AV 28th October 2023

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE After PM Modi Abbas talks, India sends relief material to Gaza

UK's Navaratri celebrations in full swing SEE PAGE - 17

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India hints at restarting Canada visas ‘very soon’

Exploring India's hidden temple wonders

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28 OCT - 3 NOV 2023 SEE PAGE

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'Shine your Light' festival for self-expression and acceptance

Let noble thoughts come to us from every side SEE PAGE

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Narrating nuanced authentic stories about South Asians

VOL 52 - ISSUE 26

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Sports provide women to step out into the public sphere

DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING MOVE

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Legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi passes away aged 77

Yet another delay in India-UK FTA deal

AGAINST RACE-EQUALITY There will be no recruitment of professionals to promote diversity and inclusion, Health Secretary Steve Barclay has ordered. Community healthcare workers and experts share their disappointment and the alarming consequences that might follow.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has issued a directive to NHS managers, urging them to halt the recruitment of professionals exclusively focused on promoting diversity and inclusion within the healthcare system. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson exclusively told Asian Voice, "Taxpayers rightly expect value for money from every penny spent in our NHS. The Health and Social Care Secretary wrote to Integrated Care Boards this week to reiterate that diversity and inclusion should be a part of everyone’s role, rather than having discrete dedicated roles within organisations.

Continued on page 12

FULL STORY ON PAGE 02

Gaganyaan test flight's crew module successfully recovered by Navy

FULL STORY ON PAGE 25

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28 Oct - 3 Nov 2023

Yet another delay in India-UK FTA deal India and the United Kingdom (UK) appear unlikely to finalise the much-anticipated trade deal by the end of October, as outstanding differences still need to be resolved.

While negotiations are ongoing with full vigour, it is presently impossible to determine a specific timeline for the deal. Notably, Indian officials are currently engaged in negotiations in London. This delay follows the missed deadline for the deal set last year during Diwali by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

As both countries are heading into general elections next year, the opportunity for a trade agreement is rapidly diminishing. One of the reported reasons for this delay is a "lack of progress" in opening up Indian markets to British professional services, such as law and accountancy firms, as noted in a report by the Financial Times earlier in the day, citing unnamed British officials.

Officials who have been informed about the negotiations have stated that one of the factors contributing to the delay in the trade deal is

Narendra Modi with Rishi Sunak

the insufficient progress in opening up the Indian market to British professional services, particularly in the fields of law and accountancy.

“The discussions are not where we want them to be,” an official familiar with the talks said.

“The prime minister has said he will not sign a trade deal on arbitrary deadlines.

He’s going to do the right thing for the country,” said another official.

These developments occur amidst heightened expectations for the signing of the free-trade agreement (FTA) between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart, Rishi Sunak, in New Delhi by the end of this month.

Additionally, there were

earlier anticipations of Sunak's attendance at the India-England cricket World Cup match in Lucknow on October 29, though no official announcement has been made regarding this.

Currently, the negotiations between the two nations are in their final stages, with both sides diligently working to resolve their differences. Last week, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal expressed that the negotiations have reached an "advanced stage."

Within this negotiation framework, the UK is striving for increased opportunities in telecommunications, legal, and financial services within the Indian markets as part of the agreement.

Jeremy Hunt likely to resign as MP Jeremy Hunt is anticipated to resign as a Member of Parliament (MP) before the next election, as indicated by senior members of the Conservative Party. They suggest that the Chancellor is conscious of the possibility of facing a "Michael Portillo" moment on election day.

Hunt has already declared his candidacy and been chosen to represent the new constituency of

Godalming and Ash in Surrey, following the dissolution of his South West Surrey seat, which was divided into two due to boundary changes.

Although his spokesperson affirmed on Friday that he intends to stand, the Conservative Party's diminishing standing, highlighted by a series of by-election losses and a strengthening lead for the Labour Party in the polls, has led several

Jeremy Hunt

influential sources, both nationally and locally, to believe that he will announce his resignation much closer to the election.

Chief scientific adviser nicknamed Sunak 'Dr Death' During the Covid Inquiry, it was revealed that the government's current chief scientific adviser, Prof Dame Angela McLean, referred to Rishi Sunak as "Dr Death" in

the weeks following the 2020 Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

This information surfaced through a WhatsApp exchange between McLean

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and infectious-disease modelling expert Prof John Edmunds, presented as part of the evidence during a recent hearing of the inquiry. The inquiry is currently investigating the decision-making and political governance in the UK during the pandemic.

This private exchange occurred during a meeting on September 20, 2020, involving the then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and a group of scientific advisers. The purpose of the meeting was to gather insights on the likely future trajectory of the virus.

At that time, McLean held the position of chief scientific adviser at the Ministry of Defence and chaired the SPI-M-O subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.

Protestors march in London in support of Palestine Approximately 100,000 protesters gathered in rainy central London on Saturday to call for the protection of Palestinian civilians affected by the Gaza War. The National March for Palestine, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, commenced at London's Marble Arch and culminated near Downing Street at Parliament Square. Demonstrators displayed Palestinian flags and held signs advocating for an end to the Israeli government's bombardment of Gaza following a deadly Hamas attack within Israel.

The British authorities encouraged demonstrators to be considerate of the distress and apprehension felt by the Jewish community.

London's Metropolitan Police reported a significant increase in reports of

antisemitic incidents in October compared to the previous year, with reports of anti-Muslim crimes also more than doubling.

Antisemitic offenses rose by a staggering 1,353% compared to the same period last year, while Islamophobic offenses increased by 140% following the conflict involving Hamas and Israel. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the rise in anti-

semitism and emphasised the UK's stance against hatred.

Police made 21 arrests related to hate crimes, including vandalism of posters and graffiti. The Community Security Trust recorded 457 antisemitic incidents across the UK from October 7 to October 18, while TellMama, which monitors anti-Muslim incidents, received 200 cases up to October 16.

Non-integrated migrants contribute to fuelling hatred Britain has witnessed an increase in anti-Israel extremism and antisemitism, which the Commissioner for Countering Extremism, Robin Simcox, attributes to mass migration and poor integration.

He notes that the hostility directed towards the Jewish community following Hamas's attack on Israel indicates the normalisation of antisemitism in the UK. Antisemitic incidents

Robin Simcox

surged sixfold in the week following the attacks on October 7 compared to the same period the previous year, as reported by the

Community Security Trust, a charity providing security advice for British Jews.

Simcox expresses concern that this level of hatred reflects a deeply rooted issue in the country. He highlights the fact that many British citizens expressed support for the "Palestinian resistance" rather than mourning the victims of the attack on Israel, illustrating the presence of inherent anti-Israel extremism in certain segments of society.

HS2 leaders under scrutiny for concealing costs The company responsible for the HS2 railway construction faces accusations of intentionally concealing its mounting costs to secure continued government spending of billions in public funds for the project.

Whistleblowers from HS2 Ltd have disclosed that senior managers directed employees to artificially lower cost estimates, resulting in the dismissal of each

individual who attempted to raise concerns.

These whistleblowers allege that for several years, Parliament was not informed of the actual costs of the high-speed railway when it voted on legislation approving its construction.

HS2's internal fraud unit is presently investigating claims that the company purposefully obscured cost overruns, though the company

denies any wrongdoing. The Sunday Times conducted a three-month investigation, during which it gained access to internal HS2 emails, documents, and cost calculations, in addition to secret recordings of employees detailing how cost figures were understated.

The investigation also included interviews with HS2 insiders, former government ministers, and civil servants.

Arrests made in hotel immigration raid In a recent operation conducted on Wednesday, a total of eleven individuals were apprehended during an immigration raid at the prestigious Regents Park Marriott Hotel in London.

An investigation unveiled that these agency workers had been engaged in unauthorised employment as cleaners, porters, and maids within the confines of the four-star establishment.

Shockingly, these

employees were grossly underpaid, receiving just half the standard wage for their 15-hour workweeks through two separate subcontractors. Out of the group, five individuals were apprehended and are awaiting deportation, while six others were granted bail with the requirement to regularly report to the Home Office, according to official statements.

The detained workers hailed from six different

nationalities and lacked the necessary permissions to work in the United Kingdom. Notably, one of those arrested had entered the country through illegal means, as confirmed by the Home Office.

This immigration enforcement operation was conducted with the full cooperation of the hotel chain and is part of a broader effort to combat unlawful employment within the hospitality sector.

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Is this the beginning of an end?

Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and now Rishi Sunak have all grappled with the daunting task of keeping the Conservative Party in line, but the ongoing internal strife within the party seems insurmountable. Behind closed doors, Tory MPs have reportedly started to privately criticise the Prime Minister for his perceived weakness in dealing with rebellious backbenchers, amidst a flurry of reports about him backtracking on significant policies.

An upcoming bill addressing conversion practices was slated for inclusion in the upcoming King's speech but was seemingly reversed after a campaign led by Miriam Cates from the Tory Right. Plans to boost housebuilding by eliminating nutrient neutrality rules have also been reportedly abandoned due to the challenges of securing legislative support.

With this, looms a larger crisis. The crisis of multiculturalism and its grim future in the UK. Health Secretary Steve Barclay has hammered the last nail in the coffin by ordering that there will be no more race and equality roles in the NHS. This directly implies that grievances of racist abuse or subtle racism will get buried and lost in loneliness and lack of infrastructure for grievance addressal.

Sunak, in his efforts to quell internal dissent and stabilise the party, has had to backtrack on housing targets and onshore windfarm bans. However, Sunak's quest to regain control is allegedly being doubted by many Tory MPs, who perceive him as increasingly weak. He seeks to redirect the political battle lines away from internal strife and towards the Labour Party, but the parliamentary landscape he inherited remains an obstacle to his vision.

There were some discussions when Labour Party leader Sir

Starmer mentioned the history of inequality and exploitation during the colonial era. When asked how this should be tackled, Sir Keir Starmer said, “It should be the defining feature of how we go forward. We have used the word reset before, this is what I mean by saying resetting relationship, which recognises where we are now, rather than defining ourselves by the past.”

Meanwhile Business Standard reported that India and the UK are unlikely to finalise their highly anticipated trade deal by the end of October due to unresolved differences between the two parties. Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed British officials, that one of the causes for the delay is the limited progress in granting British professional service providers, such as law and accountancy firms, access to the Indian markets. No official confirmation has yet been released on PM Sunak’s anticipated visit to India end of October.

UK has been home to the ethnic minority diaspora for hundreds of years now. Its dependence on ethnic minority communities and people of different races has seen a new renaissance in British culture. From a pharmacy to a corner shop, Indian takeaway to technicians who repair and renovate our homes, cleaners, helpers, drivers, police officers, to the current Prime Minister of Britain, the BAME community has its imprint all over the country and no strategic or impulsive socio-political move can erase it overnight.

However, in the middle of a war-torn world, cost-of-living crisis, scathing opposition (if not strong), and criticism from within one’s own party, one may not panic, but contemplate, whether this is the beginning of an end for race equality in Britain, or not.

Israel’s agony in the ongoing struggle The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has inflicted untold misery and agony upon innocent civilians trapped in the midst of the battle zones. The Israeli military has notified the families of 222 people who were kidnapped during Hamas’s attack. The hostage count continues to rise as the military gathers additional intelligence, encompassing foreign citizens taken from a variety of locations.

Israel has never threatened to overthrow Hamas totally, despite four previous wars with the organisation that administers the 2.3 million-person region of Gaza (2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021). However, in the wake of the October 7 attacks, when militants from the Palestinian Islamist movement began a deadly cross-border assault that has killed 1,400 people, Israel has laid out just one objective: “destroying Hamas”. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have called up their entire armoured corps—more than 1,000 tanks. Around 360,000 reservists will also join the force’s full-time personnel of about 170,000.

The Israel-Hamas war has triggered a myriad of international conflicts and tensions. According to the United Nations agency, more than 19,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon amid an uptick in tensions between Israel and Hezbollah at the country’s southern border. Reports stated that the White House accused Iran of “actively facilitating” on US bases in the Middle East, as it expressed concern over the potential for escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

The international community reacted to the recent events with a mix of condemnation and concern. Many of Israel's Western allies, including the United States and several European countries, denounced the Hamas attacks. They expressed solidarity with Israel and affirmed its right to defend

itself. They also held a virtual meeting. At the end of it, they released a joint statement: “The leaders reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.”

In the wake of the Hamas attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in diplomatic conversation with his Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphatically condemning terrorism and reiterating India's support for Israel's right to self-defence. On October 19, Prime Minister Modi also conversed with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, affirming India's unwavering commitment to delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. During this dialogue, he underscored India's consistent and principled stance on the Israel-Palestine issue. An Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 flight was deployed to transport approximately 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material to offer assistance to those affected by the conflict. After India established a full diplomatic relationship with Israel in 1992, ties between the two improved remarkably, especially in the tech and defence sectors. But at the same time, India maintained a strong line on the Palestine problem.

While support for a two-state solution is a balanced approach, any deviation towards a more partisan stance could jeopardise its relations with either of the parties involved and may also have implications for its international standing, regional relations, and diaspora communities. Moreover, the complex and nuanced nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict requires a well-thought-out and consistent diplomatic approach to ensure that India's long-term interests are upheld.

India’s modern renaissance captivates the world Renaissance is defined as “a revival of or renewed interest in something” and a modern renaissance has captivated the world, as India breathes new life into various aspects. Over the years, the nation has evolved technologically, economically, culturally, and tactically.

India has transitioned from seeking external support to firmly asserting its position on the global stage. Previously, the world was too focused on the stereotypes about the country to notice its growth. However, India has now forced the world to notice its leap.

Technologically, India has excelled in diverse sectors, establishing itself as a tech-savvy nation. Bengaluru marked a milestone with the inauguration of India's first artificial intelligence and robotics park. Nord, a startup supported by India's Aviation Ministry, is pioneering AI-driven drones for asset inspections and more. The introduction of 5G services, led by Bharti Airtel, further fuels India's tech achievements, fostering economic growth, improved service accessibility, industry transformation, and efficient governance.

Economically, India's GDP in 2022-23 exhibited a growth rate of 7.2%, surpassing the government's projection of 7%.

The central bank anticipates a GDP growth of approximately 6.5% in the coming year. The country’s evolving startup ecosystem, especially in IT, finance, and software, contributes significantly to its economic advancement. Initiatives like the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) project reinforce India's technological progress and economic prospects.

In the realm of space exploration, the country has achieved notable milestones, from lunar missions like Chandrayan-III to the upcoming Aditya-L1 mission, which studies the Solar upper atmosphere. The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capabilities, while pri-

vate space missions, like Skyroot Aerospace's collaboration with ISRO, mark significant achievements.

Anyone who thinks that the country’s age-old traditions bind it to a darker age is clearly mistaken. India's deep-rooted culture and traditions continue to shape its modern identity.

Values such as respect for elders, hospitality, and spirituality endure, while the extended family system and strong kinship ties underpin social dynamics and support networks.

Additionally, the country stands synonymous with the phrase “unity in diversity”, serving as a united home to diverse communities and religions. As India embraces globalisation, these cultural elements blend the old with the new, enriching the nation's cultural mosaic.

When it comes to the tactical front, the country has never lagged behind and it sure isn’t now. With a military force of over 1.4 million active personnel, India boasts the world's secondlargest military force and the world's largest volunteer army. It also maintains the third-largest defence budget globally. Despite its military strength, India's commitment to peace and harmony is an integral aspect of its cultural identity. The nation has historically refrained from initiating conflicts but is resolute in offering a fitting response to those who threaten its security.

The nation has fortified its stance and steadily expresses strong viewpoints. Whether it's the India-Canada dispute or when former Pakistan leader Nawaz Sharif raised the Kashmir issue recently, India has unequivocally expressed its position.

India's willingness for dialogue on Kashmir is solely focused on addressing cross-border terrorism, mirroring its stance on Canada's Khalistani support.

While the current canvas of India’s diverse growth is a testament of the country’s vigour, there is no doubt that the world is yet to see so much from this ancient yet continuously evolving nation.

Thought for the week “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

— Sylvia Plath

Political Sketchbook Alpesh Patel

The Israel-Palestine Conflict A Lesson from the Partition of India and Pakistan Theoretical Underpinning: Realpolitik A Realpolitik approach to international relations emphasizes the importance of power and national interest over ideology. In the Israel-Palestine conflict, this would mean prioritizing stability and security over historical grievances or ideological stances. The two-state solution, often touted as the most equitable resolution, has proven to be a breeding ground for extremism and a perpetuator of instability in the region.

The British Policy with India and Pakistan: A Case Study The partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947 led to one of the largest mass migrations in human history, involving approximately 10-15 million people. Despite the scale of displacement and the ensuing communal violence, India and Pakistan have largely moved on from demanding the annexation of each other's territory. The focus has shifted to economic development, regional stability, and tackling internal issues.

The British policy of partition, though painful at the time, created two separate entities that could pursue their own national interests. The lesson here is that sometimes a painful separation is necessary for two conflicting parties to move forward. While Pakistan was founded on theological lines, the proposed Palestinian state runs the risk of becoming a hotbed for terrorism, just as Pakistan has been.

The Native American Paradigm The Native Americans, despite their historical grievances, do not claim the entirety of the United States.

They have sought ways to integrate into the modern American state while preserving their cultural heritage.

This is a testament to the idea that historical wrongs, while important to acknowledge, should not dictate the future of a nation.

The Middle Eastern Quagmire: Realpolitik in Action Even Middle Eastern countries, rich in resources and political clout, are wary of the rise of jihadism within their borders. Israel, in many ways, acts as a buffer, engaging in counter-terrorism activities that benefit not just itself but the region as a whole. This is realpolitik in action: Israel serves the national interests of even those who publicly decry it.

The Information War: A Battle of Narratives The conflict is not just fought on the ground but in the realm of public opinion. The anti-Israel narrative has found many takers in the West, often overshadowing the complex realities of the Middle East. This "information war" skews public perception, making a balanced discussion almost impossible.

Conclusion The two-state solution, while idealistic, ignores the realpolitik of the Middle East. A more pragmatic approach may lie in a Israel state with strong counter-terrorism measures, much like how India has focused on internal security post-partition. But no Palistinean State which Hamas has proven it would easily overrun and control as a terrorist camp. The world must move beyond historical grievances to pragmatic solutions that ensure regional stability and security. This is not just a matter of justice; it is a strategic imperative.

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A man in his 50s was discovered deceased in an East London canal, and initial assessments revealed no signs of physical injuries.

The 55-year-old individual, identified as Ali Liaquat and residing in the E14 area, was retrieved from the waters of Regent's Canal near Rhodeswell Road in Limehouse on Wednesday, October 11. Upon receiving reports of the sighting at 7.11 AM that day, the police swiftly responded to the scene, establishing a crime scene along the canal to facilitate the recovery operation. The deceased's next of has been notified. A postmortem examination has been conducted, indicating an absence of injuries that could have caused his demise.

Source: Met Police

Man found dead with no apparent fatal injuries

Ali Liaquat

While the police have not classified Mr. Liaquat's death as suspicious, they are urging any potential witnesses to step forward with information regarding the circumstances of his passing.

Tory JCB empire donors face £500m tax inquiry bill The influential Tory donors linked to the JCB digger empire could face a bill exceeding £500 million in order to resolve a lengthy investigation by HM Revenue and Customs, according to information revealed by The Guardian.

The investigation focuses on Anthony Bamford, a Tory peer, and his brother Mark, who serves as the director of a Conservative party subsidiary, and is reported to involve a complex web of offshore tax havens and companies.

The inquiry primarily targets the Bamford family's aggressive tax reduction practices, spanning two decades.

Anthony Bamford

This civil investigation, ongoing for three years, is typically initiated when HMRC suspects substantial tax losses.

DWP scanning bank and social media for fraud detection The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is currently investigating over two million Universal Credit claims as part of their crackdown on benefit fraud.

These investigations are aimed at uncovering various methods used by fraudsters to deceive the system. A dedicated team of 2,000 individuals is actively scrutinising claims, particularly those deemed suspicious, which were reported during the peak of the pandemic.

In their 'Fighting Fraud in the

Welfare System' plan, published last year, the DWP anticipates preventing approximately £2 billion in improper payments over the next five years through this review. Between 2021 and 2022, there were 600 convictions for benefit fraud nationwide.

Benefit fraud encompasses a range of scenarios, such as individuals claiming unemployment benefits while employed or falsely asserting single living status while receiving support from a partner.

Mother 'relieved' by son’s wife's death row sentence The grieving mother of a Midlands businessman who was brutally murdered during a family trip to India expressed her "relief" at the death sentence imposed on her Sukhjeet Singh and wife Ramandeep Kaur Mann daughter-in-law, final act of cruelty, Mann proRamandeep Kaur Mann. ceeded to slit her husband's Mann has been sentenced to throat with a knife. hang after her conviction for the The lifeless body of Sukhjeet, murder of her husband, Sukhjeet aged 34, was discovered in a pool Singh. A judge delivered the of blood at his mother's resideath penalty after hearing how dence. The couple's son reportshe had "spiked his biryani with edly witnessed his father's horrisleeping pills" before her secret fying murder after being awaklover, Gurpreet Singh, struck the ened by the commotion. victim with a hammer. In the

Millions of women over 50 at risk of old age poverty Data from insurer SunLife reveals that nearly 4.5 million British women aged 50 and above face the threat of retirement poverty as they lack private pension provisions.

In the UK, a third of women in this age group rely solely on the state pension, falling short of the minimum standard of living necessary for retirement. This widening gender disparity is underscored by the fact that women's private pension savings are found to be 35% less than those of their male counterparts.

SunLife's study highlights that approximately 2.4 million men and 4.4 million women over 50 are depending solely on the state pension, currently set at £10,600 per year. To meet the requirements of a "moderate"

retirement, an individual needs £23,300 annually, which is more than double the state pension amount.

For a "minimum" standard of living, an annual income of £12,800 is necessary, exceeding the state pension by £2,000.

Consequently, a staggering 6.9 million individuals aged over 50 are vulnerable to poverty upon retiring.

Furthermore, the research reveals that among those relying solely on the state pension, 90% express concerns about their financial situation, with eight in 10 worrying about the rising cost of living. More than half of them live in fear of unexpected and sudden expenses. SunLife's survey encompassed over 2,000 individuals aged 50 and above.

Food banks prepare for a challenging winter On Wednesday (18), the largest food bank network in Britain issued a stark warning, anticipating its most challenging winter yet. More than 600,000 individuals are expected to require assistance as a prolonged costof-living crisis continues to constrain spending power for the second year.

The Trussell Trust, which coordinates a network of 1,300 food bank centres throughout the UK, projected a need for over one million emergency food parcels between December of this year and February 2024.

This would set a new record for

the number of parcels distributed during this period, in contrast to the 904,000 distributed the previous year.

The Trussell Trust has made an appeal for increased donations due to the surge in demand, forcing many food banks to purchase supplies to compensate for shortages.

Despite being the world's sixth-largest economy, the citizens of Britain have been grappling with mounting pressure for over a year, primarily driven by high inflation that, until recently, surpassed wage growth for nearly all workers.

"Play on Words" to honour Wodehouse's legacy in India In late October, Hal Cazalet, the step-great-grandson of P.G. Wodehouse, will embark on a month-long journey to India with his solo show, "Play on Words." Wodehouse's style of humour holds a unique charm for Indian audiences.

The performance aims to offer "an evening of music, laughter, romance, and glamour" as a tribute to Wodehouse's illustrious career as one of Broadway's great lyricists. In 1917, Wodehouse had six new musicals simultaneously running on the New York stage.

Cazalet will be joined on tour by his accomplished pianist,

P G Wodehouse

Simon Beck. The tour will commence at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai and subsequently travel to Goa, Pune, and Bengaluru.

Depending on available funding, there is hope to extend the tour to Kolkata and New Delhi.

Grimsby doctor suspended for pension mishandling A Grimsby doctor has faced suspension for mishandling employees' pensions. The incidents transpired from November 2012 to August 2015, during which employees expressed their concerns to Dr Reeta Singh.

Prior to the hearing, she acknowledged her failure to adhere to NHS pension regulations, specifically for not submitting information to the Business Service Authority and neglecting to maintain the necessary records of employees' wages. Furthermore, she confessed to being aware that the

proper pension contributions had not been made.

The tribunal received various forms of evidence, including witness statements from former employees, as well as email exchanges and letters. The tribunal observed that emails and communications from staff clearly indicated that correct procedures were lacking and any existing system was insufficient.

Notably, Dr Singh had received an email in November 2012 from NHS Pensions, notifying her of significant delays in payment contributions.

in brief CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN BRITISH ASIANS Government data reveals a higher prevalence of overweight British Asian children compared to other demographic groups. Concerns have been raised by experts regarding the disproportionate incidence of weight issues in 10- to 11-yearolds of Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi origin. As per statistics from NHS Digital in August, 36.2 percent of British Indian children in this age group are classified as overweight, while the corresponding figure for white Britons stands at 32.9 percent.

The percentages further increased to 40.7 percent in the Pakistani community and 45.1 percent among British Bangladeshis, which was the second highest rate.

Conversely, a smaller percentage of children from South Asian backgrounds, aged four and five, are overweight, as indicated by NHS data. The statistics reveal that this percentage stands at 13.8% for Indian children, 20.4% for those of Pakistani heritage, 21.5% within the Bangladeshi community, and 23.8% among children of white ethnicity.

ACID ATTACKS SURGE

BY TWO-THIRDS IN A YEAR Acid attacks in England and Wales surged by 69% according to research. Last year, a total of 710 acid attacks were reported, compared to 421 in 2021, as revealed by data obtained by Acid Survivors Trust International (Asti) through freedom of information requests. The actual figure is likely much higher since several "key police forces," such as Police Scotland and Thames Valley police, did not respond to the requests. Acid attacks can lead to permanent scarring and blindness. The peak was reached in 2017, with 971 recorded cases. The charity attributes part of the decline since then to the Offensive Weapons Act of 2019, which prohibited the sale of corrosive products to those under 18.

DRINKING CULTURE FUELS MPS' BAD BEHAVIOUR A culture of alcohol consumption in Westminster is contributing to MPs' intimidating behavior, as reported by a watchdog established to address complaints. The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), formed in 2018 following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against MPs, has highlighted that alcohol frequently plays a role in its investigations. The ICGS often examines cases that transpire in Parliament's numerous bars, where alcohol consumption results in intimidating conduct such as shouting and swearing. Alcohol is readily available throughout Parliament, including venues like Strangers' Bar, the Woolsack, and various restaurants.

HMRC STRUGGLES ANSWERING TAXPAYERS' CALLS HMRC's customer support service is struggling to handle call volumes, as acknowledged by the tax authority. This has raised concerns that the system is experiencing severe difficulties. Jim Harra, the first permanent secretary at HM Revenue & Customs, informed MPs that there is a need to reduce customer contact by nearly one-third by the end of the next year. He emphasised that a 30% reduction in "contact demand" was necessary, but the current trend is moving in the opposite direction, requiring them to counter the tide. Harriett Baldwin, chair of the Treasury committee, expressed her apprehension regarding service standards at HMRC.

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Sunak's Covid startup fund invested in wife-linked firms An analysis by The Guardian has revealed that Rishi Sunak's controversial fund aimed at assisting startups during the Covid pandemic directed nearly £2 million in investments to companies associated with his wife.

Carousel Ventures, a Rishi Sunak with wife Akshata Murty company partially owned demic. Notably, none of Murty's

by Akshata Murty's venture capiinvestments benefiting from the tal firm, received £250,000 from Future Fund are publicly disthe Future Fund to support its closed on Sunak's ministerial ownership of the luxury underinterests register. wear business known as Heist Critics have voiced concerns Studios. This marks the fourth regarding transparency and the business connected to Murty potential for a perceived conflict that has been identified as a of interest, given that Sunak inirecipient of investments from tiated the scheme to support the fund established by Sunak startups, a sector in which his during his tenure as Chancellor wife is an established investor. in response to the Covid pan-

Doctor keeps job despite unapproved ICU visit A doctor accused of gaining unauthorised access to an intensive care unit (ICU) during the Covid pandemic to visit a critically ill relative will retain his job, as ruled by a tribunal. He claimed that he was unaware he was violating lockdown regulations.

Ashbal Chaudhary, a 30-yearold trainee GP, faced the possibility of being removed from his position after he arrived at a hospital without prior authorisation, dressed in medical scrubs and carrying a stethoscope, during a time when visits from relatives to patients were prohibited.

Staff at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, unsuspecting of his true identity,

allowed Chaudhary to pass, presuming he was a member of the ICU team. In reality, he was a GP trainee from a different hospital, and access to the premises was prohibited due to Covid restrictions.

During his unauthorised visit, Chaudhary accessed blood test results, conversed with the patient at their bedside, and coordinated with surgeons regarding future treatment. It was only after this that he was reported to the police and the General Medical Council when it became evident that he was not a hospital staff member.

Chaudhary later explained that his "thoughts were confused" at the time.

King Charles calls for religious tolerance King Charles III of Britain has called for religious tolerance and emphasized the significance of a multi-faith perspective while expressing his condolences for lives lost during international conflicts, indirectly referencing the Israel-Gaza conflict in the Middle East.

During a speech at Mansion House in the City of London on Wednesday evening, the 74-year-old monarch characterized the UK as a "community of communities" where shared values serve as the binding force, underlining that "there is far, far more

that unites us than divides us."

He highlighted the enrichment of British society by individuals from diverse backgrounds, drawing upon shared histories and experiences from around the world.

“One of my first acts as Sovereign, a little over a year ago, was to open the doors of Buckingham Palace to the leaders of the major faiths represented across these islands; to welcome them, with respect and indeed love, and to re-dedicate my life to protecting the space for faith itself within our shores,” said King Charles.

A Hamas leader resides in a British council house Muhammad Qassem Sawalha, who was described as running Hamas's terrorist operations in the West Bank and served on its ruling body, currently resides in London in a council property that he recently acquired with a £112,000 discount.

Sawalha initially eluded Israel's security services by using a relative's passport and fled to the UK in the 1990s, eventually gaining British citizenship. Upon his arrival in the UK, Sawalha, now 62, continued to be involved with Hamas, engaging in secret discussions related to the "revitalisation" of terrorist activities in Israel and assisting in money laundering to support operations in Gaza and the West Bank, as

Muhammad Qassem Sawalha

outlined in a 2004 indictment by the US Department of Justice.

Muhammad Qassem Sawalha participated in an official Hamas delegation to Moscow as recently as 2019, where he met with Vladimir Putin's deputy foreign minister.

Additionally, he served on Hamas's politburo from 2013 to 2017.

Solicitors to foot the bill for Axiom's collapse Every active solicitor in England and Wales may be required to contribute up to £500 to address the financial repercussions of the closure of Axiom Ince, a City law firm tainted by scandal.

The Law Society Gazette, a publication by the professional body in England and Wales, has computed that each of the approximately 160,000 practicing solicitors might need to make one-time top-up payments of around £400 to the compensation fund for the legal profession. Additionally, individual solicitors could face extra charges of £100 each to cover the costs associated with the intervention into Axiom Ince by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

As reported in the Gazette,

Pragnesh Modhwadia, managing partner at Axiom Inc

regulatory authorities are contemplating the introduction of "an additional levy" to the annual contribution solicitors make to the compensation fund, which is part of their annual practicing certificate fees.

Regulators shut down Axiom Ince last month, and a police investigation is ongoing, involving allegations of a £64 million fraud.

Gang smuggled thousands into the UK An asylum seeker who acted as the mastermind behind a multimillion-pound operation responsible for smuggling as many as 10,000 individuals into the UK on small boats has been sentenced to 11 years in prison in Belgium.

Hewa Rahimpur, aged 30, directed the people-smuggling network from his residence in Ilford, East London. This Iranian Kurd, who arrived in the UK through unspecified means in 2016, was the central figure in a pan-European group that advertised their smuggling services on platforms like Facebook and other social networks.

They charged migrants as much as £6,000 for the perilous

voyage across the English Channel in inexpensive dinghies.

The former barber is believed to have procured numerous small boats in Turkey and arranged for their transportation to holding facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

Rahimpur was apprehended

by National Crime Agency (NCA) officials in Wanstead Park, East London, in May of the previous year The Belgian authorities sought his extradition, but he attempted to contest it by asserting that he had a partner and a child.

Nonetheless, he failed to furnish any evidence of having close family ties, according to the NCA.

NHS advised BBC presenter to endure 32-year pain Naga Munchetty endured 32 years of "gaslighting" by the NHS, during which she was instructed to endure excruciating symptoms of a debilitating womb condition. This prolonged ordeal eventually compelled her to seek a private diagnosis.

Speaking to MPs, the BBC presenter disclosed that she had been transported via ambulance due to heavy bleeding at one point but vehemently implored her

husband not to permit a hysterectomy, fearing that her concerns would be dismissed by doctors who did not take women's pain seriously.

At the age of 47, Munchetty was finally diagnosed with adenomyosis in November, following decades of enduring symptoms that began when she was 15. She recounted a lifetime of being disregarded by the NHS. During her testimony to the Women and

Naga Munchetty

Equalities Committee, Munchetty revealed that her diagnosis was eventually achieved after her GP suggested she use private health insurance to consult a gynaecologist.

This diagnosis came after a severe flare-up during which she bled continuously for 30 days, leaving her "terrified" and in immense pain, prompting her husband to call for an ambulance.

in brief PARKING SPOTS PRICED AT £19 PER HOUR Councils have raised on-street parking fees to as high as £19 per hour, incorporating fuel surcharges for petrol and diesel vehicle owners. Islington council in North London imposes the highest hourly rate in the country, at £12.50 per hour, along with a £6.50 per hour diesel surcharge for parking on certain roads at specific times. Additionally, Islington issues more parking tickets than any other council, averaging over 1,000 tickets per day. Research conducted for The Times reveals that the average cost of parking in an on-street bay in London is now £4.90 per hour, with significantly higher rates for the most polluting vehicles.

NHS HOSPITAL REINSTATES MASK REQUIREMENT Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has issued a request for all individuals, including staff, visitors, and patients, to wear face masks within clinical areas due to a notable increase in Covid cases. The measure is aimed at curbing the spread of infection, and it applies to anyone entering the trust's hospitals and community hubs. The national NHS guidance states that individual trusts can decide their own mask-wearing protocols based on the infection rate in their area.

Visitors at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust in west London are still expected to wear face masks when in clinical areas, which encompass wards and outpatient waiting zones, unless they have a medical exemption.

MOST BRITONS SEEK SPRING GENERAL ELECTION New polling conducted by the More in Common think tank has revealed a strong desire among the majority of voters for an election by the upcoming spring. According to the research, a significant 73% of respondents believe that the election should occur by May 2024. Only 15% of those surveyed favour Rishi Sunak calling for an election next autumn, and a mere 12% are in favour of the election happening in January 2025, which represents the latest possible date. It is worth noting that Downing Street officials are reportedly leaning towards an election in October or November of the following year, although this doesn't align with the preferences of the majority of voters. Despite the prime minister's assertion that an early election is undesirable, recent polling reveals a different sentiment among the public. Specifically, 18% of respondents prefer an election by the conclusion of 2023, while 23% advocate for going to the polls in the early months of the following year. A significant 32% of those surveyed favor an election occurring around May. In a further indication of concern for the Conservative Party, a substantial 78% of Red Wall Voters desire an election by the upcoming spring.

LONDON LAGS IN 'STREET CLUTTER' Central London is criticised for excessive 'street clutter' compared to global counterparts, according to the Centre for London. Their new report highlights the presence of "poorly-placed or redundant objects" such as disused phone boxes, abandoned e-bikes, and advertising 'A boards' on the city's streets. The report contends that this issue negatively impacts the quality of life, travel, tourism, and work in London. In addition to its impact on local businesses, the cluttered streets are also found to reduce accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges.

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Supporting Israel, Rishi Sunak calls for stability On Monday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced aid for the Palestinian people, revealing that the government would allocate an extra £20 million in humanitarian assistance for Gaza.

"We need a constant stream of aid pouring in,

casualties in Gaza.

In addition to his meeting with President Abbas, he also had discussions with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. They agreed on the importance of preventing further escalation of conflicts in the region.

The Prime Minister

Council of Mosque writes to Sunak The Council for Mosques has written an open letter to PM Rishi Sunak in order to express their “profound concerns regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza.”

In the letter, the council demands ccondemnation of Israel's ooffensive in Gaza and an urgent call for deescalation and an appeal for ffairness. “The UK government's stance in favour of Israel's offensive has left our community deeply disheartened and anxious, particularly in light of the tragic loss of innocent lives and the disproportionate response to the recent events”, the letter reads.

The statement continues to describe Gaza’s

plight, stating, “The tightening of Israel’s siege of Gaza – cutting off supplies of food, medicine, fuel and aid will result in loss of life of vast numbers of civilians which is a clear violation of international law and a war crime – this represents collective punishment of all 2.2

million people living in Gaza, around half of whom are children.

“The principles of proportionality and the protection of civilian lives are fundamental aspects of international humanitarian law.

It is crucial that all parties involved in this conflict

adhere to these principles to mitigate the suffering of innocent civilians.”

Demanding a strong stance from the Government’s end, the council, “respectfully but fervently request the UK government to adopt a balanced and impartial stance in response to this crisis.”

Acknowledging the complex history and geopolitics surrounding the IsraelPalestine conflict, they insist that the UK government should leverage its influence and diplomatic channels to advocate for an immediate de-escalation and the safeguarding of innocent lives on both sides.

Rishi Sunak and Mahmoud Abbas

Rishi Sunak and Benjamin Netanyahu

bringing the water, food, medicine and fuel that is so desperately needed," Sunak told lawmakers in an update on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

He has called on Saudi Arabia to assist in promoting stability in the Middle East, following his support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas while visiting the country.

The UK Prime Minister has agreed to collaborate with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to prevent further escalation and provide aid to Gaza. Mr. Sunak's visit to Riyadh was part of a two-day trip to various capitals in the region.

Earlier in the visit, he pledged solidarity with Israel during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This diplomatic activity coincides with Israel's preparations for a potential ground invasion of Gaza in response to the deadly Hamas attack on October 7.

During a joint press conference with Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Sunak expressed his pride in supporting Israel in what he described as its "lengthy struggle" against Hamas, which he characterised as "pure evil."

Sunak also met with the Palestinian Authority president in Egypt as part of his Middle East tour. During their meeting, the British prime Minister and Mahmoud Abbas both denounced Hamas's attacks on Israel while Sunak expressed his heartfelt condolences for the civilian

departed from London on Wednesday evening and had planned discussions on Thursday with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the country's President, Isaac Herzog.

Meanwhile, back in London, Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist group that organized a pro-Palestinian rally in London, has faced criticism for its leaders' statements supporting Hamas, delivering homophobic speeches, and advocating for radical action against the Western world order. There is pressure on the government to proscribe Hizb utTahrir, a movement that is banned in parts of Europe and much of the Middle East, following a march in the capital where supporters were encouraged to chant "Jihad."

Rishi Sunak has characterized "jihad" chants as a threat to British democracy, amidst coordinated efforts among ministers, police, and prosecutors to develop immediate strategies for the arrest of protesters who employ extremist language during rallies.

Additionally, at least ten British nationals have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with a further six reported missing, as stated by junior British finance minister Victoria Atkins in an interview with Times Radio on Tuesday. Families of individuals killed or taken hostage in Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, who are based in the UK, have also expressed their grief and distress.

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TRS brand set to illuminate Diwali on the Square TRS, the trusted name in high-quality spices and ethnic food products will participate in the vibrant celebration of Diwali on the Square.

TRS will bring an array of exciting activities and delightful surprises for attendees.

“By being a part of Diwali on the Square, we are not only demonstrating our commitment to diversity and inclusivity but also acknowledging the incredible cultural mosaic that enriches the communities we serve. It is also an opportunity to give back to the communities that have supported us throughout our journey” said Damian Guha, CEO of Vibrant Foods Ltd. Superstar Chef, Chetna, will be showcasing her culinary expertise using TRS products. She'll whip up dishes that showcase the flavours of TRS Gram Flour, Spices, and Lentils. “'I am very excited to be back at the Diwali on the Square with TRS this year. I am looking forward to sharing my love of Indian food with you all as it is a big part of Diwali for us. There will be lots of delicious food as I will be cook-

Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence in association with the APPG for Dance organised an important event at the House of Lords aligning with the Mental Health Awareness Week recently.

The event titled "The Role of Dance in Health, Wellbeing, and Community

Renu Gidoomal spoke on the of music on impact Dementia, and Chanukya Rajagopala of Ragaswara spoke on Bollyfit. Ragasudha Vinjamuri, Founder of Sanskruti Centre, highlighted the benefits of dance therapy in autistic children and in trauma intervention.

Movements that aid in

Superstar Chef, Chetna Makan

ing on the day. From delicious snacks to flatbreads all of which will be made live on stage, and I’ll get a chance to meet and interact with the audience,' said Chetna Makan.

“In addition to the festivities, TRS is thrilled to unveil its brand-new design. This updated look aims to modernise our packaging whilst remaining authentic and create excitement around the TRS brand. It represents our commitment to delivering quality products while staying fresh and contemporary,” said Stephanie Rose O’Riordan, TRS Marketing Manager.

The event will take place on 29 Oct from 1.00-6.00 pm at Trafalgar Square, London.

There's something for all families at INDIKA Festival 2023 From 1st - 12th November, Indika 2023 will take over Liverpool in a celebration of Indian music, dance, arts, discussion and culture. With something suitable for all ages to enjoy, events aimed specifically at younger audiences and families are also included in this year's lineup. From theatrical danceproductions to Diwaliinspired food and drink from Bundobust, Indika has something for everyone!

Headlining the festival will be none other than legendary percussionist, producer and composer Talvin Singh OBE. A giant and pioneer of British-Asian music, Singh's multi-decade spanning career has seen him collaborate with and write for the likes of Sun Ra, the late Ustad Sultan Khan, Madonna, Yoko Ono and more From seasoned professionals, to brand new collaborations formed especially for INDIKA 2023, the list of artists announced to perform in November also include maestros of the Sitar and the Tabla, Shakir Khan & Shahbaz Hussain. Plus, making their UK debut, will be rising stars The Sarod Sisters, set to perform alongside Milap artist-in-residence Kousic Sen. Returning to Liverpool after 15 years will be the illus-

Sanskruti Centre's event at the House of Lords

trious vocalist and composer Swati Natekar in her performance of Raag Rang. Also on the lineup will be The MMR Trio - featuring Olivia Moore on violin, Giuliano Modarelli on guitar, and Gurdain Rayatt on Tabla.

Created especially for Indika 2023, a performance from the Indika Collective will feature a brand new collaboration between an incredibly talented group of diverse Indian folk and classical artists.

Role of Dance in Health & Wellbeing

Presenters at Role of Dance event

Cohesion" was hosted by Baroness Fraser in the presence of Co-Chair Baroness Hooper, Baroness Mobarik, and Baroness Sater, and was marked with interesting presentations and dance demonstrations.

Sarah Quraishi, Press Advisor at the High Commission of India spoke on strengthening the Living Bridge through dance and performing arts, Surgical Registrar in the British Army, Captain Munish Chauhan spoke on combat stress and stress management, Founder of SheInspires Network, Gulnaz Brennan spoke on empowering survivors of domestic violence through dance, Singer-Songwriter

muscle strength, blood circulation, posture, & coordination were demonstrated through performances by Dr. Adriana, Lakshmi Pillai, Hrishikesh Kizhikkiyil and Ragasudha Vinjamuri. Sushil Rapatwar and Manju Sunil introduced the presenters.

The content of the programme has hugely captivated the audiences who gave an excellent post-event feedback.

In attendance were team Better Lives Foundation, Cllr. Sharad Kumar Jha, Orange Champion Jenny Hyde, Dr Bose, Dr Srinivas, Dr Merugumala, Dr Vijaya, Renu Gupta of UoSL, and Lovina Shenoy of IWLUK, among others.

Rohit Vadhwana ardly there is an individual who has not, is not, or will not face any misery in life. You ask anyone and the person will say how difficult a situation he has gone through or is going through. It's human nature that everyone feels his/her pain is more severe than others. But if we analyze the problems of people, more or less they are similar and have comparable root causes. So the question is: whether our miseries are universal or unique. If they are universal, can there be solutions that can apply to everyone? If not, we need to find out customized solutions for each of the eight billion individuals on this planet.

Who suffers will never agree his problem is one of the many. S/he would like to draw your attention to what peculiar situation s/he is going through. As Joseph Joubert wrote, 'Misery is almost always the result of thinking.' The problem arises because of thinking, or rather overthinking and over-analyzing the situation. When a person is in little trouble, s/he would extrapolate it so much that it would almost feel like a disaster. The initial problems of people mostly arise from the existence of related issues, like hunger, clothing, and shelter. Once these basic survival needs are taken care of, then comes the secondary and tertiary level of requirements like profession, social position, friend circle, recognition, saving, luxury, etc. All of them are comparative and one can actually live with very little of them. However, as human beings, we are not merely a living body, but social animals, hence there are various needs and instincts that need to be satisfied.

Primarily these needs, desires, and instincts would be the root cause of almost all of the miseries in the society, in human lives. There might be slight variation from individual to individual but mostly a mixture of these issues to varying degrees. However, there might be, very rarely, some issues that could not be resolved by the individual. Help might be available, and it can be taken. Once you identify the root cause of misery, perhaps it becomes easier to deal with the solution. However, one needs to identify his sufferings and find solutions. The point is, that one need not love being in misery, but seek a solution to it, seek freedom from it. If so, there are remedies, and many times they are very simple, known, and easily available.

Almost all of the miseries are universal if analyzed to root, and have solutions available to end them. One has to seek it and apply it.

H

(Expressed opinions are personal)

Mayor announces Four Walfinch finalists Diwali celebrations

in London Care Awards Shilpi Verma and her team at Walfinch Harrow and Brent live for personalised care.

Four members of the team have been chosen as finalists in the London Region of the Great British Care awards.

Team members chosen

“This recognition testifies to their hard work and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those we care for. We couldn't be prouder!”

“We have 28 clients and a team of 55, and we never take

INDIKA FESTIVAL 2023 1st November 12th November Various venues, Liverpool BUY TICKETS

Are our miseries universal?

Finalists from Walfinch Harrow and Brent

for their dedication to excellence in social care include: Ansh Patel, Home Care Worker Award, Vaibhavi Patel, Palliative/End of Life Care Award, Rima Khullar, Putting People First Award, and Shilpi Verma, a finalist in the Home Care Registered Manager Award.

Shilpi, who is also the franchisee Managing Director of Walfinch Harrow and Brent, says:

on a client unless we have a carer to serve them. We listen carefully to what clients want, draw up detailed, personalised care plans, and ensure our care extends to the family too,” she adds.

The team has a low turnover ratio, aided by a policy of internal promotion.

The care manager started as a carer and two others have been promoted to field supervisors.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that the annual Diwali on the Square celebrations will take place in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 29 October with a host of family-friendly entertainment.

The capital’s celebration of the Festival of Lights will see Londoners and people from around the world join together in the heart of the capital to enjoy a fantastic array of dance, music, activities and food from 1-7 PM. This free, non-ticketed event is delivered in partnership with the Diwali in London committee, with headline sponsorship from Remitly. The volunteer-led committee helps to select the programme for the event and comprises a range of community leaders.

The event opens with 200 colourfully dressed dancers followed by an exciting mix of performances from artists drawn from London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities.

There will be a host of market stalls and activities to enjoy, including dance workshops, yoga and meditation, Ramayana Puppet

Sadiq Khan

shows, Soho Theatre comedy, and the Glimpse of Goddesses stall where visitors can find out more about Hindu goddesses, sari and turban tying.

This year there will also be the Diwali Queen and a series of dance performances presented by 'Kalasetu', a collaborative project between Subrang Arts and Kinetika commissioned on behalf of This is Croydon, the Mayor's London Borough of Culture 2023.

An array of South Asian food stalls will be serving up delicious traditional and fusion, vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

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STANDING ROOM ONLY AT BUSHEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE On Sunday evening, 15 October 2023, Bushey United Synagogue hosted an event on the subject of “Antisemitism in Sport”.

Chaired by Jonathan Metliss, chairman of Action Against Discrimination and the Jewish Weekly, the high profile and influential panel comprised of Henry Winter, chief football writer of the Times, David Bernstein, former chairman of the Football Association and Manchester City, leading football agent Jonathan Barnett and journalist Stephen Pollard.

In the audience of approximately 300 attendees and committed football supporters were leading community and football figures, including chairman of Brentford FC Clifford Crown. The formal introduction was made by Rabbi Elchonon Feldman, the Senior Rabbi of Bushey Shul, one of the promoters of the event with Jonathan Metliss, who organised the evening after an initial chat with Sarah Zackheim, a Bushey shul member.

Jonathan Metliss provided a resume of recent antisemitic incidents in both football and cricket and each of the four panellists covered extensive areas in the field, citing their respective views and fielding questions from a lively, committed and energetic audience.

The war in Gaza had a significant effect on the atmosphere of the evening and the discussions.

Panellists at the Bushey United Synagogue which hosted an event on the subject of “Antisemitism in Sport”

The topics covered included the failure of the Football Association to light up the Wembley Arch with the colours of the Israeli flag at the recent England vs Australia game as show of humanity, the double standards of the UK football authorities, their continuing failure and that of the police to deal with antisemitism and the waiving of the Palestinian flag by players and supporters alike.

There was a lively debate on the never-ending chanting of the “Y” word and versions thereof by Spurs supporters and the adverse consequences and reactions, in particular acting as a catalyst for antisemitic behaviour by supporters of other clubs such as Chelsea and West Ham. Jewish football owners were criticised by the panellists and members of the audience for not reacting swiftly to the attacks on Israeli citizens by Hamas and it was suggested that the Tottenham Hotspur stadium be closed until such time as the “Y” word chanting ceased.

Clifford Crown received a great round of applause from the audience when he said that season ticket hold-

ers of the club guilty of racist behaviour had had season tickets their removed.

The conclusion at the end of a thoroughly informative and inspirational evening was that there was a clear lack of positive action by the football authorities the clubs, politicians and police on the live issue of antisemitism in UK football, as commented on in Henry Winter’s article in 17 October edition of the Times.

Rabbi Feldman said “It was an incredibly dynamic and emotive evening voicing our community’s passion for sport and the concern over the pervasiveness of antisemitism in society. A big thank you to Jonathan Metliss for shaping the vision into a reality. What a great success.”

Jonathan Metliss said: “This turned out to be an amazing event with a top and highly qualified panel and showed clearly that the Jewish Community remains concerned about the level of antisemitism in UK football.

Thank you to Rabbi Feldman and his colleagues at Bushey United Synagogue for helping to make the event happen.”

Indian festive season in London opens with Dr Priya Virmani's talk at the Bhavan On 11th Oct, the Bhavan in Kensington, London opened the Indian festive season with a spellbinding talk on better understanding India’s Gods, Goddesses and festivals by Dr. Priya Virmani. It was a sell-out event where Priya, a renowned proponent of Vedic philosophy, looked beyond the stories of the Gods and Goddesses we are familiar with including Brahma, Krishna, Shiva, Durga and Rama to understand their significance and how we can apply this learning to our everyday lives.

Renowned Odissi dancer Katrina Rute, flautist Gaurav Uniyal and tabaljee Soumyaraj Das gave dimension to Priya’s voice and verse with their captivating renditions which enthralled the audience.

The evening opened with the serenity of mantra chants and lamp lighting by Lord Karan Bilimoria. In his opening speech, he spoke about festivals conjuring memories of his parents and shared anecdotes from his meetings with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the mystic Sadhguru. Together with MP Virendra Sharma, Lord

Lord Karan Bilimoria with Dr Priya Virmani

Bilimoria was welcomed by Dr. Priya Virmani and felicitated by Dr. Nanda, Director of the Bhavan. They were also joined on stage by two inspirational, world record making Indian cyclists – the mother son duo - Gouri Mishra and Rian Kumar.

A little girl in the audience wanted to know if all Indian Gods had a message.

Priya explained just as each one of us has various moods so Indian Gods and Goddesses come with myriad messages to help us manage our different moods.

Priya imparted a new understanding of, and perspective to, the key festivals of Navratri leading to

Dussehra and Diwali.

Food for the evening was especially curated by Michelin star and celebrity Indian chef Atul Kochhar and the team at his restaurant, Kanishka in Mayfair.

The audience were treated to vegetarian fare with Jain and vegan options.

Virendra Sharma MP, brought the evening to a close with his talk on the seminal importance of contributing to our communities as he extended unwavering support for Priya’s work to make ancient Indian spirituality a GPRS for a happier life, accessible to all and relevant to current times.

Colonel Saab to launch its second restaurant, a new benchmark in London

stars and presidents.

Choudhary is on course to set a new benchmark in London, with the two restaurants continuing the family tradition of celebrating the vibrant and diverse culture of India’s food and history with humility, elegance and originality.

Roop Partap Choudhary said: “We opened Colonel Saab two years ago to celebrate India’s diverse cultures and introduce the capital to the authentic flavours and textures, which are lovingly prepared at homes, street markets and royal kitchens across India.

“And we are humbled that our Holborn restaurant was welcomed so enthusiastically by the capital, that we are now able to open a second Colonel Saab, near Trafalgar Square.”

TAL A V VIN SINGH SHAKIR HAKIR KHAN & SHAHB HAHBAZ HUSSAIN SIT ITA’S MAGICAL FOREST TH HE SAROD SISTERS & KOUSIC O SEN PARAMA A PAD A AM BY M MOHANAPRIYAN A THAV VARAJ A AH VARAD A ARĀJAM UPĀSMAHĒ TH HE MOORE, MODARELLI & RA AYA YATT T TRIO SWATI T NAT TEKAR: RAAG-RANG MILAP X MELLOWTONE – M VE EDANTH BHARADWAJ, SJJ DOWNES & RICHIE VEGAS TH HE FOREST DREAM INDIKA NDIKA COLLECTIVE

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dining room bathed in light by a canopy of ornate chandeliers from Firozabad with a mezzanine area, plus two private dining rooms.

Executive Chef Sohan Bhandari will oversee both restaurants.

Roop Partap Choudhary created Colonel Saab as a “love letter” to his family and India. In the past year it has been named one of the top Indian restaurants by Forbes, won Newcomer of the Year at the Asian Curry Awards, Best Newcomer at British Curry Awards, Best Restaurant in Feed the Lion awards and was awarded Harden’s Certificate of Achievement. It welcomes regulars from Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai - who says “it is the only place which serves the authentic flavours from home” to pop icons, TV

Immerse yourself in a world of colour, music, i and d dance at the UK’s most vibrant fes e tival of Indian arts and culture

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Renowned restaurant Colonel Saab’s VIP launch party for its second restaurant is slated to take place on 22 November from 6-9 pm. It has been pushed due to unexpected building work. The party will have cocktails, food, art tours and live music at Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square: 40-42 William IV Street, London, WC2N 4DD. Colonel Saab’s first restaurant has fans including Jonathan Ross, David Baddiel, Malala Youfsafzai, Anthea Turner, Ranvir Singh, Michelle Heaton and Lydia Bright. The new, luxury destination will open around the second anniversary of the first, flagship dining concept and like the original, it will have a meticulously curated menu and art, with recipes and artefacts collected by the Choudhary family on their travels across the continent.

The second restaurant will also feature a sleek bar, lounge area, and opulent

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Be a part of our Diwali magazine!

This Diwali, you can share your thoughts and experiences of celebrating and preserving “Indian cultural heritage in the UK” by submitting an article for ABPL’s annual Diwali magazine. Interested folks must email their write-up in not more than 200 words by 29 October, 2023 to shefali.saxena@abplgroup.com.

Silver lining for Labour Mid-term elections are notoriously difficult to predict, except that the party in power is bound to lose but not if they have substantial majority, like Tory candidates had in the two recent by-elections exceeding 20K mark! One may wonder why such humiliating defeats when PM is smart, efficient and self-made millionaire MP who is capable of turning around the sagging economy, unlike Labour leader who lacks experience.

But if the public wants a fresh start, then Sir Keir Starmer is the right choice who may bring enthusiasm, a new approach and with the support of Trade Unions, might succeed beyond our expectations! It is a gamble worth taking!

Is there enough time for Conservatives to come out of this rot and retain the keys to No 10? As we say a week is a long time in politics, so some 16 months should be enough time to change their fortunes. But it requires a bold step, some may say even reckless and risk-taking changes in the government's attitude on tax, jobs, immigration and liberal benefits, especially to asylum seekers, to raise their hope and expectation to come out a winner!

Elderly people, especially pensioners are more likely to study their manifesto and vote for the party who they think will look after their interest. With the rise in their income, primarily due to a rise in interest earnings on their savings, many are worried that they will be dragged into the tax-paying bracket they managed to avoid until now.

So to help these pensioners who worked hard throughout their working life, Toriescan change their fortune if personal allowance that has remained dormant for so long is increased to cover the extra income.

Even better suggestion is to exempt pensioners who do not pay income tax at higher rates.That will cover most pensioners and such an action is bold, eye-catching and will get all-round approval. It will indeed benefit the economy, as pensioners have better spending power than the general public, a win-win situation all around. I hope the PM is brave enough to take a calculated gamble on tax and save his premiership, rather than become a one-term wonder!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi

UK’s Israel situation Keeping in mind the volatile situation at Israel's borders and the demonstration in London by pro-Palestine people using words like Jehad is more dangerous for all the communities, especially Hindus. In Kapil’s Kichadi (Asian Voice dated 21-27 October 2023), Kapil Dudakia has made very valid points about the security of Hindus.

Freedom of expression is misused and people gather in the name of peaceful demonstration which may turn violent or be used for hate speeches. It is difficult to control the mob for the Metropolitan Police because they are doing a very tough job to control without harming anyone. They cannot use force but if something goes wrong, they are blamed. For the police, it is a very delicate situation.

Kapil rightly mentioned to the Home Secretary Suella Braverman to be proactive during this festival season of Diwali. There will be a large congregation of people in the temples, so using the latest technology to make sure that safety is not compromised is vital. CCTV recording should be done 24/7 at more places so people know that they are being watched.

London is a cosmopolitan city, people from around the world come to visit and stay in London, hence security has to be extremely tight. The recent attack on Israel is proof that enemies can come at any time, from anywhere even though there was a very powerful intelligence agency like Mossad. I think, the Metropolitan police should be given more power and free hand to deal with anti-social elements. Peaceful protests are okay but anything that harms the fabric of society or public property should be dealt with firmly.

Hitesh Hingu

KAPIL’S

The power of digital fasting: disconnect to reconnect In today's hyperconnected world, where technology dominates our daily lives, taking a break from digital devices can be refreshing and rejuvenating. This concept, known as digital fasting, is becoming increasingly popular as individuals seek to find balance in their relationship with technology.

Digital fasting involves intentionally disconnecting from all digital devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even social media – for a specific period of time. It offers numerous benefits for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

In this article, we explore the power of digital fasting and its impact on our lives.In our digital-driven society, we are constantly bombarded with notifications, alerts, and information overload.

This constant stream of digital stimuli can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and even addiction. Digital fasting provides a much-needed respite from this constant barrage, allowing us to reset our minds and reclaim our focus. By disconnecting, we create space for deeper thinking, reflection, and creativity, which can lead to enhanced productivity and overall mental well-being.

Furthermore, digital fasting allows us to reconnect with the present moment and the world around us. When we are constantly plugged in, our attention is divided, and we may miss out on meaningful moments and interactions with loved ones. By taking a break from digital distractions, we can fully immerse ourselves in the present, fostering deeper connections with those around us and cultivating a greater sense of mindfulness.

Moreover, digital fasting can have a positive impact on our sleep patterns and overall health. The blue light emitted by digital screens can disrupt our natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to insomnia and poor sleep quality. By disconnecting from digital devices in the evening, we give our bodies a chance to relax and prepare for a restful night's sleep.

Additionally, digital fasting encourages physical activity and outdoor exploration, as we seek alternative ways to spend our time. This promotes a healthier lifestyle and reduces the sedentary behaviour associated with excessive screen time.

Digital fasting also provides an opportunity for selfreflection and self-awareness. When we detach from the constant comparison and curated lives we see on social media, we can focus on our own values, goals, and aspirations. This break from the digital world allows us to question the impact of technology on our lives and make intentional choices about its role in our future. It enables us to evaluate our digital habits and reconsider their alignment with our values and priorities.

While the benefits of digital fasting are significant, it is crucial to approach it with intention and moderation.

Complete and prolonged disconnection may not be feasible or realistic for everyone, especially in the modern workplace.

Instead, incorporating regular, shorter periods of digital fasting into our routine can be a more attainable goal. For example, designating certain hours of the day as "tech-free zones" or setting aside a designated day each week as a digital detox day can be effective ways to reap the benefits of digital fasting without completely sacrificing connectivity.

Incorporating digital fasting into our lives requires careful planning and preparation. It is essential to communicate our intentions with friends, family, and colleagues so that they understand and respect our boundaries. Additionally, finding alternative activities to replace screen time, such as reading, hobbies, or spending time in nature, can help fill the void left by digital devices and make the experience more enjoyable.

In conclusion, digital fasting offers a powerful way to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with ourselves and our surroundings. By taking a break from our devices, we can reduce stress, enhance our relationships, improve our sleep, and cultivate mindfulness. Incorporating regular periods of digital fasting into our lives can lead to a healthier balance between our online and offline experiences. So, why not unplug and embark on a digital fast? Discover the rejuvenating benefits of disconnecting to truly reconnect with what matters most.

TS Karthik

Surge in modern slavery helpline calls from care staff A national helpline dedicated to aiding victims of modern slavery has observed a significant increase in calls originating from overseas workers who arrived in the UK to address staffing shortages in the care sector.

Many of these individuals reported having paid substantial sums to those who facilitated their entry, especially after alterations in visa regulations last year. In 2022, Unseen UK disclosed that over 700 care staff sought assistance through its helpline.

According to the charity's most recent data, in 2021, its helpline received reports of 15 modern slavery cases within the care sector, which involved 63 potential victims. By 2022, these numbers had escalated to 106 cases, encompassing 708 potential victims. In 2023, the trend of increasing figures will persist.

Kapil Dudakia

KHICHADI

I Stand with Israel There comes a time when each of us must ask ourselves what do we really stand for? Do we go through life wearingdark coloured glasses hoping that we don’t see all those nasty and dangerous things?Hoping that no one asks us any difficult questions. Hoping that we don’t have to pick a side.

Hoping that the madness around us does not affect us. Hoping, hoping, hoping…but never realising that in life, things tend to catch up and bite us when we least expect it.

I stand with Israel.Now that is a clear as I can make it. I did not find it hard to make that statement.

Many people have asked me to be careful, advising that I should not be so forthcoming and explicit about where I stand on many of these tricky and dangerous issues. And whilst I appreciate their concerns, I wonder what the point of living in fear is. If the sum total of living is to appease, to succumb, to give up ones moral and ethical standard, and to forget our own duty of care to life itself. Then what is the point of life?

I stand with Israel, because the enemies of Israel have only one wish, to wipe every Jew off the face of this planet. Let me be very clear, there is no such thing as a good antisemite. Their only objective in life is to eradicate every Jew. They are seeking a genocide and ethnocide of a people. Hitler failed in his objective because the world woke up, very late in the day albeit, and realised the evil intent of his global enterprise. The Islamists of today have the very same objective. To convert the planet to Islam. There are no exceptions. Their cry for a global caliphate is convert, be subjugated or die.

So today we see this exhibition of an evil ideology expressed against the Jewish community. But don’t ever think they are not coming for you next. Whether you are a Christian, a Sikh, a Hindu or a Buddhist, or a person with no faith – they don’t care. Whether you are a Tory, a Socialist or a Liberal – they don’t care.

Whether you are PC complaint, a woke, a friend of theirs on the protest marches – they don’t care. To them we are all ‘Kaffir’.

I stand with Israel because as a British Hindu of Indian origin, I know what these Islamists, the butchers of humanity are capable off. They came to Kashmir and carried out the same genocidal massacres of Indian Kashmiri pandits.

I stand with Israel because I remember ISIS using the same ideology in 2014 to massacre thousands of innocent Yazidis. The ideology of hate and contempt for anyone who does not comply with them dates back over many centuries. It has been responsible for the death of millions. And this death cult continues today under its new guises.

The world needs to wake up, and fast. Does it want another genocide of millions before it realises the foolishness of woke policies?

When the police tell us no laws have been broken on the streets of London when tens of thousands of people on a march are calling out, ‘From the river to the sea’, it begs the question, what planet are they living on? We witness posters seeking the eradication of Jews, and still no laws are broken.And the biggest insult to this nation, extremists taking over the Cenotaph in London to launch their tirade of abuse on Jews. Has this nation gone mad?

If such madness carries on, I fear the good British public will take matters in their hands. And that retaliation will be seismic. The impact will not only be on the extremists, but unfortunately, most people will not be able to differentiate the extremists who march for Hamas, and the rest of us who look similar, and will have to face the misguided wrath of the people.

I am clear, I stand with Israel. Where do you stand?

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit.

Please keep contributing as always.

If you are new, then write to Shefali at shefali.saxena@abplgroup.com

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Met police frustrated by Braverman's legal actions High-ranking police officials have expressed their dissatisfaction with the government's pressure to go beyond legal boundaries when apprehending protesters for perceived political advantage, particularly in the aftermath of a dispute related to a proPalestinian demonstration.

A senior officer from the

Metropolitan Police voiced frustration within the force, attributing it to criticism from Home Secretary Suella Braverman for not detaining protesters who chanted "jihad" during a London event over the weekend.

Another authoritative source within the police force accused Ms. Braverman of complicating

Taxpayers to cover £150m for Post Office scandal The cost to taxpayers for the Post Office Horizon scandal has risen by an additional £150 million, with the UK government pledging further aid for the troubled organisation and compensation for the victims.

Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Enterprise, Markets, and Small Business, announced in a parliamentary statement on

October 20 that the government will provide an extra £150 million in financial support to the Post Office, along with any necessary contingency funds, which could amount to an additional £40 million.

This funding is earmarked for the Post Office's continued participation in the public inquiry into the scandal.

2.2 million claim benefits without job-seeking requirements A notable increase in the number of benefit claimants exempt from job-seeking requirements has raised concerns about the government's effectiveness in encouraging a return to work.

In the previous month, the count of individuals on universal credit without work obligations surged by over 50,000, marking the most substantial monthly increase since the early

stages of the pandemic. This means that 2.2 million people are now not obligated to seek employment while receiving a benefit established a decade ago to incentivise work.

Presently, more than a third of universal credit claimants have no work requirements, a group nearly as substantial as the 2.3 million who claim the benefit while employed.

Surgeons implant groundbreaking AAA-sized pacemaker Graham Motteram, 76, was fitted with the tiny tech in a 30-minute operation. The new compact version measures just 38mm in length and 7mm in width, with a potential lifespan exceeding 20 years in certain patients.

This is a notable improvement compared to the standard matchboxsized devices, which typically last from six to ten years.

Professor Paul Roberts, the

consultant cardiologist who conducted the procedure at Southampton University Hospital, expressed, "This pacemaker represents a significant advancement in patient care. In the near future, we anticipate the possibility of implanting a second device in selected patients, expanding the number of individuals who can benefit from this technology."

Junior and specialist doctors to hold strike talks with the government Junior and specialist doctors in England are set to engage in discussions with the government to avert potential strikes in their ongoing pay dispute, as confirmed by a union.

Junior doctors and consultants have been collaborating to address this prolonged pay dispute, which saw them stage a three-day strike at the beginning of October. In an indicative ballot, BMA members working as specialist doctors overwhelmingly voted in favour of industrial action.

A formal strike ballot will be held if no progress is

made by November 6.

Separately, the BMA body representing junior doctors said it had agreed to talks with the government next week.

The government has said pay would "not be on the table" at any talks. Last week, the government agreed to meet NHS consultants for talks aimed at resolving strike action. The strikes have resulted in the postponement of over one million appointments and treatments, including critical cancer care, due to industrial action since December of the previous year.

Suella Braverman

the policing task and emphasised that politicians should refrain from involvement in operational matters. A video showing a man chanting "jihad" emerged from a event organized by Hizb ut-Tahrir during a distinct gathering in the capital. The Metropolitan Police found no offences in the video.

Rishi Sunak faces historic by-election defeats in UK The UK's Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, experienced two historic by-election defeats on Thursday. The main opposition party, Labour, achieved victory in both Mid Bedfordshire in southern England and Tamworth in the West Midlands.

These constituencies were previously considered strongholds for the Conservative Party. In Mid Bedfordshire, Labour won despite a 24,664 majority, marking the first time they've secured the seat since its establishment in 1931 and achieving a 20.5% swing. The two constituen-

cies were left vacant following the resignations of two prominent Conservative Members of Parliament.

Sir Keir stated that these wins demonstrated his party's "redrawing of the political map." The Labour leader celebrated the byelection victories as historic, characterizing the significant swings in his party's favor as a game-changing development that positions his party for power.

These recent by-election results will heighten the ruling party's concerns about the potential for a significant electoral setback.

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DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING MOVE AGAINST RACE-EQUALITY Continued from page 1

The NHS has one of the most diverse workforces in the country and we will continue to work to improve outcomes for all.”

The Health and Social Care Secretary previously wrote to NHS England and other health bodies in March on the same issue. However, this marks the beginning of a new era in the NHS and Britain’s healthcare system, which was already reeling under the yoke of institutional racism and slowly building its team to tackle race and equality issues, which will not see the light of the day again for the near future. Asian Voice spoke to doctors and pharmacists to understand the implications of this move by the health secretary.

In a letter addressed to the heads of Integrated Care Boards responsible for managing local budgets, Barclay expressed his concerns about the active recruitment of dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) roles within local NHS organisations.

He highlighted that some of these roles offer salaries of up to £96,376, exceeding the basic pay for a newly promoted consultant.

Barclay argued that the funds allocated for such positions should be redirected towards frontline patient care. He emphasised that fostering diversity and inclusion should be a collective responsibility of all NHS staff rather than relying on external providers or specialised roles within organisations.

He further mentioned the Department of Health and Social Care's focus on efficiency and its commitment to transferring resources from administrative functions to frontline services, which included a reduction in headcount and the absence of standalone diversity roles.

Barclay also expressed reservations about the continued subscription to external organisations for DE&I issues, considering it as not delivering value for money, particularly during a period of budgetary constraints brought on by the pandemic. He called upon NHS organisations to reevaluate their recruitment into standalone DE&I roles and external subscriptions, redirecting those resources to enhance patient care, and to publicly justify any deviations from this directive.

Notably, this directive from Barclay has garnered criticism from health leaders, who argue that a

diverse workforce plays a crucial role in reducing health inequalities. They believe that Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) can help create a more equitable healthcare culture and effectively combat discrimination, aligning with the recommendations of the governmentcommissioned Messenger review, which stressed the importance of embedding EDI roles at all levels of the health service to address discrimination effectively and build a more inclusive healthcare system.

Removing the funding for EDI roles will destroy the first signs of social justice for patients and staff Dr Indranil Chakravarty MBE told the newsweekly,

Dr Indranil Chakravarty MBE

“As an international medical graduate who has trained abroad at huge public expense of a country which belongs to the Commonwealth and having given three of my most productive decades to the vision of universal health that is the NHS, the decision

by RT Hon Steve Barclay to remove funding for EDI leads makes me deeply disappointed.

“There are around 24% of staff and over 40% of doctors in the NHS from over 200 countries who dedicate their life and labour to serve the people of the UK, yet the experience, as well as outcomes of patients from marginalised, deprived, and minority communities, is very different in the same health service.

“The experience of staff from similar backgrounds is also widely different due to inherent bias. It took seven decades for the NHS to start to listen to the need for equality, diversity and inclusion after the devastating pandemic.

Removing the funding for EDI roles will destroy the first signs of social justice for patients and staff. It will contribute to a muchdivided society and break the promise that NHS stands for. We hope the new government will see the light and restore the NHS to what it deserves to be, the best Healthcare system in the world.”

Dr Arjun Ghosh

Speaking to us, Dr Arjun Ghosh said, “There is a lot of evidence highlighting institutional racism in the NHS and allied health bodies. I am not sure that stopping diversity and inclusion role appointments will help to tackle this major problem.”

Award-winning Asian Pharmacist Raj Aggarwal told Asian Voice, “Diversity and inclusion are essential for providing high-quality healthcare to all patients.

When our workforce reflects the diversity of the population it serves, we are better able to understand and meet the needs of all patients. We are also better able to challenge discrimination and bias in the healthcare system.

The recent moves by the Health Secretary send a message that diversity and inclusion are not important to the NHS. This is a message that could have a negative impact on the health and well-being of BME patients and staff. In addition to the above, I would like to add that the NHS is facing a number of challenges, including a shortage of staff and a growing backlog of patients.

At a time when the NHS is under so much pressure, it is more important than ever to have a diverse workforce that is able to reflect the needs of all patients.”

When the PM faced criticism over failure to train enough doctors and nurses Rishi Sunak had insisted it wasn't his fault if foreign countries struggled to fill nursing vacancies because staff had flocked to Britain.

The PM had been facing criticism over his government's failure to train enough doctors and nurses.

Ghana had warned that it was facing a "brain drain" as health workers left for jobs overseas. More than 1,200 Ghanaian nurses had joined the UK's nursing register the previous year alone.

When asked if he felt comfortable about the UK recruiting NHS staff from abroad due to insufficient training at home, Mr Sunak had said, "The NHS doesn't actively recruit [in Ghana], and we have a process in place to ensure we are sensitive to the needs of

countries like Ghana."

Pressed again, he had mentioned, "Well, you can't ban people individually.

What we can do is not actively recruit in particular countries where they think there's an issue. That's why we have a red list in Ghana.

We're already on an upward trajectory for putting nurses into the workforce domestically."

Recruitment from India Earlier this year, it was reported that a local health board in the UK was in the process of recruiting hundreds of nurses from India. The health board, which currently employs approximately 4,200 nurses and midwives, is making this move due to a report highlighting that it has 1,322 nurses and midwives aged 51 or older who are retirement approaching within the next few years.

This recruitment initiative was aligned with the efforts of the NHS in England, which is collaborating with the West Yorkshire Integrated Care System (WYICS) to establish "workforce relationships" in India, particularly to meet the healthcare staffing needs in the northern England region.

Racism in NHS In a 44-page document released by the British Medical Association in 2022, it was reported that racism is widespread within the medical workforce. Over three-quarters (76%) of respondents experienced racism in their workplace on at least one occasion in the last two years. Overseas qualified doctors experience racism more often than doctors trained in the UK. Experiences of racism are significantly under-reported and reporting results in backlash. Experiences of racism are affecting doctors’ confidence and mental and physical well-being. Many doctors are considering leaving or have left their jobs because of racial discrimination.

With winter approaching, Christmas and the festive season, the challenges of the NHS are still heavily resting upon the shoulders of BAME doctors who serve night shifts during all kinds of crises and seasons, more so than their white counterparts.

Following this move by the Health Secretary, the growing criticism of PM Sunak who is also a person of colour, and Labour’s weak plans to cohesively govern the country should they come to power and its shaky ties with India so far, the UK is living on a double-edged sword. This could be the start of a new era of people suffering in silence, or, the end of all hope.

Pharmacies are under threat of closure, says award-winning Asian Pharmacist Asian pharmacist and businessman Raj Aggarwal has been given the prestigious Black History Wales Community Award for his contribution to race equality and inclusion.

The Raj Aggarwal presented with the award was presented to Raj by Community Award by Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Minister Jane Hutt the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford at a packed event at the Welsh Seneed in Cardiff this week.

He was chosen for the award for his tireless work for the Asian community in Wales over the Mark Drakeford and Raj Aggarwal past 20 years, at the ceremony in Cardiff including his role as the NHS workforce. In Indian Honorary Consul to addition, Asian-owned Wales, a position he has businesses play an held since 2012. important role in providing Raj was born in Nairobi, healthcare services and Kenya and was educated at products. For example, the Duke of Gloucester many Asian-owned Grammar School there, but pharmacies provide our family emigrated to essential services to local Wales in 1967. communities. I am proud to In an exclusive have been a part of the interview with Asian Voice, Asian diaspora and to have he spoke about this honour, contributed to Britain's race equality, and Health healthcare economy.

Secretary Steve Barclay’s ow important is the role latest orders to curb hiring of pharmacies and in race-equality roles in the pharmacists like you in NHS. keeping the country running? ow important is race Pharmacies and equality in the health pharmacists play a vital role sector? in keeping the country running. They really are the Racial equality in the front line of the NHS and health sector is vital in two provide essential healthcare ways, one is for equal access to healthcare and the services to millions of people second is for equal every day. Pharmacists are opportunities in jobs. The responsible for dispensing NHS employs a medication, advising disproportionately high patients on their medication, number of British Asians, and providing other 15.9% of professionally healthcare services, such as qualified clinical staff vaccinations and blood despite the racial group pressure monitoring. only representing 9.3% of Pharmacies are also the population, and British important for the economy.

Indians amount to 18.6% of They employ hundreds of the pharmacists in the UK. thousands of people and The health sector is one contribute billions of pounds which is still viewed in to the GDP. Pharmacies are British Asian families as a also a vital part of the supply respectable and soughtchain for the pharmaceutical after career even though it industry. However many is generally underpaid when pharmacies are under threat compared with other of closure nowadays due to professions. It is vitally financial pressures brought important that the about by supply chain issues government values and with the procurement of offers greater incentives for drugs, reduced government healthcare professionals. funding, increased hat is the contribution competition from online of the Asian diaspora in retailers, and staffing shortages. These financial building Britain's healthcare pressures are putting some economy? pharmacies at risk of closure, The Asian diaspora has and this would have a made a significant negative impact on patients contribution to building and on the economy. We Britain's healthcare must have increased economy. There are over government support for 50,000 medical pharmacies or they will start professionals of Indian disappearing from our high origin working in the NHS. streets in the next 10 years.

This represents over 10% of

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'Shine your Light' festival for self-expression and acceptance The Diwali festival at the National Maritime Museum aims to showcase all of the emerging young South Asian creative talents mainly in the UK in the form of a modern programme that perhaps appeals to a broader audience. This year the programme is called 'Shine your Light' and is inspired by selfexpression and self-acceptance.

For the second consecutive year, RMG has extended an invitation to Mehala Ford, the founder of the South Asian art platform CommonGround&, to curate the Diwali celebration. This year's theme centres on celebrating the inner light that resides within all of us, emphasizing creativity, happiness, and wellbeing through an engaging program designed to cater to a wide range of ages and interests.

A multicultural showcase As a part of the event's program, there will be a yoga class, breathwork and meditation led by Tiwari Yoga. Story Hour Puppet Theatre is bringing the story of Diwali to life with a screening and showing their puppets and Akademi dance group are doing a Rajasthani dance performance. Visitors can also take part in a dance class. We'll have a DJ set by Tara Kumar in which the public is invited to join a sari flash mob to dance on the Great Map space, and Mehala is teaching a sari drape and styling workshop.

Henna and rangoli will allow visitors to get involved with the traditions of the festival as well as a lanternmaking workshop. Musician Neo 10Y will be performing before the grand finale which will be a lantern parade around the park. The Museum café which is run

by Benugo will be putting on a special Diwali-themed menu for the day.

Mehala Ford

and well-being. It connects with the photography display curated to celebrate South Asian heritage called 'PIONEERS: A Renaissance in South Asian Creativity'. It will be on display in the Great Map area of the Museum.”

The galore of previous year Last year ' Finding Diwali' was all about celebrating Diwali in a non-traditional way and finding

Rajasthani performance and workshop with Akademi

Speaking about the multicultural aspect of the festival, Mehala said, “The UK is already so diverse and so are the visitors to the Museum.

It's great to see the mix of ages from families and young people to younger adults and older people. I focus mainly on inviting good talent and programming as this is what people are ultimately going to enjoy. I like to stretch the audience and bring in people or topics they may not have come across.

“Some of the talks and workshops are mind, body and soul practices, looking at 'shining your inner light'

your own ways to have ritual and celebrate. Talented people such as BISHI performed and debuted her audio visual work 'Reflektions', which was projected onto the Queen's House.

Jewellery designer Anisha Parmar did a workshop, comedian Parle Patel was the host and Instagram hit choreographer Usha Jey came from Paris and taught her style of hip hop to Tamil music. Chef Mira Manek talked about her Diwali food rituals, graphic designer Sthuthi Ramesh showed a modern graphic take on rangoli and we had an incredible lantern parade.

BBC aids staff's mental health amid Israel-Hamas conflict The BBC is providing additional support to its employees who are facing abuse and attacks in response to the network's coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Some staff members have reported being subjected to online harassment or verbal assaults simply because of their association with the media.

BBC News chief operating officer Sam Taylor told staff in an email: “I know from my experience working on upsetting, running news stories over the years that you can be doing fine, but sometimes that can change, and you need a bit more help or to talk things through. So, in addition to the staff sessions and

SamTaylor

resources already available, our safety and mental health specialists are offering more targeted support where needed.

"Sadly, the current situation has meant that some people are experiencing abuse, either online or in person,” said Taylor, along with the “trauma caused by

viewing specific images, working closely with distressed individuals, or undertaking assignments on the ground”.

Tensions among BBC staff escalated due to various incidents, initially related to the broadcaster's editorial policy of not using the term "terrorist" to describe Hamas.

Instead, the BBC references that it is"proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK and othergovernments." In a recent incident, a pro-Palestinian protest groupsprayed red paint on the BBC's central London headquarters, accusing the broadcasterof having "blood on its hands" concerning its Israel-Hamas coverage.

Who doesn’t need a little fantasy from time to time?

The Queen of My Dreams is a 2023 Canadian comedydrama film, written and directed by Fawzia Mirza.

Mirza's full-length directorial debut, the film stars Amrit Kaur as Azra, a Pakistani Canadian woman who has had a strained relationship with her parents since coming out as lesbian, who undergoes an emotional journey after the sudden unexpected death of her father Hassan (Hamza Haq).

The cast also includes Nimra Bucha, Charlie Boyle, Kirstin Howell, Josh MacDonald, Ali Kazmi, Lindsay Watters, Kya

Mosey, Emerson MacNeil, Meher Jaffri, Ayana Manji, Adnan Jaffar and Bakhtawar Mazhar.

Asian Voice interviewed Fawzia Mirza, one of the South Asian filmmakers premiering at this year's 67th BFI London Film Festival on films, Bollywood and more.

Why do you think the world in general is obsessed with Bollywood?

Many films are rooted in trauma, some in reality and Bollywood, which only refers to Hindi language films with musical numbers in it, is fantasy. Who doesn’t need a little fantasy from time to time or a sweeping love story shot in multiple locations and even countries? Escapist cinema I think will always have a place.

How is this film different from other films that showcase fantasies around Bollywood?

I don’t know another film that uses actual old Hindi language film footage the way we do. And this story while has several fantasies, is also about reimagining the fantasy from a queer lens.

Fawzia Mirza

You were recently at the WIFTI summit in Helsinki where you showed immense respect and zeal for your fellow filmmakers from South Asia. What makes you so secure as a filmmaker?

There is room for all human beings' voices and definitely room for all of us as filmmakers. We should be celebrating each other, and uplifting each other, rather than being in competition with each other.

What are your go-to Bollywood films as an artist?

I loved movies like “Yeh Vada Raha” and “Chandni” and “Hero” and “DDLJ” and “Taj Mahal”.

What about Asian heritage is so inspiring and aspirational for global audiences?

I can’t speak for global audiences. But I can say I am inspired by our stories, our history, where we have been and where we can go. I am inspired by our connection to family, to food and to love.

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Narrating nuanced authentic stories about South Asians

Music is all about perseverance Martin Pattara, famously known as DJ Martin2Smoove, has earned acclaim as one of "London's most prominent DJs”. From a family originally hailing from the southern state of Kerala in India, Martin's odyssey is a compelling narrative of duality, seamlessly fusing the traditional with the contemporary.

Over the last decade, Martin has journeyed across the globe, delighting discerning audiences at the most sizzling events and representing some of the world's most prominent brands. This journey has established him as one of the most sought-after DJs in the industry.

In a conversation with Asian Voice, Martin talks about his Indian roots and career. hat initially ignited your interest in pursuing a career in music?

My passion for music began when I started listening to Michael Jackson after I was given one of his albums. My household was pretty traditional and didn't have a strong musical influence in terms of contemporary music. So, during my formative years, Michael Jackson was my primary musical exposure. hen did you begin actively pursuing a career in music?

Music is at the core of my life. In contrast, my parents, who come from a typical Kerala background, prioritised education.

Education was always the top priority, so pursuing a career in music was never really an option. However, during my university years, I found my independence and started hosting parties and DJing. I enjoyed it immensely, and after earning my economics degree, I shifted my focus to a career in DJing. hat are some significant highlights from your career? What has your journey been like so far?

I consider myself exceptionally fortunate to have experienced numerous career highlights. This year, I had the honour of performing at the royal wedding of the year, in Jordan. Shortly after, I was invited to DJ for

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the winning European Ryder Cup team in Rome.

I also played at Vikkstar and Ellie’s wedding, Vikkstar123 is one of the world’s no.1 YouTubers. I had the pleasure of touring with Romesh Ranganathan, one of the UK's most prominent comedians, during his sold-out tour, and I'm looking forward to joining him on tour once again in 2024.

In the previous year, I had the distinct honour of orchestrating the music for New Year's Eve fireworks for London. Our Mayor, Sadiq Khan, curates a spectacular firework display that draws people from around the globe and garners millions of viewers worldwide. I played for this extraordinary event and hope to have the privilege of contributing to its success once more this year. hat other significant opportunities or collaborations has your career opened up for you?

While music remains my primary focus and driving force, in recent years, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with various brands.

One of these collaborations was with Carrera sunglasses, which is quite popular in India. I'm also an ambassador for the world's number-one premium tequila company - Patrón, which is something I'm genuinely passionate about because I love tequila. Moreover, I've had the chance to work with luxury fashion and leather goods companies like Mont Blanc and Mulberry, a distinguished British brand. These collaborations have allowed me to explore opportunities outside the realm of music. hat about your longterm and short-term goals? And how you envision your personal and professional growth in the coming years?

Next year, I have an extensive tour with Romesh Ranganathan, covering the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. I'm also continuing to collaborate with the iconic hip-hop artist Eve, an iconic Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist. We have an upcoming show London next week, which we're currently fine-tuning. The most

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Anusha Singh

DJ Martin2Smoove

significant aspect for me is consistently creating those euphoric moments for people on the dance floor.

Looking into the long term, my goals revolve around continuing to do what I love and enjoying every moment of it. When you're truly passionate about your work, it doesn't feel like work at all.

Moreover, I want to give back. I run a DJ agency, and we're nurturing the next generation of DJs, providing them with the opportunities and guidance that we weren’t fortunate to have.

Our aim is to make their journey smoother and help them achieve even greater success. hat advice would you like to offer to aspiring artists looking to break into the industry?

A valuable piece of advice that applies to life in general is the importance of perseverance. Even when pursuing something that appears challenging, it's crucial not to surrender, particularly in creative fields where you may encounter obstacles and naysayers who doubt your abilities, often due to their limited understanding of the field. In such moments, maintaining your determination and continuing to work diligently is key.

Upholding a commitment to producing high-quality content and treating others with respect are essential aspects of this journey.

However, the most vital aspect is to maintain your forward momentum in everything you do. Dedicate yourself to performing every task to the best of your ability, as you never know who might be observing or when your next breakthrough opportunity will arise. In this way, you can give your all to your pursuits and increase your chances of success.

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Dev Patel set to star in horror film ‘Rabbit Trap’ Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen have both committed to lead roles in an upcoming horror film titled "Rabbit Trap." The movie is reportedly set in 1973 and will feature Patel and McEwen as Darcy and Daphne Davenport, a married couple who are musicians.

They decide to move from London to an isolated cottage in Wales to work on recording their new album.

The film has completed its filming in Wales, with E Bryn Chainey taking on the

roles of both the writer and director. The production is backed by SpectreVision, with Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah as producers, along with Lawrence Inglee, Elisa Lleras, Alex Ashworth, and Sean Marley from Mad As Birds.

Furthermore, the film will have several executive producers, including Dev Patel, Benjamin Kramer from Wiser Films, Kyle Stroud from Carte Blanche, Tom Ogden, Stephen Kelliher from Bankside Films, and Sophie

Green.

He began his career on the long-standing teen drama series Skins and later achieved worldwide recognition through Danny Boyle's Academy Award-winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire.

He currently has several promising projects on the horizon.

His upcoming appearances include the action film "Monkey Man," which also represents his directorial debut.

The acclaimed play "Brown Boys Swim," a winner of the prestigious Popcorn Award and The Scotsman's Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Fringe, is set to tour the UK this Autumn.

Written by Karim Khan, a member of the 2023/2024 Soho Six and recipient of Riz Ahmed's Left Handed Films and Pillars Fund inaugural fellowship, the play delves into the challenges faced by young Muslim men in today's world. This lyrical and poignant coming-of-age story is produced by The North Wall.

In an interview with Asian Voice, Karim Khan gives a special insight into the play and what all contributed to its completion. ehind the characters and the story In the words of Karim, Kash and Mohsen are best friends who have a seemingly unshakeable bond even if on the surface they seem worlds apart. Kash is boisterous, and loud, willing to dance at the drop of the hat, but beneath that veneer, he’s insecure about himself and his place in the world. In this story, we will see him navigate these tricky dilemmas. Mohsen is quiet, reserved and contemplative. He doesn’t have the confidence that Kash does, but we see glimmers of this rise to the surface. Mohsen makes himself more aware of the ways he is seen by people, and in this story we see him reckon with this.

When it comes to the inspiration behind showcasing a play that explores the unique pressures facing young Muslim men in contemporary society, Karim wanted to tell a story I would’ve loved to see growing up – capturing the experience of coming age as a British South Asian Muslim, and the uniqueness of that specific experience. He said, “We often see coming-of-age stories told through other perspectives, and I was yearning to see the complexities and joys of growing up with my specific identity. The Bollywood tunes, the desi in-jokes, and the favourite dishes sit side by side with the ordinary experiences of being a hormonal teenager – and so this show is both universal and deeply specific.” he addition of swimming in the narrative Karim began writing the play with a keen realisation of how very few of his friends and family members had learned to swim or had learned a lot

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version of us telling our stories on our own terms and telling nuanced authentic stories about South Asians and Muslims.

According to him“This is more radical than it may sound, but it feels like our stories are so far and few between – for so

Karim Khan

A still from the play

later. This made him reflect on how he learned swimming as a teenager, whilst surrounded by peers who had learned as toddlers. He explains his stance, stating, “I wanted to interrogate some of the questions about why we weren’t learning to swim. I think inherently this is connected to how far pool spaces are accessible to people of colour and how far that cultural capital is available to working-class communities. And then as a metaphor, swimming and drowning for me, captures so much about what it’s like to navigate society when systems make it difficult to thrive. When I talk about this, I’m talking about education, both schools and universities, careers, police surveillance amongst other things.” nteresting or challenging aspects of crafting the story In writing the play, one of the challenges Karim faced was considering how to bring the swimming pool to life. He says that “it felt like a challenging thing to stage, especially as we were taking it to Edinburgh where the set and props had to be as simple as possible. But John, our director and James, our designer came up with an ingenious way of bringing this stage to life.

“Their original set evokes the pool and swimming in such a theatrical way. The play is almost film-like, intercutting from scene to scene. Again this plays against the “rules” of theatre, but I felt as though John and the team brought this to life so brilliantly. opeful emotional impact, conversations and broader significance Karim primarily hopes that this play is one more

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long they’ve been told by other voices. They still are. It’s important for me that we continue to create more work where we are emboldened to tell the stories we want to. I hope this story makes people consider the experience of these young men – the challenges and joys they experience. I hope it gives us a different insight into masculinity – how men and boys can be emotionally intimate and vulnerable with one another. I hope it encourages us more to go into the water and learn to swim.”

Speaking about the impact, Karim wants the play to have on the audience, he says, “ Already it’s clear how much the show has had left an impact on audiences.

Several South Asian audience members have said how much they’ve felt seen watching this show, which has made me super happy – I’m so glad that the piece has resonated with audiences and made them feel represented, as I can imagine how that would’ve made me feel growing up.

“It has made me more determined to write for and about my community. It has also provoked interesting discussions about swimming – the importance of learning to swim in spaces where our communities can feel comfortable, and accepted and made non-South Asian and non-Muslim audiences consider and come to terms with their own unconscious biases and latent perspectives.”

The play will be performing, next from 25-28 October at Contact Theatre and between 31 October to 4 November at Birmingham Rep.

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Sports provide women to step out into the public sphere

hat inspired you to write a book on sports stories with a special focus on women athletes, specifically runners?

In 2012, the horrifying murder and rape of a 23year-old paramedical student in Delhi shocked the nation. Although on a break from journalism, I couldn't help but reflect on the countless story ideas on sexual assault that had been rejected. Following the incident, an MP referred to the protesters as "dented-painted women," drawing widespread criticism. This narrative of victim-shaming was also apparent in the close circles around me.

This made me realise that women in India often lack legitimacy outside the confines of their homes.

I believe that sports provide women with a platform to step out into the public sphere. It became clear to me that the concepts of nationalism and organised sport are inextricably linked to one another. To focus my research, I decided to examine running, a sport with minimal equipment and no need for a team. This made running an ideal choice for a comprehensive examination offering the broadest perspective for studying the impact of women in the realm of sports.

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ow do you see the role of sports in promoting gender equality and empowerment in India and inspiring future generations of sports enthusiasts?

Sports offer a unique pathway to achieving gender equality as it has a broader appeal. It is open to a much larger and more diverse group of people, including opportunities for individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including those from less privileged and impoverished circumstances.

In my book, I talk about

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hat do you think the government should do to uplift runners?

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) conducts national camps. However, the Sohini Chattopadhyay

the Sunrise Project, a longdistance running training initiative for rural teenagers in Maharashtra, open to both girls and boys. Physical education teachers have reported that more parents expressing a desire to enrol their daughters in the program, due to the low-level government jobs it can lead to.

The teachers also advise the parents of these sportswomen to treat their daughters with the same nourishment and support they provide to their sons.

At their most fundamental level, sports have the power to drive change, beginning with basic nutrition.

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ould you share some unexpected stories of female athletes that you discovered during your research for the book?

Observing these incredible athletes and their remarkable achievements is truly inspiring. However, what struck me most was the story of the Sunrise Project. While I was aware of significant gender discrimination in the Indian subcontinent, including countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the extent to which it permeates daily life, was a surprise.

I also distinctly recall the story of Dutee Chand's sister. Hailing from the weavers' caste, she became the first person in her family to secure a job outside the traditional livelihood. Her accomplishment was no small feat, as she went on to become a constable with the Odisha police, symbolising a significant shift in opportunities and horizons for her family.

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n your opinion, what are some common challenges or threats faced by women athletes?

One can definitely think of the sexual harassment in women's wrestling in India.

Given the physical nature of the sport, this problem is more prevalent than many would like to admit, which is evident from the longstanding protests by women wrestlers who have demanded justice.

I found this to be a significant challenge, com-

Following a highly successful run in Stratford-UponAvon, the acclaimed British Indian playwright Lolita Chakrabarti's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's 'Hamnet' is poised for its West End debut at the end of this month.

After shattering box office records at the Royal Shakespeare Company's Swan Theatre and generating significant buzz, the play is set to open at the Garrick Theatre in London, backed by one of the largest advances for any production.

The demand has been so remarkable that the RSC, Neal Street Productions, and Hera Pictures have jointly announced an exten-

Lolita Chakrabarti

acters are essential and which supporting roles I like. I always want to see more women and so that informs my choices. Then I build these elements around the central story.

number of such schemes and the capacity to accommodate athletes are quite limited. To enhance India's sports infrastructure and talent pool, the government should consider emulating the private-sector model.

While private individuals have shown the drive and resources to establish excellent sports academies, the government can expand its role in this aspect. Athletes are drawn to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) due to the enticing benefits it provides.

The government should substantially increase its sports budget, prioritising support for athletes over administrative infrastructure. By directing resources towards sportspeople and their development, India can aspire to reach a level where it can compete for more gold medals and earn a higher position on the global sports stage.

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ow has the nature of sports changed over the past few years?

One of the most significant changes I've observed in the world of sports is the increasing specialisation of athletes.

Take Mary D'Souza, for example; she was a double international athlete who also played hockey, which would be nearly impossible today. In the present era, sports have become highly specialised.

The level of competition has risen significantly, and athletes must focus on a single discipline. While PT Usha represented India across multiple events, today, the athletes tend to narrow their focus. They concentrate on specific areas and the specialisation is evident.

The cast of Hamnet

sion of the West End run, with bookings available until mid-February 2024.

Speaking to Asian Voice, Ms Chakrabarti talks about the inspiration, complexities and insights of the play.

What inspired you to take on and adapt a deeply emotional and complex novel like “Hamnet”? What aspects the story resonated with you personally?

I have been involved with Shakespeare’s plays since I was a teenager, watching them at school and studying them. I continued to watch and then when I graduated from RADA I played many roles in different productions Rosalind, Goneril, Olivia, Gertrude, Titania, Hippolyte. Reading Maggie’s novel gave me a glimpse of the family behind the great man and their significant influence on his life and work. With the possibility of looking at William and Agnes and recreating them I couldn’t say no.

A lot of this play resonates with me. This is about motherhood, family, births, deaths and marriages, acting, writing, intuition and so much more. It’s a universal story really so I think everyone would be able to see something of themselves within it.

How do you approach the creative process of adapting a novel into a different medium?

I work very instinctively. I read and reread the source material and break it down into subsections and ideas. I look at which char-

What are some changes that you’ve made to your adaptation while preserving the essence of the original?

In the novel, William is a background character who is never named and the focus of the story is Agnes.

The play is led by Agnes but William is also very present.

I chose to look at who these two young people were when they met and their effect on each other. How they made their children, their hopes and dreams and frustrations in life come true and how they coped with tragedy.

Could you share any insights into the collaborative process with other members of the production team?

Everyone in the room is crucial in helping to tell the story that I have written. I am very aware that the director, in this case Erica Whyman, is the maestro.

Every element of it must go through her. So she and I talked and worked and developed a dialogue early on. She will feed me requests from other members of the team and then I can respond and I talk directly to the actors to try to demystify some of my choices. Sometimes the questions they ask make me change the script. I like collaboration very much.

How did you approach the research process to authentically capture a historical time and place in your adaptation?

I had a few days in London with Professor Farah Karim Cooper from

The Globe who was my chosen Shakespearean expert and advisor. She talked me through his life and details about society at that time. Then I also spent a few days in Stratford visiting Shakespeare's house, school, pub and Anne Hathaway's former home. It was invaluable walking around his and her streets. I also found an Elizabethan dictionary that gave me some helpful phrases and words to pepper my script to make the script sound more authentic. I also have a reasonable knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays and that helped me because I have used many elements and ideas from his plays in mine.

Can you discuss the casting and character development process? How do you work with the actors to bring their roles to life?

Amy Ball is our casting director. She read the script, talked to Erica and we met actors who all offer very different elements for each role. Actors are extraordinary and no two actors are alike. It’s a thorough and fascinating process. The actors who are cast in the Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC

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pounded by the patriarchal mindset and conservatism prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. Families often discourage their daughters from participating in sports due to concerns surrounding harassment and the prevailing societal norms.

Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC

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ecently “The Day I Became Runner”, a book narrating the story of the lives of eight Indian athletes and one running school from the 1930s to the present moment, was released by Harper Collins.

The author, Sohini Chattopadhyay is a journalist and National Award-winning film critic. She is also a recipient of the New India Foundation fellowship and has been bestowed with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award and the Human Rights Press Awards citation, among others.

In an interview with Asian Voice, she speaks about the representation of women through a sports lens.

Photo credit :Rohan Chakravarty/Quartermelon Studio

Subhasini Naicker

Everyone in the room is crucial in helping tell a story

Tom Varey (William) and Madeleine Mantock (Agnes)

play, work on the script, ask questions and work with each other to find out why they make the choices they make and how that affects their choices. Hopefully the answers are in the script and if they’re not, I put them in!

Were there any specific scenes or moments from the novel that you found particularly challenging or rewarding to adapt?

I found the final scene at The Globe very challenging. In the book it is moving but mysterious and the internal logic isn’t totally clear to me, that is the beauty of it. In a novel that’s great, in a play it’s not. So, I found it challenging to work out a logic for Agnes’ experience of watching Hamlet which becomes a reason to provoke the ‘ghost’ of Hamnet to appear.

I found the scenes of the actors at The Globe great fun to write, as well as the family scene of all the children with their mother being boisterous and chaotic. I know these situations all too well.

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CB Patel

Reflect, reminisce and rejoice along the memory lane British Indians, like their brethren everywhere, have continuous celebrations to participate in and enjoy. The Navratri festival is nearing its completion, and by the time you read this article, you will have experienced some wonderful experiences, awaiting Diwali. On Sunday 22 October, I attended a community event and as I stood there, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that led me into the world of community celebrations.

During my earlier days in the print media, Navratri Garba in Brent, Harrow and other parts of the UK in the late 70s, were somehow the stepping stone for my involvement.

The strife of women workers I recollect the day when I visited Brent Indian Association in 1977 and had the opportunity to meet Jack Dromey who was run-

at her as if she was my own sister.

People now know her as Harriet Harman, the “Mother of the House” who announced her retirement in 2021 after having served for almost 41 years. She is the longest-serving member of the House of Commons.

British politician and qualified solicitor, Harriet Harman was the daughter of a Harley Street Doctor and a barrister.

Dromey was the son of Irish immigrant parents, a labourer and a cleaner. They both met in 1977 at the Brent Law Centre where Harman was providing legal advice to strikers at the Grunwick photo processing plant. Her care and concern compelled her to address the issues faced by the women at Grunwick. They both got married and it is believed to be one of the strongest marriages in British Politics in my observations.

Harriet announced her decision in December 2021 that this would be her final term in Parliament. In 1982, at the age of 32, she was elected as the MP in a

Jack Dromey

Harriet Harman

ning the Brent Law Centre at that time. Jack was a trade unionist who served as a Member of Parliament for Birmingham Erdington from 2010 until his death in 2022. As secretary of the local Trades Council, he played a crucial role in providing support for the strike at the Grunwick film processing laboratory, a strike that extended from 1976 to 1978. The trade union came to the aid of Indian women, primarily Gujaratis, and predominantly Kutchis, who were working under extremely difficult, if not atrocious conditions at the processing plant.

When I talk about the strife of mainly women workers, I must also mention Jayaben Desai, Kaushalya Desai and many other women as well as some men who had arrived from East Africa recently. They needed support and sought acceptance within the trade union. Jack Dromey was the towering figure who came to their aid.

But I remember the day, where I saw Jack Dromey, Subhash Patel and others at the Brent Indian Association in the Ealing Road, Wembley. A young lady, maybe in her late 20s was talking to people, listening to them, giving them thoughtful comments. What I was most impressed with was that she was very polite, mature, courteous, civilized and beautiful. I looked

by-election. She dedicated herself to tireless work and campaigned for numerous issues.

When she entered the House of Commons, there were only 19 female MPs and now there are 223. Her campaign for gender equality or equality in the House of Commons has been very successful, like her other campaigns like the Low Pay Commission, the New Deal for Lone Parents, the 2010 Equality Act and several others described in an article published in Sunday Times by Decca Aitkenhead (her third interview with Harriet Harman).

Harriet and Jack have got three grown-up children. Last year, when 73-year-old, Jack Dromey died of a heart attack at his Birmingham constituency flat, I was shocked and deeply saddened.

We have come so far As I reflect on nearly six decades of my life in Britain, I remember when I arrived with a British Citizenship passport from Tanzania. There is so much change for better in almost all walks of life. Of course, there are still some issues about which we can talk, but we should also be very rational that compared to many other countries the British political, social, economic and cultural transformation is unique and inspiring.

Credit is due to the many individuals from diverse backgrounds who have made sub-

stantial contributions and continue to do so. Harriet Harman was to me the best female Prime Minister UK could have. But the Labour Party has yet to follow the Conservatives who had 3 female Prime Ministers. During her last profile, She was Chairing the Privilege Committee. On June 23rd, the committee finalised its inquiry into whether Boris Johnson provided false information to Parliament regarding the Downing Street lockdown gatherings. The report revealed that he had not only intentionally provided false information to the House but had also played a vital role in a campaign to harass and intimidate the MPs who were investigating him. He stepped down as a Member of Parliament, expressing his anger and frustration towards Harman. But Harman maintained her dignity and grace. She did not make any hasty comment or otherwise.

Recently, Harman has been elected to serve as the Chair of the Committee on Standards.

And I am sure she will do a sterling job.

The beauty of multiculturalism Reminiscing further, I used to attend several Navratri garba celebrations in various parts of London, Leicester, Birmingham, Preston and elsewhere in those days. Sometimes I would attend 30-40 such celebrations over 10 or 15 days, which is not possible for me now, at this young age of 87. On Thursday 19 October, I attended a Navratri celebration at the famous Dhamecha Lohana Centre in South Harrow: excellent venue, huge gathering, warm hospitality and the vibrant view of the participants dancing to the tunes of Garba. I met so many people, some of whom I met almost 45 years ago. The venue was mainly crowded with youngsters, including children. A large number of youngsters now attend Navratri everywhere.

(Event coverage on pg. 17)

Janki Harsh I.K. Patel with CB Patel

put into words the feeling I had when I saw people enjoying themselves; it brought tears to my eyes. Then I saw another girl whom I knew as a toddler from the day she was born, granddaughter of Mr I. K Patel and daughter of Harish and Geetaben. I addressed her as Pooja, she said “No dada, I am Janki, Poojan is my brother”.

These young individuals are remarkably forgiving, allowing this man to make such mistakes.

More importantly, I met 3 ladies during another event on Friday. When I saw these 3 ladies

CB with Meenakshiben, Charuben’s Sister and Charuben

dancing, I requested to speak with them, one was Meenakshiben and the others were Charuben and her sister. I addressed Meenakshiben as Meena and more stupidly the name of mother Sarojben, I gave it to Charuben. They were young

L to R : Mahendrabhai Patel (President, Karamsad Samaj), Kalpesh Patel ( Secretary, Karamsad Samaj), CB Patel and Jiteshbhai Patel (Committee Member, Karamsad Samaj)

The Karamsad Samaj Navratri celebration of last Friday 20 October was very different. It was organised in a banquet hall called Nakshatra, with a car parking facility for hundreds of cars. I think there were around 800 participants in the event, predominantly women and girls, with a considerable number of children present. Perhaps proportionately more children attend now than in those days, all beautifully dressed in traditional attire for Navratri. I can't

girls, almost teenagers possibly when they used to come to our own garba in the basement of Chiswick High Road shop. I must describe, there was no music nor any other modern facilities. Just women who sang and went around garba which would later on develop into Ras but without any musicians or singers.

It was a large basement and around 70 people, mainly women would assemble every day from the first day of Navaratri till Sharad Paurnami.

Rasikbhai Patel my close friend and business partner, Natubhai and his children used to take care of the hospitality arrangements.

In those days, there was no parking problem and you could easily park your car but still, most of the people used public transport then. What I am trying to draw is that today, Charuben, her sister and some other girls are grandmothers. Their offspring and relatives are settled in the UK, USA, Middle East, India, and Australia.

But there is something almost unique especially in us as Indians. I met some Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Hindus, we all are Sanatani and we all participate in celebrating our diverse cultural traditions.

The contribution of the Indian diaspora I am very positive and clear whatever our contribution, wherever we live, we are more focused on education, professions, skills, entrepreneurship and many more things, without any barriers and, by and large, law-abiding. Wherever Indians reside, whether Gujaratis, Punjabis, Tamils, or others, they are accorded a unique level of respect. We are accepted, respected and given due credit with jobs and positions to commensurate with our qualifications.

A personal disaster averted I also want to share with you about an incident that happened to me on Tuesday evening of 17 October. Around 10 pm, I went to the first-floor bedroom and as usual, I had a mobile in one hand and a thermos flask in the other.

I have climbed these steps like this for the past one and half years since we started living here, perhaps 4 to 5 times every day.

But on Tuesday while going from the 12th to the 13th step, I was distracted to look at the curtain of the guest bedroom. I just bend over and oh, this 70-kilo bundle hit the floor rolling the stairs.

Only with blessings of the Providence and your prayers, I had no serious injury except a small crack in my heel. I failed 100% on my prudence. Even with that, I was able to attend several events.

I am exposing my stupidity and negligence to alert everybody. 80% or more serious injuries even death of elderly people occur in their own homes.

I have to remember that every step I take even on the same floor, I should be very careful.

Not only if something happens, if I tip over, I hurt myself, I will suffer but also make my family members go through the trauma and other problems.

All I want to say is, that in every step we take, may we find grace, wisdom, and the continued ability to dance through life's celebrations and challenges.

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L to R : Dinesh Shonchhatra, Pratibha Lakhani, Mahesh Liloriya, Sanjay Rughani, Pushpaben, Daksha Thakrar, Vinod Thakrar, Amit Karia, M Nandakumara with Vishnu, Madhuben, Prafulaben, Meena Jasani, CB Patel, Janubhai, Maheshwari, Jeet Rughani, Dhirubhai, Amit Chandarana.

The Biggest Navratri in Europe at Shree Kutchh Leva Patel Community UK. Over 4500 people from the Greater London area on Sunday

Photo courtesy: Raj D Bakrania, PrMediapix

Lohana Community North London (LCNL) celebrated Navratri from the 15 to 23 October at Dhamecha Lohana Centre, Brember Road, South Harrow. It is the LCNL’s biggest and most admired festival celebration. There will be a special Garba on Sharad Poonam on Saturday 28th of October.

The Garba happenings were live on Zoom and Facebook as well. It gained online viewership not only from London but from across the world.

LCNL President Meena Jasani, Secretary Amit Chandarana, Navratri Convenor Ronak Paw, Dhiru Savani, Jeet Rughani and Amit Karia along with Social Secretary Madhu Popat, Parag Thakkar’s hard efforts made the festival a colourful and joyful. Local MPs, Councillors and prominent Community members specially participated.

LCNL President Meena Jasani said, “Navratri Celebration is our biggest and colourful festival which is attended by 8 to 10 thousand people over 9 to 10 days. From young to old, all get together in their colourful outfits and dance around the temple.

LCNL President Meena Jasani said, “Our nine nights of Navratri are significant because they represent the nine stages of the Goddess's journey to victory over evil. Each form of the Goddess represents a different aspect of her divine power, and by worshipping her during these nine nights, devotees can invoke her blessings and protection.

The nine nights of Navratri are also a time for spiritual introspection and renewal. Navratri is also a time for celebration and community, as people come together to worship the Goddess and enjoy the festivities.

Our vision for the Festivities is to promote decency and convey the calming virtues of Hinduism to all members of the globe and all faiths, for the simple reason that all our fates are tied together and the only way we can grow is to share the best of all of us to one another. Our growth as a faith and community is directly linked to our youth, enabling their inquisitive minds to grow, learn and teach their children the peaceful ways of Hinduism. Unity, honesty and integrity are the foundations of our vision.”

Photo courtesy: Raj D Bakrania, PrMediapix

Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community UK

L to R : Tulsi, Meera Majeethia, Amit Chandarana, Sanjay Rughani, Harrow Police Constable Elaine Jackson, Cllr Govind Bharadia, Cllr Yogesh Teli, Cllr Mina Parmar, Cllr Janet Mote, Cllr Sam Sumaria, Meenaben Jasani, Cllr Matthew Goodwin Freeman, Cllr Susan Hall, Stephen Anderson, Cllr Stephen Greek, Priya Jogia, Cllr Ameet Jogia, Amit Karia, Jeet Rughani.

Dhamecha Family: Seated: Shantilalbhai, Kumudben, Radhika Second row: Manishbhai, Pradipbhai, Anika, Reshma, Sajni, Alpa, Kirtiben, Bindu, Roshni, Anand Third Row: Akshay, Ishan, Amit, Rupen, Rishi, Neel, Akhil

Navratri celebration at National Association of Patidar Samaj, South London

Photo courtesy: Raj D Bakrania, PrMediapix

Navratri celebration at Kadwa Patidar Centre, Harrow

LCNL celebrates Navratri in the most colourful way

Chh Gam Nagrik Mandal ; Navratri celebration

Strong footfall of youngsters in one of the oldest Garba celebrations

Nagrecha Hall Navratri Celebrations: Blend of Devotion, Dance and Patriotism In East London, the Nagrecha Hall thrived with euphoric garba and dandiya performances to celebrate the spirit of Navaratri. It observed more than 2,000 people per day, including a strong footfall of youngsters. The whole celebration was the perfect mixture of devotion, dance and patriotism.

Back-to-back Songs- Tara vina shyam, Dholida dhol dheemo, Odhani odhu, Kesariyo Rang, Vagyo re dhol, Vitthal Vitthal Vitthala, Sanedo, Chogada Tara… made

everyone vibrant. Mere Desh Ki Dharti… song awakened the affection towards Mother India.

While approaching and going back from the Nagrecha Hall, there was a proud feeling of our rich culture on the roads, in the buses and trains.

People from different parts of London were seen there at the Garba entry and exit timings. Wearing a colourful dress, with the chant of “Jay Mata Ji”.

Along with there were mouth-watering food items at the canteen, prepared fresh and served at a very nominal cost.

Though the entry to the Garba was totally free.

Describing the history and cause behind this remarkable celebration, Umi Radia said, “Vinubhai and Hasubhai Nagrecha started the Navratri celebration in 1974 at Poplar Civic Theatre with the aim of strengthening the culture and community. After 6 years the celebration was shifted to Nagrecha Cash and Carry Park. A big marquee was created and in 2007 Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall at Leyton Road came into existence. It is remarkable that the families of all Nagrecha brothers and sisters are involved in the celebration. We are doing this so that the next generation gets involved with our culture and would be able to follow our footsteps.”

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Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel OBE

People are emaiing me disappointed with their pensions given they are in their 40s and want to be retiring in their 50s and realise their worklplace pension fund manager is not going to perform. Some are flat after 5 years despite the Nasdaq being up 44% at one point this year alone.

The performance of workplace pension funds in the UK has been a subject of concern for quite some time.

According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the UK's workplace pension funds have performed poorly compared to almost every other developed nation. Between 2001 and 2010, returns on money invested by pension companies on behalf of savers fell every year. This poor performance could leave many British retirees without adequate funds to live comfortably. The OECD warns that such disappointing performance puts at risk the ability of private pension arrangements to deliver adequate pensions.

Ways to Take Charge of Your Pension 1. Educate Yourself: The first step in taking control is understanding how pensions work. Familiarize yourself with terms like 'SIPP'.

2. Review Your Pension Regularly: Don't set it and forget it. Regularly check the performance and make adjustments as needed. Speak to HR to get the details and updates.

3. Diversify Investments: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your pension investments including a SIPP outside your workplace pension.

4. Consult a Trusted Advisor: While I generally advise against fund managers and IFAs, a one-time consultation with someone who knows what they are talking about is helpful.

5. Opt for SIPPs: Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) offer more control over your investments compared to traditional pensions.

6. Understand Fees: High management fees can eat into your returns. Make sure you understand all the fees associated with your pension fund.

7. Contribute More: If possible, increase your contributions to your pension fund. Even a small increase can make a significant difference in the long run.

8. Plan for Tax: Understand the tax implications of your pension savings and withdrawals.

9. Stay Updated: Financial markets are dynamic. Stay updated with market trends and adjust your pension strategy accordingly.

The Final Step: Campaign for a Million If you're serious about taking control of your pension and ensuring a comfortable retirement, I invite you to visit my initiative, Campaign for a Million. This platform aims to educate and empower individuals to take charge of their financial future; www.campaignforamillion.com The Mental Health Aspect Not taking action can lead to financial insecurity, which in turn can have a severe impact on your mental health. Financial stress is a significant contributor to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Taking proactive steps to secure your financial future can alleviate such stress and contribute to better mental wellbeing.

Worries emerge over extended mortgages The Bank of England's Financial Stability Report anticipates a rise in households grappling with high debt servicing ratios and an uptick in consumer credit usage.

Despite the current cost-of-living pressures and increased borrowing costs faced by households and businesses, the full impact of higher interest rates is yet to be fully realised. The Bank expects businesses to withstand higher interest rates and weak growth, but smaller businesses with relatively larger debts may face greater challenges.

The report also expresses concerns about the growing number of homeowners opting for mortgages with terms of 35 years or longer. This trend is driven by borrowers attempting to mitigate the effects of higher interest rates. However, the Bank cautions that while longer mortgage terms may provide short-term relief, they could lead to greater debt burdens in the long run.

Consumers are responding to higher interest rates and living costs by taking out longer mortgages and increasing credit card spending, potentially setting the stage for future debt issues. Over the past three months, some households have increasingly relied on credit cards to make ends meet.

Prospective homebuyers are also adjusting to financial pressures by opting for longer-term mortgages. The proportion of mortgages lasting 35 years or more has risen from 4% in the first quarter to 12% in the second quarter.

The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) has observed a slight increase in borrowers falling into arrears, albeit from low levels, and expects this trend to continue. Banks have concurrently tightened their lending practices due to concerns about the economic outlook.

Inflation remains at 6.7 per cent in September In September, inflation remained high, defying expectations of a decrease as a decline in food and drink prices was offset by increased energy costs.

Official data revealed that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) held steady at 6.7 per cent, matching the August figure, contrary to market projections of a

decline to 6.6 per cent.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, maintained that UK inflation was on a long-term downward trajectory.

Nevertheless, inflation still exceeds the Bank of England's target of 2 per cent, despite the central bank's series of aggressive interest rate hikes since late

2021.

Last month, the Bank of England (BoE) opted to keep its key interest rate steady at 5.25 per cent, breaking a streak of 14 consecutive rate hikes, as inflation unexpectedly decelerated from 6.8 per cent in July to 6.8 per cent in August.

According to KPMG chief economist Yael Selfin, there is an expectation of further easing in inflation, but the persistent concern is the impact of energy prices.

Interest rate hikes begin Carmakers express affecting households concern over custom duty A Bank of England (BoE) policymaker has noted that the impact of the central bank's measures to control inflation has only just begun to affect households, and the repercussions will become more pronounced in the coming year.

In response to a recent slowdown in inflation, the BoE decided last month to maintain interest rates at 5.25 per cent. This decision to keep borrowing costs at the highest level in over 15 years came after 14 consecutive rate hikes driven by a surge in global inflation.

Dr Swati Dhingra, a member of the BoE's Monetary Policy

Committee, has mentioned that interest rates are anticipated to remain elevated for an extended period, and this will have consequences, particularly on younger and less affluent households, in the year ahead.

In August, the UK's economy exhibited growth of 0.2 per cent, marking a turnaround from the 0.6 per cent contraction observed in July, as per data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

However, Dr Dhingra has indicated that the economy has essentially stagnated, despite this positive uptick.

UK automakers have issued a warning about an impending 10 per cent customs duty increase for electric cars crossing the Channel. When the UK exited the European Union in early 2021, a lastminute free trade agreement removed tariffs on automobiles.

However, beginning January 1, 2024, under the "rules of origin" stipulation for border-crossing goods, a minimum of 45 per cent of the vehicle parts' value must originate from either the UK or the European Union to be exempt from customs duties.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), an industry body,

has stated that this change could result in an additional £3,600 to the cost of each UK-made car sold in Europe and a similar increase for European vehicles headed in the opposite direction.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes noted that the UK holds significant importance as a market for European manufacturers, while the EU serves as the primary market for UK exporters.

It's worth mentioning that electric car batteries, a substantial component of the sale price, frequently originate from China, despite the UK's initiatives to establish its own giga factories for their production.

Charity warns of winter energy aid jeopardy for households Fuel poverty activists have raised concerns that hundreds of thousands of struggling households in Great Britain may miss out on government assistance for their winter energy bills if they do not apply for financial support when it opens on Monday.

According to National Energy Action, approximately 800,000 bill payers missed out on a £150 energy bill rebate last winter due to

complex changes made to the government's warm home discount scheme. The charity explained that these changes rendered about 500,000 people ineligible for the scheme, despite having received it in previous years, while an additional 300,000 were left "baffled by the complexity" of the new scheme.

Peter Smith, a director at National Energy Action, expressed disappointment

that the warm home discount was not automatically provided to all eligible households. He cited the need to apply to the supplier in Scotland or prove residence in a "higher energy cost home" in England and Wales as sources of unnecessary complexity and an unfair geographical disparity.

Smith also highlighted that many vulnerable households were required

to submit an energy performance certificate (EPC) as part of their support application.

The soaring energy costs are expected to pose challenges for households during the upcoming winter. As of October, the government's energy price cap was reduced to £1,834 per year for a typical annual dual-fuel energy bill, down from the previous rate of £2,074 annually.

More work needed to UK retail sales drop as consumer confidence falls lower UK inflation: Minister UK retail sales volumes fell by 0.9% in September, surpassing economists' expectations of a 0.2% decline. This decline, following a 0.4% drop in August, was primarily driven by online retailers, who experienced a 2.2% decrease in sales volumes, as reported by the Office for National Statistics.

Non-food store sales volumes dropped by 1.9% last month, attributed to ongoing cost of living pressures and unseasonably warm weather affecting autumn clothing sales. However, this was partly offset by a 0.2% increase in food store sales volumes and a 0.8% rise in automotive fuel sales volumes, rebounding from a 1% drop the previous month. In the three months leading to September, sales volumes declined by 0.8% compared to the previous three months, though the value of those sales increased by 0.3%.

UK inflation remained stable at 6.7% in September, matching the previous month's figure. While food price inflation was slowing, petrol prices continued to rise.

Neil Birrell, Chief Investment Officer at Premier Miton Investors, stated that it's unsurprising to see the consumer sector facing challenges. He also noted that this data is likely viewed favourably by the Bank of England, although it may not significantly impact their policy decisions.

Amidst rising prices, mortgage, and rental expenses, the UK's closely monitored consumer confidence survey conducted by GfK experienced its most significant month-onmonth decline in over three years in October. The GfK Consumer Confidence Index dropped by four points to -17, marking its third consecutive monthly decrease as increased interest rates took a toll on households.

A Treasury minister has acknowledged that there is "still more work" needed to address inflation, as the figures remain unchanged.

Inflation held steady at 6.7 per cent for the year ending in September, showing no variation from the previous rate reported in August. While forecasters had anticipated a slight decline in inflation, it remained at the same level due to increased petrol costs and higher hotel stay prices, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Inflation has been on the decline since it reached 11.1 per cent at the close of 2022, and the government has pledged to halve inflation by the end of 2023.

Speaking on GB News, Treasury minister Andrew Griffith noted that the government had always acknowledged that halving

Andrew Griffith

inflation "would be challenging," but he stated that the latest figures were "largely as expected."

Additionally, the data revealed that food and nonalcoholic drink prices dropped by 0.1 per cent between August and September, marking the first decline in two years.

The primary factor behind lower food inflation was a decrease in the prices of staples such as milk, cheese, eggs, and soft drinks. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, decreased from 6.2 to 6.1 per cent, according to the figures.

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FINANCE & REAL ESTATE

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28 Oct - 3 Nov 2023

India most preferred emerging market pick: Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley has increased the overweight stance on India as the most-preferred emerging market (EM).

Relative economic/earnings growth is improving, and the macro-stability setup looks sufficient to withstand the higher real rate environment. The “dream” run of domestic flows continues and multipolar world dynamics are driving both FDI and portfolio flows toward India, Morgan Stanely said.

Recent high-frequency trends also support the bullish stance with inflation concerns abating and the trade balance improving. The report highlighted risks for Asia/EM equities given rising real rates, geopolitical uncertainty and narrowing market

leadership.

We reduce beta, downgrading Korea and UAE to EW, while upgrading Singapore and Poland to OW and Malaysia to EW. India and Japan remain top picks, Morgan Stanley said.

MSCI EM equities have fallen to 10 per cent since July 28, retracing half of their gains from October 2022. We see the market at a crucial juncture given

still negative earnings revisions (exacerbated by USD strength) and a challenge to valuations from rising geopolitical risks and 10-year US real yields (re-testing their post-2007 highs of 2.5 per cent) for a volatility-based framework exploring risks for the asset class.

“We remain structurally bullish on India with the key thesis of our market upgrade intact. Our India Economics Team’s recent tracker shows projects under implementation have recorded broad-based growth and PMI manufacturing has remained in the expansionary zone since July 2021, likely driven by strong domestic demand amid broad external weakness.

Adani raises Maruti to buy Gujarat plant from $3.5bn to refinance Japanese parent for £1.28 bn For a total acquisition value of £1.28 billion, Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG), owned by parent Suzuki Motor Corporation, would be acquired by Maruti Suzuki (MSIL), the largest automobile manufacturer in India. Within the first quarter of 2024, the carmaker stated in a regulatory statement that the transaction is anticipated to close.

One of the biggest automobile manufacturing facilities in India is run

by SMG in Gujarat, and it supplies Maruti Suzuki with completed vehicles on a no-profit, no-loss basis.

The purchase of the 100% subsidiary of the Japanese parent company, Maruti Suzuki, which is also mostly controlled by Suzuki Motor Corporation, is expected to streamline local operations.

"With the growth of the Indian car market and export potential, the company would need to increase its production capacity to about 4 million cars per annum by 2030-31, almost double from current levels. This would happen over several locations, some of

cement debt

which are known and some being studied.

"On the other hand, given the carbon neutrality requirements, several power train technologies like EVs, Hybrids, CNG, Ethanol etc. will coexist for a reasonably long period of time. Managing this scale and complexity of production with multiple power trains, under different managements, would pose several challenges.

"The Board considered this and decided that for the purpose of efficiency in production and supply chain, it is best to bring all production related activities under the company," the Indian company said.

RIL nearing deal to buy Disney’s India operations

Mukesh Ambani

Reliance Industries is nearing a cash and stock deal to buy Walt Disney’s India operations, according to people familiar with the matter. The US entertainment giant may sell a controlling stake in the Disney Star business - which it values at around $10 billion - as opposed to piecemeal transactions weighed earlier, the people said. The Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance views the assets at between $7 billion to $8 billion.

Under the proposal, Disney will likely continue to hold on to a minority stake in the Indian company

after any cash and stock swap transaction is completed. No final decision has been made on the deal or the valuation, and Disney could still decide to hold onto the assets for a bit longer, the people added.

A representative for Disney in India didn’t respond to a request for comment and a spokesperson for Reliance declined to comment. The deal talks are illustrative of Ambani’s disruption of India’s entertainment industry after he scooped up the streaming rights to IPL for $2.7 billion in 2022. The billionaire’s JioCinema platform chose to broadcast the cricket tournament for free earlier this year.

Reliance then scored another win by bagging a multi-year pact to broadcast Warner Bros Discovery’s HBO shows in India, content that was previously with Disney.

Adani group has raised $3.5-billion from 10 global banks to refinance debt used to purchase Ambuja Cements and ACC, in a sign that the company is moving past the Hindenburg crisis.

The refinancing will result in an overall cost saving of $300 million for Adani Cement, a company statement said.

“Adani Cement, through Endeavour Trade and Investment, has entered into definitive agreements” for the facility, the company said in a statement. The deal among the top 10 biggest loans in Asia this year was concluded with a group of 10 international banks with debt maturity of up to 3 years, the company said.

Endeavour was incorporated by Adani group for its acquisition of Ambuja and ACC from the Holcim group for $6.6 billion in 2022. The Gautam Adani-led group’s statement said that the completion of the refinancing underscores its ability to access the global financial market and highlights its strong financial position.

The $3.5-billion facility is a part of Adani Cement’s strategic capital management plan, which was outlined in September 2022.

Three-digit aircraft order in 75 days: Akasa CEO Three digit aircraft will be installed within the next 75 days', stated Vinay Dube, co-founder and CEO of Akasa.

Though rumoured to be seeking $400 million, the airline asserts that it has sufficient cash on hand to order the aircraft by year's end.

The 20-aircraft-strong airline’s current order book comprises 56 more Boeing 737 Max. While not commenting on the plans to raise $400 million, Dube told the media: “We’ve an extremely strong cash position today.

Akasa has been generating cash since the start of operations. We have enough cash today, meaning without requiring any other external sources of funding to place a triple-digit aircraft order.”

In his first comments after the exodus that saw over 40 pilots quit and forced Akasa to cancel hundreds of flights, the CEO said it was “unprecedented and unexpected (for an Indian carrier) for a handful of pilots to leave within 24-48 hours of resigning”.

Later, the airline sued these pilots, who claimed that they had not served their notice period because of suspected conditions of employment violations.

The airline was suing them for damages totaling several millions of rupees.

Google to make Pixel phones in India

Joining fellow American Apple, South Korean manufacturer Samsung and leading Chinese manufacturers Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi in the "Made in India" initiative, Google will begin producing Pixel smartphones in India.

The statement was made by the business at the yearly Google for India event, which also featured other significant market developments. In a post on X, Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated that the company is dedicated to being a reliable partner in the nation's digital development story. In order to produce the phones in

India, Google will collaborate with foreign contract manufacturers, according to Rick Osterloh, SVP of devices and services.

“We will start manufacturing Google Pixel series smartphones in India,” Osterloh said.

Google acknowledged India being a priority for Pixel, noting the momentum for Pixel in the country over the past several years.

“Earlier, 98% mobile phones used in India were imported. Now, 98% mobile phones (used in the country) are made in India,” Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

RBI slaps record £1.2 mn fine on ICICI Bank over lapses The RBI is threatening to punish ICICI Bank a record amount of over £1.22 million for violating lending laws and failing to report fraud. The amount charged against ICICI Bank exceeds the fine of £1 million that was imposed against HDFC Bank in May 2021 due to irregularities in auto loans.

Furthermore, the amount is greater than the £1.21 million in fines levied against private banks in FY23.

In 2020 and 2021, RBI examined ICICI Bank's books to assess the bank's financial standing. In breach of RBI regulations, the bank had provided loans to businesses where two of its directors held board positions, the RBI discovered during the

inspection. In addition, the bank advertised and offered non-financial goods, which are not under the purview of a commercial bank.

Third, ICICI Bank failed to report frauds to the RBI in time. Following the detection of these irregularities, RBI served the bank a show-cause notice.

“After considering the bank’s reply to the notice, oral submissions made during the personal hearing and additional submissions made by it, RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act and RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty on the bank,” the central bank said.

Laptop cos need to comply with promises of local manufacturing Laptop manufacturers risk having their import quotas reduced if they fail to submit regular updates to the government on their plans for manufacturing it in India. With an emphasis on localisation or sourcing from reliable sources, the government has launched a "import management system" for businesses bringing electronics into India.

“It has been made clear to the companies that they will need to walk the talk on their India manufacturing plans spelt out under the revised production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. If they delay their investments or continue to rely just on imports, restrictions are likely to be placed on their shipments, while their quotas run the risk of being curtailed,” a source said. “There will be routine reviews, where the government will assess the compliance on this front.”

S Krishnan, the secretary for electronics and IT, said reporters that a number of applications had fallen under PLI and were being evaluated; the review process would take a month or two to finish.

The reason for the government’s insistence on kickstarting domestic production of laptops is reliance of companies on China for both fully-built units and components. “The government is categorical in its insistence that companies either start manufacturing here, or else start respecting the ‘trusted source’ norm, which means procuring from regions beyond China.”

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in brief

No wish for revenge, Nawaz tells supporters on return SIKH MAN DIES AFTER ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived home on Saturday, ending a four-year self-imposed exile in London and restarting his political journey ahead of the general elections with a huge rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in his hometown of Lahore. “I have no wish for revenge and only want the well-being of the public,” he said at the rally.

The 73-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief arrived in Islamabad from Dubai with an entourage of more than 150 people in a chartered plane. He left for Lahore

Nawaz Sharif

after completing legal formalities at Islamabad airport.

Addressing a massive crowd of supporters in Lahore, Nawaz said he had never betrayed his

supporters nor shied away from any kind of sacrifice. He recalled how fake cases were framed against him and his party leaders.

“But no one abandoned the PML-N flag,” he told his followers. “Tell me, who are they who separate Nawaz Sharif from his nation? We are those who built Pakistan. We made Pakistan an atomic power. We brought an end to load-shedding. Is this why you ousted me? We were making Pakistan an Asian tiger, we

want to take Pakistan to G20,” he said, adding that sit-ins were organised and held against him during his tenure but he kept working for the public.

Nawaz Sharif’s return has been seen as part of an alleged deal between him and the powerful military establishment to pave the way for him to become PM a fourth time. He, however, has been disqualified from electoral politics for his lifetime due to the court rulings against him. He appears to want to challenge the decision through appeals in court. His party members vow that he will be PM again.

Nepal’s migrant workers facing Dawood Malik, a Masood Azhar aide, shot dead in Pak ‘alarming’ rate of fertility problems NEW DELHI: Another terrorist involved in anti-India activities Dawood Malik, considered a close aide of wanted terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar, was shot dead on Pakistan soil by unknown gunmen, reports said.

According to reports in Pakistani media, Malik, termed a tribal elder, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Pakistan's North Waziristan.

Police said that it was a targeted attack carried out by unknown masked men in Mirali area of the North Waziristan tribal district. Malik was targeted by masked men at a private clinic and the assailants managed to escape after the attack.

Malik is said to be the founder of Lashkar-e-Jabbar

and also a close aide of one of India's most wanted terrorists Azhar. The fresh incident raises questions of a war among the terrorist organisations that are functional in Pakistan. In last few weeks, several terrorists wanted in India have been gunned down in Pakistan by unknown gunmen.

On October 11, Shahid Latif, one of India's most wanted terrorists and also a key conspirator in the 2016 Pathankot terror attack case was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Pakistan's Sialkot. On October 1, Mufti Qaiser Farooq, a former member of Lashkar-e-Taiba and a close associate of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 attacks, was also killed in Pakistan.

KATHMANDU: Dozen of married couples sit in hope and anxiety outside the infertility section of the Paropakar Maternity and Women's hospital in Kathmandu. Although they hail from all around Nepal, many of them have one thing in common: the spouse has worked overseas for years, frequently in the Gulf.

Ramesh says he had no choice but to leave for work overseas to earn money for his extended family, but it has come at a price: a family of his own.

He and his wife, Jyoti, had a daughter shortly after they married, but then he went to work as an electrician in Saudi Arabia for 16 years. Despite regular visits home, they have been unable to have another child.

Ramesh believes the years of

working on construction sites in Saudi Arabia’s severe heat may have played a part. “The doctor told me my semen count may be too low to have a baby. It might be due to the temperatures there,” he says.

The couple have spent six years and 500,000 rupees (£3,080) visiting fertility clinics across the capital and say they are tired of answering questions from friends and family about why they don’t have more children. “It hurts me a lot. I can’t tell them what I’m going through,” says Jyoti.

On another bench nearby, Dorje, who spent 10 years working in Malaysia, seems to sum up the mood. “What’s the use of money, if you have no children?” he asks.

Malaysia pays homage to Netaji, reaffirms to honour his legacy KUALA LUMPUR: In a rare and first-ever high ranked official presence of Malaysian government at a special commemorative event to pay homage to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, it was the chief minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow, who inaugurated the 80th anniversary of the provisional government (Azad Hind Sarkar) and INA Raising Day, at the precincts of Ramakrishna Tamil school by lighting the traditional Indian oil lamp.

Addressing hundreds of students of local Tamil schools in Penang, parliamentarians, members of DAP-led government, along with the organisers of the event, the Netaji Welfare Foundation (NWF), and Indian high commission, Chow Yeow said, “As Malaysians, we are particularly proud that Netaji chose our beloved country as his base to organize Indians to fight against the fierce colonial master, the British.” He thanked

Will oust Indian troops on Day 1: Maldives prez-elect NEW DELHI: Mohamed Muizzu, the president-elect of the Maldives, insists on keeping his election campaign pledge to remove Indian military soldiers from the archipelago, although he claims he will do so diplomatically. Muizzu, who will officially assume the presidency next month, has stated that he intends to see the Indian forces leave as soon as possible after taking office.

Widely seen as a pro-China leader, Muizzu told the media in an interview that he will request India to remove its troops on “day one” after taking over as president and that this was one of his top priorities. Muizzu had defeated the incumbent Ibrahim Solih, who was seen as more favourably inclined towards India, in a presidential run off

last month.

“I have actually met with the Indian high commissioner a few days ago during the transition period and during that meeting itself, I had mentioned that we need this to be our top most priority. They have positively noted that and have said that they will work together with us to find a way forward on this,” said Muizzu, when asked about his promise to remove Indian troops. He, however, admitted he wasn’t aware of the number of Indian military personnel in the Maldives. “We have been a very peaceful country for centuries. We never had any foreign troops on our soil. We do not have a big military set up and with any foreign troops on our soil, we don’t feel secure,” he added.

the NWF for preserving and promoting Netaji’s ideals. “It is our responsibility also to ensure his memory lives on.”

In Bangkok, the Netaji Subhash Vision Thailand,, an organisation set up by the INA families of Thailand, celebrated the 80th anniversary on Oct 14, in conjunction with India Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Thai Bharat Cultural Lodge.

NSVT arranged a 3-day “Netaji Pilgrimage” for academicians,

and Indo-Thai citizens who believe their lives are inextricably linked with Bose’s historical visits to Thailand to raise the INA. For, the first ever INA training camp to be built entirely by Netaji and his men was in Chonburi, Thailand. And it was here that several thousand Indian migrant families from UP, Bihar, Punjab, offered Netaji not just their family wealth but also themselves to fight the brutal battles ahead.

IMF, Bangladesh agree on 1st review of $4.7 bn bailout DHAKA: A staff-level agreement was achieved between Bangladesh and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the first assessment of a $4.7 billion bailout. This is a positive development for the cashstrapped country as it prepares for a general election in January.

Bangladesh’s $416-billion economy was one of the world’s fastest growing for years, but has recently struggled to pay for imported fuel as its dollar reserves have shrunk by more than a third due to costly imports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Completion of the first review, subject to IMF board approval, will make about $681 million in loans available to the country, the IMF said.

“The authorities have made substantial progress on structural reforms under the IMF-supported programme, but challenges remain,” the Fund said. “Continued global financial tightening, coupled with existing vulnerabilities, is making macroeconomic management challenging, putting pressures on the Taka and FX reserves.”

Out of the three South Asian countries that requested last year, Bangladesh was the first to get such money when the IMF granted $4.7 billion in loans in January, with an immediate delivery of approximately $476 million.

The central bank of Bangladesh hopes that the second loan tranche would be approved by the IMF board meeting on December 11, according to a spokesperson.

The country is battling stubbornly high inflation spurred by a spike in energy and food prices, along with a weakening currency.

ASSAULT IN NEW YORK

A 66-year-old Sikh man died of head injuries after being assaulted following a minor car accident, the second attack against a Sikh person within a week in New York. Jasmer Singh was attacked by 30-year-old Gilbert Augustin after their vehicles collided in Queens last week. New York City mayor Eric Adams condemned the incident and vowed to protect the community. “Jasmer Singh loved his city and deserved so much more than his tragic death. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want our Sikh community to know you have more than our condolences. You have our sacred vow that we reject the hatred that took this innocent life and we will protect you,” Adams posted on X.

IMRAN INDICTED IN CIPHER CASE A Pakistani special court indicted jailed former PM Imran Khan and his incarcerated deputy, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, under the Official Secrets Act of 1923 in a cipher case linked to making public the contents of a classified diplomatic cable. The charge has added to legal hurdles that the PTI chief has been facing since his removal from office in 2022.

Indictment for leaking confidential information carries a penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment and, in extreme cases, the death penalty, legal experts say. Imran and his party allege that the diplomatic cable contained a threat from the US to overthrow the then PTI government.

20 KILLED IN BANGLADESH TRAIN COLLISION At least 20 people were killed and several others injured when a freight train hit a passenger train in Bangladesh’s northeastern Kishoreganj district, officials said. The accident took place when the freight train headed towards Chattogram hit the rear coaches of the Dhaka-bound Egarosindur Godhuli Express in Bhairab area of Kishoreganj district, some 60 km from the capital Dhaka. “Twenty bodies have been recovered so far. We are extending our all possible support to the rescue operations,” an official of the elite anticrime Rapid Action Battalion said.

PAK EXPELS OVER 3,000 AFGHAN REFUGEES The state-run radio of Pakistan reported that 3,248 Afghan refugees were returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan in a single day.

According to Pakistani authorities, more than 51,000 Afghans have been deported since the deadline for the expulsion of undocumented migrants was announced. Jan Achakzai, the minister of information for Balochistan Province, highlighted Pakistan’s intensified efforts to combat illegal immigration. He emphasised that these actions extend beyond Afghan refugees, as the November 1 expulsion deadline applies to all undocumented immigrants in the province.

PAK CONDUCTS FLIGHT TEST OF ‘ABABEEL’ WEAPON SYSTEM “Pakistan today conducted a successful flight test of the Ababeel weapon system, InterService Public Relations (ISPR) said. The test flight was aimed at re-validating various design, technical parameters and performance evaluation of different sub-systems of the weapon system.” General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division and the Strategic Forces Command, as well as scientists and engineers from Strategic Organisations, were present for the launch. The ISPR said the missile system was “aimed at strengthening deterrence and enhancing strategic stability in the region through the operationalisation of Full Spectrum Deterrence in the overall construct of Credible Minimum Deterrence”.

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in brief IRAN BANS TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES The teaching of any foreign languages in kindergartens and primary schools, including English and Arabic, has been outlawed in Iran with immediate effect. "The ban on the teaching of foreign languages does not only concern English, but also other languages, including Arabic," underlined Tehrani-Farjad.

The only official language of Iran, Persian, is heavily influenced by Arabic but also incorporates French and English vocabulary. In order to "eliminate the monopoly of the English language," the ministry of education had hinted in June 2022 that it intended to start a "trial to teach French" in schools all across the nation.

TOP EU PRIZE FOR MAHSA AMINI OF IRAN Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody in Iran last year, sparking worldwide protests against the country’s conservative Islamic theocracy, was awarded the European Union’s top human rights prize. The award, named for Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honour individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Other finalists included Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Roman Catholic Bishop Rolando Álvarez - two emblematic figures in the fight for the defense of human rights in Nicaragua - and a trio of women from Poland, El Salvador and the US leading a fight for “free, safe and legal abortion.”

MYANMAR JUNTA ORDERS AIRSTRIKES Myanmar’s ruling junta ordered air strikes and troop reinforcements as it tried to recover lost outposts near the Chinese border from rebels, the military said. The toppling of Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in a 2021 coup sparked a huge backlash and the military junta is now battling opponents across swaths of the country. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked Myanmar military positions around Muse district in northern Shan state and near the remote town of Laiza in Kachin state. The military was forced to retreat and ordered air strikes, as well as artillery and troop reinforcements, the junta said in a statement.

HIJAB-LESS IRANIAN TEEN ‘BRAIN DEAD’ A teenage Iranian girl who fell into a coma earlier this month following an alleged encounter with officers over violating the country’s hijab law is said to be “brain dead”, Iranian state media reported. Right groups such as Kurdish-Iranian Hengaw were the first to make Armita Geravand’s hospitalisation public, publishing photos of the 16-year-old girl on social media that showed her unconscious with a respiratory tube and bandage over her head, visibly on life support. “Follow-ups on the latest health condition of Geravand indicate that her condition of being brain dead seems certain despite the efforts of the medical staff,” state media reported. There have been concerns that Geravand might face the same fate as Mahsa Amini, whose death in the custody of morality police sparked months of nationwide anti-government protests.

ISRAELIS GET OCT 7 TATTOOED ON THEIR BODIES The date October 7 will be forever etched in Israeli history, marking the day Hamas gunmen rampaged through southern communities, killing 1,400 people, in the country’s deadliest attack since its founding in 1948. Now, many Israelis are getting the date tattooed on their bodies to commemorate the dead and missing, and bear witness to the collective tragedy. “It was a very difficult date for the whole state of Israel, including for those who weren’t in the affected areas,” said tattoo artist Roey Benezri-Levy, who works in the seaside resort of Eilat, far from where Hamas attacked.

Sikh mayor in US receives death threats NEW JERSEY: The first Sikh mayor in the US, Ravinder S Bhalla, claims to have received a string of death threats addressed to him and his family. Speaking to the media, he claimed that the letters he received in the mail initially requested that he step down, but then started threatening the lives of him and his family and focusing on him because of his Sikh faith.

"The third threat, which was the most jolting, came soon thereafter and said that, 'This is your last warning. If you don't

resign immediately, we will kill you, we'll kill your wife, we'll kill your children,'" he said.

Bhalla was first elected mayor of Hoboken City, New Jersey, in 2017. He won again in 2021. He told CBS News that there was a lot of "angst, anger, a lot of hate, combined with actual threats" upon his life and the lives of his children and his wife.

"My biggest concern was for my kids. I signed up to be mayor, but my kids didn't sign up to this type of behavior," he said.

"As a Sikh-American, I'm a

proud American and I want people to be treated equally," he added.

Sikh assaulted for wearing turban A 19-year-old Sikh boy was allegedly beaten in New York City in a case of suspected hate crime because he was wearing a turban while on a shuttle bus.

The Sikh boy was travelling in a shuttle bus in Queens, a neighbourhood of New York City, according to the media. New York Police said that the suspect was riding on an MTA bus when

Ravinder S Bhalla

he approached a male passenger who was wearing a turban and said, "We don't wear that in this country and take that mask off!"

NY mayor urges people to embrace spirit of Ram, Sita and Gandhi in Diwali message NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged people to embrace the spirit of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Mahatma Gandhi and work towards being better people by saying that Diwali serves as a reminder for everyone to drive out darkness and usher in light.

In his remarks at the annual Diwali celebration hosted at his New York residence, Gracie Mansion, Adams asked people

to embrace the endeavour to remove the darkness engulfing the world, which is witnessing the loss of innocent lives.

"Diwali is more than just a holiday. It is a reminder to all of us that we must push away the darkness wherever we see it and bring light. That is what the Festival of Lights is about," Adams said.

Adams noted that Diwali is more than just lighting a can-

dle or oil; it's about "lighting up our lives" at the yearly festival, which was attended by hundreds of notable members of the Indian-American and South Asian communities, as well as diaspora from other nationalities and government officials.

"There is so much darkness that we see everyday. So, if we truly believe in the life of Ramayana, if we truly believe

in the life of Sita, if we truly believe in the life of Gandhi, then we must continue Gandhi's steps. We cannot only be worshippers; we must be practitioners," he said.

Adams said that at a time when there is darkness all across the globe, and the world is witnessing the loss of innocent lives, "we cannot continue to watch this engulf our future and engulf humanity."

Israel pummels Gaza amid fear of wider war JERUSALEM: Fears that the Israel-Hamas war could mushroom into wider West Asia conflict rose with Washington warning of a significant risk to US interests in the region as ally Israel pounded Gaza and clashes on its border with Lebanon intensified.

Gaza’s health ministry said 266 Palestinians, including 117 children, had been killed by Israeli air strikes in the past 24 hours in the enclave, to which Israel laid “total siege” after a deadly mass infiltration into Israel by Hamas gunmen on Oct 7. In neighbouring Syria where Hamas’ main regional backer Iran has a military presence - Israeli missiles hit

Damascus and Aleppo airports on Sunday, putting both out of service and killing two workers, Syrian state media said.

Along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, the Iranbacked Hezbollah group has clashed with Israeli forces in support of Hamas in the deadliest escalation of frontier vio-

Jayapal supports Biden settlement to help separated families WASHINGTON: The Biden administration's announcement of a settlement relating to the family separation policy put in place by the Trump Administration was praised by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration.

In a statement, Jayapal said, “This announcement is a very significant step forward in addressing the extreme pain, violations of rights, and consequences of those violations for the separated families. It is also necessary to ensure the Trump administration’s cruel, zerohumanity family separation policy will never happen again under future administrations.”

Referring to her 2018 visit to the border, Jayapal said, “my colleagues and I watched in horror as news leaked of the Trump administration’s barbaric and deliberate family separation policy. I was the first Member of Congress to go into a federal prison and talk to hundreds of mothers and fathers who had been cruelly separated from their children, some as young as just a few months old. I will never forget their stories of agony as they described being torn from their children without any opportunity to say goodbye, hug their children one last time, or even give them some words of comfort.”

lence since an Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006.

Hezbollah said four fighters were killed in heavy exchanges of fire on Sunday and another died of wounds sustained earlier, raising to 24 the number of its members killed since Oct. 7. At least five Israeli soldiers and one civilian have been killed on Israel’s side of the frontier, according to Israeli military reports. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu told troops in northern Israel that if Hezbollah launches a war

against Israel, “it will make the mistake of its life.”

With violence around its heavily guarded borders increasing, Israel added 14 communities close to Lebanon to its evacuation contingency plan.

With Israel keeping up daily bombings that have devastated swathes of heavily urbanised Gaza, Palestinians said they received renewed Israeli military warnings to move from Gaza’s north to the south to avoid the deadliest theatre of the war. They said military leaflets dropped on the territory contained the added warning that they could be identified as sympathisers with a “terrorist organisation” if they stayed put.

Kamala Shirin picked as US envoy to Indonesia WASHINGTON: Former State Department official Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir has been picked by President Joe Biden to serve as Ambassador to Indonesia. Kamala has served in the Department of State for almost 30 years, most recently as an executive secretary.

Before serving as the US Ambassador to Malaysia from 2017 until 2021, she served as the Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, and from 2009 through 2011 she served as the US Consul General in Northern Ireland.

Joining the Foreign Service in 1991, Kamala first served at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia and was the Director of the Office of Maritime Southeast Asian Affairs, which includes responsible for US relations with Indonesia.

Early in her career, she was Deputy Coordinator of the Taiwan Coordination Staff in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Her other overseas assignments were in China, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

Born to an Indian father and American mother, Kamala earned a BA from Harvard College and an MS from the National War College. Growing up in

Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir

Westport, Connecticut, Kamala’s father immigrated to the US from Mumbai to attend the University of California, Berkeley in the 1940s.

In an interview published in the National Museum of American Diplomacy, Kamala says her “international career began as a child” because of her parents’ rich international background and family trips abroad.

The experiences encouraged Kamala to begin her career overseas as a teacher in China for two years after graduating from Harvard College in 1986.

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After PM Modi-Abbas talks, India sends Israel hails ‘superwomen’ from Kerala relief material to Gaza India offered humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, which has been targeted by Israeli military strikes, days after PM Narendra Modi spoke with Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority.

An IAF C-17 flight carrying nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine arrived in Egypt, the government said, adding that the Indian ambassador in Cairo handed over the relief material to the Egyptian Red Crescent for onward transmission to Palestine. Israel has allowed limited relief items to be supplied to Gaza through the Egypt Gaza Rafah border

crossing.

“The material includes essential life-saving medicines, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, water purification tablets among other necessary items,” the foreign ministry spokesperson said.

PM talks to Jordan King, calls for early conflict resolution PM Modi called for coordinated efforts for "early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation" in a conversation with Jordan's King Abdullah II, the third West Asian leader he has

spoken to since the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 and the latter's retaliatory bombing of Gaza.

This is another indication of India's evolving stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

The assertion by Modi after the talks, in which he also underlined India’s concerns over terrorism, is significant as it’s the closest that India has come to calling for a ceasefire and came a day after India despatched aid for civilians in Gaza. The US had last week vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for “humanitarian pauses’’ in the conflict but the EU indicated it might back such a pause to facilitate distribution of aid in Gaza.

Difficult to evacuate Indians from Gaza now, says MEA The Ministry of External Affairs stated that there are four Indians in Gaza and that their circumstances do not now permit their evacuation. They will be returned to their home country as soon as possible.

"The situation in Gaza is difficult for any evacuation but if we get a chance, we will get them out," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. "One of them is

in the West Bank," he said.

There are no reports of any Indian being killed or injured in Gaza, he said, "strongly condemning" the terror attack on Israel.

In the conflict between Israel and Hamas, one Indian, a carer in Ashkelon, south Israel, was hurt. It was October 7, a Jewish holiday and Sabbath day, and she was on a video conference with her husband when a

volley of Hamas missiles hit Israel.

India has expressed concerns over civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation, Bagchi said, speaking about the horrific airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that has killed over 500.

"You have seen the Prime Minister's tweet. The PM has expressed his concern over the death of

civilians and extended his condolences to the families.

India condemns all forms of violence," he said, adding, "On the Palestine issue, we have reiterated our position in favour of direct negotiations for a two-state solution."

The MEA spokesperson also urged the international community to come together to combat terrorism in all its forms.

Ayodhya Ram temple trust gets foreign funding licence The Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to receive foreign funds for the construction of the Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, announced the trust’s general secretary Champat Rai. As of March 23, more than 100 nonprofit organisations had their Foreign Contribution Regulation Act licences revoked over a seven-month period.

This includes Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, Oxfam India, the Centre for Policy Research, the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, and the Programme for Social Action.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act regulates foreign contributions to Indian entities and their subsidiaries.

According to the law, any organisation that wishes to register itself must be at least three years old and must have spent at least Rs 15,00,000 on its primary activities over the previous three fiscal years for the benefit of society.

Rai had said earlier this month that the trust, overseeing the construction of the temple, had submitted an

application for registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. He said that nearly £90 million had been spent for the construction and £300 million was remaining with the trust.

The general secretary noted that all prior analyses of the speed of construction work had “turned out wrong”.

“In the beginning, we had thought that the work would be completed in these many years, but none of us had the experience of working with stone,” said Rai. “Larson & Toubro and Tata [companies engaged in the construction work] did not have that experience.

They had never done stone-carving, and hence, all analyses were wrong.”

China continues to develop infrastructure along India’s border: Pentagon China has not reduced its massive additional military deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India, and continues to develop border infrastructure like underground storage facilities, roads, dual use villages, airfields and helipads, as per the Pentagon.

In its latest annual report on China’s military power, the US department of defence said Beijing now has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads, surpassing previous projections, and is fully on course to reach

over 1,000 warheads by 2030, while it also builds a formidable arsenal of longrange ballistic missiles.

US has 3,750 active nuclear warheads, with the total number being 5,244 as compared to 5,889 of Russia. India, in turn, has 164 and Pakistan 170 warheads, as per an assessment. Pentagon said China continues to modernise its military by enhancing capabilities across all domains of warfare, including traditional land, air and sea as well as nuclear, space, counter-space, ewarfare and cyberspace.

China is strengthening its ability to “fight and win wars”, counter interventions by third parties in conflicts along its periphery and project power globally, in tune with President Xi Jinping’s goal of having a “world class” military by 2049, it added.

In the section on the India China border, Pentagon said that Chinese Western Theatre Command’s deployments along the 3,488-km long LAC “will continue through 2023”. This tallies with the assessment in

India.

The military confrontation in eastern Ladakh is set to enter the fourth consecutive winter after the 20th round of corps commander level talks on October 9-10 did not lead to any breakthrough in defusing the two major face offs at Depsang Plains and the Charding Ninglung Nallah track junction at Demchok.

The Israeli embassy in India expressed its gratitude on social media for the actions of two Keralites who prevented militants from reaching Israeli victims they were caring for by hanging onto the door handle during the onslaught by Hamas.

“Indian superwomen! Listen to this story of Sabitha, a caregiver from Kerala, as she Sabitha shares how she and Meera Mohanan saved the Israeli civilians they were taking care of by holding the door handle and preventing the Hamas Terrorists from bursting in and killing them,” the embassy posted on their X handle along with a video of Sabitha explaining her experience.

In the video, Sabitha claims to be caring for an elderly woman with ALS named Rahel while working in the border kibbutz Nir Oz alongside Mohanan.

“I was on night duty and was about to leave when we heard the siren at around 6.30 am. We ran to the safety room. The siren did not stop and soon we got a call from Rahel’s daughter that things were out of our hands. She told us to keep the doors locked and stay inside. Within a few minutes, we heard the terrorists breaking into our house, shooting, and breaking the glasses,” she said.

Sabitha said they both took off their slippers to ensure their feet would grip the floor. “Terrorists were at the house from around 7.30 am trying to open the door from outside. But we tried our best to hold on to the door. They hit the door and then shot at it. They destroyed everything,” she said.

‘Appropriate decision’ on Moitra case after House probe is over: TMC After the parliamentary panel's investigation, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) stated that it would make an "appropriate decision" regarding the cash-for-query charges against party MP Mahua Moitra.

In the first comprehensive statement on the matter, TMC’s parliamentary leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said: “We have observed reports in the media. The member concerned has been advised by the party leadership to clarify her position regarding the allegations levelled against her.

She has already done that. However, since the matter has to do with an elected MP, her rights and privileges, let the matter be investigated by the right forum of Parliament, after which the party leadership will take an appropriate decision.”

This comes two days after party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh told reporters: “Trinamool Congress has nothing to say on the Mahua Moitra issue. The party will not give any reaction to it.” Despite Moitra's petition to the Delhi High Court and her denial of the accusations made against her, sources claimed that TMC's silence on the matter had caused growing uneasiness among party members. On October 26, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey will appear before the Lok Sabha ethics committee to give his statement regarding the situation.

Congress manifesto for MP promises caste survey and IPL team Exactly one month before Madhya Pradesh's election, the Congress party unveiled their election manifesto, which included 1,290 pledges covering a wide range of issues, from a caste survey to universal health insurance. It even pledged to make an effort to get the state an IPL team.

“Congress aayegi, khushhaali layegi” is the party’s slogan for the 2023 polls.

The Padho Padhao Yojana, announced by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, is among the key promises. The standouts in the 106-page manifesto are a health insurance cover of Rs 25,00,000 for every family and a Rs 10,00,000 accident cover. Congress guarantees the common people nine rights: the right to water, health, electricity, education, food, housing, a minimum wage, social justice, and employment. Congress feels that the winds of 2023 are in its favour.

Releasing the manifesto, former chief minister and state Congress president Kamal Nath said, “Right to health is our big commitment. Every family is distressed because of the present health system. People are having to sell their homes for medical treatment. We will pass a law for right to health and will give a health insurance cover of up to Rs 25,00,000 with Rs 10,00,000 accident insurance. We will bring every family under it. This will be a huge step for the state.”

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ICMR successfully tests first India hints at restarting Canada long-lasting male contraceptive visas ‘very soon’ The first successful contraceptive for males that provides long-lasting sterility with complete reversibility may no longer be a distant dream. After a seven-year follow-up of 303 healthy male volunteers, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found that RISUG (reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance), an injectable nonhormonal male contraception, is safe and effective.

In 303 healthy, sexually active, married men (aged 25–40) identified from family planning clinics, 60 mg of RISUG was injected.

Pregnancy prevention was 99.02% with no major side effects, according to the results of the open-labelled, non-randomized phase-III study published in the international open access journal Andrology. RISUG achieved

97.3% azoospermia, a medical term to indicate no viable sperms being present in the semen that is ejaculated. The study also found no adverse effects on the health of the volunteers’ wives.

RISUG is based on the injection of a polymeric agent, styrene maleic anhydride (SMA), in a vehicle of di-methyl sulphoxide (DMSO), into the sperm duct, which transports sperm cells from the testi-

cles to the penis. RISUG was developed by Dr Sujoy Kumar Guha of IIT Kharagpur. In the journal Contraception, he authored the first scientific publication on RISUG back in 1979.

The phase-III studies for this contraception have taken over forty years to conclude. Jaipur, New Delhi, Udhampur, Kharagpur, and Ludhiana were the five locations where the hospital-based study was conducted.

India to surpass Japan, become Asia's 2nd largest economy by 2030: S&P India, the world's fifth largest economy in the world, is likely to overtake Japan to become the world's third-largest economy with a GDP of USD 7.3 trillion by 2030, S&P Global Market Intelligence said in its latest issue of PMI. After two years of rapid economic growth in 2021 and 2022, the Indian economy has continued to show sustained strong growth during the 2023 calendar year.

India's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 6.2-6.3 per cent in the fiscal year ending in March 2024, being the fastestgrowing major economy this fiscal year.

Asia's third-largest economy grew by a stellar 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter. "The near-term economic outlook is for continued rapid expansion during the remainder of 2023 and for 2024, underpinned by strong growth in domestic demand," S&P Global said.

The acceleration of foreign direct investment inflows into India over the past decade reflects the favourable long-term growth outlook for the Indian economy, helped by a youthful demographic profile and rapidly rising urban household incomes.

"India's nominal GDP measured in USD terms is forecast to rise from USD 3.5 trillion in 2022 to USD 7.3 trillion by 2030. This rapid

pace of economic expansion would result in the size of the Indian GDP exceeding Japanese GDP by 2030, making India the second largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region," it said.

By 2022, the size of the Indian GDP had already become larger than the GDP of the UK and also France. By 2030, India's GDP is also forecast to surpass Germany. The US at present is the world's largest economy with a GDP of USD 25.5 trillion. It makes up for a quarter of the world's GDP. China is the second largest economy with a GDP size of about USD 18 trillion, which is almost 17.9 per cent of the world GDP. Japan is a distant third with USD 4.2 trillion GDP, followed by Germany with USD 4 trillion GDP. S&P Global said the long-term outlook for the Indian economy is supported by a number of key growth drivers. "An important positive factor for India is its large and fastgrowing middle class, which is helping to drive consumer spending. The rapidly growing Indian domestic consumer market as well as its large industrial sector have made India an increasingly important investment destination for a wide range of multinationals in many sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure and services," it said.

Indians No 1 in getting citizenship of rich nations, most of them in US New Delhi and Ottawa may be involved in a diplomatic impasse, but when it comes to immigration, Indians are the top country for immigration to OECD countries and for obtaining foreign citizenship. American citizenship is still the most sought after. Canada is the nation that has naturalised the most foreign nationals.

As per an OECD report, Indians form the largest national group when it comes to acquiring richcountry citizenship and Canada registered the biggest proportionate increase - a 174% jump between 2021 and 2022 among host countries offering their passports to foreign nationals.

Last year also saw the highest number of foreign nationals acquiring OECD country citizenship: 28,00,00, a 25% jump over 2021.

A thorough breakdown of country-of-origin statistics for 2022 is not included in the report. However, it claims that starting in 2019, India has become the primary country of origin for

those obtaining citizenship in OECD nations.

The figure for 2019 was around 150,000. China came in fifth in this race in 2021. Around 57,000 Chinese acquired OECD country citizenships that year. The top three countries in the 38-member OECD that handed out passports to Indian immigrants in 2021 are the US (56,000), Australia (24,000) and Canada (21,000). In 2019, the US was the top favourite, with 63,500 Indians acquiring its citizenship, followed by Canada (31,300) and Australia (28,500).

The government of India hinted that it would begin offering visa services to Canadian citizens in an effort to head off the fallout from the diplomatic dispute with Canada. Government sources said India was evaluating the security situation that compelled it to stop visa services in Canada exactly one month ago after foreign minister S Jaishankar predicted this may happen "very, very soon."

India had also suspended visa services for Canadians in third countries, as well as the e-visa facility.

The breakthrough happened despite rising tensions over India's choice to expel 41 Canadian diplomats in order to equalise diplo-

matic representation with Canada. While the US and the UK have supported Canada's argument that India had broken the Vienna Convention by acting unilaterally, Jaishankar claimed that the convention supported India's action.

Canada had retaliated to the expulsion by “unilaterally” shutting services in its three consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru, raising concerns about possible disruption in visa services for Indian nationals.

Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, said India Jaishankar stopped issuing visas because it was no longer safe for Indian diplomats to go to work as Canada wasn’t ful-

filling its obligations under the Vienna Convention.

Canada’s opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has said that he would work to restore a “professional relationship” with India if his party came to office in the next elections. Describing Canadian PM Justin Trudeau as “unprofessional and incompetent”, he said he was not worth the cost as he had turned Canadians against each other at home and blown up relations abroad.

Earlier, Canada had pulled out 41 diplomats while accusing the Indian government of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by forcing it to downsize its mission here.

Kabaddi players kill Punjab cop A police head constable was assaulted while attempting to stop four kabaddi players from ransacking an eatery in Barnala, Punjab, over their dinner bill. As a result, he fell to the ground and tragically struck his head on a blunt instrument.

The slain cop, Darshan Singh, was part of a police team responding to an SOS from the eatery

owner after the quartet allegedly attacked him and vandalised the place. The suspects - Paramjit Singh, Jagraj Singh of Raisar, Gurmeet Singh and Wazir Singh - have been absconding since the fatal assault on the head constable. Darshan Singh was declared dead on arrival at Barnala Civil Hospital.

Ex-gratia of £100,000 was announced by Punjab

CM Bhagwant Mann for the head constable's family. A group insurance programme will provide an additional £100,000. “A sad incident took place in Barnala last evening, in which Punjab Police constable Darshan Singh was killed. The administration and police are working on it. The accused will soon be taken to task," the CM said.

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in brief

SOUTH INDIA

PM Modi opens 2 new sections of Bengaluru Metro BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week said the Metro Rail services from Baiyappanahalli to Krishnarajapura, and Kengeri to Challaghatta legs of Bengaluru Metro Purple Line will improve connectivity and benefit millions of commuters.

He was speaking after virtually dedicating to the nation the two stretches of east-west corridor of Bangalore Metro, from Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh, where he addressed a rally after inaugurating the 17-km priority section of the country's first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.

"The two lines of Bengaluru Metro Rail will improve connectivity. It is expected that 800,000 people travel every day. I congratulate the people of Karnataka on the launch of the Metro Rail line," the Prime Minister said.

The Baiyappanahalli to Krishnarajapura, and Kengeri to Challaghatta legs of the Bangalore Metro Purple Line were opened to the public from October 9 without waiting for a formal inauguration.

With this, the total operational

length of 'Namma Metro' has increased to 74 km with 66 stations, and daily ridership to over 750,000.

Namma Metro, inaugurated 12 years ago, is the second largest Metro network in the country. The east-west corridor the Purple Line from Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Challaghatta - now spans a total length of 43.49 km comprising 37 stations. During the speech, the Prime Minister also hinted at the possibility of launching the Metro Rail project in Mysuru. "In Uttar Pradesh today, Metro Rail is arriving in Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Agra and Kanpur. In some places, Metro (train) is running or would run in the near future. In Karnataka too, be it Bengaluru or Mysuru, Metro services are expanded," the Prime Minister said.

Gowda dissolves Karnataka JD(S) committee over BJP alliance dispute

HIJAB ALLOWED IN EXAMS: KARNATAKA MINISTER

BENGALURU: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H D Deve Gowda removed the party's Karnataka unit president C M Ibrahim, who had raised a banner of revolt against forming an alliance with the BJP, by dissolving the state unit working committee. Gowda also appointed his son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy as the ad-hoc president of the party's state unit.

Addressing a press conference, Gowda said, “Ibrahim has been removed as per the party constitution. I have removed him, and the new president H D Kumaraswamy has been appointed.”

Kumaraswamy, a two-time Karnataka chief minister, is also the party's legislative unit president.

Gowda's order came after Ibrahim revolted against the party's decision to align with the BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Ibrahim had held a meeting with "like-minded" people of the JD(S) on October 16 and announced that the party led by him was the original one. He also announced the formation of a core committee that would submit a memorandum to the party supremo that the JD (S) should not go with the BJP. The former PM said that all the state units of the JD(S) including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala had given their consent to go with the BJP. He also claimed that many Muslim leaders in the JD(S) have also supported the party's decision to go with the BJP.

Amid an ongoing tension concerning the donning of hijab or headscarf by practitioners of Islam in Karnataka educational institutions, Karnataka higher education minister of state MC Sudhakar has urged people protesting against hijab to read National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) guidelines. "I think that the people who are protesting should verify the guidelines of the NEET exam. I don't know why are they making an issue out of this...People are allowed to wear Hijabs..."

Sudhakar said. Sudhakar clarified that students are allowed to write the NEET examination wearing the hijab. Earlier, in a review meeting held under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Sudhakar said that it was decided that the students will be allowed to wear a hijab while writing the exams. Pro-Hindu groups have threatened to protest against the order announced by Sudhakar.

PUNJAB

Mann, schoolchildren offer prayers at Golden Temple for drug-free Punjab

Punjab govt to move SC against governor CHANDIGARH: The two-day Punjab assembly session was cut short by a day after chief minister Bhagwant Mann informed the House that since governor Banwarilal Purohit had not given assent to the three money Bills, his government would resume the session after taking the issue to its logical conclusion.

The CM said that his government would file a petition in the Supreme Court on October 30 against the governor’s letter in which he had termed the session illegal. Since the money Bills had not got the governor’s nod, they would not be presented before the House. Later in the day, speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan prorogued the House till further orders. The governor had termed the session illegal and withheld his approval to the money Bills, escalating the tussle between him and the CM. This is the second time this year that the Mann government will move the apex court over differences with the governor on summoning the assembly session. In March, the

Bhagwant Mann & Banwarilal Purohit

government had approached the SC accusing the governor of not “reverting” to the cabinet’s decision of summoning the budget session Attacking the governor, the CM said government had proposed to introduce three financial bills for boosting the state’s revenue, but the governor has backstabbed Punjabis by not giving his assent.

“It is unfortunate that a selected governor is resorting to bullying tactics to prevent a democratically elected government from taking propeople decisions.

This highhandedness of the governor will not stand in legal scrutiny and will be outrightly set aside by the apex court,” said Mann, adding that the governor is creating hindrance is the smooth function of government.

AMRITSAR: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann joined 35,000 schoolchildren in offering an 'ardas' (prayer) at the Golden Temple here to make Punjab a drug-free state.

The schoolchildren wore yellow turbans, scarves and dupattas while offering prayers. “For ages, Harmandir Sahib has been a source of inspiration for humanity for every noble cause. The sole motive of this 'ardas' is to take the blessings of the Almighty for the success of this unique mission, which aims at eliminating the curse of drugs from the state”, he said.

The participation of a large number of youths in this campaign shows that the younger generation is ready to support the state government in this noble cause, he added.

Mann said this is the first of its kind mass movement against drugs which will break the backbone of this menace. Under 'The Hope Initiative', a three-pronged strategy of pray, pledge and play is being used, he said, adding this is the first time that a campaign against drugs has been started from the grassroots level.

Besides the students, thousands of people joined the campaign and offered prayers online. Mann said the day is not far off when the drug menace will be wiped out from Punjab with the proactive support and cooperation of people.

On the one hand, the supply line of drugs is being snapped by putting drug peddlers behind bars and on the other hand, focus is being given on treatment and rehabilitation of the drug victims, he said.

WEST BENGAL

Job scheme funds will be issued to Bengal when Centre is satisfied: Giriraj Singh NEW DELHI: The pending MGNREGA funds for West Bengal will be issued when the Centre is satisfied with the "transparency" in the implementation of the scheme, Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh said amid an ongoing tussle between the state and the Centre on the issue.

At a press conference on the achievements of the rural development ministry, the minister was asked about the West Bengal government's allegation that funds for the rural development scheme have not been released to the state for almost two years.

Giriraj Singh

"Payments will be made to West Bengal when the Centre is satisfied over transparency in implementation of the scheme...

Have we not given money to Bengal, we are giving them money under other schemes," Singh said.

Top leaders of the Trinamool

Congress held protests in the national capital on October 2 and 3, demanding that the Centre release the dues. The Centre has alleged that there is corruption in the implementation of the scheme in the Trinamool Congress-ruled state.

TMC leaders also came to the rural development ministry at Delhi's Krishi Bhawan on October 3 to meet minister of state for rural development Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, but the meeting did not take place as the MoS asked them to send some select representatives from the around 40-member delegation.

TMC leaders accused the MoS of leaving without meeting them and were later evicted from the Ministry premises. Singh, however, defended the MoS, saying, "Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti ji was sitting till 8.30 pm... They did not want to meet the minister, they wanted to create a scene". Talking about the flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the minister underlined that there is no deficit of funds. He said that the finance ministry has been approached for additional funds under the scheme and it will be sanctioned soon.

MADRAS HC REJECTS BAIL PLEA OF TN MINISTER The Madras High Court dismissed the bail petition of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case. Justice G Jayachandran dismissed the bail petition of Senthil Balaji.

The judge observed that since the brother of the petitioner was missing and the petitioner was holding the post of a minister without portfolio, he may likely tamper with witnesses.

Balaji was arrested on June 14 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to cash-for-jobs scam when he was the transport minister during the earlier AIADMK regime.

LONG-LOST COUSINS REUNITE AFTER 76 YEARS IN KARTARPUR Two cousins, separated during the partition 76 years ago, were reunited at the landmark Kartarpur Corridor, in an emotional meeting made possible through social media, a Pakistani official said. Mohammad Ismaeel and his sister Surinder Kaur, both in their 80s, reached Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur from their respective cities in Pakistan and India and had an emotional reunion on Sunday. An official of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) said that the administration of Kartarpur Sahib facilitated the reunion of the cousins and offered sweets and langar to them. The families of Ismaeel and Kaur were living in Shahkot town of Jalandhar district before the partition when the riots separated them. A Pakistani Punjabi YouTube channel posted the story of Ismaeel, following which one Sardar Mission Singh from Australia contacted him and informed him about his missing family members in India.

NOTICE TO BENGAL FOR ADDING 87 CASTES IN CENTRAL OBC LIST Responding to the recommendation of West Bengal for inclusion of 87 castes in the central OBC list, the National Commission for Backward Classes has asked the state to produce the status of these communities going back to the Imperial Gazetteer, as also their ethnographic details. Noting that the state has not hiked the OBC quota from 17% to 22% as was suggested by it, the NCBC has asked Bengal to give the reason for inaction and produce the basic file on the subject.

The NCBC has said since the state OBC Commission has mentioned in its advisories that many of these backward castes in Bengal were converts from Hindu to Muslim religion, the state should produce Gazetteer and ethnographic details of such castes to back its claim.

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Gaganyaan test flight's crew module successfully recovered by Navy Hours after the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) scientists successfully conducted the Gaganyaan failure test, the Navy’s Eastern Naval Command recovered the Crew Module (CM) from the Bay of Bengal. Isro chief S Somanath said the crew module has been fully recovered from the sea and it has been brought to Chennai port.

Notably, the Gaganyaan programme aims to send humans into space on a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km for three days and bring them back safely to Earth.

Taking to X, the navy’s spokesperson posted, “The Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command units recovered the crew module - path paved by extensive plan-

ning, training of Naval divers, formulation of SOPs and joint communication by combined teams of Indian Navy & Isro.”

The Crew Module (CM) is where the astronauts are contained in a pressurised earth-like atmospheric condition during the Gaganyaan mission. Isro

launched a liquid-propelled single-stage Test Vehicle (TV-D1) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on a brief flight carrying a homegrown system named - Crew Escape System.

Crew Escape System is a system that operates automatically, and ensures swift ejection of the crew to min-

imise potential risks during the tumultuous early phases of ascent.

After the launch, Isro chief S Somnath declared the mission complete and the objectives achieved.

"I am very happy to announce the successful accomplishment of the TVD1 mission. The purpose of the mission was to demonstrate the crew escape system for the Gaganyaan programme through a test vehicle demonstration in which the vehicle has gone up to Mach 1 and above, which is the speed of sound and initiated an abort condition for the CES to function," a beaming Somanath said from the MCC. Mach 1 is equal to about 1,200 km per hour.

Supreme Court refuses to legalise same-sex marriage Millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people in India were unhappy when the Supreme Court ruled that only Parliament and state legislatures could legalise marriages, refusing to recognise same-sex couples.

The court rejected, by a vote of 3-2, to protect civil unions under the constitution and to grant gay cou-

ples the right to adopt children. The court reasoned that forcing the state to recognise or legalise certain unions would go against the theory of separation of powers and might have unanticipated repercussions.

“This court cannot make law; it can only interpret it and give effect to it.

The court, in the exercise of the power of judicial

review, must remain clear of matters, particularly those impinging on the policy which falls in the legislative domain," the verdict said.

The Supreme Court also rejected the plea on right of adoption to queer couples, in a setback for the push for equal treatment of those with alternative sexual orientations. Despite repeatedly asserting that

queerness is neither urban nor elite, a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay K Kaul, SR Bhat, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha disappointed the hopeful faces in the courtroom with a unanimous ruling that the right to marry was not a fundamental right and the legislature had the power to regulate it in accordance with societal conditions.

Cracks in Lahaul-Spiti village spark panic A little hamlet in the picturesque Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh, perched at 10,800 feet along a Chenab stream, is facing an epic struggle for life as it is jeopardised by field fissures and house cracks.

Most of Lindur’s 90 residents are not just spending sleepless nights, they are sleeping outside as their houses no longer seem safe.

“It’s scary. We all are living in constant fear of being buried alive if our houses

collapse,” said Hira Lal Rashpa, 78. Most of the village’s 12 houses are two-storied; some are higher.

Although Rashpa confessed to not having “seen or heard anything like this before”, Lindur’s concerns revived memories of Joshimath in neighbouring Uttarakhand, where subsidence earlier this year caused panic and prompted evacuations.

In Lindur, fissures have also opened up on its 200-

odd bighas of agricultural land and pastures, threatening livelihoods. “The cracks were first noticed in May and became prominent afterwards. The way they seem to be spreading, I fear there won’t be any village left in two years,” said Rashpa.

Concerns over Jahlama Nullah, a fierce tributary, are intensifying, with many attributing the sinking to linked irrigation channels.

The location is in a seismi-

cally active zone, which does not help.

As for Lindur, irrigation has lost its meaning. “The cracks have left the fields uneven. It’s not possible to irrigate them using channels. We have demanded sprinklers,” said Prem Lal. The Jahlama slaloms through a dozen hamlets before merging with the Chenab downstream. It’s flooded every summer and monsoon due to glacial melt.

Wagh Bakri Tea Group’s ED Parag Desai passes away Parag Desai, the executive director of Gujarat-based Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers Limited, best known for its Wagh Bakri brand of tea, passed away at a private hospital in Ahmedabad. Desai, 49, was admitted to the hospital after he suffered injuries following a freak accident near his residence. He is survived by his wife Vidisha and daughter, Parisha.

Sources close to the family say that Desai met with a freak accident while on a morning walk near Iscon Ambli Road on the morning of October 15. He suffered a severe head injury following a fall, said sources.

“He was first taken to a private hospital in Prahladnagar area of Ahmedabad. As his condition began deteriorating after nearly 24 hours, he was

Parag Desai

shifted to another private hospital on Hebatpur Road.

A surgery was carried out immediately,” explained a source. On a ventilator for seven days, Desai succumbed to multiple health complications late on Sunday, sources said.

Desai held an MBA from the Long Island University in New York, USA, and was the fourth-generation entrepreneur of the premium tea conglomerate.

Besides spearheading the group’s sales, marketing and

exports division and taking the brand to new heights, Desai was also a fervent tea taster and evaluator. He had keen interests in travel and wildlife and generously gave his time to sustainability projects.

Desai joined the business in 1995, when the company’s worth was less than

£10 million. Today, the group owns and operates, under its umbrella, one of the leading packaged tea companies in India with a turnover of over £200 million and over 50 million kg of tea distribution. The company is present across 24 Indian states and exports to some 60 countries.

PM Modi opens India's first semi-high speed urban rail system

India's first semi-high speed urban transit system, the Namo Bharat train, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also declared that several regions of Rajasthan and Haryana will be connected to the network in its initial phase.

He stated that the regional rail corridor stretching from Delhi to Meerut is only the start and that other regions of the nation will see the creation of similar systems.

The PM said the launch of the Namo Bharat train (earlier known as RapidX) on the 17-km priority stretch between Sahibabad and Duhai in Ghaziabad is only a “glimpse of India of the future” and exemplifies the country's transformation with growing economic muscle. The priority stretch becoming operational comes years after it was first planned to provide fast connectivity to Meerut in a bid to decongest the national capital. Addressing

a public meeting after launching the train, which has the maximum operational speed of 160 kmph, the PM indicated how it’s another building block in India’s growth story, underlining the development plank of BJP in the run-up to impending state polls and next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

Modi reaffirmed the government's pledge to finish projects on schedule and mentioned that he had only set the RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) foundation stone four years prior. "We will initiate projects for which we lay the foundation stone, and in the next one or one and a half years, this entire corridor will be completed, and I will be there at your service," he stated, repeating what he had said previously and today. This time, the PM asked for everyone's support in keeping the trains spotless and free of scratches, as well as their individual indulgence.

Taj drowning amid 470 illegal buildings Within a 500-meter radius around the Taj Mahal in Agra, there are 470 unauthorised buildings, including cafes, restaurants and emporia. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had filed formal complaints in the majority of these encroachments - some of which date back several decades but the local government has done nothing to remove them.

Media accessed the list of such illegal structures sent by the director-general of ASI to the UP government and district administration last year for removal. ASI officials said that despite raising the issue several times with local authorities, encroachments have not been removed.

The ASI's authority, according to superintendent archaeologist Raj Patel, is restricted to making formal complaints against unlawful development near protected monuments.

The Agra Development Authority and the local government are responsible for acting upon demolition notifications that are issued by the ASI director-general's office.

An ASI analysis states that between 2015 and 2022, 248 new, unauthorised buildings erupted inside a 100–300 metre radius around the protected monument and its sub-circles. A few of them are located as close to the world historic site as 50 metres.

Vasundhara in BJP Rajasthan list along with her loyalists Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, her close associate Narpat Singh Rajvi, and Jyoti Mirdha, daughter of Jat leader Nathuram Mirdha, figure among the 83 candidates BJP announced for the November 25 state polls.

In order to maintain uncertainty about who it would run, the party has not yet announced its candidates for Sardarpura and Tonk, respectively, against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his main opponent Sachin Pilot. It granted opposition leader Rajendra Singh Rathore's plea to be moved from

Churu to nearby Taranagar.

Descendant of Maharana Pratap, Vishwaraj Singh, who had joined BJP recently, will contest from Nathdwara against Congress veteran and state assembly speaker CP Joshi.

Vasundhara loyalist Rajvi, son-inlaw of former CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who was replaced at Vidyadhar Nagar by Diya Kumari, party MP and scion of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur, has now been accommodated at Chittorgarh. The news that Vasundhara had been renominated was

hardly shocking. However, this in addition to the fact that a large number of the 50 incumbents running again are her supporters, does little to dispel the doubt regarding the former CM's chances of winning the presidency a third time. For the 200-member assembly, the party has announced 124 candidates for Rajasthan so far, with 76 still pending. Despite the simultaneous announcement of the fifth list of candidates for both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, neither Union minister nor Member of Parliament was fielded.

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EXPLORING INDIA'S HIDDEN TEMPLE WONDERS “From the solemn gloom of the temple, children run out to sit in the dust, God watches them play and forgets the priest.” - Rabindranath Tagore

T

emples hold a profound place in the hearts and minds of many, serving as symbols of hope and spirituality. For Hindus, temples often provide a sanctuary during challenging times. Throughout history, several renowned temples have been constructed and remain revered by countless devotees. Whether it's the "chaardhaams" or the twelve "jyotirlingas," people aspire to visit these sacred sites at least once in their lives.

Yet, amid the well-known temples, there exist lesser-known gems, each with its own unique character and significance.

Here, we highlight three such temples that are deserving of a visit when exploring India.

Mahakal Mandir - The Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling stands as a testament

Mahakal Mandir

to the harmonious coexistence of two religions. Here, a Hindu priest devotedly chants Sanskrit mantras in homage to Lord Shiva, while a Buddhist priest offers prayers in the Bhutia language.

Perched atop the town's highest ridge, locally referred to as "Daara," the temple invites with its serene and spiritual atmosphere, greeting visitors with breathtaking hills and tea gardens.

Though the Mahakal Mandir may not enjoy the same widespread recognition as

Mundeshwari Temple

some of India's more famous temples, it holds a deep-seated significance for the local community. Additionally, it serves as a sanctuary for those in search of a place where worship and peace blend seamlessly.

Mundeshwari Temple The Mundeshwari Templein Bihar, India, is a remarkable and ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Shakti, the divine feminine energy.

Located on the Mundeshwari Hills of the Kaimur plateau, near the Son River, this temple has earned its distinction as an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument since 1915. Its historical roots reach back to 108 CE, making it the oldest Hindu temple in Northern India. An information plaque at the site suggests an even earlier origin, dating back to at least 625 CE, and Hindu inscriptions from 635 CE have been uncovered within the temple's premises.

As the oldest functional Hindu temple in the world, the Mundeshwari Temple occupies a unique place in terms of religious history. While it may not be as widely recognised as some other temples, it holds a special and cherished spot in the hearts of devotees and history enthusiasts alike, offering a profound connection to India's rich spiritual and architectural

heritage.

Mumba Devi Temple Mumba Devi Mandir, an ancient temple in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is a sanctuary devoted to the goddess Mumbā, the local manifestation of the Devi (Mother Goddess). The temple carries profound significance for the 'Koli' fishermen, the early settlers of Mumbai, who hold great devotion for Mumbadevi, Goddess regarding her as their protector. In fact, the very name of the city, Mumbai, is derived from the revered Goddess, and her legend is intertwined with the city's history.

While the temple's architecture may not be grand, its importance as a landmark is paramount because it honours Mumba Devi, the city's patron deity. Nestled in the heart of Mumbai, this beautiful temple dates back to the 18th century and exudes a spiritual aura that captivates the hearts of Mumbai's residents and visitors. It is a unique place of worship, celebrated for its cultural and historical significance, offering solace and a spiritual connection amidst the bustling metropolis.

Mumba DeviTemple

Dhordo in Gujarat's Kutch receives the title of "best tourism village" The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has bestowed upon Dhordo Village in Gujarat's Kutch area the esteemed title of "Best Tourism Village," as per an official announcement.

Dhordo's exceptional efforts to historic preservation, rural development, and sustainable tourism have earned him this award.

Nestled amidst the wide expanse of the Great Rann of Kutch is the tranquil village of Dhordo. It is well known across the world for organising the lively yearly Rann Utsav, a cultural festival that highlights the traditional crafts, music, and art forms of the area.

Travellers from all over the world get the exceptional chance to fully experience the native way of life against the intriguing backdrop of the Rann of Kutch.

The economy of the area will be greatly impacted by Dhordo's designation as the "Best Tourism Village". An important factor in stimulating the local economy has been the Rann Utsav. The event brought

in Rs 468 crore in GST income during the fiscal year 2022– 2023. The festival attracted 7,400 foreign visitors and almost 98,000 Indian visitors, underscoring its significance as a major travel destination.

The village's transformation has been made possible in large part by the Dhordo local community. Their proactive

engagement in traditional handicrafts, cultural preservation, and hospitality services guarantees visitors an authentic experience while bolstering the local economy.

After realising Dhordo's potential, the Gujarati government started the yearly Rann Utsav. The UNWTO's recognition of Dhordo has delighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He celebrated Dhordo's rich cultural legacy and stunning natural surroundings on social media.

He also invited people to share their experiences and recollections of Dhordo in the hopes of encouraging more

people to go to this amazing community. A renowned honour given to communities for their outstanding accomplishments in a variety of fields is the UNWTO's Best Tourism Village award. These include of rural development, maintaining the native landscapes, fostering variety and cultural heritage, and defending regional cuisine and values. The evaluation process considers nine key criteria related to economic, social, and environmental sustainability, cultural and natural resources, and value chain integration. It aims to identify and celebrate exceptional rural tourism destinations.

Dhordo Village's recognition as the "Best Tourism Village" by the UNWTO is a testament to its remarkable contributions to sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and rural development. It serves as an inspiration for other villages and highlights the immense potential of rural tourism in India.

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Changing autism traits found to have ties with mental health conditions A long-term study found a correlation between children's development of extra mental health issues during their primary school years and changes in basic autism features. The research was released in Autism. Einat Waizbard-Bartov, a doctoral researcher in developmental psychology at the UC Davis MIND Institute and the lead author of the paper, said, "Our findings suggest that different aspects of a child's development may affect each other over time. Core autism traits and mental health challenges likely interact throughout development."

One important outcome supported the notion that these behaviours can be helpful for autistic people: lowering restricted and repetitive behaviours in primary school was associated with the appearance of mental health issues.

"We were pleased to see that our results confirmed what has been suspected by other autism researchers and clinicians as well as autistic individuals, that some forms of restricted and repetitive behaviours can potentially help to selfsoothe," said David Amaral, distinguished professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute faculty member and senior author on the paper. Waizbard-Bartov notes that the findings question the wisdom of therapies that eliminate these behaviours. "In light of this, when thinking about interventions, it might be that trying to eliminate repetitive behaviours without providing alternative self-soothing tools is not the ideal way to go," she said.

Mindfulness tips to kickstart your morning on the right note A mindful start can create a good vibe for the rest of the day. It supports a calm and straightforward approach to daily chores, stress reduction, and being in the present moment. Many people may find their morning ritual difficult, yet it sets the tone for the rest of the day. Here are a few mindfulness tips that can help.

Wake up early: The first step to a mindful morning is giving yourself time to wake up. Avoid rushing out of bed; set your alarm a little earlier than necessary.

Deep breathing: After waking up, lie motionless for a while and pay attention to your breathing. Breathe in deeply via your nose, filling your lungs, and then gently release the air through your mouth. Focus on the sensation of your breath coming into and going out of your body, or the rise and fall of your chest.

Morning stretch: Include a brief stretching session in your daily regimen.

While you stretch, be mindful of how your body feels. Let go of the tension in your muscles and concentrate on the actual physical aspects of each exercise.

Mindful breakfast: When it's time to eat breakfast, do so mindfully. Savour each bite, paying attention to your food's flavours, textures, and aromas. Avoid the urge to rush through your meal and, instead, enjoy it fully.

Detox with Coconut Water Coconut water offers a variety of advantages due to its mineral, electrolyte, and antioxidant composition. It supplies antioxidants and moisture, which aid in the body's detoxification process. It might also help skin appear healthier. Some types of coconut water have high levels of vitamin C, antioxidants, and may even naturally promote the production of collagen.

Health Views Disclaimer: The information provided is for general knowledge only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Attitude changes to boost your weight loss journey To help you lose those excess pounds, you require much more than just food and lifestyle adjustments. Few people are aware of this, yet how you approach your path of selftransformation or betterment determines how successful you will be. Rujuta Diwekar, a nutritionist, recently posted three mentality shifts on Instagram that are necessary for us to adopt in order to make our weight loss and fitness journeys "healthy and happy."

If one meal gets messed up, don't mess up the whole diet.

Rujuta says, "Stop being angry

and disappointed in yourself.

You don't need to give up your diet for the entire day just because one meal went wrong.

You can get on track with your next meal. That's the only way

Research reveals why night shifts interferes with appetite and food habits Researchers have shown how working night shifts disrupts hunger, appetite, and eating behaviours, sometimes leading to weight gain. A group of researchers from the University of Bristol in the UK claim that hormones that control hunger are impacted by circadian misalignment, or the disturbance of the body's biological clock brought on by working night shifts.

The adrenal gland, which is located close to the kidney and secretes hormones known as glucocorticoids that regulate a variety of physiological processes, including appetite and metabolism, was the team's main focus. Jet lag is another common symptom linked to circadian misalignment.

A misalignment between light and dark cues led to a disturbance in the functioning of these hormones that then affected the appetite of the jet-lagged group of animals, driving an increased desire to eat significantly more

during the inactive phase of the day, the scientists said in their study published in the journal Communications Biology.

"For those who are working night shifts long-term, we recommend they try to maintain daylight exposure, cardiovascular exercise and mealtimes at regulated hours. However, internal brain messages to drive increased appetite are difficult to override with 'discipline' or 'routine' so we are currently designing studies to assess rescue strategies and pharmacological intervention drugs," said senior author Becky Conway-Campbell, Research Fellow at Bristol.

to repair things."

There is no all-or-nothing rule for exercise.

"Even if you cannot do a full 60-minute exercise, it does not mean you don't exercise at

all. 20 to 30 minutes of exercise is of no use. This attitude prevents us from losing weight.

So, next time, remember that it doesn't matter how long you exercise. The best workout is the one that gets done."

Don't fish for compliments Diwekar advises against asking other people how they think you appear physically since you can become discouraged if they say something unfavourable.

She said, "Remember, this is a journey and not a destination, so support yourself, be loving and forgiving on this journey to achieve good health!"

Dementia risk ‘could depend on ethnicity’ A person’s risk of developing dementia could depend on their ethnicity, a study has suggested. to According researchers, certain ethnic groups are more susceptible to dementia risk factors like diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.

More research on the potential prevention of dementia in individuals of varied ethnic backgrounds was demanded by experts.

From 1997 to 2018, a study lead by University College London's Naaheed Mukadam examined the link between dementia onset risk variables and English primary care records for 865,674 persons from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

In the UK, dementia affects about 944,000 people, according to the NHS. It is predicted that by 2030, there would be more than a million individuals affected by the illness.

The research team found 12.6% of the cohort developed

dementia.

Some 16% were white, 8.6% were South Asian, 12.1% were black and 9.7% were from different ethnic groups.

They evaluated the patients' risk factors for dementia, which included high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, sleep disturbances, and dyslipidemia, an imbalance of lipids that can lead to heart disease.

Black people had a higher risk of dementia from high blood pressure than did white people, and South Asian people had a higher risk of dementia from low HDL cholesterol, diabetes, sleep disorders, and high blood pressure.

Like carrots, eating grapes too is beneficial for your eyes A recent study shows that consuming grapes is beneficial for your eyes as much as carrots. It was demonstrated that eating just a few handfuls of grapes every day for four months improved important eye health indicators.

The key is that grapes are rich in antioxidants, and oxidative stress is a major cause of ocular degeneration.

For sixteen weeks, 34 adults were given a placebo or one and a half cups of grapes daily by the National University of Singapore team.

When compared to those on a placebo, the grape eaters' total phenolic content, plasma antioxidant capacity, and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) all significantly increased.

When dangerous ocular advanced glycation end products (AGE) were tested in the skin, those who did not eat grapes showed a considerable rise. High levels of AGE and oxidative stress are the main risk factors for eye illness, according to a study published in the journal Food & Function.

The researchers found AGEs may contribute to many eye dis-

eases by damaging the vascular components of the retina, impairing cellular function, and causing oxidative stress.

Grapes, which are a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols, can decrease oxidative stress and inhibit the formation of AGEs, with possible beneficial effects on the retina, such as an improvement in MPOD

Parkinson's disease may be detectable 20-30 years sooner than clinical diagnosis: Study Parkinson's disease may have warning indicators 20–30 years before symptoms appear. The researchers from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Melbourne stated that a biomarker known as F-AV-133 can assist in identifying Parkinson's disease and properly track neurodegeneration when used in conjunction with PET, or positron emission tomography, scans.

The imaging agent F-AV-133

has demonstrated potential as a PET tracer for Parkinson's disease neurodegeneration detection and tracking. Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological illness marked by tremors and poor muscle coordination.

"Parkinson's disease is very hard to diagnose until symptoms are obvious, by which time up to 85 per cent of the brain's neurons that control motor coordination have been destroyed. At that point, many treatments are like-

ly to be ineffective," said Kevin Barnham, professor at The Florey and lead researcher of the study published in the journal Neurology.

The researchers discovered that, despite the fact that the disease's patients' clinical symptoms did not significantly alter based on the diagnostic tools now in use, the PET scans revealed a considerable loss of nerve cells or neurons in three important brain regions in these

patients.

The findings suggest that FAV-133 is a more sensitive means of monitoring neurodegeneration than what is now available, the researchers said in their study. Using mathematical modelling, they found that when clinical symptoms of the disease begin to show and are sufficient for diagnosis, approximately 33 years' worth of slow neuronal loss has already occurred.

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Katrina exudes elegance in red saree at Navratri event A

Aamir to shift to Chennai amid mother Zeenat Hussain's ill health

A

ccording to a media report, Aamir Khan, who shares a close equation with his mother Zeenat Hussain will be shifting to Chennai to be on her side as she is under the care of a private medical centre. Sources quoted in the report said the actor would stay at a hotel close to the medical centre where Zeenat is undergoing treatment.

It is believed that it would allow the actor to be around her when required. This report arrived months after Aamir once said at an event that he wants to spend more time with his family, apart from acting and producing films. Earlier this year, Aamir and his family members were joined by their close friends to celebrate Zeenat's 89th birthday.

Punjabi singer Pratibha Singh Baghel, who performed at the homely celebration, shared photos from the event on social media. She wrote, "So this evening looked like this at Aamir Khan's place! Celebrated 89th birthday of Aamir ji's mother. The kind of love, warmth & blessings we received is unmatched. Thank you so much @shankar.mahadevan sir for this recommendation. Forever grateful."

Aamir's sisters Nikhat and Farsta Khan were spotted at the celebration, as were his ex-wife Kiran Rao and his daughter Ira Khan. On the work front, the actor recently announced his upcoming film titled 'Sitare Zameen Par.' In an interview, he said the film will have a theme similar to his hit 2007 film 'Taare Zameen Par.' He will also produce Rao's 'Laapata Ladies,' another with his son Junaid Khan, and 'Lahore 1947' with Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol.

host of film celebrities flew to Thrissur in Kerala to attend the Navratri celebrations hosted by a jewellery brand. Among them were Nagarjuna and son Chaitanya Akkineni, Katrina Kaif, Ajay Devgn, Janhvi Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna, Shilpa Shetty, Wamiqa Gabbi and others.

Most of them were decked up in sarees.

Looking resplendent in a red saree and a full sleeve blouse with a bindi adorning her forehead, Katrina turned out to be the star of the event. She was seen chatting with other guests and lighting the oil lamp during the celebrations.

A paparazzo shared a video of Katrina from the event and fans couldn't

stop praising how she conducted herself at the religious function. A fan commented, “Some actress should learn something from Katrina,” along with clapping emojis. Another wrote, “She looks so classy, yet so beautiful." One more called her “Queen of beauty and elegance”. A person also called her “The most stunning and most humble star”. A fan also pointed out “Red is her colour”, hinting at how the actor often opts for red for special occasions.

Nagarjuna and son Chaitanya Akkineni also took part in the Navratri celebrations. While the veteran star was in a floral pastel green kurta pyjama, Chaitanya was in a simple white kurta pyjama and sported a beard.

Anil Kapoor back as Mr India?

Boney Kapoor hints at sequel

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nil Kapoor returned as his iconic titular character from Shekhar Kapur's 1987 film 'Mr. India' after 35 years. And, no, it's not for a sequel; it's for a Google Pixel commercial.

However, fans can't get over how Anil still looks young and wants him to star in a sequel already.

In the new advertisement, Anil's character in the movie, Arun Varma's little

associate, Jugal, sneaks into a haunted mansion. He accidentally bumps into an ornate vase, which is about to fall on the floor and crack into pieces. But it suddenly starts floating in the air and is placed back to the spot it fell from. Kapoor emerges out of thin air as Mr. India, the iconic character with the power of invisibility thanks to a special bracelet. The movie theme also plays in the background as Anil appears.

Arun and Jugal then discover the Google Pixel smartphone and Anil's voiceover explains the gadget's features. The story would unfurl further as "To be continued" appears on the screen at the end of the commercial.

Anil took to his Instagram handle to share the video with the caption, "The beauty of time, the thing that makes it so precious, is that it never stands still. Our

lives are full of highs and lows, appearances and disappearances… Mr. India is a phenomenon that even time could not erase, at once a ghost and the most real person I have ever played. And now, 38 years later, Mr. India is back with the Google #Pixel8! In flesh and unfiltered, just the time-tested and timeless soul of Arun Verma reappearing to entertain and thrill you. So watch this screen carefully because this superhero has been known to disappear at the drop of his hat."

Fans couldn't hold back their excitement. One of them commented, "How in this earth is it freaking possible that this man is still looking the same even after almost 35 years, since this film was released?" Many of them demanded the film's sequel. A fan wrote, "Mr India's sequel should have come out already. Even this recreation in a mobile phone ad gave me goosebumps."

'Mr. India' producer and Anil's elder brother Boney Kapoor hinted at a sequel as he shared the video on X with the caption, "Work in progress for a big screen appearance. #MrIndia #MrIndia2 @AnilKapoor.”

The original movie also starred Sridevi, Satish Kaushik, Annu Kapoor, Amrish Puri, Ahmed Khan, and Aftab Shivdasani.

Deepika, Ranveer to show their wedding footage on 'KWK' Season 8 A

ctors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are all set to make their first combined appearance as a couple on the first episode of Karan Johar's 'Koffee With Karan' Season 8, which will premiere this week on Disney+ Hotstar. While we can't wait to see our favourite couple in a warm, heartfelt

conversation about their decade-plus-long relationship, a promo of the episode has leaked online.

In the clip leaked on X, Karan asks whether they were engaged three years before they tied the knot. Ranveer nods and says, "2015, I suppose." He adds that he

My dream is to represent India globally: Kriti Sanon

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ctor Kriti Sanon recently received national award for best actress for her performance in 'Mimi' at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi. In a fan interaction, she spoke about when she first received the phone call delivering her the news. She said, "I was in a meeting at home, when I started getting calls from a Delhi landline number. My agent picked the call and it was from the IMB Ministry, Anurag Thakur himself, who wanted to personally congratulate me half an hour before the announcement. I couldn't believe that this has happened, I was so overwhelmed. I ran down to tell my parents."

Kriti added, "Mimi was always special, as it had a lot of heart and soul to it, along with entertainment.

When we started shooting, the scenes actually came out better than what was on paper, and that doesn't happen to every film. Scenes ke saath feel arahi thi ki kuch toh special hai, no matter what the result will be. Laxman (Mimi's director Laxman Utekar) sir used

to call me mimi, which he still does. He always used to say, ‘Dekhna, aapko iske liye national award milega’. So actually when it happened, I called him and said, 'How did you know?' He had a lot of confidence because I am otherwise very critical of myself."

She also told everyone that she has a diary at home in which she keeps writing her dreams and goals. "That's the way manifestation works for me. In 2020, I wrote to win a national award, in that book. In 2021, I went back and wrote 'multiple,' and I don't know why I did that.

Moreover, I want to leave a mark and represent India globally."

When a fan asked if she was looking for more "female-centric" films, Sanon said, "Ek toh dheere dheere yeh female-centric word hata dein, please. Ya toh fir jab Sooryavanshi aati hai toh usko male centric bhi bolo. I feel like slowly we should also make these changes."

proposed to Deepika then because he didn't want to risk anyone else doing the same.

Later, when Karan asks Deepika in his famous Rapid Fire round if she'd ever date Rocky Randhawa, the flamboyant character from 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani,' she responds, "I am married to Rocky Randhawa."

A media report has revealed that the couple will share exclusive visuals from their wedding on the show for the first time. The couple had a private wedding in 2018 at Lake Como, Italy, in an intimate affair with very close family and friends in attendance.

On the show, the couple will also delve into how they met, their relationship, and what makes them so comfortable with each other today. Deepika and Ranveer fell in love on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2013 film ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram-Leela.’

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Allu Arjun hints at doing a 'movie together soon' with Kriti Sanon A

Mahesh Babu reveals 'sinking feeling' when film doesn't do well A ctor Mahesh Babu recently opened up about facing setbacks in his career and getting a "sinking feeling" when a film doesn't do well. In an interview, he also talked about how his father Krishna told him about the burden a big actor must carry when he experiences a professional failure.

In the interview, Mahesh said, "When a film doesn't do well, you're left with a sinking feeling. There are a lot of expectations, and many people put a great deal of effort into making a movie. However, I take full responsibility because I'm the face of it all. I believe that if I hadn't green-lighted the project, it wouldn't have happened. It's better that way and allows me to focus on my next film."

Mahesh recalled his father's advice, "When you're a big actor, you need to accept that pressure. I learnt this, and more, from my father. He taught me the importance of discipline and humility. He instilled in us a strong value system, teaching us that success comes with its ups and downs. When you rise, there will inevitably come a moment when you fall, and you will have to carry that burden and ride the waves. It all comes down to how you handle the challenge."

On the work front, Mahesh will be seen in 'Guntur Kaaram,' directed by Trivikram Srinivas. The upcoming film also features Meenakshi Chaudhry, Sreeleela, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, Jayaram, Prakashraj, and Sunil.

ctor Allu Arjun shared a post about a future collaboration with actress Kriti Sanon. One of the actors to receive National Awards last week, he took to Instagram to laud fellow recipient Waheeda Rehman.

Kriti Sanon and Alia Bhatt. In the first photo, he posed with Rehman as they smiled for the camera. In the following picture, he was joined by Alia and Kriti. The last picture showed Kriti and Allu Arjun making his signature move from his film 'Pushpa.' All of them wore white and beige ethnic outfits for the event.

The actor captioned the post, "It was a lifetime experience to witness Shri Waheeda Rehman ji win the Dadasaheb Phalke award.

More than 6 decades of career in films. Truly inspiring. It was an absolute pleasure to see dear @aliaabhatt win this award. Iconic performance for an iconic film."

He also added, "Truly deserving and many more …. It was a pleasure having the company of dear @kritisanon. A well-deserved award for a league jumper performance. What a lovely lady … wishing her more in this journey… and hopefully a movie together soon."

Reacting to the post, Kriti commented, "Dear Pushpa (and Bunny). The feeling is mutual!! Our conversations made it even more special.. here's to manifesting a lot more in life (red heart emoji). Lots of love always."

Allu was honoured with the Best Actor Award at the 69th National Film Awards. He received the award for his role in 'Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1.' This is his first National Award. He expressed his gratitude and posted several pictures from the award ceremony. The actor wrote, "Memorable Day with my most favourite people #nationalawards #nationalawards2023" He took to his Instagram handle and wrote, "Honoured to receive the National Award. I want to thank the jury, the ministry, the Government of India, for this recognition. This award is not only a personal milestone, but belongs to all people who have supported and cherished our cinema. Thank you, @aryasukku garu. You are the reason behind my achievement."

Rajinikanth invites veteran Tamil actor to his home A

Tamil actor's daughter who is also an actress has shared pics of her dad with Superstar Rajinikanth and penned an emotional post that has gone viral. Livingston is one of the veteran actors who still has a fan following due to his comic timing.

Yash reportedly signed Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayan' for £15 mn

has been gifted to the film industry by God. He further added that he admires Rajini for treating everyone on the sets equally and showering unconditional love.

Livingston's daughter Jovitaa shared a pic of Rajini and her dad and wrote emotionally on Instagram

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Livingston has shared screen space with Rajinikanth in several films including 'Veera', 'Sivaji', 'Kuselan' and 'Annaathe.' He is currently acting in an important role in Rajini's upcoming film 'Lal Salaam' directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth.

Livingston in one of his latest interviews also shared how big a fan of Rajinikanth he is and called the legendary actor a sage like person who

"Today is a day that Iâll cherish for life. Yes the superstar himself invited my dad to His house today!!! I always knew Appa was very close to Thalaivarâs heart but THIS How I wish I didnât have shoot today else I wouldâve begged Pa to take me along with him! My love for this Legend is increasing day by day LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH SIR canât wait to see you".

annada superstar Yash, who has found wide fame with the success of his 'KGF' franchise, is prepping for his Bollywood debut. If media reports are to be believed, the actor has signed Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious project 'Ramayana,' for which he charges over £15 million.

Grapevine suggests Tiwari has signed Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film will reportedly go on floors around next year in February.

According to a source close to Yash, the actor decided to take up the project to find an entry in Bollywood. They said, "He knows that he also has the third part of 'KGF' but has decided to

manage the time and shuffle between the industries."

"He is charging between £10 to 15 million for the film, with £10 million being the minimum, and the higher limit depends on the number of days he is supposed to shoot and give to the schedules," adds the source.

'KGF 3' is expected to be released in 2025, with the shoot starting at the end of next year.

"He has made up his mind to manage the time. He will have a different look in Ramanyan as compared to his look in KGF. He has started discussion on how and what the look will be. He has also started working on his physique to get it right," says the source.

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Karan Johar, Guneet Monga collaborate to make French classic 'The Intouchables' in Hindi

Ananya Panday wraps filming for her debut web series 'Call Me Bae' W ith the upcoming series 'Call Me Bae', Ananya Panday is ready to make her OTT debut. Her character in the series will be a rich fashionista.

Filming for the first season of Ananya Panday is now complete. She posted a picture of a cake that was taken from the show's sets to social media.

Ananya wrote, "The most special ever," with red heart emojis. Earlier, Ananya shared a snap from the last day of filming. She wrote, "#CallMeBae, From day 05 to 55, all the feels for our last day tomorrow."

Call me Bae was introduced by Varun Dhawan in a playful teaser. The show's cast includes Vir Das and Gurfateh Pirzada.

The official synopsis reads, "A billionaire fashionista, Bae (played by Ananya Panday), is disowned by her ultra-rich family owing to a salacious scandal. She has to fend for herself for the first time ever. On this journey, she overcomes stereotypes, negotiates around prejudices, and discovers who she really is."

Shah Rukh reacts to daughter Suhana's 'The Archies' song Sunoh

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he lead ensemble of Zoya Akhtar's Netflix movie 'The Archies', which included newbies Agastya Nanda, Suhana Khan, and Khushi Kapoor, debuted in the song Sunoh. Actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is Suhana's father, shared a clip of the song on Instagram Reels. He called it 'quaint'.

Shah Rukh wrote, "This is so quaint and beautiful, the world of The Archies. Also, my motivation line for today is ‘Trading my shoes in for wheels under my feet’! @zoieakhtar @suhanakhan2 @dotandthesyllables #AgastyaNanda @khushi05k @mihirahuja_ @vedangraina @yuvrajmenda." The over-twominute-long song gives us a sneak peek into all the major characters from the film.

Sunoh has been sung by Tejas, Shivam Mahadevan and Dot. It is composed by Ankur Tewari and The Islanders, and Javed Akhtar has written the lyrics. Based on the same-titled American comic book series, The Archies is an adolescent musical film. Zoya Akhtar is the director, and Tiger Baby Productions is the producer. One of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year is The Archies. It marks the Bollywood debut of most of its lead actors, including Suhana Khan, the late Sridevi and Boney Kapoor's daughter Khushi Kapoor, and Jaya Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda.

Vivek Agnihotri announces three-part film 'Parva'

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ilmmaker Vivek Agnihotri used social media to reveal his next major project. His next endeavour is 'Parva: An Epic Tale of Dharma', a Kannada novel adaptation by S.L. Bhyrappa. The Mahabharata will be the subject of this three-part movie.

Vivek Agnihotri took to social media to share the poster and wrote in the caption, "Big announcement: Is Mahabharata history or mythology? We at @i_ambuddha are grateful to the almighty to be presenting Padma Bhushan Dr SL Bhyrappa's modern classic: PARVA- AN EPIC TALE OF DHARMA. There is a rea-

son why PARVA is called the 'Masterpiece of masterpieces'.

In addition, Vivek Agnihotri also shared

a clip in which he explained the film. He wrote, "What is Parva?

Watch". In the clip, he explains by saying, It's said that the Mahabharata is the source of all stories. Is it just a mythology or India's consciousness? The question remains: is it history or mythology?

After researching for 17 years, Padma Bhushan winner SL Bhyrappa wrote a modern classic, Parva. It's called a masterpiece of masterpieces. The book has been translated into many languages, including English, Russian, Chinese, and Sanskrit. It has been a best-seller in all languages. We are proud and happy that he has given us the responsibility to bring the story to the big screen. Parva: An epic tale of dharma will be out in three parts, and the production work has begun."

'The Vaccine War', starring Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher, Raima Sen, Sapthami Gowda, and Pallavi Joshi, was Vivek Agnihotri's most recent film. At the 69th National Film Awards ceremony, the filmmaker recently accepted his National Award for his film 'The Kashmir Files'.

A

fter 'Kill', Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Guneet Monga's Sikhya Entertainment are now collaborating to remake the French comedy classic 'The Intouchables' in Hindi.

Collin D'Cunha will oversee the project as its director. The 2011 original film adaptation of "The Intouchables" was helmed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano. It was widely praised for its heartfelt story and the superb acting of Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy in the key parts.

Speaking about the new project, Karan said in a statement, "Working on The Intouchables is a creative challenge and a thrilling opportunity. We are committed to bringing the essence of this beloved French film to the Indian audience while infusing it with our cultural sensibilities. Collaborating with Guneet once again is an exciting prospect, and I am confident that this project will touch the hearts of viewers across the country."

Guneet Monga also expressed her excitement. "The Intouchables is iconic and one of the most celebrated films around the world. It is very exciting to be able to bring that to India and Hindi audiences. After a high-octane, action-packed KILL, we are laying our hands on dramedy, which signifies the range of the spectrum of our collaboration with Dharma, which we are incredibly excited about," she added.

Director Collin D'Cunha shared his enthusiasm for helming this project, saying, "Directing 'The Intouchables' adaptation is an incredible honour for me as a filmmaker.

The original film left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to bring this story to life for Indian viewers.

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Afghanistan stuns Pakistan for first time in World Cup Afghanistan beat Pakistan for the first time in one-day cricket by pulling off their highest successful chase in a World Cup thriller at Chennai on Monday. Ibrahim Zadran made 87, Rahmanullah Gurbaz smacked 65 and Rahmat Shah struck an unbeaten 77 as Afghanistan reached their target of 283 with eight wickets and six balls to spare. Afghanistan are up to sixth, leaving holders England bottom of the table. Captain Babar Azam earlier made 74 as Pakistan posted 282-7. Teenage spinner Noor Ahmad was the pick of the Afghanistan bowlers, taking 3-49. It is Afghanistan's first win over Pakistan in ODIs at the eighth attempt, with their total of 286-2 seeing them eclipse their previous record successful chase of 276-8 when set 274 to beat United Arab Emirates in 2014.

Australia outclass Pakistan Earlier Australia outclassed Pakistan in Bengaluru on Friday.

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh saw Australia post 367/9 in 50 overs.

For Pakistan, openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq put up a 134-run stand, scoring half centuries in the process. Marcus Stoinis ended that stand by dismissing Shafique with his first ball and later went on to get Imam out as well and Pakistan ended up being all out for 305.

Kohli shines as India beat New Zealand Virat Kohli’s crafty 95 trumped Daryl Mitchell’s rapid 130 as India beat New Zealand by four wickets in a top-of-the-table clash in World

Cup at Dharamsala on Sunday.

Kohli could not complete the chase but his matured knock helped India to reach a victory target of 274 with two overs to spare to maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Mitchell smashed a rapid hundred before New Zealand were all out for 273. Electing to field, India removed both the openers early but were sloppy on the field, dropping three catches. Mitchell forged a 159-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra (75) and New Zealand, sitting pretty at 205-3 in the 37th over, looked poised for a 300-plus total before Indian bowlers applied the brake.

Mohammed Shami led that effort, claiming 5-54 in his first match of the tournament. Skipper Rohit Sharma (46) led India’s rollicking start but it was Kohli’s fourth 50plus score in five innings that helped to inflict on New Zealand their first defeat of the tournament.

South Africa thrash England In a commanding display of allaround prowess, South Africa

Gerald Coetzee claiming three wickets for 35 runs in just four overs. This defeat marked the 14th largest margin of loss in the history of ODI World Cups and was particularly significant for England, as it became their most substantial defeat in this prestigious tournament.

India drub Bangladesh Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 103 as India made it four wins out of four at the Cricket World Cup with a seven-wicket defeat of Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday.

India, set a target of 257, finished on 261-3 inside 42 overs with Kohli handed a resounding defeat to the hitting the winning runs when he reigning world champions, reached his hundred with a six off England, with a staggering 229 runs spinner Nasum Ahmed. India began in a World Cup match held in the chase strongly as Rohit and Mumbai on Saturday. Taking their Shubman begin in attacking mode turn at the crease first, Heinrich and hitting the Bangladeshi Klaasen's remarkable century and bowlers. Despite a slow start, his formidable 151-run partnership Bangladesh openers gained pace with Marco Jansen propelled South and scrored 100 runs in 17.2 overs.

Africa to 399 for 7. Reece Topley However, wickets started to fall emerged as England's most form there as Indian bowlers took successful bowler, with figures of 3 the charge starting from Kuldeep for 88, while Adil Rashid Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja. For contributed two wickets. In Bangladesh, Tanzid Hasan (51), response, England could only Litton Das (66), Mushfiqur Rahim muster 170 runs in 22 overs, with (38) and Mahmudullah dĞĂŵ DĂƚĐŚ tŝŶ >ŽƐĞ EZZ WŽŝŶƚƐ (46) scored important /ŶĚŝĂ ϱ ϱ Ϭ нϭ͘ϯϱϯ ϭϬ runs and led the team to EĞǁ ĞĂůĂŶĚ ϱ ϰ ϭ нϭ͘ϰϴϭ ϴ a toal of 256/8 in 50 ^ŽƵƚŚ ĨƌŝĐĂ ϰ ϯ ϭ нϮ͘ϮϭϮ ϲ overs.

For India, ƵƐƚƌĂůŝĂ ϰ Ϯ Ϯ ͲϬ͘ϭϵϯ ϰ Jadeja, Ravindra WĂŬŝƐƚĂŶ ϱ Ϯ ϯ ͲϬ͘ϰϬϬ ϰ Mohammed Siraj and ĨŐŚĂŶŝƐƚĂŶ ϱ Ϯ ϯ ͲϬ͘ϵϲϵ ϰ Jasprit Bumrah picked 2 ĂŶŐůĂĚĞƐŚ ϰ ϭ ϯ ͲϬ͘ϳϴϰ Ϯ wickets each, while EĞƚŚĞƌůĂŶĚƐ ϰ ϭ ϯ ͲϬ͘ϳϵϬ Ϯ Shardul Thakur and ^ƌŝ >ĂŶŬĂ ϰ ϭ ϯ Ͳϭ͘Ϭϰϴ Ϯ Kuldeep Yadav took one ŶŐůĂŶĚ ϰ ϭ ϯ Ͳϭ͘Ϯϰϴ Ϯ each.

Clinical Kiwis rout sloppy Afghans New Zealand scored its fourth straight win to open the Cricket World Cup by beating Afghanistan by 149 runs after half-centuries by Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham at Chennai. Phillips was the top scorer with 71 off 80 balls and put on 144 runs for the fifth wicket with Latham (68) to rescue the Black Caps from a precarious 110-4 as they posted 288-6. New Zealand curtailed Afghanistan, which was coming off a surprising 69-run win over England, to 139 all out in 34.4 overs and registered another big victory in the competition to boost its net run rate. Black Caps are in first place on a maximum eight points, with India - with three straight victories - the only other unbeaten team.

Netherlands humiliate Proteas Netherlands defeated mighty South Africa by 38 runs at the Cricket World Cup at Dharamsala on Tuesday as the European outsiders humiliated the Proteas for the second time in a year.

Chasing 246 to win from a rainreduced 43 overs after Dutch captain Scott Edwards made a crucial 78 not out, South Africa were bowled out for 207. In November last year, the Dutch sent South Africa crashing of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.

The victory was the World Cup's second major shock in three days after Afghanistan defeated defending champions England on Sunday. South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma admitted it was a painful defeat.

Legendary spinner Bishan English soccer great Bobby Jaglan and 13-yearold Kartik are among Singh Bedi passes away aged 77 Charlton dies Former Manchester United and England star Bobby Charlton, whose death at the age of 86 was announced on Saturday, will go down in history as the gentlemanly embodiment of English football’s golden era. A survivor of the Munich air disaster in 1958, which claimed the lives of eight of his United team-mates, Charlton recovered to win the World Cup with England in 1966 and the European Cup with United two years later.

Renowned as a player for both his venomous shooting and sense of fair play, he became a United director in later life and came to be seen as a standard-bearer for a bygone era of chivalry and sportsmanship.

Only in later years, as dementia took hold, did Charlton stop attending matches at Old Trafford.

“There has never been a more popular footballer,” said United’s late former manager Matt Busby, who, like Charlton, survived the Munich crash to lead the club to the summit of the European game.

“He was as near perfection as man and player as it is possible to be.”

An elegant, authoritative insideforward, Charlton could strike the ball equally well with either foot and scored with the regularity of a striker, often rippling the net from well outside the box.

“He was a beautiful player and a lovely striker of the ball -30-yarders into the roof of the net,” recalled his United team-mate Denis Law.

Indians pick 17 medals on Day 1 of Para Asian Games Indians picked up 17 medals, including six gold, with star shooter Avani Lekhara leading the way as the country ended the opening day of competitions at fourth spot in the Asian Para Games at Hangzhou on Monday.

India (6 gold, 6 silver, 5 bronze) are behind hosts China (31 gold, 29 silver, 23 bronze), Iran (9 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze) and Uzbekistan (6 gold, 6 silver, 8 bronze) in the medals tally.

As expected, track and field events contributed the most - 11 medals (including five gold) out of the 17 on offer. The day began with the Indians sweeping all the three

medals in men’s club throw F51 event with Pranav Soorma winning the gold. Soorma broke the Asian Para Games record with an effort of 30.01m. Later in the day, Avani made history as she clinched gold in the women’s R2 10m air rifle standing SH1 category with a games record score of 249.6.

Rudransh Khandelwal added a medal in shooting by winning a silver in P4 mixed 50m pistol SH1 event. Three Indians also finished 1-2-3 in the men’s high jump T63 category but only gold and silver were awarded under Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) rules.

seven Indians at Asia-Pacific Golf

Shubham Jaglan is returning to the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) in an attempt to capture what he terms the "finest" amateur opportunity accessible to players in the area.

Jaglan nearly finished in the top-10 on his debut in 2021.

The Augusta National Amateur Championship (AAC) is in its 14th year and offers its victor a spot in both the Masters at Augusta National and the Open the following year, one of the best amateur sporting awards. India has seven players in the competition, three of whom are making their second start in as many years.

Rayhan Thomas, who finished second at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore in 2018, is the closest Indian to have won the coveted competition. Thomas, who was supposed to play here, had an injury and had to withdraw. The Indian Golf Union sent a squad that included 13-year-old Kartik Singh, who is playing his first round at the AAC and is now the youngest participant in the competition.

Interestingly, with Thomas' withdrawal, Kartik, rated 203rd in the world, is now Melbourne's topranked Indian.

The remaining six players are Shaurya Bhattacharya (T-47 in 2022), Jaglan (T-11 in his prior AAC start in 2021), and Krishnav Nikhil Chopra (T-44 in 2022). The AAC is the debut venue for Kartik Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Raghav Chugh, and Vedant Sirohi.

Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi passed away on Monday after prolonged illness. He was 77 and is survived by his wife Anju, son Angad and daughter Neha. The legendary spinner played 67 Tests for India between 1967 and 1979 and picked 266 wickets. He also took seven wickets in 10 One-Day Internationals.

Bedi, along with Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar and S Venkataraghavan, was the architect of a revolution of sorts in India’s spin bowling history.

The Amritsar-born spinner, who plied his trade for Delhi on the domestic circuit, was the leading wicket-taker amongst Indians in First-Class cricket with 1,560 wickets in 370 matches. He

Bishan Singh

was also one of the most successful overseas players in the English County cricket circuit, too. He featured for Northamptonshire in 102 outings, between 1972 and 1977, and bagged 434 wickets for the Northants, the most by an Indian in County cricket.

Karthikeyan 3rd Indian after Anand, Hari to beat Carlsen Murali Karthikeyan (Elo 2611) became only the third Indian to beat Magnus Carlsen (Elo 2839) in classical chess. It happened during the seventh round of the Qatar Masters tournament in Doha. And yes, neither Carlsen nor Karthikeyan were wearing an analog watch while playing. But the way the world No. 1 played raised a question of what he ate? Was it food poisoning like in Kazakhstan before the World Cup final against R Praggnanandhaa recently? Or is it with the Swiss League pairing system that have put six Indians against him in seven games? Seems more like playing a series of questionable moves that proved dubious.

Karthikeyan, national champion in 2014 and 2015, won with black pieces in 45 moves of Nimzovich variation in the Ruy Lopez opening.“Happy and exciting to play Magnus for the first in any format and winning,” Karthikeyan told the official webcast. “ I also opted to complicate the position. He had many chances to go for equality but since I had less time on the clock, I guess he wanted to play for more (than a draw) but it backfired. He just gambled.” Only P Harikrishna (2005) and Anand (eight times) among Indians had beaten Carlsen in classical chess previously.

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28 Oct - 3 Nov 2023

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