman and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SH) owner Kavya Maran recently made headlines.

Known for hits like Jailer, Jawan, Petta, Vikram, Devara, and Leo, Ravichander responded to the buzz with a cryptic post on X: “Marriage ah? lol Chill out guys please stop spreading rumours ” The speculation began after a Reddit post claimed he was set to marry Maran, daughter of Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran

A Reddit post fuelled speculation, claiming that Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran daughter of Sun TV’s Kalanithi Maran and owner of the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team are in a relationship, with Rajinikanth reportedly speaking to Kalanithi Maran about it, sparking wedding rumours

The buzz grew after the two were recently spotted on a dinner date, with several users claiming to have seen them together at various places one even recalling seeing them walk the Las Vegas Strip last year

Anirudh, son of actor Ravi Raghavendra and classical dancer Lakshmi, is also

much-anticipated action drama Kingdom, which has been delayed from its original July 4, 2025 release

Deverakonda’s

Anupam Kher reunites with Robert De Niro at ‘Tanvi The Great’ premiere

Anupam Kher’s new film

‘Tanvi The Great’ premiered at the 2025 New York Indian Film Festival - with Hollywood legend Robert De Niro in attendance

T h o u g h n o s

n g

t o career milestones, this moment was special for Anupam Kher, who later took to social media

t o e x p r e s s h i s g r a t i t u d e

“World’s best actor attends the premiere of tanvi the great in new york! What else can an actor/director ask from God!

T h a n k y o u

I

easily is the highlight of my e n t i r e c a r e e r I a m s t i l l i n shock But then I always say ‘kuch bhi ho sakta hai’! Jai Mata Ki!” he wrote on Instagram

Kher and De Niro share a long friendship, first working t o g e

n o m i n a t e d S i l v e r L i n i n g s Playbook (2012) They reunited

a t t h e 7 8 t h C a n n e s F i l m F e s t i v a l , w h e r e D e N i r o received the Palme d’Or for L i f e t i m e A c h i e v e m e n t K h e r later wrote: “It was amazing to m e e t m y f r i e n d R

N

u

w i f e #Tiffany, and their beautiful daughter Jia in Cannes! Their love and affection touched me deeply ”

M o r e r e c e n t l y

posted: “Told him about the # W o

TanviTheGreat in Cannes! He met #Shubhangi (Tanvi) and our crew warmly Showed him the first poster he LOVED it Thank you Mr De Niro for your love, warmth, hug, and brilliance! Jai Ho!”

D i r e c t e d b y K h e r , T a n v i T h e G r e a t s t a r s S h u b

Shroff, Arvind Swami, Karan Tacker, and Game of Thrones star Iain Glen It premiered at Cannes on May 17 and releases in India on July 18

‘Panchayat’ star Sanvikaa posts cryptic note on inequality in industry

‘Panchayat’ actor Sanvikaa, whose real name is Pooja Singh, recently shared a cryptic note on Instagram, opening up about the challenges she faces in the entertainment industry In her post, she expressed feeling a lack of respect and unequal treatment, hinting at how difficult it can be for outsiders

Sanvikaa, best known for playing Rinki in the popular comedydrama, wrote, “Sometimes I wish I was an insider or maybe from a very powerful background Things would have been so much easier (maybe, I don’t know) As basic as getting respect and being treated as an equal The battles would have been lesser Hanging on ” She did not elaborate on what specific incident prompted the post

According to a report, Sanvikaa hails from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh She left her engineering studies to pursue acting, moving to Mumbai where she initially worked as a costume assistant before auditioning for roles Besides ‘Panchayat 2 ’ , she has appeared in web series like ‘Lakhan Leela Bhargava’ and ‘Hajamat’

In an interview with ‘Hindustan Times’ last year, Sanvikaa likened ‘Panchayat’ to a "government job," offering her the security to experiment with different roles “It’s a big support system for me the makers had a clear plan for my character’s progression from a cameo in season one to a bigger role in later seasons, ” she shared

Season four of ‘Panchayat’ is set to premiere on Prime Video on June 24, with Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, and others returning as political tensions in Phulera rise

Priyanka Chopra on

‘Heads of State’

injury:

“Could have lost my eye”

Priyanka Chopra is gearing up for the release of her Hollywood action film *Heads of State*, where she plays an intelligence operative protecting the US President (John Cena) and UK Prime Minister (Idris Elba) The actor, who performed intense action scenes for the film, revealed she nearly got injured during a routine shot

Appearing on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’, Priyanka shared behind-the-scenes moments from the shoot, including on-set pranks and her efforts to break the ice between co-stars Idris Elba and John Cena

What really caught fans’ attention was Priyanka Chopra’s on-set injury Recalling the incident, she said, “The camera has a matte box, and I was supposed to roll on the floor and fall it was raining The camera operator came in a little closer, I came in a little closer, and it took out a chunk of my eyebrow It could’ve been my eye, so I’m very grateful it wasn’t I just put surgical glue on, stuck it, finished my day I didn’t want to come back and shoot in the rain again ”

Directed by Ilya Naishuller, ‘Heads of State’ stars Idris Elba, John Cena, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, along with Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Sarah Niles The action-comedy, packed with thrills, humour, and surprises, premieres on Prime Video on July 2

shaming and comments on physical appearance remain

especially for women in the entertainment industry Welsh actress Banita Sandhu, known for October and Sardar Udham, recently opened up about being body-shamed

because I looked like a twig and questioned how the co-star could be attracted to me That was the first time I experienced body shaming, and it felt surreal because

October (2018), opposite Varun Dhawan, and later appeared in Pandora, Adithya Varma (2019), and Sardar Udham O

y shaming early in her career, she said, “I didn’t take it to heart B e a u t

d s v a

b

region I’m naturally skinny any producer will tell you, I eat the most on set You just can

Sherdil, she said, “It was the most fun I’ve had on a movie set We shot in Budapest with an incredible cast ” Joining the film just two

observation

Having previously worked with Dosanjh on Jindh Mahi, she added, “He’s exactly the same focused, hardworking, and the best-dressed man in India, hands down ”

T h e o pen ing T es t o f th e

series between Eng land and India at Head ing ley, L eeds,

cu lmi nated in a d ram ati c

five-wicket victory for the hosts, successfully ch asing a challenging fourth -inning s

ta

fight back, seizing a 1 -0

India, ushering in a new

u nd er S h

s cap taincy

Indian batting records and captaincy debut

India's first innings saw a commanding total of 471, p

India fall short despite batting brilliance

Y a s h a s v i J

l contributed 101 runs from 159 balls Captain Shubman Gill, in his Test captaincy debut at just 25 years and 285 days, making him the youngest Indian to score a f i f t y - p l u

captain scored a superb 147 off 227 deliveries, including 1 9 f o u

Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant

style with 134 runs off just 178 balls, featuring 12 fours

registered a twin century in the match, scoring another

England cricket partners with director Gurinder Chadha to create a blockbuster film

a gainst India Women

The short promotional film is Chadha’s first sports film since cultural football phenomenon Bend it Like Beckham It celebrates the f

cultural unity between the two teams and their fans, as w e l l a s s p o t l i g h t i n g t h e evolution of women ’ s cricket into the sporting spectacle it is today

Drawing influence from her previous work, the new three-minute, action packed

f i l m s t a r s p l a y e r s D a n n i

W y a t t - H o d g e , H e a t h e r

K n i g h t a n d L a u r e n F i l e r

a l o n g s i d e f a n s , u s i n g a m i x t u r e o f l e g e n d a r y England vs India moments as

w e l l a s n e w l y s h o t sequences

The trailer also nods to t h e v i b r a n t B r i t i s h - I n d i a n

c r i c k e t c o m m u n i t y a c r o s s England and Wales, and the shared passion of England and India fans, including the Barmy Army, capturing their collective excitement for the upcoming series

From recreations of the shirt-waving drama between Sourav Ganguly and Andrew

F l i n t o f f , t o t h e m u c hdiscussed run-out the last time the England Women’s side faced India at Lord’s, the t r a i l e r m a k e s s u b t l e references to some of the iconic scenes in Bend It Like

B e c k h a m , a n d s h o w s t h e drama and excitement the upcoming series between the two nations is guaranteed to bring, whilst injecting some of Chadha’s trademark wit

O f f t h e b a c k o f a successful first series against

W e s t I n d i e s u n d e r n e w

E

Tendulkar for overseas Test c

n wicketkeeper, now behind only Rahul Dravid In the second innings, KL Rahul a

, scoring 137 runs India set England a formidable 371 to win E nglish chase, dis cipli nary concerns and young talent

E n g l a n d ’ s f

d a b l e chase was spearheaded by a

o p e n i

t n e r s h i p between Ben Duckett and Z a k C r a w l e y D u c k e t t compiled a magnificent 149 from 170 balls, reaching his sixth Test century off 121 d e l i v e r i e s H i s i n n i n g s broke Joe Root’s record for the highest individual score i n t h e f o u r t h i n n i n g s

a g a i n s t I n d i a C r a w l e y supported him with 65 runs from 126 balls before being d i s m i s s e d b y P r a s i d h Krishna in the 43rd over

P r a s i d h K r i s h n a f u r t h e r

d e n t e d E n g l a n d b y dismissing Ollie Pope for a

d u c k i n t h e n e x t o v e r

D e s p i t e t h i s , E n g l a n d m a i n t a i n e d m o m e n t u m Duckett was later dropped on 97 by Yashasvi Jaiswal,

Shardul Thakur provided

However, England’s lower

Pant faced scrutiny for a breach of the ICC Code of

England

despite his batting heroics The series

injection of young talent, with players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai

Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Arshdeep Singh featuring

transitional phase for the Indian Test squad While senior players like Karun

emphasis was on nurturing the next generation in this high-stakes series

Former India spinner Dilip Doshi dies of cardiac arrest in London

arrest Often ov ershad owed by fellow left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi, Doshi still carv ed out a no table career, playing 33 T ests and 1 5 ODI s fo r Ind ia between 1979 and 1 983

The Indian cricket community mourned his passing, with tributes led by Sachin Tendulkar

Kumble expressed his sorrow,

debuted in 1979 after Bishan Singh Bedi’s retirement, played 33 Tests, taking 114 wickets, including six five-wicket hauls, and completed 100 wickets in just 28 Tests

m i s expecting fierce competition from India as they build up

t o a W o r l d C u p i n September, hosted in India

Fans can expect unlimited drama between the two sides a s t h e y w a t c h w o r l d - c l a s s players battle it out on the pitch in some of the biggest venues across England and Wales

C o m m e n t i n g o n t h e r e l e a s e o f t h e t r a i l e r ,

E n g l a n d W o m e n ’ s c a p t a i n N a t S c i v e r - B r u n t s a i d : “ I grew up watching Bend It Like Beckham, so it’s really exciting to be working with

G u r i n d e r t o p r o d u c e

s o m e t h i n g s p e c i a l f o r w o m e n ’ s c r i c k e t P l a y i n g India is always a massive test, and we love the rivalry with them, so the film trailer is r e a l l y t h e p e r f e c t w a y o f showing what it’s all aboutunlimited drama and lots of action The real viewing will be out on the pitch, and we can’t wait to get out there and put a show on for the fans!”

F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , E n g l a n d W o m e n w i l l p l a y I n d i a a l o n g s i d e E n g l a n d M e n a n d E n g l a n d M e n ’ s M i x e d D i s a b i l i t y t e a m , d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h e j o i n t s e r i e s a n d t h e E C B ’ s ambition to raise the profile

c a p t a i n N a t S c i v e r - B r u n t and Head Coach Charlotte

o f t h e w o m e n ’ s t e a m , creating long-term fans as it builds towards the ICC T20 W o m e n ’ s W o r l d C u p i n 2026, which will take place on home soil O n w o r k i n

former India spinner Dilip Doshi, who died i

e l i g h t e d t o b

o work on this project with England Women I’m a huge fan of women in sport and I g r e w u p w i t h t h i s tumultuous series as my dad was a HUGE cricket fan, so I was inspired by his love of the game to champion yet another women ’ s sport that’s s

current England squad has a g

a t e n e r g y ,

I w i s h them the best of luck in the upcoming series again India – but India also has a great squad so I’m sure it will be

watching, and I hope a lot of other fans will be too!”

E C B Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women added: “Gurinder’s previous film, Bend It Like Beckham, was decades ahead of its time

women in sport, particularly for South-Asian women in Britain She was the perfect person to work with on this trailer, and we hope this film shows the impact women

spotlighting this major series a n d c r e

ahead of a World Cup on home soil next

channels and website

meeting Doshi in 1990, calling him a warmhearted soul and saying, “I will miss our cricketing conversations ”

a v i S

“immaculate, a gentleman to the core and a

Former India keeper-batter Parthiv Patel expressed shock at Doshi’s passing, calling him “truly special” and sending support to Doshi’s son, Nayan Manoj Tiwary called the news a shock, praying for strength for the family Pragyan Ojha paid tribute to Doshi as a “distinguished left-arm spinner who served Indian cricket with grace and grit,” while Harbhajan Singh simply wrote, “RIP Dilip Doshi sir Condolences to family ”

Neeraj Chopra claims gold at Paris Diamond League

I n d i a' s e s t ee m e d j av e li n s t a r, N e er a j Chopra, secured a commanding vi ctory in the men's javeli n throw event at the Paris D iamond League 2025 Competing at Stade Sébasti en Charléty, the two-time Olympic m e da l li s t c l i nc h e d t he ti t l e w i t h a formi dable opening throw of 88 16 metres

T h i s s t e l l a r f i r s t a t t e m p t p r o v e d unassailable for his competitors Germany’s Julian Weber, a strong rival, finished in second place with a throw of 87 88 metres Brazil’s Luiz Maurício da Silva secured the bronze medal, establishing a new South American record with his effort of 86 62 metres Following his exceptional initial throw, the 27-year-old Chopra recorded an

85 10-metre throw on his second attempt H

o r e concluding his series with an 82 89-metre throw Significantly, this triumph marks the f

a j Chopra has managed to outperform Julian Weber

Their previous encounter at the Doha Diamond League last month saw Weber snatch victory with a personal best of 91 06 metres on his final attempt of the evening In that very competition, the Indian javelin thrower had himself breached the elusive

9

Tendulkar intervenes in Pataudi trophy renaming controversy

Cricket legend S ach in T endulkar h as finally b ro k e n h i s s i l en c e re ga rdi n g th e c o n tr o ve rs i al d ec i s i o n b y t h e E n gl an d Cricket Bo ard (ECB) to rebrand the Indi aEngland Test series, traditio nally kno wn

Tendulkar exp ressed h is deep respect fo r th e P at au di f ami ly 's e ndu ri n g l egac y i n I n di an c ri c ke t, p l e dgi n g to e ns u r e i ts continuatio n "The decision to retire the trophy rested with the BCCI and the ECB," Tendulkar clarified to RevSportz, explaining that he was only informed after their decision He

emphasised his awareness of the Pataudi family's significant contributions, noting that Pataudi senior played for England and for India, while Tiger Pataudi captained India with distinction Tendulkar, though not alive to witness their play, stated that their inspirational stories resonated deeply Driven by a desire to preserve this legacy, Tendulkar took immediate action "When I got to know, I called the family and had a conversation," he revealed Following this, he engaged with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and officials from both the BCCI and ECB, stressing the importance of maintaining the Pataudi name's association with the series

Gurinder Chadha (second left)

Dilip Doshi