AV 29th June 2019

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29 JUNE - 5 JULY 2019 - VOL 48 ISSUE 9

BROKEN UK-INDIA TIES?

inside: Yoga day celebrated worldwide SEE PAGE 16-17

Mehul Choksi’s Antiguan citizenship to be revoked SEE PAGE 26

UK Prime Minister Theresa May with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi outside 10 Downing Street

Rupanjana Dutta Ahead of the first ever India day celebrated in the UK's Parliament, the new British Parliamentary inquiry report has shocked the country's 1.5 mn Indian diaspora, who believed that the two countries have actually strengthened their diplomatic and trade ties in the last five years.

The report, ‘Building Bridges: Reawakening UK-India ties’, which was released on Monday morning, just before the UK-India week was launched, concluded that the UK is falling behind in the global race, by failing to adjust to India as a growing economic superpower– story of missed opportunities and lost messages.

Continued on page 6

Black money stashed outside India estimated at $216-490 bn SEE PAGE 26

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WITH KEITH VAZ, MP

Jeremy Sanders

Jeremy Sanders is Head of UK at OYO Hotels & Homes – the world’s sixth largest hotel chain which was founded in India in 2013 and dominates the South Asian market. Under Jeremy’s leadership, OYO has grown its UK presence to over 70 hotels representing 1,600+ rooms across the UK, all within its first eight months. It is continuing to identify and invest in independently run, smalland mid-sized hotels, with the aim of improving the hotels’ performance and upgrading the guest experience. Before OYO, Jeremy cofounded the Italian restaurant chain Coco di Mama after spotting a gap in the market for good quality, quick-service Italian food. From its first outlet on Fleet Street, Coco di Mama expanded to 20 London restaurants before it was sold to a private equity company.

Jeremy has a degree in Social Policy and Sociology from LSE and an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

1

Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?

I’m a Londoner born and bred, so it’s hard to choose anywhere other than London. I love the sheer variety London offers, the sense of opportunity it provides, the feeling that anyone from any walk of life can feel comfortable and at home here. Plus, I’m a huge Spurs fan!

knowing it was a business I helped to build through perseverance and passion. The speed at which OYO is scaling up in the UK makes me very proud though – it’s great to feel we’re making an impact in a tough market.

2

My ‘what’ is actually a ‘who’. I’m inspired by my dad, who still works as a doctor aged 85. He’s a real expert at what he does and after 60 plus years, still bounces out of bed every day, full of excitement for his job.

What are your proudest achievements?

I still get a thrill passing Coco di Mama,

3

What inspires you?

4

What has been biggest obstacle in your career?

I feel incredibly lucky in saying that I’ve not faced major obstacles in my career. I have a very supportive family who’ve encouraged me to push myself and do what I love; and I’ve found some brilliant mentors who have been generous with their time and advice.

5

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?

I would have to say Lord Stuart Rose, our chairman at Coco di Mama, who is a highly experienced retailer and someone who really understands consumers and how to build teams. I’m also influenced by Ritesh Agarwal, who founded OYO aged 19 – his vision and drive are remarkable.

6

What is the best aspect about your current role?

OYO came to the UK because we saw an opportunity to help the owners of small, independent and often family-run hotels improve their businesses. It’s our mission to solve the problems they face, so it’s incredibly satisfying hearing from owners how our support through transformation, technology and more have helped their hotels thrive.

7

And the worst?

I’m sure other business leaders would agree that there’s never enough time! At OYO, we’re incredibly ambitious and we’re build-

ing our team as quickly as we’re bringing new hotels under the brand so there’s rarely an empty hour in the diary. That’s also part of the excitement, though.

8

What are your long term goals?

I’d like to replicate the phenomenal success OYO has achieved in Asia by building the chain into the number one player in the UK hospitality industry. We’re operating in a different sector of the hotel market to other brands, so there is huge opportunity for us.

9

If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?

I’m extremely passionate about the hospitality industry and its contribution to the UK economy, so if I was PM, I would look at how to elevate the sector and help it thrive.

Hospitality is a wonderful place for young people to begin their careers and the learning and development opportunities it offers are undervalued.

10

If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.

I’m fascinated by Winston Churchill. He’s one of the most important figures in British history and from what I’ve read about him, he was incredibly bright, very complex and also extremely entertaining. That strikes me as a good combination for passing the time on a desert island.

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Hamiltons, in Queensbury Station Parade, had its alcohol licence reviewed by Brent Council after concerns it was failing to uphold the licensing objectives. The licensing

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Bottles must be covered by shutters outside of these

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29 June - 5 July 2019

Is India falling behind in the global race?

India’s economic growth is evaluated with frequency, passion, and feverous pitch. Many of these evaluations are relative in opinion and outlook. The Gulf News reported that earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee cut its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for fiscal year 2020 to 7 per cent, from an earlier projection of 7.2 per cent. The RBI also delivered a third consecutive rate cut in five months to boost credit growth and revive sluggish economic activity. However former Chief Economic Adviser, Arvind Subramanian recently wrote a research paper published by Harvard University, said India's growth in the period 2011-12 to 2016-17 is most likely to have been over-estimated, because of a change in methodology for calculation.

Dawn Holland, Chief of Global Economic Monitoring at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, has said that India should focus on increasing private sector involvement in investment to bridge this gap. Similarly, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says in its World Economic Outlook that reform is key to bringing down India’s elevated public debt and raising its growth levels.

Goldman Sachs stated that GDP growth will accelerate to 7.2 per cent. In May the United Nations report, World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019 Mid-year Update, said India’s economy will grow at 7 per cent in 2019 and 7.1 percent in 2020 on the back of strong domestic consumption and investment. Both figures reflect a downward revision from January (7.6 and 7.4 respectively).

Whatever be India's currrent economic siatuation, there is no doubt that it plays a pivotal role, as a trade and business partner. A recent report published by the Parliament has clearly pointed out that UK is not keeping up with India's changing status globally and says the country should not be complacent.

Interestingly, the Financial Times in a recent article wrote, that Washington considers India as a critical part of its long-term security strategy for Asia which involves increased defence cooperation between Japan, Australia, the US and India to defend from the rising Chinese influence. Obviously US does not want a Cold War situation and India on non-alliance. No one has to talk about the Trump-Modi friendship and that has its affect on various policies.

US companies see India’s 1.3bn people as a lucrative market. But they have been frustrated with the capital's protectionism and ever changing business policies.

Though India-US bilateral trade has more than doubled to $142bn in 2018, up from $66bn a decade earlier, Mr Trump is upset by the US’s $24bn trade deficit with India. But the differences have now started aggravating between US and India.

Just a day after Mr Modi came back to power, Washington revoked preferential trade privileges through which $6bn worth of Indian goods had duty-free access to the US market. In terminating the advantages, Mr Trump cited India’s failure to ensure “equitable and reasonable access” to its markets for US companies. India has responded by imposing import tariffs on more than 20 items from the US, including almonds, apples, walnuts and pulses, with a total value of about $1.4bn. Both sides seem keen to prevent tensions from escalating further, and ruining the relationship, but points of disputation remain.

With Brexit in the horizon, if Boris Johnson becomes the Prime Minister, it is evidential that UK will have a no deal Brexit. In that case, India has the potential to play a key partnership role. India day was organised on Monday

by India Inc- which is an example of the popularity of the diaspora and the growing significance of the relationship.

Reawakening UK-India ties, the Committee behind the recent report says that the Government must address India's priorities, facilitate easy movement of people, and support India's efforts to take up its rightful role on the international stage.

There is no excuse for the migration policies that have led the UK to lose ground in attracting Indian students and tourists - who not only contribute to our economy but build lasting bilateral ties. The FCO should ensure that the goal of improving the overall relationship with India is woven into the broader Government migration policy. Something has gone wrong it if it is more difficult for citizens of a strategically important democracy that shares our values, language and history to visit or study in the UK than those of an autocracy such as China. The Government should prioritise talks with India and do more to lay the groundwork for an eventual deal. It must ensure that the 'Global Britain' strategy is heard in New Delhi.

Kaleshwaran: An engineering marvel The Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrashekhar Rao, inaugurated the world’s largest multistage Lift Irrigation Scheme last week in the presence of Chief Guests, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagmohan Reddy and other notables. June 21, 2019 was truly a red letter day for Telangana, its immediate neighbours, and for India.

A drought prone area, crippled frequently in the past by water scarcity, the affected districts will now be guaranteed water for irrigation and consumption, making it a veritable land of milk and honey. So what are the basics of this remarkable project? The Godavri river will be tapped by reverse pumping and storage, thereby boosting agriculture, rejuvenating thousands of tanks, providing water for critical industrial of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and surrounding areas through vast storage tanks and a network of pipelines, which will also have an abiding impact on smaller projects downstream.

In three years, the project has transformed thousands of lives for the better, bringing hope when there was almost none, as the first shoots of real prosperity began to appear. The major sections of theKaleshwaran project have been completed, with the construction of the scheduled reservoirs on fast track.

The world’s largest pump site with seven pumps of 139

MW each has been deployed, along with eight pumping stations 150 metres underground. This structure has five floors with each floor housing lifting operations. The project’s mega pumps and motors lift water 100-600 metres , carrying it 400km through the main canal.

Hitherto Egypt’s Mubarak Pumping Station, built as part of the Toska Project of 2005 was considered a peerless engineering wonder.

The scale of Kaleshwaran is even more awesome, as is the expansion underway. The Project is designed to Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiratha schemes planned to provide drinking water to hundreds of villages and improve the capacities of tanks.

The scale and cost of the Project have grown in tandem, hence the Telangana State government seeks to persuade the Centre to grant KaIaleshwaran national status to qualify it for extra funding. Lack of water in parts of India’s South is acute, notably in Tamil Nadu, which is receiving water tankers from neighbouring Kerala to cope with its present scarcity.

Bleak news from India has a habit of travelling faster in the Western media than bad news. Few people in those sainted parts will have heard of the Kalaleshwaran Project, just as few are aware of the Gujarat-based Amul brand in dairy products. Such is life.

There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about and that is not being talked about - Oscar Wilde (1890)

Alpesh Patel

Blockades and lessons for the UK I write to you from Qatar. Since June 2017, a group of states (including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt) severed diplomatic relations and imposed an economic blockade on Qatar. The imposition of the blockade led to a significant amount of uncertainty within Qatar—both economic and social uncertainty.

The imposition of the blockade (also called the GCC Crisis) has indeed, led to certain challenges within Qatar. The blockade, among other things, impacted air travel, shipping and trade routes, and the media industry. An airspace blockade resulted in the immediate suspension of airline services from Qatar to 18 destinations, significantly impacting personal and commercial travel in the region. Qatar, which previously relied on a significant amount of food imports, had to find alternative sources in order to avoid disaster.

Times were uncertain. But that said, the GCC crisis has led to some unintended positive consequences for Qatar. It has been a catalyst leading to positive, necessary change in the country.

So even though the blockade hasn’t been entirely positive for the Qatari citizens it may, in fact, be a blessing in disguise. For the reasons below, the entire world and the UK which is facing tariffs from the EU on a hard Brexit should be looking at the resilience of the Qatari economy.

Particularly, investors from the United States and the United Kingdom are starting to notice the increasing attractiveness of investments in Qatar.

For instance, Qatar has announced $29 billion in new, major projects that United States companies will compete for (and which will generate 100,000 new American jobs). Along with this, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is also presenting a massive opportunity for American investment. In fact, it is expected to generate up to $10 billion in business opportunities for American companies. According to the export.gov, which helps US companies export goods around the world, some of the most attractive opportunities for American companies include infrastructure, Information, Communications, and Technology (“ICT”), food products, energy, healthcare, aviation and defense. While these are not the only opportunities for US companies, they have presented unique options considering that the blockade is ongoing.

As for the United Kingdom, Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox recently called Qatar the UK’s “natural partner” for trade. The UK’s National Vision 2030, among other things, is calling for a commitment to support Qatar as part of the UK’s mission to diversify its economy. Currently, the biggest UK investor in Qatar is Royal Dutch Shell, which is also planning on investing even more capital into Qatar’s North Field. Along with its investment in its day-to-day operations, Shell is also investing in Qatar’s educational sector. The UK government and the British companies are also examining how to closely work with Hamad Port to leverage trading routes that Qatar has established.

Continued on page 13

World Cup: Smart TV sales soar Cricket’s ODI World Cup has led to soaring sales of Smart Television sets across India. Samsung India saw a 110 per cent growth in the sales of its 55-inch and ultra higher definition TVs. The company also claimed that sales of its ultra premium 75 inch and broader TVs grew five times in the first weeks of the tournament, indicating preference for large and larger screens.

According to Samsung, smaller Tier II cities such as Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Hubbali, Jodhpur, Agra, Nagpur, Ludhiana, Dehra Dun , Cochin, Tirupati, Madurai,

Asansol, Kolhapur, Coimbatore, Baroda, Ranchi, among others, are following this trend.

Samsung, the market leader in India, commands 47 per share in the premium 55 inch segment. ‘We want to take this share 55 per cent by this Diwali riding on the rising sales of large screen TTVs, said the company. With the recent launch of the Samsung QLED 8K models, Samsung is eyeing 70 per cent market share in ultra premium TVs (75 inch and above) from its current market share of 53 per cent, said Samsung.

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Anusha Ranganathan sentenced for killing Pat Robinson in crash A MOTHER who crashed her car in a sleep-deprived stupor, killing another driver, has been called a ‘coward’ by her victim’s sons. Beloved Wantage grandmother Pat Robinson, 70, died after Anusha Ranganathan veered head-on into her car on the A338 near East Hanney.

Oxford Crown Court heard today how a passerby rescued Ranganathan’s oneyear-old son, who was found crying in the footwell after falling from his car seat, just before the Toyota Avensis burst into flames.

Good Samaritans also freed trapped Mrs Robinson from her Nissan Juke, after both cars ended up smashing into a waterlogged ditch, but the grandmother-of-

four died in hospital almost five weeks later.

The victim's son, named in court as Nolan, said 'no words can describe the heartache' his family has endured since the crash, which happened shortly before midday on Monday, June 4, last year.

He said: "The world was a far better place with my mum in it. She was the youngest 70-year-old I knew – she had so much life left in her.

"Her [Ranganathan's] recklessness cost a family a mum, grandma, sister, niece, aunt and, for the hundreds of people who attended her funeral, a friend.

"She had not apologised and only offered one when

she came to court – I find this cowardly and shameful."

Ranganathan, 41, of Glebe Gardens in Grove, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Nolan described his

mother as an 'amazing, generous, caring person' who had never had an accident in 35 years of driving.

The family suffered a 'hellish nightmare' as his mum battled for her life on a ventilator, he said, before dying at the John Radcliffe Hospital on July 5.

Gurpreet Singh cleared of 'wife's contract killing' A businessman has been cleared of attempting to arrange the £20,000 contract killing of his former wife.

Gurpreet Singh, 44, was found not guilty by a jury of soliciting the murder of Amandeep Kaur in 2013. She died on a trip to India in 2014, with Punjabi authorities concluding she suffered a brain haemorrhage.

The jury at Birmingham Crown Court is still deliberating over a separate charge of murder against Mr Singh over his second wife.

The court had previously heard from Heera Singh Uppal, who claimed to be a former employee of Mr

Gurpreet Singh has been cleared of soliciting the murder of his wife Amandeep Kaur

Sarbjit Kaur told her doctor she was depressed a month before she died

Singh, who he said offered to pay him to kill Amandeep Kaur.

Prosecutors allege Mr Singh and an unknown accomplice strangled Sarbjit

Kaur at his marital home in Rookery Lane, Wolverhampton, in February 2018.

The home was ransacked "to make it look like a

burglary gone wrong", prosecutors have told the court.

Mr Singh denies murdering Sarbjit Kaur.

The trial continues.

attended 70 funerals of people who were part of the haemophiliac community, one of them being my own brother's.

"I was very close to my brother, he was like my right-hand man.

The heartache was too difficult to cope with. There came a point when I was going to so many funerals you automatically start thinking that you're going to be next. It is like playing Russian roulette and, after a certain amount of time, you know that the bullet is going to come for you. Every week, there was somebody passing away one after the other, and then another and another."

Mr Vaghela, who grew up in Preston, Lancashire, but now lives in Leicester, described how he had just started at university when

he got a phone call from a nurse who told him he was HIV positive.

He said: "I said 'so what do I need to do as far as treatment is concerned' 'Oh no nothing, you can't do anything, you've only got three months, so if you just get your papers in order and get your life in order then everything else will just fall into place'."

He told the inquiry: "It wasn't those words, but it was as blase as that."

Mr Vaghela described this news a "bombshell".

He said his infection meant he and his wife have not had children. He told the inquiry: "So there will come a lonely time when there will be Rekha and myself and you think well yes, we didn't have much of a life. You think, well how much of a price does one have to pay for somebody else's mistake? There's never been a limit to the damage that this has caused.

Whenever I think 'well it can't get worse than this', I hear stories. I hear stories that are worse than mine."

Mr Vaghela said there was a "unique bond"

between those affected by the infected blood scandal.

He said the community it has created "has given itself the opportunity to question the ethics of those in positions of power and ask them who gave them the right to play God." The Infected Blood Inquiry is a UK Public Inquiry launched to investigate why infected blood products were being used to treat NHS patients prior to 1992. Between the late 1970s and early 1990s, thousands of haemophiliacs and those in need of blood transfusions were treated with blood plasma donated from high risk sources, including from the prison population in the United States.

The Inquiry aims to establish what kind of support was provided to patients following infection and the impact caused on the families of those infected. The investigation will look into the response of the UK government, NHS bodies and/or other medical authorities, industries, charities and others and whether there was a cover-up.

The inquiry continues.

Man infected with HIV tells inquiry he has attended the funerals of 90 friends A former librarian from Leicester who believes he contracted HIV through his haemophilia treatment attended 90 funerals of affected friends. Suresh Vaghela, pictured, told the ongoing Infected Blood Inquiry that he went to 70 funerals in one year which included that of his brother.

The 55-year-old told the hearing how he was given Factor 8, a blood clotting protein, when he was a teenager and, at the time, it was thought of as a "magic potion".

But he was later told he had contracted HIV, before he also found out he was infected with Hepatitis C and CJD. Mr Vaghela became visibly upset as he gave evidence to the hearing in Leeds when he was asked about the death of his brother 20 years ago and the funerals of friends. Comforted by his wife, Rekha, he listened as Jenni Richards QC, counsel to the inquiry, read from his witness statement.

Mr Vaghela's statement said: "I've been to around 90 funerals in total. There was one heavy year when I

in brief

BUSINESSMAN BRANDED EXWIFE ‘BACON BASHER’, FINED £150

Syed Ahmad, 51, vandalised Perveen Ahmad’s car before grabbing her by her Luis Vuitton tote bag and smashing her head into another vehicle (Picture: Cavendish)

A businessman who called his ex-wife a ‘bacon basher’ during a vicious assault after she started dating a white man has been ordered to pay her £150. Syed Ahmad, 51, vandalised Perveen Ahmad’s car before grabbing her by her bag and smashing her head into another vehicle. He was eventually pulled off Perveen, also 51, by her boyfriend David Wallwork, 54, who then pinned Ahmad to the ground. Footage recorded

by Ahmad also showed him accusing Perveen of engaging in ‘dark magic’, calling her ‘absolutely evil’ and mocking her for having a skin condition. She was later treated in hospital for grazing to her arm, elbow and knees following the incident outside her gym in Greater Manchester on August 13 last year.

Perveen, a manager at the couple’s student lettings company, later told police she was ‘scared’ he was going to harm their three children. The couple, from Bramhall, Cheshire had been married for 21 years and had three children, but split up in 2015 after Ahmad walked out on the family on Father’s Day. Ahmad claimed Perveen was following him and accused her of sending him provocative images despite him telling her to stop. He also said that he did not mean to hurt his ex, and that she fell as he was attempting to grab her mobile phone.

Ahmad was convicted of assault by beating and criminal damage at an earlier hearing and has also been banned from contacting his ex-wife under the terms of a 12 month restraining order. He was further ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work as part of a 12 month community order.

He will have to pay £818.32 to owner of the other car plus £735 in costs and surcharges.

MOTHER-OF-TWO DIED FROM SEPSIS AFTER SHE WAS TWICE SENT HOME BY A GP HAVING BEEN TOLD SHE ONLY HAD A 'MUSCLE SPRAIN'

A mother-of-two died after doctors mistook her symptoms of sepsis twice and referred her to a GP not A&E telling her she had a 'muscle sprain', an inquest heard.

Shahida Begum, 39, visited her GP noticing a red rash and pain in her right side with sickness, dizziness and coughing. She was told she had nothing to worry about and was sent home. However, her condition deteriorated so she visited Newham University Hospital three days later. She was diagnosed with a muscle sprain and given medication - but died the following day from multiple organ failure after suffering three cardiac arrests.

The inquest concluded that if Ms Begum (pictured) had been sent to A&E following her screening assessment 'it is likely her death would have been avoided.'

Mohammed Rahman, 47, Ms Begum's husband of ten years, said the family has been 'shocked and devastated' by her sudden death.

The family-of-four, from Ilford, London, were enjoying their first year in a new, refurbished home where they hoped to create 'a lifetime of memories'.

Ms Begum, a nursery nurse, was directed towards the GP service - run by Newham GP Co-operative - where Mr Rahman took her the following day. Her condition was deteriorating rapidly and she collapsed and was taken back to Newham University Hospital by ambulance and diagnosed with sepsis.

Senior coroner Nadia Persaud will issue a Prevention of Future Deaths order instructing Newham GP Co-operative and Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, to tell her what steps they will take to improve the screening service which decides whether patients are referred to GPs or A&E. An internal investigation by Barts Health NHS Trust also highlighted a range of issues.

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BROKEN UK-INDIA TIES? Continued from page 1

This launch occurred at a political turning point in both countries, following the re-election of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister, the ongoing Brexit debate and the Tory leadership contest for the UK’s next Prime Minister.

The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) said ministers urgently need to 'up their game' on India, and not to rely on their 'historical' connection from the British Raj days. The crossparty group of MPs behind the report also warned the ministers to either open the UK's doors fully, or kill the real prospects of a 'global Britain'. It has also called for a reset of ties through better visa and immigration policies for Indian tourists, students and professionals.

The report has stated that, “The UK is falling behind in the global race to engage with a rising India…

The story of the UK’s recent relationship with India is primarily one of missed opportunities.

“There are certain practical steps the government must take to reset its relationship with India, in particular making it easier for Indians to visit the UK and to work or study here.”

Writing on the issue of visas, the report raised concerns regarding a non democratic country like China facing easier norms than India.

It said, “There is no excuse for the migration policies that have led the UK to lose ground in attracting Indian students and tourists – who not only contribute to our economy but build lasting bilateral ties.

“The FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) should ensure that the goal of improving the overall relationship with India is woven into the broader government migration policy.

Something has gone wrong, if it is more difficult for citizens of a strategically important democracy that shares our values, language and history to visit or study in the UK than those of an autocracy such as China.”

FAC Chair, Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative Party MP who led the inquiry said, "I will certainly be pressing the new Prime Minister to ensure the findings of the report are implemented to re-define and re-awaken UK-India ties, especially now when the UK is at crossroads as it prepares to leave the EU.”

The power list 'celebrating women' launch by Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Ruchi Ghanashyam (centre), Dawn Butler MP, Lord Gadhia, Manoj Ladwa, India Inc and Mohit Joshi, Infosys

and Pensions, Rt Hon Amber Rudd who was the Chief Guest at the India Day event, insisted that UK is a 'steadfast friend' of India.

She emphasised that whoever becomes the new Prime Minister after Theresa May will ensure that the bilateral relationship with India is on top of his agenda. She kickstarted the UK-India Week, organised by India Inc, aiming to celebrate the countries' bilateral ties.

Speaking at the event, Rt Hon Rudd compared Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt as PM contenders and said, “I do hope that Jeremy Hunt will be our next Prime Minister and I know that he takes relations with India very seriously and it will certainly be on top of his intray.

"UK-India Week is a wonderful reminder of the ties the UK and India share.

There is a need to be ambitious from the UK's side, but one thing is certain that Britain is a steadfast friend of India and vice versa.”

UK Foreign Secretary and Prime Ministerial hopeful, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP gave a resounding thumbs up to UK-India Week, saying, “It is clear from the wealth of topics and debates taking place across UK-India week that the partnership

between these two great nations will continue to develop and grow.”

The India Day event, was hosted by the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, HE Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam and Indianorigin peer Lord Jitesh Gadhia, who were part of a special reception and highprofile roundtables between business executives, policymakers from both countries, the ruling Conservative Party and the Opposition Labour Party at the Parliament.

Mrs Ghanashyam said, "India Day and UK-India Week reflect the passion that exists in the UK for a good relationship with India. Recent FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) figures are proof that the interest of Indian businesses remains strong. Brexit or no Brexit, there is a confidence in the UK as a place to do business," reported the PTI. Lord Gadhia added, "The UK's relationship with India is a litmus test for anyone who advocates a brighter future for the UK outside the European Union.

"If we can't win big with the largest Commonwealth nation, where English is the lingua franca of business; which uses a similar com-

mon law system, and institutional frameworks; and where over 1.5 million members of the Indian diaspora in the UK provide a 'Living Bridge', then where are we going to secure the spoils of Brexit?”

Rt Hon Amber Rudd

The UK-India week will include a series of events over the course of the next few days, exploring investment opportunities between the two countries, including a Leadership Summit in Latimer House in Buckinghamshire, and concluding with the UK-India Awards on Friday in London.

'Celebrating Women' A list that celebrated key 100 women who have been inte-

gral in bringing India and the UK together, was launched at the House of Commons, concluding the first ever India day at Parliament. At a time where international collaboration has never been more important, this list signifies the lengths that individuals are going to, in order to ensure that it remains at the front and centre.

This year’s list is an allfemale list for the first time, and celebrates the immense contribution of women from across different sectors in both countries who have made considerable contributions to the relationship.

The women highlighted in this list hold positions of tremendous influence and therefore, their inclusion here is as much about the promise they bring, as the success they may have already achieved. Some individuals included in the list are: Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, India, Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for Defence, UK, HE Ruchi Ghanashyam, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Jacqueline de Rojas, President, techUK, Janhavi Dadarkar, Founder & CEO, Maiora, Nisha Karavadra, Partner and Head of UKIndia Practice, Ahlawat & Associates, Rupi Nandra, Head of International Programmes, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Dr Mukulika Banerjee, Associate Professor and Director, South Asia Centre, London School of Economics, Darshita Gillies, CoFounder and Director, Blue Dot Advisory; Founder, Maanch, Anita Anand, Broadcaster, Journalist and Biographer and Gurinder Chadha, Film and Television Director.

Chief Guest at the publication launch, Home Secretary Rt Hon Sajid Javid said, “For all my time I have been in this government, we have tried to build on the

First India Day The time has never been more crucial to look forward to a transformational relationship between the two nations. Contradicting the findings in the FAC report, Secretary of State for Work

Some of the 100 influential women featured in the power list published by India Inc to celebrate UK-India relationship

already strong relationship between our two great countries...And we can always do more…

“As Business Secretary we worked hard to promote more business and trade relationships between UK and India. As Community Secretary we celebrated the Indian diaspora's huge contributions to this country.

And as the Home Secretary this is an opportunity to make sure we build a new immigration system, that also recognises our relationship we want to build with India. The government takes this relationship incredibly seriously, this friendship is unbreakable and I will do everything to always promote it.”

HE Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam, Indian High Commissioner to the UK said, “Global partnerships are more important than ever as we become an interconnected world. This list highlights the huge potential for the future of the UK and India as they continue to forge on together as two great countries. I am proud to say women are playing a front and central role. From business to politics, and art and literacy women are continuing to pave the way in bringing together this bold partnership through collaboration and relationships. I congratulate India Inc. for this wonderful initiative.”

Manoj Ladwa, Founder and CEO of India Inc. added, “This year’s list was a pleasure to put together.

Too often in today’s world do we see lists being dominated by men, with women coming in second or not at all. The women who we have chosen to be part of this list represent something much larger than a list – they are at the core of the relationship between our two nations and they represent the change of an era. We will look to them for the future of our winning partnership.”

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50% off send fee to India with MoneyGram at Tesco.

When you complete a send transaction in store by 30 September 2019 and quote code: ISC50

Brought to you by Tesco Bank Terms and Conditions: Cannot be redeemed for cash. The discount is not available in conjunction with any other offer for the MoneyGram service.

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PLEASE NOMINATE

For

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The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards is hosted every year by UK’s leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence. pply online

http://asianachieversawards.com

Deadline for nomination 31st July, 2019 Please ✔ tick the appropriate category Achievement in Community Service

In recognition for an individuals service to community.

Woman of the Year

The award will recognise and honour a woman who has made a significant mark in any chosen field.

Sports Personality of the Year

Awarded for excellence in sports.

Business Person of the Year

Awarded to a business person who is a success in every sense of the word and can demonstrate a genuine passion for social issues.

Lifetime Achievement Award

To honour those individuals, who during their lifetime, have made immense contributions in any given field. This remarkable individual can be marked as an example for the younger generation.

Uniformed and Civil Services

For outstanding achievements in uniformed and civil services or contribution to the community through any of the above services.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Awarded to an entrepreneur with a proven track record of operating a successful business enterprise.

Professional of the Year

Professionals in the field of medicine, law, education, banking, finance and others, who have scaled the heights of their chosen profession.

Achievement in Media, Arts and Culture

Someone who has made a mark in media including print and broadcast media; cinema, art and culture.

Please fill the details below ■ Nominee's

Full Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

■ Occupation: ■ Nominee's ■ Email:

LIVING BRIDGE Rohit Vadhwana, First Secretary (Economic), High Commission of India

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ROBUST DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR

® s there someone you know who has broken boundaries and deserves recognition for their unique contribution to the Asian Community or the Nation ?

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_______________________________

Contact Details Tel: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

__________________________________

Make sure that you fill in this application form and send it on or before 31st July, 2019 by post, fax or email to Mr. L George, Tel: 020 7749 4013, Fax 020 7749 4081, Email: aaa@abplgroup.com.

If you are sending it by post the address is Mr. L George, Karma Yoga House, Unit 1, 12 Hoxton Market, London N1 6HW.

Ancient India possessed knowledge of therapeutic values of herbs and plants and can boast of having considerably developed remedial skill. Indian Vedic medicinal science dates back to 8th century BC and, in its golden age, lasted till 10th century AD. The Atharvaveda was composed around the 2nd century BC and it records system of Ayurveda in shlokas, verses. A sage, Dhanvantari, is credited as the pioneer of Ayurveda in India. CharakaSamhita and Sushruta-Samhita are two medical treatises composed, respectively, by a physician Charaka and a surgeon Sushruta, both revered as sages.

Fast forward to the modern age, today India enjoys an important place in the global pharmaceutical sector. It is the largest provider of generic drugs to the world. 40% demand of generic drugs in the USA and 25% demand of all medicines in the UK are met by India. Over 50% of total vaccine supply in the world is fulfilled by the Indian pharmaceutical industry.

With a large number of scientists and engineers in the sector, supportive government policies and large investment, the size of Indian pharmaceutical industry was valued at USD 33 billion in 2017. It is expected to grow and reach at the level of USD 55 billion by 2020. Domestic phar-

maceutical market was more than USD 18 billion in 2018 and it has registered an annual growth of over 9%.

India also exported pharma products worth USD 17.27 billion in 2017-18.

Products like bulk drugs, intermediates, drug formulates, drug formulations, biological, Ayush & herbal products and surgical are the main items of export in this sector.

The fact that Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approvals received by Indian companies from USFDA in 2017 were more than 300, proves that R&D is also becoming stronger in the country.

India’s biotechnology is growing very fast and is expected to reach USD 100 billion by 2025, with an annual average growth of 30%.

Drugs and pharmaceuticals sector has attracted a total of USD 15.9 billion during April 2000 to December 2018. Policy for FDI in the sector has been further liberalized and up to 100% FDI is allowed under automatic route for manufacturing of medical devices in India. Resultantly, foreign companies are eyeing partnership with Indian pharmaceuticals and in 2017 alone the sector witnessed 46 merger & acquisition deals worth USD 1.47 billion.

The ‘Pharma Vision 2020’ unveiled by the Government aims at making India a global leader in end-to-end drug manufacture.

(Expressed opinions are personal.)

United Nations special rapporteur for widowhood?

On 19th June, Wednesday, a House of Lords peer has urged the Government to create awareness around the plight of widows and advocated for a special rapporteur at the UN to investigate widowhood.

Ahead of the International Widows Day, Lord Raj Loomba of The Loomba Foundation, spoke about the violation of human rights of widows' across the world especially in developing countries such as India and Africa.

Highlighting, the latest figures that show the number of widows increasing, especially amid conflict and disease in fragile states, Lord Loomba said“Sexual cleansing via rape, physical violence and losing their inheritance and possessions is rife throughout the continent. All around the world there are “half widows”, women whose husbands are unaccounted for. Those men are more than likely to be dead, but their bodies have not been recovered. Even while there is greater recognition of inhumane behaviour towards widows, they still face an uphill struggle for their voices to be heard.

"Widows endure daily obstacles and are at the forefront of gender discrimination as they face double discrimination.”

Lord Raj Loomba CBE

International Widows Day is a day of effective action for widows around the world, which was ratified by the United Nations at its 65th General Assembly in 2010. In his message on the first International Widows Day, the then UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon said, “It was an occasion to call attention to the many ‘firsts’ that women must face when their husbands die. In addition to coping with grief, they may find themselves for the first time since marriage without any social safety net.”

Today, various politicians including Baroness Nicholson and Baroness Sugg have praised him for his sterling work with wid-

ows in developing countries.

Addressing the issue of funding to help widows, Baroness Sugg said that the department is ensuring that smaller charities receive a fair share of the aid budget.

"We are explicitly welcoming applications focused on widows in the new tranche. So, I hope to see support for even more work in this area".

The Minister has agreed to pass on Lord Loomba's request to set up a Select Committee to look at the issues widows face, and more importantly, is looking to give "proper consideration" to “advocating for a UN special rapporteur".

Kenya is organising an event to mark International Widows Day, and the theme is “Skills Training for Widows—Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals”. More than 3,000 widows will be in attendance at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre with the chief guest, the President of Kenya. We have also received information from many other countries including Nigeria, Tanzania, Nepal, Bangladesh, among others who are marking International Widows Day to raise awareness.

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Ticking clock: Fines for late KPMG celebrates next generation at summer reception payments to the SMEs? Priyanka Mehta Large businesses can be fined for failing to pay Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on time, as part of Government crackdown on delayed payments made to these SMEs by large organisations. Announced on 19th June, Wednesday, the proposed new measures can allow the Small Business Commissioner in future to demand full disclosure of payment terms and have beefed-up powers to tackle late payments.

AvantGarde Training is a plant training company, a service based SME operating for over 12 years now. The company's director and CEO Hiten Dhanak speaks about receiving payments worth about £20,000 over a period of 90 days time frame.

Catch-22 situation: Working with big organisations and 90 days payment deficit

From worrying about salaries for the employees, to paying corporation taxes, there are various expenditures for Hiten to consider.

He discusses the difficulties of working with large organisations on their terms and conditions.

“We always are in the dilemma of working with large organisations where we would receive payments after 90 days as opposed to taking up local jobs where we would receive the money straightaway on completion of task.

“It is always a catch-22 situation for us because working with the big clients enhances the company's reputation. But there is a worry about the deficit it could create for the business in the upcoming three months,” he said.

Quite a few start-ups are challenged for their survival as part of this delayed payments' system which has

“There will be no more covering-up by those who treat smaller suppliers shabbily”

“Today’s measures will for the first time see the culprits brought to account.

When small firms are paid late, it causes financial hardship and stifles growth. Everyone deserves to be paid on time when they have done the work and provided the goods and services requested. No one should have to wait months on end to receive Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman the money they’re owed.

“By forcing audit comresulted in the closure of mittees of big businesses to more than 50,000 small busireport payment practices in nesses each year, according company annual reports, to the Federation of Small there will be no more coverBusinesses (FSB). This has ing-up by those who treat costed £2.5 billion worth loss smaller suppliers shabbily,” to the economy. On average, said Mike Cherry, FSB small businesses are owed National Chairman. £80,000 a piece. In 2018, As part of the proposed Britain’s small businesses measures, the government collectively spent £6.7bn just to collect money they were has also proposed that the already owed – a huge drain Small Business on investment.

Commissioner will assume “We now, have a comparesponsibility for the volunny policy in place where if tary Prompt Payment Code prior payments are not made of best practice. then we don't issue the trainAdditionally, non-executive ing certificates and that is the directors sitting on the audit leverage we have found for committees of large compaourselves with the company,” ny boards will be required to said Hiten. report on payment practices In Northern Ireland, as opposed to just finance today only 47 percent of directors previously. invoices are paid on time “Small businesses are while 95 percent of British the backbone of our econobusinesses have been paid my and through our modern late at one time or another industrial strategy we want according to research conto ensure the UK is the best ducted by accountancy softplace to start and grow a ware company FreeAgent. business. These measures The organisation has reportwill ensure that small busied that late payments continnesses are given the support ue to remain a “highly disthey need and ensure that ruptive issue” for the UK's they get paid quickly – endsmall businesses. FSB has ing the unacceptable culture been long campaigning against the poor payment of late payment,” said Kelly practice, supply chain bullyTolhurst, Small Business ing and unreasonable payMinister. ment terms rallying support For further assistance against big businesses who on visit: squeeze suppliers. https://www.fsb.org.uk/

Indian tech company profits from Help to Buy scheme An Indian-owned company has been profiting from the Government's Help to Buy housing scheme. Target Servicing, a firm owned by Anand Mahindra is churning millions every year from first-time property buyers through charging an annual management fee from the Help to Buy scheme. The organisation charges £200 for services such as carrying out changes to their loans or improvements to their property.

Reports also suggest that Target may have received payments worth £4.5 mn by the Government over the last two years besides the fees that they

KPMG played host to standout Asian business owners, investors, influencers and family businesses last week at its annual summer reception in London.

Hosted by KPMG Partner Bina Mehta, guests were treated to a Q&A session with Amit Gudka, cofounder of Bulb Energy, recently voted top UK startup to work for. A disruptor in the retail energy market, Bulb has become the success story in the sector. Amit told the audience about his journey from starting the business with a friend four years ago and using finance from friends and family, to becoming the UK’s fastest growing startup, having passed £1.3bn in revenue this year, and plans to expand to France, Spain and the US. The event is one of several platforms that KPMG hosts to support young entrepreneurs and family business owners. KPMG has broken away from traditional business models to build a Centre of Excellence focused on Emerging Giants which Bina chairs, overseeing the breadth of KPMG’s activities in the fast growth ecosystem. This includes teams based in co-working

Bina Mehta with Amit Gudka

spaces across the UK who connect entrepreneurs, investors and corporate clients as well as programmes to help businesses grow internationally, such as the Mayor’s International Business Programme and Pitch@Palace.

Bina, who also sponsors the firm’s next generation Asian business programme, said , “This event is now in its fifth year, and it continues to grow. What was essentially a networking

I

Amit Gudka, co-founder and COO of Bulb, said, “The Asian business community played a big role in the early days of Bulb, and it's inspiring to see the community go from strength to strength.

“At Bulb, we're working to show that business can be a force for good, which is why we’re proud to be helping over 1.3 million members lower their bills and reduce their carbon emissions”.

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Philip Hammond with Anand Mahindra

receive from the buyers.

Although, the Help to Buy scheme has helped over 200,000 people in purchasing new a newly-built home, criticism has been rife around the creation of a housing bubble where

high demand and inflation of property prices has helped builders make huge profits.

Target Servicing, a Cardiff-based company was overtaken by Tech Mahindra.

event to meet likeminded entrepreneurs and business owners from the Asian Business Community, has now become a fantastic reflection of the vibrant ecosystem that drives our economy today.

Asian businesses in the UK generate billions of pounds for the economy in addition to creating many thousands of jobs.

“KPMG as a global business, has a very important role to play in providing high quality networking opportunities that inspire and connect these innovative growing businesses of tomorrow to the investors of today and potential collaborators.

FOR TABLE SALES CONTACT

ALEX@LONDON.TIE.ORG

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The benefits of practising yoga Yoga plays a very important role in our lives. It makes us fit and healthy. But very few people know about it. Yoga is panacea for all types of physical, mental, emotional, psychic, and psychological imbalances. In the famous documentary on mediation ‘Spiritual Reality: Journey Within’, many benefits of yoga have been enumerated upon. The documentary reveals how yoga replenishes and rejuvenates a yogi physically, mentally, and spiritually. In the state of perfect yoga, one receives abundant cosmic energy, which heals, energizes, rejuvenates each and every cell, nerve, and organ of the physical, mental and spiritual body of a man. It cleanses the body of all its ills and toxins that might develop into some fatal ailments.

Yoga is very easy to do; basic yoga can be done anywhere. However, advanced yoga must be done under the care of an expert. Many organizations such as Patanjali under the aegis of Baba Ramdev in India has contributed to its spread in recent times. Yoga has become quite popular in the entire world today, especially in the western countries because of its wholesomeness. We must practice yoga for a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. It is a wonderful alternate healing therapy for any disease. In this 21st century, we talk about development, innovation, technology, advancement and what not. But are we actually developing?

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India

Immunising young children I am really concerned to hear that the Matt Hancock (Health Secretary) is considering forcing parents to immunise their young children by making it compulsory. In my view, this seriously impinges on the civil liberties of both parents and their young children. We have to remember that parents are doing what they believe (rightly or wrongly) to be the best course of action for their children. Forcing young children to ingest a vaccine with a weakened but live bacterium is not the answer. The solution to increase the uptake of the MMR vaccine is to: - Recognise the genuine & legitimate concerns of parents who are opposed to the triple vaccine. Parents are not necessarily against the Measles vaccine but rather concerned about the Triple MMR vaccine on offer from the NHS. - Educate the reluctant parents on both the benefits & risks of not immunising their young children. Children with weakened immune system or family history of allergens or neurological conditions need special care and parents of such children will have legitimate concerns.

- Offer parents the single Measles vaccine to voluntarily increase uptake of this vaccine (I have never fully understood why governments and health authorities are refusing to offer the single Measles jab instead of the triple jab to young children on the NHS– could it perhaps be to save money?}.

I have discovered that data on the single jab vaccines is not recorded on the NHS database so this needs to be factored in to the overall rate of immunisations to inform the debate. (Quote from the BMJ study BMJ 2008;336:754.“These (single jabs) are available only at a cost on a private basis and information about their administration is not routinely transferred into the NHS child health information systems.

There are no routine data on use of single antigen vaccines in the UK, and estimates derived from local level studies9 10 11 and a national survey of providers12 range from around 2% to 21”) Dinesh Rai By email

Long letters I have noticed recently that again the letters in this column are getting longer and over the set limit of 250 - 500 words.

This is happening despite the instructions placed at the bottom of the page. These letters occupy most part of this column and are published at the expense of other letter writers who try to contain their letters within the allocated space.

Too long letters are unwieldy and put me off from reading. May I suggest that the editorial board should set a realistic limit for the length of the letters and that any letter which overshoots that limit should be either truncated or not published at all. Too long letters prevent me from digesting the gist of the message in them.

Also, the letters should focus on issues which concern us here in our country of residence, rather than placing too much emphasis on matters relating to our mother land. I have noticed that some of your contributors send long winded letters on issues concerning India. This may be OK in some respects like the previous campaign for direct flights to Ahmedabad or the hike in visa fees for India or even the restriction on the value of gold ornaments that one can take with him or her to India.

Long letters become boring and make me skim through them instead of digesting the contents. There is a tool called “word count” on most computers which could be of assistance here.

Dinesh Sheth Newbury Park, Ilford

Robbing the poor to pay the rich

To ride a tiger of populism

BBC’s decision to withdraw free licence to over 75 has come as a great surprise, as practically every political party promised in their manifesto to maintain certain privileges enjoyed by pensioners who worked hard during their working life, paid taxes so that they could enjoy their retirement in peace and free of financial worries.

These benefits include besides free TV licence, Freedom Pass which provides free travel, exempt from prescription charges, pension credit, 25% Council tax discount for those pensioners living on their own, Christmas bonus, heating allowance during winter months when temperature falls below specified degree and few more benefits, although all these benefits are not universal.

No wonder some pensioners are determined to fight tooth and nail, willing to go to jail, as they feel this is betrayal of the worse kind, picking the most venerable people who are in their twilight years. There is also a misconception, fiduciary belief that pensioners are loaded, capable of paying any tax government can impose on them, forgetting that these politicians have robbed pensioners of their main side income, interest on savings, as at one time they could easily earn up to 10% interest but today it is just 1%, even less, that benefits young and spendthrift, with borrowing.

I understand it takes more than ten thousand pensioners to pay their licence fees to cover wages, salaries and other benefits of just one top BBC earner and there are several hundred such employees who fall in this category, that include news-casters, sports presenters, documentary producers, actors working in BBC serials and many more.

Then BBC is not the only culprit, as at one time government used to bear the cost of free licence. But now government has passed the buck to BBC who may lose some 25% of the income, even more, at a time when producing highly rated programmes cost more.

Why our politicians always plead poverty when it comes to supporting our own while “Overseas Aid Budget” keep on bloating to the extent that government finds it difficult to spend it wisely. I hope the petition to protect free TV licence will cross a million mark and put pressure on the government. If Labour comes out in open and promise to reinstate it, it will enhance their chances to form the next government.

Bhupendra M. Gandhi By email

While Government’s desire to extend “Blue Badge” parking facilities to those who suffer from Mental Health disorder and such other hidden illnesses, like dementia, anxiety, depression, stress and autism, a few among many such illnesses which may not be visible, indeed hidden illnesses, is commendable and long overdue. So often these hidden disabilities can be as debilitating as physical ones. There are some four million people suffering from these hidden health disorders but only a tiny proportion may apply, yet there will be a considerable increase in number of badge holders.

Government knows well that these measures, akin to “Ride a Tiger of Populism” will go down well among patients and their family members, friends, carers and others directly involved in their wellbeing but it may create chronic shortages of parking spaces designated for Blue Badge holders.

The scheme was first introduced way back in 1970 with only a tiny minority of people holding these badges, now the figure stands at 2:4 million, mainly due to longevity and sharp increase in pension-age population.

It has also become most popular concession for elderly, children with disabilities and sufferers of chronic illnesses, as the badge enables them to visit shops, GP surgeries, pharmacy, as well as supermarkets that provide such facilities as a routine concession. Many disabled people would be confined to their homes without such facilities that give them mobility and keeps them away from depression, especially in our dark, gloomy and bitterly cold winter months.

Unfortunately some family members and friends misuse this concession to get free parking, knowing well that hardly any one checks the misuse of these badges, many Councils do not have even a policy to prosecute these offenders, as cash-strapped Councils could not afford additional traffic wardens to supervise, catch and prosecute these habitual offenders. Even the theft of Blue Badge has risen sharply, as they can be easily sold on the black market, fetching up to £200.

The same applies to Supermarket parking, especially near the entrance, routinely occupied by shoppers without displaying Blue Badge. Even when these disabled people complain, Supermarket turns a deaf ear, a blind eye, not willing to displease, lose the patronage of these high spending customers. As usual, money always speaks louder than honesty!

Kumudini Valambia By email

Conservative Leadership Race Is changing the leadership of the party be the solution to Brexit crisis!? The EU leader has categorically said that the deal negotiated with PM Teresa May cannot be changed.

Jeremy Corbyn is adamant with his stance of no Brexit without a deal. In the circumstances, it appears Britain is facing the same debacle as PM May has faced!!!

Niranjan Vasant By email

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 Rupanjana at rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com - AV

UK

Honorary graduates celebrated at annual lunch Leading lights from the worlds of sport, health, and animal behaviour were honoured at a special University of Wolverhampton event.

A celebration lunch was hosted for honorary graduates by the University’s Chancellor, the Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone PC. Experts from areas such as engineering, busi-

ness, education, faith and the arts attended the event at the University’s Telford Innovation Campus on Friday, 21 June 2019.

Honorary graduates receive awards from the University for making an outstanding contribution to the local area or their professional field.

Attendees included marathon legend ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley, herpetolo-

gist and University Professor Mark O’Shea, Chief Executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust David Loughton CBE, and karate teacher Dr Josh Johnson, who was awarded an MBE last week.

University Chancellor, the Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone, said: “We value our honorary graduates. They are very sup-

portive of what we do and are an inspiration to our students. They are ambassadors for the University, so it was a pleasure to welcome them to this celebration.”

For more information about studying at the University, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk or come to the next Open Day on Saturday, 17 August 2019: www.wlv.ac.uk/opendays

Employment of illegal workers at curry house was 'deliberate and wide scale' A curry house where five illegal immigrants were found working has been banned from selling alcohol and opening late after losing an appeal.

Restaurant owner Jamshed Miah must also pay thousands of pounds in court costs after his appeal to keep the licence for the Garden of Gulab in East Reading failed.

The appeal against Reading Borough Council's decision to revoke the premises licence for the restaurant, was heard at Reading Magistrates' Court on Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25. The

licence was revoked on Thursday, November 1, 2018, after illegal workers were discovered during a police immigration raid on Sunday, May 13, 2018.

Presiding magistrate Rebecca Moore said the employment of illegal workers by the owner was a "pattern of behaviour". The court heard two of the workers, Shahim Miah and Kukon Ahmed were Mr Miah's cousins, and along with Muhammed Choudhary were all illegal overstayers.

Sheikh Abdul Kareem and Paranjit Singh, meanwhile, were illegal entrants.

At court, Mr Miah had

argued that all of the employees caught were hired on a 20 hour trial basis. However, during immigration enforcement interviews, the men confessed to working longer at the restaurant. Shahim Miah had worked at the restaurant for four years, Mr Ahmed for five to six months, Mr Singh for three to four weeks, and Mr Kareem for two days.

Mr Choudhary claimed he was not working at the restaurant in Wokingham Road, even though he was caught behind the bar.

The employment of the illegal immigrants has cost

Mr Miah dearly. He has been served a £40,000 civil penalty by the Home Office for the five illegal immigrants found at the Garden of Gulab.

Illegal workers were also found at the Miah's restaurants in Pangbourne and Spencers Wood. Three illegal workers were found in Pangbourne and four illegal workers were found in Spencers Wood. These restaurants are run on behalf of Jamshed Miah by his brothers, Abadul and Fakrul Islam. Mr Miah was fined a further £60,000 for the illegal workers found at the other locations.

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Ofsted urges head teachers not to spend money on hiring consultants An Ofsted report has condemned consultants for selling “snake oil” to schools who are preparing for a new inspection regime and urged head teachers not to “spend a single penny” on their services.

It accused the advisers of “whipping up fear” about the framework, which is due to be rolled out from September and claimed that heads had been provided with all the necessary information.

The new framework is a radical departure from the existing system. Schools will be judged more on the breadth of their curriculum and quality of teaching and learning than their exam

results, which hold sway at present.

According to the report some consultants are offering half-day and full-day workshops with bespoke advice on how schools can best show off their curriculum and depth of learning, with costs ranging from £105 to £650.

The offers come as schools are so strapped for cash that they are asking

parents to pay for basics, such as toilet rolls and glue sticks, and even teachers’ salaries. Head teachers are desperate to maximise their chances of being judged good or outstanding.

One consultancy, Focus Education, offers to host workshops at the school for £800, though heads are encouraged to reduce the cost by inviting neighbouring officials to split the bill.

Osiris Educational is offering training to “get your curriculum in shape”, charging about £300 a head.

Even lobbying firms are getting in on the act.

Westminster Insight held a

full day conference in spring on the framework, charging up to £650 a head.

Ofsted said that this sort of paid-for advice was unnecessary. Sean Harford, the Ofsted national director for education, said that there were too many “socalled consultants” whipping up fear about the framework.

Heads and senior teachers defended hiring consultants, however. Stephen Rollett, a former assistant head and inspection specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders union, said that it was understandable that some schools would use consultants, given how different the framework was.

England's schools 'worst for cyber-bullying' Head teachers in England are more likely to face problems with pupils bullying online and misusing social media than in any other developed country, an international study says.

A report from the OECD think tank reported the experiences of more than 250,000 teachers in 48 industrialised countries and regions. It showed particular problems with cyber-bullying in England's schools.

The OECD's education director called for more regulation of social media, rather than leaving individual heads to try to cope.

The study, from the economics think tank the Teaching and Learning International Survey, looked at the working lives of teachers around the world, with

England participating but not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The survey, carried out every five years, indicated an increase in bullying in England's schools - driven by online bullying and harassment and problems caused by social media.

Of the heads in England surveyed: - 14% faced problems each week caused by "hurtful" material posted about pupils, compared with an international average of 2%, with the United States having the next highest proportion - 10% - 27% faced problems each week caused by pupils receiving "unwanted contact" online - in the form of cyberbullying, compared with an international average of 3%, with Australia having the

next highest proportion - 16% In France, mobile phones have been banned from school - and the OECD education expert said education systems had to find a way of dealing with the impact of social media and internet use on young people. He warned of a lack of regulation in England, which left schools having to find their own response.

Apart from the emotional

harm of bullying, he said, the misuse of social media was "hindering learning" and needed to be addressed at a wider level.

The survey also indicated that England faced a significant problem with a shortage of teachers.

Head teachers in England were much more likely to report their biggest problem was a lack of qualified teachers.

Further Maths A-level paper replaced following leak

A further maths A-level paper due to be sat by about 7,000 candidates on Thursday has been replaced following the leak of an earlier exam last week.

Two questions from the Edexcel maths A-level paper were shared on social ahead of it being sat on Friday.

Pearson, the exam board's parent company, says it is replacing the latest paper and an unnamed centre is being investigated for the leak. It described the move as "precautionary steps" to protect students.

Pearson said their investigation had revealed a package containing the further maths paper had been opened by an individual at the centre concerned.

According to the company, there is no evidence to suggest the withdrawn test or any of its questions have been leaked but it is taking "precautionary steps" to safeguard the exam for the students.

Sharon Hague, senior vice-president, schools for Pearson, said: "We have reached out to all of our centres directly to inform them of this decision. We will continue to support and communicate with them through this unusual yet necessary step that is vital for the safeguarding of confidence in the examination system and to ensure fairness for all learners. Our message to students is not

to worry about this and focus on your revision as you normally would."

Arrangements are being made to deliver the new further maths paper to all centres shortly before Thursday's exam - with the exception of the one being investigated. For this centre, separate arrangements are being made to ensure its students can complete their exams.

In a video message to students, teachers and parents, Ms Hague said it was necessary for everyone involved in the exam system to work together.

"We are reliant on the collaboration and trust of everyone involved in the exam system - and when someone commits malpractice, they let everyone down," she said.

She said the "serious security breach" last Thursday had been referred to the police, who had been asked to investigate it as a criminal matter.

Ms Hague added there were various ways to ensure fair outcomes from last week's A-level maths exam, including the option to exclude the two leaked questions from the final calculation.

Earlier this year, Pearson said it would be trialling a scheme where microchips were placed in exam packs to track the date, time and location of the bundles.

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12 MEDIA WATCH

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SCRUTATOR’S The bruising election campaign over, the victor was magnanimous, understood that peace hath her victories, no less renowned than war, political as much as military. Democracy thrives, the nation thrives, when the people appreciate that what divides them comes second to what unites them in common purpose for the public good.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rose to the occasion and stretched out a hand to the routed Opposition, inviting them to speak out boldly on issues great and small, irrespective of their numbers in parliament.

Addressing the press on the eve of the first session of the new parliament, he emphasised the role of the Opposition in a parliamentary democracy. ‘ The Opposition need not bother about their numbers. I hope they speak actively and participate in the proceedings of the House.’ He was particularly happy, he said, at the large numbers of women MPs in the House.

As he entered the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister went around Opposition benches greeting senior leaders, who responded appropriately to the gesture.

Hopefully this could herald constructive sessions of vigorous debate and none of the unruly scenes of the past (Hindu, Statesman June 18).

PM Narendra Modi

Rashtrapati Bhavan, one at Mashorba, Shimla, the other at Bolarum, Hyderabad. Now, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has proposed that Shillong could provide a third Presidential retreat. ‘As the erstwhile capital of the northeastern region, Shillong would be an ideal place for the President to stay for two weeks annually,’ he said. It would send out a message of inclusiveness, an assertion of the Centre’s perception of its importance to the country’s mainstream (Hindu, June 18).

Om Birla, new Speaker

Exchanged greetings: PM, Rahul Gandhi

Om Birla

Rahul Gandhi on his birthday.

May he be blessed with good health and a long life,’ said the PM. Gandhi responded appropriately: ‘ Thank you for your greetings Narendra Modiji. I appreciate them.’ (Hindu, June 20).

Om Birla, two-term BJP MP from Rajasthan will be the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, following his nomination by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the centre (Hindu, June 20).

Adhir Chowdhury to lead CongressMPs

Shillong as Presidential Retreat India’s President has two official residences outside New Delhi’s

Mamata in the wars West Bengal’s embattled Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has been in the wars these past few months. Alleged BJP conspiracies to topple her government, continuing violence across the state between here TMC and BJP cadres has reached alarming levels.

Her standoff with junior doctors of government hospitals in Kolkata, appears to have abated following talks and an assurance of police protection from mob violence, as was recently the case.

Self-inflicted wounds The Chief Minister’s manic speeches and behaviour has damaged the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the party she founded and rode to power in 2011. Today it is fragmented, with sizeable TMC numbers from the State Legislative Assembly and district councils switching loyalties to the opposition BJP. She would do well to take stock of the situation and make a measured response before her cause is hopelessly lost (Hindu, June 17; Times of India, June 19).

Owner of Pulwana car killed Two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, including a member of a suicide squad whose car was used for the terror attack on Pulwana in February, were killed by security forces Anantnag, Kashmir, a week ago (Hindu, June 19).

Army’s new border battle groups

Prime Minister Modi tweeted birthday greetings to Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who had turned 49.’Best wishes to Shri

Rahul Gandhi

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a former Congress chief in West Bengal is to lead the party in the Lok Sabha. His first step was support for Om Birla as Speaker of the House (Hindu, June 19).

Adhir Chowdhury

The Indian Army is set to raise new integrated border battle groups on the Pakistan and Chinese borders designed to strike hard and quickly in keeping with its war doctrine. Army sources said the ’lethal and agile’ battle groups had been ‘test-bedded and exercised in war games’ held last month, which saw the participation of a strike corps and a holding corps under the aegis of the Western Command headquartered at Panchkula’s Chandimandir (Times of India, June 20).

Indo-Russian meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev last week in New Delhi. They discussed ways to strengthen ties between their two nations, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vladivostok for the Eastern Economic Forum, where the Indian Premier will be the Chief Guest. (Hindu, June 20).

Pakistan on World Bank, IMF watch list Pakistan has failed to complete 25 of the 27 action points given by the international funding watchdog FATF [Financial Action Task Force] on money laundering, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and European Union are among multilateral organisations monitoring Pakistan’s actions to combat jihadi terrorism effectively (Times of India, June 18).

IndiGo order for CFM engines IndiGo, India’s low cost and largest airline has jettisoned its Pratt & Whitney engines for its aircraft with a $20 billion order for CFM International LEAP 1-A engines to power 280 Airbus-320 NEO and Airbus A-321 aircraft.

The Pratt & Whitney engines have been facing problems for a while.

IndiGo’s latest order includes spare engines and an overhaul support system.

‘We are pleased to partner with CFM for our next batch of Airbus A 320 Neo and A 321 Neo aircraft,’ said Riyaz Peer Mohammed, Chief Aircraft Acquisition and Financing Officer.

The LEAP engine has logged nearly five million engine flight hours in less than three years of commercial service (Business Line, June 18).

of Muslim criminals. Pointing to recent incidents of Muslim criminality, they wrote thus to the Chief Minister: ‘We are grieved and embarrassed. Bring the assailants to book not just in two instances but in every single instance, where Muslims were involved. They should not be allowed to get away because they happen to be Muslims (as is the growing perception). This will send out a message that members of one community are not shielded or appeased (as most people believe),’ the letter states.

Psychologist Zahid Ganjee, one of the signatories, said: ‘I hope the letter will spark a conversation, even a debate, and then something good will come out of it. We are losing our primary identity as citizens of this country and state,’ (Times of India, June 20).

Dhawan out, Pant in Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, having broken a thumb batting against Australia in the current ODI World Cup in England, has been ruled out for further participation in the tournament. His replacement, Risabh Pant, hopefully, will get an opportunity to exhibit his extraordinary gifts. His exclusion from the original 15, was described by former English Test captain, Michael Vaughan as ‘insane.’

India in top four Amazon Fashion Amazon Fashion India has made it to the four largest businesses on the company’s global market, along with the US, Europe and Japan. This milestone has been achieved in five years, said Arun Sirdeshmukh, Business Head, Amazon Fashion India. ‘We exited 2017 as the single largest fashion destination to become the fastest growing online fashion marketplace in the country.

Through 2018 till now – with indicators such as site traffic, business brands, new customer acquisitions and third party traffic monitoring sources – Amazon Fashion continues to be the single largest fashion destination and the fastest growing online fashion marketplace...’ he concluded (Business Line, June 18).

Expected surge for pharma industry The Indian pharmaceutical industry expects to treble its revenue to $120-$139 billion by the next decade, from the current $38, according to a report released last week by the All-India Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). The report included research collaboration from McKinsey & Co. The report stated: ‘ The stakeholders need to work on becoming the the world’s largest and most-reliable drugs supplier to grow to $120-130 billion by 2030.’ (Business Line, June 20).

Muslim leaders for tougher response to Muslim crime Muslim community leaders in West Bengal have called on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take a tougher line in police handling

Risabh Pant

Indian selectors, protectors of mediocrity as an endangered species, prefer to keep faith journeymen. Without Pant, India will be diminished; with Pant, they can climb the heights.

India won a thriller by the skin of their teeth against Afghanistan, prevailing in the final over, thanks to Shami’s hat-trick, by a mere 11 runs: 213 runs to India’s 224 for 8.

Pacemen Bumrah and Shami made the critical breakthroughs.

The Afghans came close to causing the tournament’s biggest upset.

The Indian batting, except for the luminous Virat Kohli, were a sorry sight, stumbling and bewildered by the wiles of the Afghan spinners. Touted icon Mahindra Singh Dhoni, a passive pharaoh poking, prodding, and leading inevitably to a loss of momentum in the Indian innings.

Sachin Tendulkar, sharply critical, dismissed the Dhoni-Kedav Jadhav dawdle as unacceptable. Still a capable keeper with the gloves, Dhoni’s batting has long lost its lustre. Better to lose with Dhoni, than win without him eh? There is something rotten in the state of Denmark.

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29 June - 5 July 2019

“I want to become a graduate”; says 9 year old Chandrika This is the story of Chandrika, who used to beg on the streets of Ahmedabad.

One fine morning Gayatri entered her school. She came across a young girl in 3rd Standard. Gayatri is a primary school teacher in Nirnayinagar School, which is a government school in the city area of Ahmedabad. The little girl was different than all her fellow classmates. She wasn’t neatly dressed. Her hair was brown, rough, dry and all over the place. Her clothes were old, torn and dirty.

Gayatri approached her and asked, “Don’t you have the school uniform?”, Gayatri asked.

“No”, Chandrika replied with fear in her eyes.

“But, why are you not dressed well? And why is your hair not tied neatly like all your other friends?”

Chandrika just smiled and didn’t reply. Gayatri noticed that the girl lacked confidence. She was convinced that something was wrong but wasn’t sure about what could have been affecting Chandrika. She thought of asking her directly when the right time would come.

One day, while leaving the school, Gayatri saw a really old lady and a small girl sitting at main gate of a temple. She went near the girl and found out it was Chandrika! Both of them shared a glance. Gayatri was taken aback and didn’t know how to respond to this. The next day, she met Chandrika and asked her about her background. Chandrika told her that she didn’t have any parents and the old lady begging along with her was her grandmother. Her grandmother is very old and isn’t able to find herself something to work and earn for. Hence, they beg on the streets of Ahmedabad to run their home.

When asked about what she had planned for her future, she said she’ll continue begging as she has to earn something to survive. She hasn’t thought of continuing her schooling life after 8th standard. Gayatri even visited her home and noticed that they are living in extremely poor conditions.

Gayatri is under YUVA Unstoppable’s Fellowship Program. She acts as a link between the government school which is under YUVA’s supervision and YUVA itself. When she narrated us the whole story, we decided to transform this little girl’s life and make it a better place for her. YUVA has transformed around 1000 schools and has benefitted around 5 lakhs under privileged students in India by providing them better infrastructure, sanitation & drinking facilities.

We have conducted several workshops in all these schools and have addressed the students about living a hygienic life. But since Chandrika was a special case, we gave her personal importance. Gayatri used to stay with her even after the school got over. She was taught about the importance of hygiene and its impact on our health as well as our personality. Under Gayatri’s guidance, Chandrika has transformed into a better avatar of Chandrika, the avatar that is firm about what she wants in her future. The same girl who wasn’t sure about continuing her schooling after 8th grade 8 months ago, has understood the importance of getting educated. Today, she wears neat and clean clothes and ties her hair. She has accepted her poor lifestyle but is not frustrated of living in such conditions, rather strives to improve it by continuing her education. Even Chandrika’s grandmother has seen a positive change in herself. She has found some work and is earning enough to not beg anymore.

She is looking forward to perform well in her school and receive a scholarship from YUVA that would help her in becoming a graduate from one of the best colleges of India.

Sponsored Charity of Asian Achievers Awards 2019

To know more about Yuva Unstoppable please visit www.yuvaunstoppable.org.

Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale Javid proposes review of minimum salary to visit UK threshold of £30,000 for immigrants

Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, incharge of Foreign Affairs Dept for the Bharatiya Janata Party will be visiting UK from 26-29 June to principally participate in the UK-India Conclave in Buckinghamshire on 26 June. He will be the key speaker in a discussion about the 'The Diaspora: India’s 30th State, Leveraging an untapped global influence'.

He will also be taking part in a private and off-therecord discussion at IISS 0on ‘India’s Election Results and the ‘Way Forward’’, followed by a Q&A session. At this discussion he will be joined by Shishir Bajoria, Member of the Core Committee of the Overseas Friends of the BJP; Member of the BJP’s Election Management Committee of West Bengal; and past President of the Indian

Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale

Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata.

Before coming to the UK, he reportedly told Connected to India, the Indian government is unlikely to allow dual citizenship, at least in the near term,“There are a lot of intricacies involved (in dual citizenship). So I don’t see that happening in the near future,” he said.

Indian engineer wins “Innovation Award” for saving lives of pre-mature babies An Indian engineer who developed a cost-effective neonatal breathing device has won the 2019 Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral's Innovation for Sustainable Development Award in London.

Nitesh Kumar Jangir's innovation, 'Saans' is reportedly three times cheaper than any other machine in the field andhas saved lives of newborn premature babies suffering from respiratory distress syndrome across small towns of India.

The device has been in circulation for the last three months across district hospitals of India which lack neonatal ICU facilities.

The Bangalore-based engineer received his award

Nitesh Kumar

in the 'People' category besides the 14 other innovators from across the 53 member-countries of the Commonwealth. The cofounder of Coeo Labs, his medical device company was founded with the vision to prevent deaths in the field of emergency and critical care.

Initiative launched to recycle Indian clothing A new concept in Indian fashion has been launched to kick-start the recycling of quality Indian clothing by Top Indian Designers Ltd. Labelled as the first website to buy, sell and hire Indian fashion online, the company is the brainchild of Director Shashi Gossai who aims to promote the significance of recycling top quality fashion items among the Indian community in the UK .

‘Most girls only wear an outfit once...while others can't afford the huge price tag. I want to encourage Indian ladies to get their clothes out of their cupboards and sell them. To

make money for themselves and help the less fortunate to afford the,’ said Shashi.

The textiles industry is the world’s second highest polluter behind only the oil industry. And many high quality Indian fashion items take low paid factory workers months to make, yet they are only getting worn for a few hours.

‘It’s a win-win-win,’ she adds. ‘Owners get to make money from items they don’t wear, others get the chance to buy them at an affordable price, and everyone gets to recycle clothing and reduce the detrimental environmental impact of the textile industry.

The Home Secretary has directed the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the White Paper following criticism around the white paper where immigrants were required to earn an annual salary of £30,000 in a post-Brexit UK. Aimed at preventing shortage of skilled workers such as waiters, paramedics, lab technicians, chefs and junior doctors, whose income would fall below the £30,000 figure, Sajid Javid has written to the committee with the hopes of fixing the “immigration system”.

“It’s vital the new immigration system continues to attract talented people to grow our economy and support business while controlling our borders.

“These proposals are the biggest change to our immigration system in a generation, so it’s right that we consider all of the evidence before finalising them.”

In his proposal, he has

Sajid Javid

also asked the migration advisory committee to consider if there was a case for regional salary thresholds in different regions of the UK. This would particularly interest the Scottish Government, after it previously warned the cap could cut eligible EU workers in Scotland by 85%.

The committee is expected to present its findings in January 2020. The new immigration system would bring the end of free movement and EU citizens would be treated the same as non-EU citizens.

“Worried about your neighbours, call the police’: Sadiq Khan The mayor of London has taken an apparent dig at Tory leadership candidate and Prime Ministerial hopeful Boris Johnson by urging his Twitter followers to call the police if they think their neighbours are at risk of domestic violence.

Last Friday, police were called to Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds' house after neighbours heard a row between the couple.

"This is so important. If you're worried about your neighbours, friends or colleagues don’t walk by. Ask if they are ok, tell someone and call the police. If there is

no immediate danger you can call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247,” tweeted Sadiq Khan.

Earlier, this week a photo of Johnson holding his girlfriend's hand in a garden had appeared amidst speculation of the photo being staged following media and public lash back.

While Johnson has refused to answer questions related to his personal life, polls had suggested that owing to the row, his competitor Jeremy Hunt had overtaken him for the first time in being favoured as the UK's next Prime Minister.

Blockades and lessons for the UK Continued from page 3

While these are just several examples, it is clear that the UK sees significant value in investing in Qatar—notwithstanding the current blockade.

While the US and UK are juggernauts in terms of foreign investment, the Qatari government continues to welcome all forms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The establishment of Free Zones and significant legal reforms have created a business-friendly environment, providing foreign investors with the security that they need to deploy their capital.

Both the government and citizens of Qatar have experienced quite dramatic changes within the last two years. The blockade certainly changed the way that business is done throughout the country. But having said that, the uncertainty and stress caused by the change has resulted in a significant number of unintended, yet positive consequences.

The blockade, in fact, is likely to make Qatar stronger.

Qatar’s embrace of FDI from British companies among other things, has led to an impressive economic growth for the country. With many exciting developments on the horizon (including the 2022 World Cup) Qatar is positioning itself nicely for the future—irrespective of geopolitical events.

Ultimately, the Qatar blockade may be a blessing in disguise. Outside investors—particularly those in the US and UK—should pay close attention.

14 COMMUNITY

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Jains recognised for supporting organ donation law

“We welcome the change in law because it will provide us with more opportunities to encourage Jains to register on the NHS Organ Donor Register and save lives,” said Manharbhai Mehta, Chairman of the Vanik Council.

According to recent changes, all adults in England will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups. Those under the age of 18-years-old, people who lack mental capacity, visitors to England, people not living in the country voluntarily or people who have lived in England for less than a year before their death are excluded from the group. Adults covered by

community services they honoured Jayman Mehta, Ramesh Shah, Subhash Bakhai, Jayntibhai Ghelani.

“I am delighted to support this amazing event organised by the Vanik Council UK. Our message is simple. Please register your decision about organ From L to R : Mr Virendra Bakhai, Mr Vijay Sheth, Mr Manhar Mehta, 2 nurses from donation; please Brighton, Kiritbhai Modi and Dr Shah talk to your family donation levels. This means this change will still have a members about your decithat around 30% of all those choice whether they want sion and most importantly, to be an organ donor and waiting for an organ transplease help save lives,” said their families will still be plant are from a Black, Kirit Modi, Chair of the involved before organ donaAsian or Minority Ethnic JHOD Steering group. tion goes ahead. background. There are They also honoured The event was attended more than nine Asians on Living Kidney Donors:

by Lord Jitesh Gadhia, who the waiting list for every *Harshabben Kothari, Mrs has helped establish the Jain organ donated. As a result, Vaishali Mehta, Pravinaben and Hindu Organ Donation hundreds of members of Kothari, Mrs Meena Modi, (JHOD) group, CB Patel, our community die each Dr Madhusudan Shah, editor/publisher of Asian year waiting for an organ.

Prafula Shah, Rohit Shah, Voice and Gujarat Samachar This issue is within our Mrs Maniben Chunilal among others. Taking the hands to resolve and we Talati, Mr Rajen Kothari, occasion, CB congratulated should grasp the opportuMr Kirit Kantilal Mehta the Vanik Council for a nity,” said Lord Jitesh and Mrs Kundanbala Shah. wonderful job that the assoGadhia.

People were requested ciation does and lauded the Kirit Modi, Chair of the to fill the donor registrawork of Subhash Bakhai, a JHOD and Andrea Ttofa tion forms if they wish to former president of Navnat from NHS Blood and do so while at the meeting.

Association.

Transplants also addressed 50 people filled the form “Asian communities the audience and requested and handed in. Asian Voice experience a higher incifor their help to save the and Gujarat Samachar were dence of kidney disease and lives of people who are the media partners of the historically lower organ waiting for the donors. For event.

Photo courtesy: Prakash Radhakrishnan

The law around organ and tissue donation is changing from Spring 2020 next year and several Jain leaders recently gathered at the Navnat Centre in Hayes to support the upcoming change in law and explain the new reforms to over 450 members of the community. The event was organised by the Vanik Council UK in association with NHS Blood and Transplant.

BK Shivani: To change the world, you need to change yourself

Photo Courtsey: Mr Pradip K Sanghrajka

Jain community celebrates start of the construction work for Jain Centre

Distinguished guests with Lord Navnit Dholakia, Mayors of Brent & Harrow, C B Patel, Dr Natubhai Shah with other architects and volunteers.

On 16th June, Sunday, at Navnat Centre, Hayes, leaders and members of the Jain community joined Jain Network to celebrate and support the start of construction works for the new Jain Centre.

Brainchild of Jain scholar and philanthrophist Dr Natubhai Shah, MBE, the ambitious £8 million project is based in Colindale, London.

Speaking at the event, Dr Natubhai Shah MBE, said, "Jain Centre London is a global project and will be a

place to practise and promote Jain values of compassion, equality, animal welfare, environment preservation and peace.

"I am delighted with the development works starting and the support we have received to date."

The centre will include a Jain temple for all Jain traditions and community spaces for everyone. The development work has begun and is projected for completion in two years' time. The iconic Jain Centre will be largely funded by community dona-

tions alongside sponsorship of rooms and murtis plus donation schemes including the £1,000 and £5,000 Jain Centre Development Bonds and Brick donations.

Dignitaries including Lord Navnit Dholakia, Mayor of Brent, Cllr Ernest Ezeajugh, Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Nitin Parekh and C B Patel editor/publisher of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. They spoke about the new building, the importance of Jain philosophy in promoting peace and harmony. The Mayor of Barnet,

Cllr Caroline Stock also read a special message of support.

Jain leaders including Nemubhai Chandaria, Vinod Kapashi, Tushar Shah and Manhar Mehta spoke about their support for the project and welcomed the addition of a new Jain temple to London's landscape.

The event included sangeet and songs from award winning sangeet Samrat Shiromani Shri Narendra Vanigota from Mumbai.

To learn more and how you can support and donate, visit: www.jainnetwork.com

Speaking to an enthralled audience of 7,500 at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Sunday 23 June evening, BK Shivani, the inspirational voice of the Brahma Kumaris, delivered a powerful message. She said that we change our world, when we change our thoughts. Sharing her conviction that a new and more positive world is an imminent reality, she made it clear that this shift simply requires a change within oneself - to allow thoughts that are pure, powerful and positive. No one and no situation can affect our thinking, if we choose not to allow ourselves to be influenced.

Inviting the audience to make a pledge to be free from anger for one week, the gathering was also challenged to give up hearing the news first thing in the morning and last thing at night, as well as suggesting that the first hour of the day be spent preparing mentally for the following 23 hours. She said, "We can shift to a world where peace is normal, and unconditional acceptance isn’t just to be read in quotes on social media posts. I cannot change people, just myself. Situations and people’s behaviour are the outside stimulus in our life. But what I think, regardless, is my choice...This hall will vibrate at the frequency of peace as we create peaceful thoughts."

BK Shivani’s talk on the theme “Fast Forward to New Possibilities” recognised the frustration that many people feel about the pressing issues of today – and the need to really see positive signs of change – whether it be uncertainty surrounding the future of the UK in Europe, climate change or the disappearance of aspects of the natural world. Therefore, finding

new ways to tackle old problems has become an urgent priority.

The key to change, as BK Shivani spelt out, is the daily practice of meditation and using the power that comes from this practice, to transform our own negative attitudes and habits. “It may seem a small thing”, she said, “But replacing every thought of anger, greed, jealousy, ego or attachment with a thought of loving kindness, towards myself and others, regardless of the situation I find myself in, is like dropping a pebble in the water and watching the ripples spread out and affect others positively too. When each of us can learn how to do this, the world will automatically be a different place…” She then asked everyone, “Are you ready? Will you do it?”

BK Shivani goes on from her London show to speak at 12 more cities over the next 19 days, as part of her European ‘Awakening’ tour. Tickets for all three UK venues, which were given free of charge, were taken up in record time.

Sister Jayanti, the European Director of the Brahma Kumaris and CEO of Brahma Kumaris (UK) was encouraged to see the huge take up of tickets for all the live shows. She said, “Thousands of people in the UK have been practising and teaching Raja Yoga meditation over the past 45 years. It seems that the Brahma Kumaris’ method of ‘world transformation through self transformation’ is being taken up by a wider audience. Across the UK, there are over 40 different venues where we are offering daily meditation classes free of charge. I think we will be seeing an even greater take up of all the different services we offer in the coming months.”

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

SP

TLIGHT

Ella Impressions Art Extended to Fashion art more physical. Constructed carefully and curated with meticulousness and detailing of the best quality, The Scarf is a beautiful soft silk, digitally printed beauty while the clutch purse is crafted in fine PU leather to create original, luxury goods made with the Ella Prakash most attentive finesse.” *** Sunetra Senior Thus, tapping into a deep source of intuitive expression, lla Impressions is a fashion Ella comes to occupy a truly brand that channels the high innovative niche. In a predomworld of art into couture fashinantly purely aesthetic, and so ion. Formerly an accomplished artist perhaps even disconnected, with a thriving, modern gallery, Ella’s industry, she keeps a natural rich, vivid images contain intricate footing in the intimate, inner shapes rendered in an array of solid world. “This is an age of silent colours. They skillfully capture the revolution,” she said, “where elusive textures of flowing emotion. we are growing into a modern “When I paint, I paint with the eyes of world while reviving the old my mind and heart. and it is truly remarkable.”

I lean towards warmer colours on Painting has always been a days I am filled with love and cooler part of Ella’s personal journey. colours when I am feeling relaxed or Today the founder of a laid back – there is always fluidity and “quirky”, quality label then, movement.” From ‘romance’ to sentiher work radiates powerfully ments of ‘mellowness’ and more comfrom the inside outwards, havplex concepts of ‘creation’, the artist ing evolved professionally with boldly champions the entirety of the the gifted artist. “This is a jourhuman soul. Indeed, her undulating, ney of EMOTION, ART & melodic visuals – at once precise and FASHION,” she summarised. expansive – are reminiscent of the “The fashion is simply an visionary painter, Kandinsky, who statextension of my art. Imagine a ed “that internal necessity” compels little world where we can artists to create, and audiences to DREAM, AMALGAMATE admire by way of having had a preand CREATE. viously empty space filled.

DREAM, of out of Ella’s minimalist yet the box possimulticoloured pat“From soft bilities terns celebrate the which no ordinary ‘Pashminas’ that will joy of being an brand can state, individual. What feel like a puff of but still remain better place to clouds against your skin, true to our simtake her creative pieces than the to Craft that will make you ple and elegant roots.” Set to tactile, transwear shades of blue when expand her formative canvas of clothing, you are sad and pick bright t r e n d - s e t t i n g designer gallery which enters reds for romantic into a variety of into the everyhigh end apparel, getaways, every single day?

Ella it will soon be posImpressions aptly piece speaks to you sible to experience employs the delicate of its origin and the poetry of art yet “stylish” category through the practical of luxury accessories to birth" motions of fast-paced life: “help amalgamate a piece of “From soft ‘Pashminas’ that will art within the wardrobe to crefeel like a puff of clouds against your ate a unique style statement.” She elabskin, to Craft that will make you wear orated on a handbag and scarf pairing, shades of blue when you are sad and pick bright reds for romantic getaways, every single piece will speak to you of its origin and birth and you will feel like you are lost in a garden of beauty and royalty while you adorn them.” Ella’s colours, prints, and artworks can connect with every identity: “buyers will extend the narrative by wearing the pieces.”

E

Acrylic on canvas

which carries her artistic piece “optimism” (pictured): “It was about finding the bright side of life and glowing in its light. These pieces are dear to me because I feel like I am sending out a positive vibe and a happy prayer to the buyer through them.” She said of the complementary material medium provided by fashion: “Ella Impressions gives me the opportunity to make my

What are some of your favourite fashion trends at the moment?

I love the trends this season that Hermes has launched. Such a beautifully unique perspective of fashion that stems from art. I am also loving the rising small studio designers and niche luxury designers who are working so hard to revive art forms and handicrafts styles of various cultures to create beautiful fashion.

Do you think accessories are underrated sometimes? Your collection shows how a scarf or bag can really make an outfit pop?

Optimism

Subtle is a style too, so is pop art or mix and match. My accessories work with most styles. They are artistic yet subtle and classy. They can be paired with work wear as well as party wear.

You say you use minimalist art.

Tell us more?

While creating this line of products, the main focus was to create something that is timeless and classic: a legacy to the artwork and not just fashion accessories. By keeping the styles and silhouettes classic and the artwork subtle, a beautiful and minimalist yet chic piece of both fashion and art has been created.

What have been some of your proudest accolades?

My art career started in 1984 and since then I have set various milestones for myself that I have successfully achieved and been blessed enough to accomplish. To pick one would not be fair but I am proud of my art, the achievements and all the arenas that have opened up through my art like this fashion line. I am also very happy with being able to be a part of the women empowerment movement and to contribute in it in my own small way: through various channels like being an Ambassador to Bahrain for Arts of India, and founding Ella Art Foundation in India for children and women. I feel like I am making a small difference in the world and that is all I can hope for.

Finally, what made you decide to move to fashion from art?

I have by no means left art behind.

What I believe is that art is universal. It is fluid. It is all-comprising and is the basis of building anything at all.

W: https://www.ellaimpressions.com/

29 June - 5 July 2019

15

Private equity: Backing innovation and talent Private equity is aspirational.

But it is also tough. It is rough; and seriously demanding. It can be all-consuming. Few people manage to get to the higher echelons of this select group of individuals who control vast sums of investor capital. The few thousand global fund managers literally shape the economic growth of ‘main street’, which in turn effects millions of jobs, innovation, and affordability of goods and serSachin Nandha vices. On the whole private equity, when done right is a public Chief Executive PillboxCapital 3 good. It creates real value, regardless of what some professors sitting in their ivory towers think.

Private equity is successful because it attracts the brightest and the best who come and work for it. To be in private equity requires the complete formation of a business leader – she has serious commercial acumen; impeccable people skills; a very high emotional quotient; strong numeric skills; deep network and contacts; and experience of value creation in diverse sectors. It takes a long time to cultivate these skills, many of which can only come through the passing of time.

“Ah”, I hear the professor in her ivory tower say, “but private equity just makes the rich richer!” Indeed, this is true. No denying that. “But”, one could say, and here is the ‘rub of the matter’, it is the investor that risked their capital. It is those with surplus money who provide the risk capital so that companies can innovate new technologies; technologies that we all benefit from and enjoy.

It is the investor that gives risk capital to create new businesses which in turn create employment, pay rises, bonuses and so on. Real money flows into the economy of main street. Banks get to de-risk their position by getting private equity to take the risk, and so naturally the rewards, if and when they come, also follow the risk.

Investors back private equity professionals, they in turn back management teams, who develop the workforce, who deliver the goods and services we all benefit from.

Everybody benefits, but not equally.

Private equity can be a public good when done right because it re-distributes investor capital into the real economy through private enterprise. Money that otherwise would be hoarded is re-invested into ‘main street’ to create surplus value, and the surplus value then is re-distributed across all stakeholders. Every stakeholder should benefit from a successful project. Each layer between the investor and the consumer, or citizen, adds an additional layer of ‘checks and balances'. The system fails when too many people in the chain make money just by getting the project launched, rather than benefiting at the end when value is truly created. A perverse incentive is created by way of commissions, charges and ‘kick-backs’. So long these are kept under close scrutiny and interests are aligned, everyone benefits in good times, and everyone feels the pain in bad times.

Much more can be done to align stakeholders, from the citizen at one end, to the investor at the other. Private equity gets a bad reputation when the citizen suffers but the investor is seen to walk away with little or no harm done. This is when society truly becomes unacceptably unequal. The people that shape these alignments are those folks in private equity. These professionals must also consider the impacts of their investment decisions across the stakeholder spectrum. Values and culture matter.

The Hindu culture has timeless values that if translated correctly and adapted for a modern 21st century can indeed take us a long way in creating complete alignment between all the members of society. A cliché these days, but nevertheless worthy of stating “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” could be the overarching paradigm required in private equity to really unlock its own potential.

To find out more about PillboxCapital visit: www.pillboxcapital3.com or call 0116 274 0707

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18 FINANCE - UK

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

29 June - 5 July 2019

Consultant Editor Financial Voice Alpesh Patel

Lord Karan Bilimoria appointed Cake Box records double-digit profits as CBI Vice President

Dear Financial Voice Reader, I am in Qatar for my company www.tradingchampions.com. I think of few better places in the world to combine opportunity for business (it is the world’s richest country GDP per capita) and quality of life – office to pool in 2 minutes and commute times under 10 minutes to meetings!

One of the most positive consequences from the GCC Crisis has been the Qatari government’s efforts to attract more investment. The Qatari government has always been open to foreign direct investment, but the blockade changed the equation.

One of the most significant steps toward attracting foreign investment was the Qatari government’s decision to create so-called “Free Zones.” Created in 2018, these Free Zones were designed to offer a “positive economic ecosystem in which businesses can thrive.” In practice, this means that the Qatari government has offered significant incentives for foreign companies to develop a footprint in its Free Zones while also incentivizing domestic investors to expand internationally.

Some of the incentives include quality infrastructure (like state-of-the-art office facilities), potential access to a $3 billion government-backed investment fund, 20 years of corporate tax holidays, and joint ventures with national champion companies. Qatar’s Free Zones are located in two strategic locations. The first (Ras Bufontas) is a free zone that is located only six kilometers away from Hamad International Airport.

The second (Umm Alhoul) is a free zone located near Hamad Port, which is the world’s largest Greenfield port.

These free zones’ proximity to world-class transportation hubs offers a wealth of resources and connectivity, thereby increasing the odds of success for these ventures.

In addition to the establishment of Free Zones within Qatar, the Qatari government has created a $2 billion incentive program for foreign direct investment.

According to Yousuf Mohammed Al Jaida, the CEO of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority, the Qatari government is looking to incentivize nearly every single industry for foreign investment. That said, some specific sectors that appear intriguing include financial services, Islamic finance, FinTech, sports, media, and digital. The incentive program has already shown extremely encouraging signs, as there was a 66 percent increase in foreign direct investment in 2018—despite the ongoing blockade.

As part of these efforts to increase foreign investment, the Qatari government has also embraced legal reforms within the country. One of the most significant recent laws is the new law n.1 of 2019. This law, also called the new Qatar Foreign Investment Law, opens to foreign individuals and companies the chance of directly investing in almost all Qatari economic sectors. Before the enactment of this law, foreign companies or individuals wishing to invest in Qatar needed to form a joint venture with a local partner or sponsor.

Now, Qatar is going to be one of the most open states to foreign investment in the GCC. Except for a few industries (like banking, insurance, and security and defense), foreign investors have a significant amount of freedom to seize new opportunities in Qatar.

Some other reforms within the past two years have included a permanent residency plan, where residents in Qatar will be able to gain the equivalent of a Green Card.

In addition to these legal reforms for foreign investors and multinational corporations, the Qatari government has also instituted other rights reforms. For instance, some of those reforms have included a law allowing migrant workers to leave Qatar without permission from their employers. The Qatari government has also announced plans to establish a minimum wage for migrant workers and a “Worker’s Support and Insurance Fund” that would ensure that workers are paid overdue wages.

UK car industry warns next PM Car industry in Britain warned the next prime minister against a no-deal Brexit in October, which it said could add billions of pounds in tariffs and cause border disruption, crippling the sector. Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to succeed Theresa May, and his rival Jeremy Hunt, have said they are prepared to take Britain out of the EU without a deal on Oct. 31, although it is not their preferred option. “Leaving the EU without a deal would trigger the most seismic shift in trading conditions ever experienced by automotive, with billions of pounds of tariffs threatening to impact consumer choice and affordability,” industry body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warned. The industry fears that a disorderly exit from the EU, its biggest export market, could see the imposition of tariffs of up to 10% on finished models and border delays which could snarl up ports and motorways, ruining just-in-time production.

Lord Karan Bilimoria Sukh Chamdal, Chief Executive Officer, Cake Box

The UK's egg-free cake brand has reportedly recored pre-tax profits of £3.8mn for the year upto March, higher than £3.3mn from the year before.

The company witnessed a 33% soar in revenues to £16.9mn and has opened 27 more franchise stores with 113 stores operating across the UK in total. However, they have a target of opening upto 250 stores in the long run. The retailer has added that like-for-like sales at

franchise stores grew 6.5 per cent, while online sales meanwhile skyrocketed by 58 per cent to £4.4 million “These results demonstrate the continuing appeal of the Cake Box brand, to both customers and franchises, combined with the financial strength of the group, particularly the strong cash generative nature of our business model,” said chief executive Sukh Chamdal to Retail Gazette.

An Asian peer has been appointed as the Vice President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer has now replaced Paul Drechsler CBE who stepped down from the position after his six years of tenure at the organisation.

“I am humbled and honoured to be elected Vice President of the CBI. Deeply touched and inspired by generous words of encouragement...I look forward to participating and contributing as best as can and working together with the

CBI,” tweeted Lord Bilimoria.

The appointment comes amidst Brexit chaos when Lord Bilimoria has been an active campaigner for a second referendum. He had earlier compared the Brexit process to “watching a train crash in slow motion”. However, he had also clarified that his personal view on Brexit was “completely separate” from the organisation.

“We are lucky to have such a well-respected entrepreneur whose experiences reflect both the highs and lows of starting and growing a business,” said John Allan, President CBI.

The shrinking pool of EU talent is already driving up wages - that's the power of supply and demand. This builder Brexodus is the referendum's inheritance."

On the other hand, manufacturers are not reacting well to the uncertainty over Brexit delaying progress on the government's industrial strategy. Research by the business advisory firm, BDO

suggested that most manufacturers did not think enough progress had been made, 18 months after the strategy was announced.

Many of the 200 firms surveyed voiced concerns over a continued shortage of skilled workers.

Tom Lawton of BDO said, "The UK's manufacturing industry is being hit twice over the effects of Brexit.

Construction pay rises as EU workers weigh up leaving UK – survey A survey by specialist recruitment firm Randstad reveals that the average pay for a job in construction has increased to £45,900 despite a fall in the vacancies being advertised. The figure rose from £42,300 in 2017, while rates are even higher for site managers. The average salary for a construction site manager is £50,500, and about £3,000 higher in London.

Randstad's Owen Goodhead said, "The best senior site managers are earning close to an MP's salary. While that's good news for individuals, it's potentially not such great news for the economy." The survey gave an example of a senior site manager on £62,900 a year having been poached for a new job in Welwyn Garden City with the offer of a salary of £78,000.

Average pay of site engineers was said to have jumped by 19 per cent to £44,300 and by eight per cent for project managers, to £64,200. Goodhead said, "Our research shows that construction workers from overseas are being put off coming to the UK and those that are here are thinking about moving elsewhere. We know that over a third of European construction workers who are already here have considered leaving the UK due to Brexit." He added, "This should be of huge concern to industry leaders and the government, especially in the capital, where nearly one in three people working in London's construction sector were born in the EU.

UK consumer spending growth in 2019 to be slowest in six years EY ITEM Club has forecast that Britain will see the slowest growth in consumer spending in 2019 in six years.

It said it expects spending to rise by 1.6% over last year, although that would be faster than an estimated 1.3% growth in the broader UK economy in 2019. Consumer spending benefited from robust employment growth and a strong pick-up in real earnings growth in the second half of 2018 and early

2019 but the outlook was now weaker, the economic forecasting group said.

“The improvement in purchasing power has meant that consumers have been significantly less affected in their spending decisions than businesses by uncertainties over the economy and Brexit,” said Howard Archer, chief economic advisor to the EY ITEM Club, which produces quarterly UK economic

forecasts. “While consumer confidence in late 2018/early 2019 weakened to the lowest level since mid-2013, perceptions of personal finances and a willingness to spend generally held up much better than views of the economy.”

The forecaster said it suspected earnings growth peaked in early 2019. It was likely to remain modestly below that level over the rest of 2019 and possibly beyond.

It said strength in the labour market would increasingly fray over the coming months as companies tailored their behaviour to a lacklustre domestic economy, prolonged Brexit uncertainties, an unsettled domestic political situation and a challenging global environment.

As a result, it forecast employment growth would slow to 1% in 2019 and 0.6% in 2020, from 1.2% in 2018.

www.asian-voice.com

AsianVoiceNews

REAL ESTATE VOICE

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

19

29 June - 5 July 2019

GETTING THE DEAL We are in an environment where there is a large spread between asking prices and those that are actually paid. The masses will sit on the fence, but the astute will exploit this unique opportunity. Uncertainty scares people. Agents have told us that some buyers are even happy to pay 15-20% more with the prospect of certainty.

Well, my perspective is there is no certainty in life at any stage, things can change suddenly.; therefore, keep it simple. If you’re getting a deal that stacks up, take it.

Here are some tips to help with getting a property deal.

Suresh Vagjiani Sow & Reap London Property Investment

Prove your ability

and how long it will take — meaning ensuring your ducks are aligned.

Research Generally speaking, a motivated seller in this current market is likely to be in a problem.

You can probably put their situation in one of these three boxes: Divorce, Distress or Death.

The agent, who is technically working for the seller, but in reality they just want to get the deal done, may be a source of information. However, be prepared to do your own research as well, to verify.

Demonstrating you can deliver the cash quickly will massively increase your chances of doing a deal, and at the right price. Anyone can make an offer and have it accepted, this does not mean they are able to execute it. We have often taken over deals where the buyers have been dragging their heels over a deal.

There are little clues you can see, for example, when visiting a property did you notice any red-top bills (a handy hint of difficult financial circumstances)?

agents not showing you a house may be a more useful source of information than those who are.

People in difficulty may agree a deal for less, in return for a quick no nonsense sale.

The biggest mistake buyers make is waiting until they have found their property to prepare their finances. Before you start your search, you must have appointed a lawyer, taken tax advice, established how you will buy it, where the money will come from, who will provide the mortgage

Keep your ear to the ground

If you don’t have the time, or inclination to find a BTL property or a development deal, then get in touch with us to arrange a chat to see how we can help you. We provide a total solution. We find the property for you, deal with the solicitor, arrange the finance, organise any refurb necessary, find the tenant and then manage the property for you. Allowing you to spend your time doing what you do best.

The best value properties may never even come to market, with agents often handing them to favoured clients; so, do your best to befriend them, and pester them once you have. Those

Get in touch with us

WHY A WOMEN’S PROPERTY SEMINAR? People are asking us why we are holding a women’s property seminar. There are many reasons, although the idea was inspired by a recent client of ours; a woman, with a professional financial services job in the city. She had been wanting to invest in property for years, but didn’t have the confidence to take the step forward. She also didn’t want her valuable spare time sucked up into the process. Meanwhile, prices kept increasing. So, she finally approached us knowing that she didn’t have to spend her time on finding the property, negotiating the price, dealing with the solicitor, arranging finance, finding the tenant and so on.

We realised that there are lots of women like her. And whether they

use our turnkey solution, just some of our services or do it themselves, it is important for them to invest.

Seats are filling up fast for this event, this is testimony there is a demand.

Joining us will be guest speaker Bindar Dosanjh, who has won several property awards and has recently written a book called ‘Power Property Investing for Women’ - Winner of Business Book Awards 2019. She will be sharing her story, describing how property has saved her not once but twice.

The event will be a great opportunity for you to see how Sow & Reap can help you to invest in property.

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY London, NW8 Purchase Price: £420,000

Specialists in Central London Property Sourcing

At the seminar you will learn: - Why it is important to invest in property as an asset class - Why the current environment provides a great window of opportunity - How to spot deals Attendance is free, and seats are limited - so early registration is recommended! Please note that admittance is strictly by reservation only.

The event will be held in Stanmore, on Thursday 4th July at 7pm. Dinner, of course, will be provided.

Venue details will be provided on registration.

● Large three bedroom flat with long lease and low service charges ● Needs modernisation ● Close to Marylebone and Edgware Road stations ● End value after refurbishment expected to be approx. £550K ● Yield of 4.5% per annum ● Sustained long term growth due to the location Call us now for more information!

0207 993 0103 info@sowandreap.co.uk www.sowandreap.co.uk 27 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8HU SowandReapProperties

Sowandreapuk

Turning land into cash Get in touch about our land opportunities

20 FINANCE - INDIA

AsianVoiceNews

AsianVoiceNewsweekly

www.asian-voice.com

29 June - 5 July 2019

US warns India of more action against ‘unfair’ trade practices The Trump administration has warned India that it would be compelled to take "additional action" against the country over its "unfair" trade practices as both nations fail to make headway on these issues. The warning from US trade representative Robert Lighthizer came days after President Donald Trump announced that the US would end its preferential trade treatment for India from June 5.

Figures revealed by the Congress suggest that India has been the single biggest beneficiary of the decades-old US Generalised System of Preferences programme, allowing it to export $5.7 billion worth of duty-free goods in 2017.

Lightizer said, "We have spent a lot of time worrying about India.

It is a massive economy and going to only get bigger... We have a series of problems with

US trade representative Robert Lighthizer

them, that we've raised over a period of months."

The comments came in the light of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to India from June 25-27. In a Congressional hearing, Lightizer told the members of the House Ways and Means Committee that the Trump administration over the past few months did a review of GSP, after which the

President decided to take the GSP away. In response to a question from Republican Congressman George Holding, Lightizer said, "We are looking at a variety of other unfair actions (by India) that may provoke us to take some other additional action. We made literally no headway on the issues over the course of months and months and months."

The remarks came after India announced a hike in customs duties on as many as 28 US products, including almond, pulses and walnut, in response to higher tariffs imposed by Washington on Indian products like steel and aluminium. On a positive note, Lightizer said, "They have a new government now. Obviously it's the same leader, but a new government...

And I will talk to him in the next few days. My hope we can jumpstart and make some

headway." He alleged at the same time that India has about the "highest tariffs of any country you can imagine" in the world.

"They have a very status kind of an economy. It's very heavily regulated. They have created problems in the digital space, in the agricultural space, in regular manufacturing. I mean in retail, just across the board."

Lightizer also added, "The President is going to have the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) at the G-20 summit.

And before that I believe secretary Pompeo will be in India meeting with the Prime Minister Modi, before the G-20."

Meanwhile, the US State Department has denied media reports that the government planned to have a cap for H-1B work visas for countries that force foreign companies to store data locally.

Jet Airways stocks down by 10% after NCLT accepts insolvency plea Market shares of beleaguered Jet Airways India Ltd fell by 10 per cent to Rs 56.60 after the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the State Bank of India (SBI)-led lenders' insolvency application against the debt-laden airline.

Jet stocks had risen a whopping 122 per cent to close at Rs 73.55 last week on hopes that NCLT may not admit the insolvency plea, but that didn't turn out to be the case.

NCLT's Mumbai bench not only accepted the petition, but also suggested a timeline of 90 days for the resolution of the case, citing it as a matter of national importance. The corporate insolvency resolution process is normally supposed to be completed in 180 days, with a provision for extension by another 90 days.

NCLT directed Jet Airways' Insolvency Resolution Professional (IRP) to submit fortnightly progress reports on the case, with the first such report to be submitted before July 5.

SBI had filed insolvency petition on June 18, under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and also

proposed Ashish Chhawchharia of Grant Thornton as IRP. SBI Chairrman Rajnish Kumar said the decision to refer the resolution of Jet Airways under IBC was taken after due diligence by all lenders. At SBI's annual general meeting, Kumar said, "There are cogent reasons for lenders. Every decision is taken after a lot of due

diligence." Kumar also said that the possibility of liquidation could not be ascertained at this stage. He added, "How can I foresee what will happen in NCLT, this is the first case of aviation sector bankruptcy that will be tested."

After trying to sell the company for the past five months, Jet's lenders have failed to find buyers. They wanted to avoid the insolvency court to recover maximum dues.

With the airline now going to NCLT, the banks will be staring at a huge haircut on the loans given to the company. Jet owes over a total of £850 million to 26 banks, £1 billion to its hundreds of vendors, primarily aircraft lessors, and £300 million to around 23,000 staff who haven't been paid since March.

in brief

RBI DEPUTY GOVERNOR VIRAL ACHARYA QUITS

Viral Acharya

RBI deputy governor Viral Acharya has put in his papers six months before his term ends on January 20, 2020. Acharya, who joined the RBI from New York University’s Stern School of Business, was a close aide of former governor Urjit Patel and it was his fiery speech last October that brought out differences between the central bank and the government. Many expected he would step down with Patel, given that he was more voluble in his criticism of the government - both in public speeches and in the contentious board meetings that took place last year. However, after he stayed on for three monetary policy review meetings after Patel’s exit, it did appear as though he had settled down.

NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RUN OPS: BSNL

Ailing state-owned telco BSNL has sent an SOS to the government, seeking immediate cash infusion as it is finding it “nearly impossible” to continue operations and even manage £85 million salary liability for June as outstanding liabilities of nearly £1.3 billion have made its business “unsustainable”. “The gap between monthly revenues and bare expenses to continue operations as a going concern has reached to a level where continuing with the BSNL operations would be nearly impossible without immediate infusion of adequate equity,” Puran Chandra, senior general manager at BSNL’s corporate budget and banking division, said in a letter to the joint secretary in the telecom ministry (who also sits on the board of BSNL). In the letter, sent last week, the public-sector company has sought the government’s advice on the next “course of action” for deciding the fate of the ailing corporation.

TATA’S TRUSTED MAN VENKATARAMANAN JOINS RIL

Finmin to draft fresh proposal for AI sale The Finance Ministry is preparing a fresh proposal for sale of Air India, incorporating issues like crude oil prices and exchange rate volatility, flagged by EY last year on possible reasons of the government failing to attract bidders for the national carrier.

The proposal, which will be placed before the Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM), will also include option of selling either 100 per cent or 76 per cent government stake in Air India.

The AISAM is a group of ministers, and currently has to be reconstituted as Arun Jaitley and Suresh Prabhu are not part of the new government. They will be replaced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is likely to continue in

the panel when it is reconstituted.

Last year, the government invited bids to sell 76 per cent in Air India, along with transfer of management control. However, it did not attract any bidder. After the transaction advisor EY prepared a report citing probable reasons that led to failure of the sale process.

The reasons cited include 24 per cent government stake and corresponding rights, high debt,

volatile crude oil prices, fluctuations in exchange rate, changes in macro environment, profitability track record of bidders and restriction on bidding by individuals. An official said that the EY report was discussed at the AISAM meeting in June last year, following which it was decided that the Air India sale should be deferred.

It was also decided during the meeting that more funds will be

infused into the carrier and steps will be taken to lower debt of Air India by selling its subsidiaries and non-core asset. An official said, "We will present a fresh proposal for Air India sale to AISAM. It would include updates on the issues raised when Air India disinvestment failed last year. It would be left to the AISAM to decide whether the government should go in for 100% or 76% stake sale."

Once updated accounts are available and AISAM gives a goahead for Air India sale, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and Ministry of Civil Aviation will draft the Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM) giving details of about the company and stipulating conditions for eligibility of bidders.

R Venkataramanan

Ratan Tata’s trusted lieutenant R Venkataramanan has joined Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries. Venkataramanan, who quit Tata Trusts recently amid allegations of misuse of I-T exemptions and was under the lens of investigative agencies, joined RIL recently.

Venkat, as he is called, will assist in health and education initiatives that are part of the conglomerate’s social programmes. He joined the $90-billion textile-to-telecom group as a consultant, said sources. Venkat, 44, is one of the few top executives and long-timers from the Tata group to move to RIL. This wasn’t the case in the past. The two conglomerates restricted recruiting talent from each other and didn’t have much business alliances. However, in recent years, the two have been collaborating in social and other areas. Venkat was with Tata Trusts for five years until March of this year.

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in brief

INDIAN COUPLE HELD FOR TORTURING, STARVING MOTHER TO DEATH

An Indian couple has been charged at a Dubai court with physically assaulting the man's elderly mother, causing her bone and rib fractures, internal bleeding and starving her to death, according to a media report.

According to the report, the 29-year-old man and his 28-year-old wife, whose identity have not been revealed, tortured the woman repeatedly over a short span of time. Burns covered 10 per cent of her body. The bone and rib fractures, internal bleeding, beating with different tools, burns, negligence and starvation have all led to the deterioration of her health condition, a doctor who treated her said.

The couple has been detained but they denied the charge. The case was exposed by the couple's neighbour, who is a hospital employee. The Indian witness recounted how the man's wife visited her at her apartment in the same building. A Filipino paramedic added that the son did not help carry his mother to the ambulance while the neighbours stepped in to help. The trial has been adjourned until 3 July and the couple will remain in custody till then.

SHARIF HAD HEART ATTACK IN JAIL: DAUGHTER

Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz claimed that her father suffered a heart attack in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail last year, but the government kept his family in the dark about it. Sharif is currently serving a sevenyear jail term after being convicted in a corruption case. Speaking to reporters, Maryam, vice-president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, produced a hospital certificate that purportedly mentions a heart attack suffered by her father in July last year and alleged negligence by the government and jail authorities. She said she wouldn’t let her father meet the fate of former Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi. Morsi died on Monday after fainting during a session in court. Maryam said medical professionals had advised that the former PM needed another heart bypass surgery. “If his health deteriorates, all those involved would be held responsible,” she warned.

IMRAN TROLLED FOR CONFUSING TAGORE'S QUOTE WITH KHALIL JIBRAN'S

The Twitterati trolled Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan after he posted a quote by Rabindranath Tagore on his official Twitter account, but attributed it to one of Lebanese writer and poet Khalil Jibran. Khan took to Twitter to post an inspirational saying, which read, "I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy." He captioned the quote, "Those who discover and get to understand the wisdom of Gibran's words, cited below, get to live a life of contentment." Sadly, the quote does not belong to Gibran but is actually one of Nobel laureate Tagore's. The original quote is: "I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy."

GOOF UP BY PAK PM'S ASSISTANT

Naeem ul Haque, the special assistant to Pakistan's PM Imran Khan, made a major goof up as he posted Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar's photo on Twitter and captioned it as 'PM Imran Khan 1969'. As soon as he posted the photo, Haque was trolled on Twitter. Several videos surfaced on the internet when Pakistan lost against India and the fans can be seen dejected with the team's performance.

Special courts in Pakistan to tackle violence against women LAHORE: Pakistan will set up more than 1,000 courts dedicated to to tackle violence against women, the country's top judge announced. Activists say that the problem has long been neglected by the criminal justice system of the country. Asif Saeed Khosa said the special courts would allow victims to speak without fear of retaliation in the conservative Muslim country, where domestic violence is often seen as taboo.

Pakistan sees thousands of cases of violence against women every year, from rape and acid attacks to sexual assault, kidnappings and so-called honor killings. “We are going to have 1,016 gender-based violence courts across Pakistan, at least one such court apiece in every district,” Khosa said in an address to fellow judges broadcast on national television.

“The atmosphere of these courts will be different from other courts so that complainants can speak

their heart without any fear,” he said.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, an independent watchdog, reported at least 845 incidents of sexual violence against women in its 2018 report. There were no comparative figures and the Commission had previously said violence against women went largely unreported, particularly in rural areas, where poverty and

stigma prevented victims from speaking out. The country was ranked sixth most dangerous for women, by a survey. The new courts will operate in existing courthouses, but will hold domestic violence hearings separately from other cases to enable victims to testify in confidence. A pilot court of this kind was opened in 2017 in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province.

Local High Court Chief Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said at the time that women were the most vulnerable members of society as one in every three had been a victim of physical or psychological violence. Human rights campaigners said the Lahore court had been a success and welcomed the move to expand the program.

Romana Bashir, who heads the Peace and Development Foundation, a non-governmental organization working on women’s rights, said it was “a wonderful safeguarding measure. Certainly women will be encouraged and feel strengthened to speak up against gender based violence.

Consequently, women will be able to get justice,” she said.

Fauzia Viqar, a women’s rights campaigner, said studies had shown the performance of such dedicated courts to be “many times better than other courts”.

Pak Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa gets more powers ISLAMABAD: In a move that would further expand the powerful Pakistani military's influence, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has been made a member of the newlyformed National Development General Qamar Javed Bajwa Council headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the media reported. The Express Tribune, quoting a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, reported that the 13-member council set up

by Prime Minister Khan will also include the foreign minister and advisor on finance.

The cash-strapped Pakistan government is seeking financial bailout packages from global multilateral lenders like the IMF and the World Bank to tide over a ballooning balance-of-payments crisis that threatens to cripple its economy.

The powerful army, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 70 plus years of existence, has hitherto wielded considerable power in the matters of security and foreign policy. But now, the military will play greater role in economic matters of Pakistan as the Khan-led government grapples with serious financial woes.

Prime minister Khan was widely seen as the Pakistan Army's favoured candidate in the 2018 general election. The National Development Council (NDC) will aim at setting policies and strategies for development and provide guidelines for regional cooperation, according to the notification. It will also provide measures for local coordination and provincial chief ministers will also be invited to the council's meetings. In addition, members of the council will be tasked to formulate and tailor policies to achieve accelerated economic growth, approve long-term planning for national and regional connectivity.

Pakistan Army is already backing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a series of infrastructure projects that are currently under construction throughout Pakistan that would connect China's Xinjiang province with the Arabian Sea via Gwadar port in Pakistan. Earlier, the Commander Chinese People's Liberation

Army (PLA) General Han Weiguo, visited the headquarters of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi and met General Bajwa.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, during the meeting, both leaders

discussed matters related to regional security and professional interest. The Chinese commander lauded the role of Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism and continued efforts for regional peace and stability, said a press release by ISPR.

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Lanka extends emergency after promising to relax it COLOMBO: A state of emergency was extended by Sri Lanka's President, going back on pledges to relax the tough laws introduced after the Easter Sunday attacks that killed 258 people. Maithripala Sirisena said in a decree he believed there was a "public emergency" in the country, and was invoking provisions of the public security act extending the state of emergency. The tough laws, granting sweeping powers to police and security forces to arrest and detain suspects, were due to expire last week.

Just over 100 people, including 10 women, are in custody in connection with April's Easter Sunday suicide attacks against three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo. In late May, Sirisena told diplomats - from Australia, Canada, Japan, the US and

Maithripala Sirisena

European states - the security situation was "99 per cent back to normal" and he would allow the emergency laws to lapse by 22 June.

He assured diplomats security forces had either detained or killed all those directly involved in the attacks,

blamed on a local jihadi group and claimed by the Islamic State group. There was no immediate word from the government why Sirisena changed his mind, but security remains tight in the capital.

The emergency can be declared for a month at a time,

and parliament must ratify it within 10 days.

The continuation of the emergency came as police announced criminal investigations against several top officers, including the Inspector-General, for negligence and lapses ahead of the bombings.

Sirisena himself has been criticised for failing to act on precise Indian intelligence that jihadists were about to hit Christian churches and other targets in Sri Lanka. A parliamentary public inquiry has been told Sirisena, who is also the minister of defence and law and order, failed to follow proper national security protocols. The mainly Buddhist nation of 21 million people was about to mark a decade since ending a 37-year-long Tamil separatist war when the Islamic extremists struck

Lanka in talks with China for $ one bn loan COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is seeking a loan of nearly $1 billion from China for energy and highways as the island recovers from the devastating Easter Sunday bombings, the finance ministry said. Talks are underway with China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to raise the new loan in addition to the $1.2 billion obtained from international

agencies this year, the ministry said.

“We have been discussing with the AIIB to obtain nearly an additional $1,000 million for further development of the Power and Highway sectors,” the ministry quoted finance minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Sri Lanka’s former government borrowed heavily to rollout ports, highways and

Pak gets another warning from antiterror watchdog

Bangla police officer held for failing to probe teenager's murder

NEW DELHI: For the second time, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has issued warning to Pakistan after it failed to meet targets set by the anti-terror watchdog. The FATF warned that the country could be blacklisted unless it fulfils action plan against United Nations designated terrorists operating on its soil by October.

FATF meetings are being held in Florida's Orlando from June 16 to 21.

The agency has already listed Pakistan on its "grey list" of nations with insufficient controls over repressing money laundering and terror financing.

But if India's neighbouring country is blacklisted it faces a risk of facing global sanctions.

“The FATF expresses concern that not only did Pakistan fail to complete its action plan items within the January deadlines, it also failed to complete the action items due May 2019,” the FATF said in a statement.

"The FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its action plan by October 2019, when the last set of action plan items are set to expire.

Otherwise, the FATF will decide the next step at that time for insufficient progress," the agency said.

DHAKA: A senior Bangladesh police officer has been arrested for failing to properly investigate the shocking murder of a teenaged girl who was ordered burned to death by a teacher she accused of sexual assault, officials said. The killing of Nusrat Jahan Rafi in April sparked protests across the country, with the prime minister promising to prosecute all those involved.

At least 16 people - including the teacher - have been charged in connection with the killing and could face the death penalty if convicted. Rafi was lured to the rooftop of an Islamic seminary she attended where her attackers asked her to withdraw a sexual harassment complaint filed with police against the head teacher.

When she refused, she was doused in kerosene and set on fire. She died five days later, her death highlighted an alarming rise in sexual harassment cases in Bangladesh.

An investigation by authorities later found Moazzem Hossain, the police chief of the town where Rafi was killed, had not properly dealt with the complaint the teenager made.

Bangladesh police

railroads, but several ambitious infrastructure projects ended up as white elephants and left the country facing a mountain of debt - mainly to China. Unable to service its loans, the government of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe leased a Chinese-built port at Hambantota to a Beijing company for $1.12 billion in 2017.

Samaraweera said the country was able to maintain economic stability despite the April 21 attacks that killed at least 258 people at three churches and three luxury hotels. The government expects tourism to decline 30% this year as a result of the suicide bombings. The loss of revenue has been estimated at $1.5 billion.

in brief

TRAIN CRASH KILLS 4, INJURES 65 IN BANGLADESH Five coaches on a Bangladesh express train veered off a railway bridge in northeastern Bangladesh, killing at least four people and injuring 65, officials said. Local chief government administrator Tofayel Ahmed said the Upaban Express train was heading for the capital, Dhaka, when the crash occurred at Kulaura in Moulvibazar district.

He said the rail bridge broke down when the train was crossing it. The cause of the breakdown wasn't known immediately.

Ahmed said at least 15 passengers were in critical condition. The bodies of three women and a child were kept in a local health complex, he said. Another official said engineers and workers were working to retrieve the coaches while the search for any people trapped under the wreckage was continuing. The train service between the northeastern region and the rest of the country was halted.

MYANMAR SHUTS INTERNET IN RESTIVE RAKHINE

Myanmar authorities ordered telecoms companies to shut down internet services in conflict-torn western Myanmar, a leading operator said, amid heightening tensions in the region, where government troops are fighting ethnic rebels. Telenor Group said the ministry of transport and communications directed all telecoms companies to “temporarily” suspend internet services in eight townships in Rakhine and neighbouring Chin states. The shutdown went into effect, the statement said. A spokesman for the transport and communications ministry declined to comment.

AUSTRALIANS BRAVE THE CHILL FOR NUDE SOLSTICE SWIM IN TASMANIA

More than 1,900 people rose early on Saturday to take a chilly plunge on the Australian island state of Tasmania. The annual swim takes place on the winter solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year in the southern hemisphere, and this year, a record number of swimmers in nothing but red caps ran for the River Derwent. Joy Walter, a 91-year-old from Tasmania's northeast, was one of the 1,915 who dashed for the water at 7:42 am, when the temperature was just 5 Celsius (41 Fahrenheit). "I just thought I'd like to do that," Walter said. "I'll be 92 in 44 days, and so I thought I better do it while I still can." Now in its seventh year, the nude swim is part of Dark Mofo, a three-week winter festival of music and art that features exhibitions, light and sound installations, and live performances across Tasmanian capital Hobart.

WOMEN, KIDS AMONG 30 DEAD IN INDONESIAN FACTORY FIRE

Bangladeshi women hold placards and photographs of schoolgirl Nusrat Jahan Rafi at a protest in Dhaka

spokesman Sohel Rana confirmed that Hossain had been arrested. He and two other inspectors have been suspended by the police department. Rafi went to the police in late March to make allegations of sexual harassment against the head teacher. A leaked video showed Hossain registering her complaint, but dismissing it as "not a big deal".

Hossain was accused of illegally filming the video, which was later circulated on

social media platforms. He went into hiding after a court issued a warrant for his arrest. At least five people - including three of Rafi's classmates - tied her up with a scarf before setting her on fire.

The plan was to pass the incident off as a case of suicide.

Rafi suffered burns to 80 per cent burns and died in hospital on April 10. She recorded a video before her death, repeating her allegations against the teacher.

At least 30 people, including children, were killed in a fire that swept through a house that doubled as a match factory in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, a disaster official said. Irwan Syahri, from the local disaster mitigation agency, said the dead included three children. He said many of the victims were burned beyond recognition. Faisal Riza, whose wife Marlina died in the fire, said the workers at the match business were all women, some of whom had their children with them. The house owner, an elderly woman identified only as Ros, said that she had rented the property for the past four years to a businessman from the provincial capital, Medan. Another man, Sofyan, said his wife and 10-year-old daughter were prevented from escaping by a locked front door that was also blocked by equipment. The fire started at the rear of the property, he and Riza said.

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in brief IN SA, CLEANERS FIND FETUS BLOCKING PLANE’S TOILET

Cleaners found an abandoned fetus blocking the toilet of a plane in South Africa, the domestic FlySafair airline said, prompting the offloading of passengers and a police probe. The foetus was discovered by cleaning staff as the plane was being prepared and passengers boarded for an early morning flight from Durban to Johannesburg. “Upon final preparations of the waste management system for the departure of flight, our technical crew discovered what appeared to be an abandoned foetus,” the airline said. Passengers were asked to disembark the plane and their journeys were re-scheduled.

BRUSSELS DROPS MJ COSTUME PLAN FOR ‘PEEING BOY’ STATUE

Brussels has decided against decorating its iconic Manneken-Pis statue in a Michael Jackson costume as planned for the 10th anniversary of the US pop icon’s death. The decision was made in the wake of a new documentary, ‘Leaving Neverland”, which has revived claims the singer sexually abused children. “The city council of Brussels has chosen to adopt a cautious position,” a spokesperson said. Brussels’ famous Manneken-Pis statue of a nude young boy has been cheekily urinating into a Baroque fountain for 400 years.

PORN STARS PROTEST AGAINST INSTA’S VAGUE NUDITY RULES

Joining others in their protest against the nudity censorship policies incorporated by Facebook in its family of apps, several porn artists protested outside Instagram’s Silicon Valley headquarters. The adult film artists have described Instagram’s nudity rules vague, inconsistent and threatening to their livelihood, The London Free Press reported. “Today (Wednesday) was such an amazing day and I am so thankful to my team, our supporters, but most importantly, our members and performers who joined this fight. We have proven we can be heard! Go UNION!!!@APAGunion,” Alana Evans, president of the Adult Performers Actors Guild, tweeted.

WOMAN ACCUSES MEN OF HOMOPHOBIC ABUSE ON FLIGHT

A female holidaymaker has accused a group of men of slinging homophobic slurs at her during a Ryanair flight.

Laura Muldoon was flying from London Stansted to Seville, Spain, when she said the group called her a “miserable b***h”, a “dyke” and a “lesbo”. She took a picture of the men she claims made the homophobic remarks and shared the photo on social media. She added: “Oh yeah, flight crew did nothing.” Ryanair tweeted in response to Laura’s post, saying: “Hi Laura, we are sorry to hear this. Please submit a complaint here contactform.ryanair.com where our customer service department can investigate this.”

2,000 families in US face deportation orders WASHINGTON: US cities expecting to be hit by a wave of immigration raids intended to deport recently arrived families who are in the United States illegally said they would not cooperate with federal authorities. In a call with reporters earlier this week, Mark Morgan, the acting director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the agency would target for deportation families that have received a removal order from a US immigration court.

According to reports, the the operation is expected to target up to 2,000 families facing deportation orders in as many as 10 US cities, including Houston, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. A spokesman for ICE declined to comment, saying it would not offer details on operations before their conclusion. Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she had terminated ICE's access to Chicago Police Department (CPD) databases related to federal immigration enforcement activities in response to the threat of raids.

"I have also personally spoken with ICE leadership in Chicago and voiced my strong objection to any such raids.

Further, I reiterated that CPD will not cooperate with or facilitate any ICE enforcement actions," Lightfoot said in a statement. The Los Angeles Police Department said in a series of tweets it would not participate or assist in the immigration enforcement actions. Houston's Mayor Sylvester Turner noted in a statement the "rich cultural contributions" of the city's immigrants, and said: "The city does not try to do ICE's job, nor does it try to impede ICE."

Indian population in US up by 38% in 7 years WASHINGTON: The population of Indian-origin people in the United States grew by 38% in seven years between 2010 and 2017, according to US Census figures compiled last month by a civil rights group, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT). At a time when the UN has released a population report which has highlighted, among various findings, the fact that migration flows have become a major reason for population change in certain regions, a look at the numbers flagged in the SAALT demographic report, based on Census 2010 data and the 2017 American Community Survey: • Nearly 5.4 million South

Asians live in the United States. This is up 40% from 3.5 million counted in Census 2010.

• In 2017, the population of Indian-Americans with multiple ethnicities was 4,402,363, up 38.3% from 3,183,063 in 2010. There are at least 630,000 Indians who are undocumented, a 72% increase since 2010. The

report attributes this to Indian immigrants overstaying visas.

• Indians comprise the largest segment of the South Asian community, making up over 80% of the total population, followed by Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Nepali, Sri Lankans, and Bhutanese.

• The Nepali community

grew by 206.6% since 2010, followed by Indian (38%), Bhutanese (38%), Pakistani (33%), Bangladeshi (26%) and Sri Lankan populations (15%).

Bangladeshi and Nepali communities have the lowest median household incomes out of all Asian American groups, earning $49,800 and $43,500 respectively, the SAALT report said. The report defines the South Asian community in the US as including individuals who trace their ancestry to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Malpes, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and also including members of the South Asian diaspora past generations of South Asians who originally settled in other parts of the world.

Protesters surround police headquarters in Hong Kong HONG KONG: Thousands of people in Hong Kong have surrounded police headquarters, calling for an extradition bill to be scrapped. Police have asked the protesters to withdraw peacefully, saying their presence would "seriously affect" emergency services.

Millions of people have marched against the bill in recent weeks, with violent clashes breaking out with police. The bill, which allows extradition to mainland China, has already been suspended. Critics say it would erode the judicial independence of Hong Kong. Hong Kong has been part of China since 1997 under the "one country, two systems" principle, which allows it freedoms not seen in mainland China.

How radical youth forced the government's hand The protest comes a day after the government ignored a deadline set by a group of students from various universities in Hong Kong, who called for the bill to be completely scrapped.

Early on Friday people gathered outside the Legislative Council Complex, or government headquarters, but then

moved to surround police headquarters.

Among the protesters was student activist Joshua Wong, who became the face of prodemocracy protests in 2014. He was freed earlier this week after being jailed in May on contempt charges related to the 2014 demonstrations.

In a tweet, Wong called for police to drop charges against people arrested in the recent protests. Some protesters also moved to Hong Kong's Revenue Tower.

The Labour Department said several services based in the building would be suspended.

As demonstrators remained camped outside government buildings, some sprayed water into the crowd in an attempt to keep cool while others sang songs.

Palpable anger It is telling that many protesters have now dropped Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam's resignation from their list of demands focusing instead on a complete withdrawal of the bill, revoking the term "riot" to describe the 12 June

protests, releasing all detained activists, and investigating police violence. One 20-year-old protester, June, had snuck out to the protests despite her parents disapproval. She said she didn't think it was realistic to expect Carrie Lam to resign, but "I really hope they release injured protesters and investigate their actions". So far, there haven't been any violent clashes - some protesters threw eggs, but nothing harder, at uniformed police officers, while there were no riot police at the scene, perhaps in an attempt to defuse tensions. But the anger at the police was palpable as people chanted "evil police" and "release them", and attempted to block some entrances with steel barriers.

What is the extradition bill?

The mass protests are against amendments to the extradition law that would allow suspects accused of criminal wrongdoing to be extradited to mainland China. This is significant because though Hong Kong is part of China, it keeps its own judicial independence, legislature and economic system. People fear that if the extradition bill passes, it would erode this judicial independence and bring Hong Kong more decisively under China's control.

Critics of the bill, including lawyers and rights groups, also say it leaves people in Hong Kong exposed to China's justice system, which is marred by allegations of torture, forced confessions and arbitrary detentions.

PART/FULL TIME MALE PRIEST REQUIRED

CHANGE OF NAME I, Kaushalbhai Pravinchandra Pandya (Residing at 6B, Watford Road, Wembley, HA0 3EW, London) have changed my name to Kaushal Pravinchandra Pandyaa for all future purposes.

FOR SHIRDI SAI BABA TEMPLE Om Sai Ram Must have experience of working in Hindu Temple preferably Shirdi Sai Baba with ability to perform poojas & abhishek for the Deith. The applicant must be able to sing Aaratis in Marathi and communicate in English or Hindi.

Ph. 020 8902 2311 Email sai@shirdisai.org.uk | info@shirdisai.org.uk Baba Malik

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SOUTH INDIA

'Water famine in TN': Stalin leads protest against govt CHENNAI: MK Stalin, leader of the opposition party in Tamil Nadu, joined protests led by his party - the DMK - against the AIADMK government's handling of the ongoing water crisis. The southern state has been fighting a water shortage for several months. State capital Chennai has been forced into 40 per cent cut in piped water supply after four city reservoirs the main sources of drinking water - dried up.

"There is a water famine in Tamil Nadu. EPS (Chief Minister E Palaniswami), OPS (Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam) and ministers aren't bothered about water crisis. This water scarcity is not a sudden development," Stalin told the protesters. "The one question being asked by people across Tamil Nadu is 'where is the water'? The AIADMK government has not completed any drinking water project in the state. Its party officials are holding yagnas in temples - not for the rains, but to protect their own government," he said.

Today marks the third day of

DMK Leader MK Stalin leading protest against water crisis in Chennai

protests by the DMK. The party asked district secretaries to stage protests with support from the public. Stalin also criticised the AIADMK for "irregularities" in the construction of an extra desalination plant.

"This government lies continually. I would order probe into desalination plant irregularities soon after coming to power," the former deputy chief minister said, predicting, "There would be a change of Govt in Tamil Nadu even without fresh elections."

Chennai needs 800 million litres of water per day (MLD) against a current supply of only 525 MLD. To help deal with the crisis, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had last week offered to send 20 lakh litres of water to Chennai. Chief Minister E Palaniswami welcomed the gesture but asked instead for 2 MLD, saying, "We are everyday supplying 525 MLD water (in Chennai) and if 2 MLD water could be given every day, it will be useful for the people."

The groundwater in

Chennai and its surrounding areas is replenished by five lakes - Puzhal, Sholavaram, Kaliveli, Pulicat and Maduranthakam all located within a 60-km radius of the city. However, encroachments on these water bodies, a long-standing issue, have significantly reduced each lake's ability to hold water and replenish underwater tables.

The state government last week announced that 10 million litres of water would be transported to the capital, from northern parts of the state. The Chief Minister has acknowledged that drought and deficient monsoons have resulted in depletion of groundwater levels, but has claimed the issue is not as big as it ha been described by the media.

Hospitals hike charges The severe water crisis in Chennai has not spared even hospitals. The dwindling supply of water has sent room rents, cost of procedures like dialysis and consultation in most neighbourhood hospitals and nursing homes soaring.

PUNJAB

Punjab police step up security after sacrilege accused killed in jail CHANDIGARH: Police in Punjab stepped up security a day after a key accused in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case was killed allegedly by two inmates in the high-security Nabha prison. The murder took on Saturday when Mahinderpal Bittu was attacked by other inmates. Bittu was rushed to a hospital, but he was declared brought dead, said the police. The officials said that preliminary investigations have revealed that Bittu, 49, a resident of Faridkot, was allegedly attacked by Gursewak Singh and Maninder Singh, who were lodged in the same jail in a murder case. According to an

official, the accused used iron rods picked up from a construction site inside the jail.

The deceased had suffered serious head injuries in the incident.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered an inquiry into the attack and warned of stringent punishment for the assailants, an official statement said. Additional Director General of Prisons Rohit Chaudhary will head the fact-finding committee, which has been asked to submit the report within three days, the statement said. "The inquiry will be in addition to the mandatory

judicial inquest into the murder of the accused who was arrested last year," it said.

Officials said that checking of vehicles has been intensified at various places while paramilitary, along with the state police force, has been deployed in Kotkapura town in Faridkot, where Bittu's body was brought from Nabha. Bittu, a follower of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, was accused in the case related to the desecration of Shri Guru Granth Sahib in Bargari, Faridkot in 2015.

Bittu's body was kept in 'Naam Charcha Ghar' (congregation or prayer centre)

of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect at Kotkapura. A large number of Dera followers started gathering there after the body reached there.

A special investigation team (SIT) of the Punjab Police, probing the four-year-old sacrilege incident and other similar events, had named Bittu as the key accused.

He was booked for various charges, including allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs and being involved in unlawful activities. He was nabbed by Punjab police from Palampur in Himachal Pradesh a year ago.

in brief TDP JOLTED AS 4 OF 6 MPS IN RS JOIN BJP

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu suffered a major jolt as four of the six party’s Rajya Sabha MPs split and joined BJP. The development, which came at a time when Naidu is in Europe, saw former Union minister Y S Chowdary, C M Ramesh, T G Venkatesh and G Mohan Rao announcing their decision to join BJP and appearing at the BJP office. The four MPs add to BJP’s numbers in the Rajya Sabha, taking the tally to 75. Of these, Chowdary and Ramesh in particular looked after Naidu’s operations in Delhi having been influential members of TDP for several years. They are being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate and income tax authorities. The defection hit an already weakened TDP that had lost the assembly and Lok Sabha elections in AP comprehensively.

CAPT AMARINDER PLACATES SULKING MINISTER SONI

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has placated his Cabinet Minister O P Soni, who was upset after having lost his Education portfolio recently and being assigned Medical Education and Research.

Soni had not assumed charge of his new department yet like his Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu, who too has not taken charge of his new Power Department. While Sidhu is looking at the high command to sort out his issue, Amarinder has placated Soni.

Sources said Amarinder may meet senior party leaders in Delhi, with a dossier on Sidhu to defend his decision. The CM is likely to meet NSA chief Ajit Doval over security concerns in Punjab. Soni, meanwhile, is likely to assume charge of his department in the coming days.

He also holds Freedom Fighters and Food Processing Department.

TMC MLA, 12 COUNCILLORS CROSS OVER TO BJP

In yet another wave of TMC migration to BJP, a legislator from Mamata Banerjee's camp jumped ship to join the saffron party last week.

TMC MLA from Bongaon Biswajit Das joined BJP in New Delhi in the presence of party's West Bengal leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya and Mukul Roy. Along with Biswajit Das, 12 TMC councillors and Congress spokesperson Prasanjeet Ghosh also joined the BJP. This comes a day after another TMC MLA Noapara legislator Sunil Singh, along with the 15 TMC councillors and another Congress councillor, had joined the BJP. Leaders, including MLAs and MPs, from various parties in West Bengal, have been joining the saffron party for the past several months. BJP leader Vijayvargiya alleged that under the leadership of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, democracy had vanished from the state.

WEST BENGAL

Two killed in fresh Bengal violence BHATPARA (WEST BENGAL): Two people, including a 17-year-old, were killed and six others injured, four of them critically, as the troubled Bhatpara area in Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district witnessed clashes between Trinamool and BJP supporters. In another incident, many others were injured when clashes broke out after a three-member BJP central delegation left the area after their fact-finding mission. As the delegation left, two groups, one led by the BJP and other by TMC, engaged in pitched battle as both sides hurled countrymade bombs and stones at each otherd.

The death toll in Bhatpara violence has now gone up to five since May 23, the day Lok Sabha poll results were announced and when Trinamool rebel Arjun Singh was declared the winner in a fiercely contested fight for the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat.

Police had to fire in the air to bring the

situation under control. The state government has clamped prohibitory orders and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee gave cops a 72-hour deadline to restore normalcy. The latest round of violence came on a day when the state director general of police was supposed to inaugurate a new police station in Bhatpara. The violence started about 100 metres from the police station that the DGP was supposed to inaugurate. He was on his way to Bhatpara for the ceremony but turned back after reports of violence brokeout. He later returned to the spot but to probe the violence.

Two bombs fell near the gate of Reliance Jute Mill, sparking panic among workers who had gathered for their morning shift.

The blasts led to widespread panic as labourers scampered to safety. But in a few minutes, a crowd of several hundred

gathered at Bhatpara crossing. They chased away the miscreants. But the miscreants returned later and a fresh round of violence started.

A pani puri seller who was returning home, was hit by a stray bullet. Another bullet Security personnel at Bhatpara after the clashes hit a 49-year-old in the Congress and the BJP blamed each other for abdomen. Both died almost immediately at the clashes, which is seen as an attempt to the spot. There were contradictory accounts establish dominance in Bhatpara, which of what led to the two deaths. The victims’ comes under the Barrackpore Lok Sabha kin alleged the deaths were caused by police constituency. Five people have been arrested firing. Some locals claimed they saw armed in connection with the clash, police said. The miscreants roaming around with pistols. A state government has removed Barrackpore CCTV grab, showing masked men roaming Police Commissioner Tanmay Ray around the area with pistols, corroborated Chaudhuri and appointed Manoj Kumar this account. Police, however, said they Verma in his place. Several country-made opened fire in the air in self-defence. Six bombs and revolvers had been recovered policemen were injured. The Trinamool from the area, police said.

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HERITAGE HISTORY

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25

29 June - 5 July 2019

JNU on Hit-list then and now

Diary of a new Canadian Immigrant

• Pandit Nehru was not for his name being given to the new University • Maneka Gandhi complained and Tripathi was jailed for 14 months !

D

elhi based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is globally known for excellence in academics. Most of the elite politicians, Indian Administration Service (IAS) officials or the diplomats from India are ‘JNU products’. Even present-day Indian Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, too. Despite all this somehow the ruling party in India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its mother organization i.e. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are keen on maligning the JNU as “the leftist den” or “a breeding ground of antinational activities”. The JNU, named after the first Prime Minister of India ‘against his wish’

by Justice Mohamed Ali Currim Chagla, a Union Minister in the Ministry of Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi too. Surprisingly, a Gujarati Muslim Chagla, whose forefathers hailed from Kutch, was one who blessed the first national convention of BJP at Mumbai in 1980.

Despite Justice Chagla telling the story in detail in his autobiography “Roses in December” how he as an Education Minister of India in Indira Gandhi ministry established the JNU in 1966, a leftist Editor turned BJP MP in Rajya Sabha like Dr. Chandan Mitra prefer to create wrong impression that JNU was ‘a brainchild of Indira Gandhi and her Sancho Panza Education Minister Syed Nurul Hasan’. Recently, the Pioneer Editor Dr. Mitra has joined Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief minister of West Bengal after the BJP did not repeat him in the Rajya Sabha.

Since BJP led coalition government came to power in 2014, following antinational and controversial slogan mongering since February 2016 in favour of the separatists of Jammu and Kashmir on the campus by the students of JNU and outside supporters, the student leaders like Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid are facing the heat.

The police had entered the campus and arrested Kanhaiya Kumar, the JNU Students Union President and others. The sedition cases are on in the court of law while they are released on bail. Some clashes between the leftist students organization with ABVP are also reported on the campus.

The JNU has become a hot issue where even the leaders of various political parties are also hitting out at each other. The authorities have been taking a tough stand and actions since antinational elements and ‘tukde-tukde gang’ cannot take the government and university authorities for ride.

Not that the JNU is being targeted these days only. It had undergone such attacks even during the Emergency (1975-77) imposed by PM Indira Gandhi. The real villain of the Emergency was Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of the then PM and her heir apparent. His young wife, Maneka Gandhi, who is BJP MP and has been a Minister in various ministries, was a student at JNU during the Emergency. She was asked

by D.P.Tripathi, the then President of JNU Students Union who rose to become a Member of Parliament in

PM Indira Gandhi with her sons Rajiv and Sanjay, daughter-in-laws Sonia and Maneka and of course, grand children Rahul and Priyanka (Courtesy: Jitendra Arya, Femina)

Rajya Sabha, to go back home since the students had given a call for strike against the Emergency.

“We opposed Indira Gandhi but our biggest opposition was against the gunda raj of Sanjay Gandhi”, writes Tripathi in ‘The Week’ in June 2015. Maneka conveyed

Next Column:

A Love story of Ra’ana Liaqat Ali Khan it to Sanjay. The police officials reached the JNU campus. They were looking for Tripathi but ended up arresting Prabir Purkayastha, who later became a noted social activist. Of course, Tripathi was arrested on 25 November 1975. “For the next 14 months, I was in

Tihar Jail along with many other youngsters from SFI, ABVP, the Socialists and Naxalite groups,” records Tripathi, who came out of the Jail only on 25 January 1977 with Arun Jaitley, a leader of ABVP leader then who rose to be prominent BJP leader and a Union Minister in Vajpeyee Government as well as Modi Government. The left dominated JNU and pro-BJP ABVP or pro-Congress NSUI dominated Delhi University campus have been grooming the political leaders of India but the authorities have to be cautious lest the campus clashes among the students take serious turn.

Dr. Hari Desai (The writer is a Socio-political Historian.

E-mail: haridesai@gmail.com)

Swami Satyamitranand Giriji passes away Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of spiritual leader Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj, recalling his contribution in serving the tribals and the poor.

The founder of the Bharat Mata temple in Haridwar, Swami Satyamitranand died on Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness.

"Deeply saddened to know about the demise of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj who founded Bharat Mata temple in Haridwar," Naidu tweeted. He said the spiritual leader "rendered invaluable services

and established Samanvaya Seva Foundation to serve poor people from tribal and hilly areas by providing free education and medical facilities. He established many learning centres & travelled across the globe to spread the message of Sanatana Dharma," the vice president said.

Modi said Swami Satyamitranand epitomised spirituality and wisdom. "He devoted his life towards empowering the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. He was extremely proud of India's rich history and culture. My tributes to this divine soul.

Om Shanti," the prime minister tweeted.

Mitul Paniker

Behind every successful man there is a community that fought for him Dear Readers,

T

immigration. The second provision required Indian immigrants to possess $200 upon arriving in Canada. This was eight times the amount of what was required of white immigrants (Europeans only required $25 to migrate).

We are all aware of the unfortunate Komagata Maru incident. In 1914, the ship sailed from British Hong Kong, via Shanghai, China, and Yokohama, Japan, to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with 376 passengers, all British subjects. The passengers consisted of 351 Sikhs, 21 Muslims, and 12 Hindus. Only 24 of them

he last couple of weeks have been an experience. In widening our almost non-existential social circle, my husband and I were introduced to the lovely Sureshbhai Patel and his wife Bhavnaben, by CB Patel. After going back and forth on e-mail for a couple of days, the gentleman called us one day and the first place he took us, was the Sanatan Mandir in Markham. It is tradition, Sureshbhai said.

Every guest he receives is taken to the temple first, and them home for his trademark Gujarati hospitality. The temple is a sight in its own, with all Hindu Gods settled in one big pooja room.

Within days of our acquaintance with Sureshbhai, he connected us with a couple of other people from the community and our hearts were full with the kind of treatment we received from all of them.

In my humble observation, people settled abroad for over a decade or more, are more An ode to history: Sikh passengers on the Komagata Maru ship inclined to socialise with were admitted to Canada, and the others their community members, than those who were sent back as the ship was forced to sail are still trying to find their ground. to India, where it met an fateful end.

Sureshbhai and Bhavnaben's disposition Despite the adverse and unfavourable towards us not only came from the fact that climate, a couple thousand immigrants we are affiliated with CB, but it came from began to carve out a space for themselves in the values they brought with them. As Vancouver's economy. Many became stereotypical as it may seem, meeting successful entrepreneurs, serving both their someone from the same community in a own community and businesses in the city. foreign land, is a unique feeling in its own.

Today, there are an odd 30 or so leaders Their victories become your victories, their of Indian origin, who sit at the king's table problems become your problems, their in the country's political arena. story is now your story.

The most prominent of them all is The first documented immigrants from Jagmeet Singh, the first person of Indian the Indian subcontinent were of the Sikh descent to have been elected leader of a community. They arrived in Vancouver in prominent party at the National Level in 1904, a time when Canadian immigration North America. Similarly, there are several policies were in a dramatic contrast to that well-known persons of Gujarati origin, like of the present. Several white Canadians Bharat Masrani, CEO of TD Bank Group, or were opposed to non-white immigration.

Zain Verjee, revered journalist of the CNN, In 1907, 10,000 people in Vancouver Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary, and protested Indian immigration. They rioted others. across Vancouver's Chinatown, After decades of British colonisation, intimidating people and destroying the Indian community found itself property. The year after that, the federal sprawled across the globe in bits and pieces. government came up with two provisions While history stands witness that time with the sole intention of preventing wasn't too kind to them, I would admit, Indian immigration. The first required that their struggles bore fruits for the current all immigrants arrive in Canada by a generations. For every single person who continuous journey from their country of was sent back to India from the shores citizenship. of Canada, there are hundreds today Since there were no ships that made a who stand on two feet with their heads continuous journey from India to Canada, held high. the restriction effectively blocked brown

SC notices to Centre, Bihar on brain fever deaths The Supreme Court voiced its concern over alarming rise in brain fever deaths in Bihar and issued notices to both central and state governments on Monday. Death toll from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome currently stands at 169 in Bihar - with Muzaffarpur, the epicentre of the outbreak, alone accounting for 129 of those. The Supreme Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation that wants the central government to intervene.

The Centre and the state governments both

have seven days to respond.

"It cannot go on. This requires some consideration. We will need definite answers," the court said. Bihar Government said the situation was under control after it took “all steps necessary” to prevent the spread of the disease. A Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai directed the Bihar Government to file an affidavit on medical facilities, nutrition and sanitation and the hygiene conditions in the state.

26 INDIA

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29 June - 5 July 2019

Mehul Choksi’s Antiguan citizenship to be revoked

The Antiguan government will revoke the citizenship of diamantaire Mehul Choksi, a key accused in over £1.3 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam who fled to the Caribbean nation, after he has exhausted his legal options and he will be deported to India, Antigua Observer reported, quoting Prime Minister Gaston Brown of Antigua and Barbuda.

Antigua, known as one of the several tax havens in the Caribbean, has no extradition treaty with India, but PM Brown said that his country will not provide “safe harbour for criminals, for those who are involved in financial crimes.

His citizenship was processed; he got through but the reality is his citizenship will be revoked and he will be repatriated to India; so there is recourse.

It’s not a case that we are trying to provide any safe harbour for criminals, for those who are involved in financial crimes,” Antigua Observer reported, quoting a statement by Prime Minister Browne.

Browne also said, “We have to allow for due process. He has a matter before the court and as we said to the Indian Government, criminals have fundamental rights, too, and Choksi has a right to go to court and defend his position. But I can assure you, after he has exhausted all of his legal options, he will be extradited.” Browne said that his government has made it a priority to ensure that individuals who will benefit from the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) undergo intense scrutiny but added that there are a few who may

circumvent the process, so the recourse is available.

To remedy the ongoing problem of criminals attempting to sidestep the CIP and use the twin-island as a place of refuge, Browne said that further measures and due diligence will be implemented going forward, according to Antigua Observer. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are the two key accused wanted by India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly defrauding PNB to the tune of £1.35 billion in collusion with some of the bank employees.

The multi-billion fraud came to light in early 2018.

Both Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi had fled the country before that. Choksi had left India in January last year. Six months later, it

Mehul Choksi

became known that he had taken Antigua citizenship.

The process was completed two months before the scam surfaced in January and he was investigated, which was why when Antigua asked India to give details of cases against him, he got a clean chit.

India had cancelled the

passports of both Choksi and Nirav Modi in February, after investigators uncovered the huge loan fraud at PNB. Nirav Modi is said to be in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

In April, Choksi had approached the court claiming that he had not deliberately avoided joining

the investigation against him in the alleged PNB fraud case, but was unable to return because of his medical condition.

Choksi filed an affidavit in Bombay High Court on Monday through his advocate Vijay Aggarwal, stating he had left the country in January 2018 for getting medical check-up and treatment abroad and not to avoid prosecution in the case. The court asked Choksi to send his medical papers and reports to JJ Hospital, so that it can analyse them and submit a report to the court stating whether he is fit to travel to India.

ED had told the Bombay High Court that it was ready to provide an air ambulance to bring Choksi for trial. The 59-year-old earlier refused to return to India, saying he feared “mob lynching”.

Black money stashed outside India estimated at $216-490 bn Unaccounted wealth outside the country held by Indians was estimated in the range of USD 216.48 billion to USD 490 billion over various periods between 1980 and 2010, according to three separate studies conducted by National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), and the National Institute of Finance Management (NIFM). They found that the sectors where unaccounted income is found to be the highest included real estate, mining, pharmaceuticals, pan masala, gutkha, tobacco,

bullion, commodity, film, and education, said a report of the Standing Committee on Finance tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

There are no reliable estimates of black money generation or accumulation, neither is there an accurate well-accepted methodology for making such estimation, according to the Committee’s report, titled ‘Status of Unaccounted Income/Wealth Both Inside and Outside the Country: A Critical Analysis’.

“All estimates depend upon the underlying assumptions made and the sophistication of adjustments incorporated.

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Among the estimates made so far, there is no uniformity, or consensus about the best methodology or approach to be used for this purpose,” it said.

Amount not specified As per the report, the NCAER study said that unaccounted wealth accumulated outside India is estimated to exist between USD 384 billion and USD 490 billion during the 19802010 period. The NIFM said results of estimation suggest that total illicit outflow at the current value (including opportunity cost) from India in the reform period (19902008) stands at £94.18 billion (USD 216.48 billion).

Illicit outflows from the country are estimated on an average at 10 per cent of the estimated unaccounted income.

The NIPFP said that during 19972009, illicit financial outflows have been in the range of 0.2 per cent to 7.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In March 2011, NIPFP, NCAER and NIFM were asked by the Finance Ministry to conduct studies to assess and survey unaccounted income and wealth both inside and outside the country. “It appears that the reliable estimation of unaccounted income and wealth inside and outside the country is a difficult task, this inference is validated by the widely varying estimates of the unaccounted income

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arrived at by these three institutes.

The Chief Economic Adviser has opined that there is no scope for arriving at a common estimate of unaccounted income by combining estimates from the three reports (studies),” the parliamentary panel’s report said.

The panel, headed by M Veerappa Moily, had submitted its report to the Lok Sabha Speaker on March 28, well before the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha.

The recommendations The committee noted that as only a “limited number of stakeholders” could be examined by it, owing to the paucity of time, “this report might be considered as a preliminary report”, pending examination of other witnesses, including non-official witnesses or experts on the subject, and after evidence replies of the finance ministry which are

awaited. “In the meantime, the Committee would expect the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) to continue their efforts with greater vigour to unearth and bring to book unaccounted income/wealth both within and outside the country including follow-up action on the seven reports of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted on black money as well as the three study reports on estimation of unaccounted money,” it said. The Committee, the report added, would thus expect more fruitful outcomes on this count, both in terms of much wider tax base as well as actual tax yield. In the context, it also desires that the longdelayed direct tax code should also be finalised at the earliest and reintroduced in Parliament with a view to simplify and rationalise the direct tax laws in the country.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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29 June - 5 July 2019

Benefits And Top 7 Dietary Sources Of The Antioxidant Vitamin E

Vitamins are important for our body, but often get ignored in our obsession with proteins and fats.

Vitamins are a part of the essential micro-nutrients that are required in smaller quantities by our body, for smooth functioning of a number of processes.

Some of the most important vitamins required by the human body include vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E and K. It's a long list to remember, but the good news is that if you consume a healthy and balanced diet, you may already be consuming a good majority of these vitamins on a daily basis.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that has a number of forms. The one that is useful to our body, however, is alpha-tocopherol, the main role of which is to act like an antioxidant and hunt down free radicals in the body. Free radical damage is linked to a number of potentially fatal diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, dementia, diabetes etc. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin E (as specified by guidelines of the Institute of Medicine) is 15 mg for both men and women.

Here are some benefits or roles of Vitamin E that you must know about: 1. Vitamin E-rich foods and supplements may help in reducing heart disease risk.

2. Vitamin E, in combination

with zinc, vitamin C and beta-carotene may protect against advanced age-related macular degeneration, indicating that this vitamin may protect eye health.

3. Some studies have shown that consuming vitamin E is linked with improvement in cognitive function and reduced risk of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

4. One study showed that taking vitamin E-rich foods and supplements may reduce risks of death from ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which is a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness.

5. It has been hailed for its purported ability to stop production of free radical cells and protect the cells from damage by free radicals.

Sources Of Vitamin E, include: 1. Wheat Germ Oil - This oil is extracted from the germ of the wheat kernel and is one of the best dietary sources of vitamin E - 255 milligrams per 100 gram. However, wheat germ oil is extremely perishable and quite expensive.

2. Almonds - The most popular nuts around - almonds are nutritious and consumed for their many health benefits. A 100 grams portion of almonds contains 25.6 milligrams of Vitamin E. 3. Avocado - One of the most popular superfoods around,

avocado is replete with healthy nutrients, including vitamin E that is 14 percent of the Daily Value per 100 grams of the fruit.

4. Sunflower Seeds - The seeds of sunflower are also consumed as healthy snacks, rich in mono and polyunsat-

urated fats, as well as vitamin E. A 100 grams portion of sunflower seeds contains 35.7 milligrams of vitamin E. 5. Peanuts and Peanut Butter - Peanuts are technically legumes that are most often mistaken for nuts.

They are rich in protein and are consumed as snacks as well as in the form of peanut butter. Peanuts contain 44 per cent daily value of Vitamin E, per 100 grams portion.

6. Soyabean Oil - Some of the best dietary sources of

Vitamin E are plant-based oils, including soyabean oil, which is widely used for cooking in a number of homes worldwide. Hundred grams of refined soyabean oil contains 8.8 milligrams of Vitamin E. 7. Spinach - One of the best low-calorie vegetables tha spinach is a favourite of health freaks around the world. Spinach is a versatile vegetable with a wealth of nutrition including good amounts of Vitamins A, C and K. Spinach is also among the richest sources of Vitamin E among popular vegetables- 44 per cent of daily value per 100 grams.

A deficiency of vitamin E is rare, as it is needed in such trace amounts by the body and also because it is found in commonly consumed foods.

However, those who do not consume enough fat in their diet may develop a deficiency of this vitamin. Some of the signs of vitamin E deficiency include reduced immunity, retinal damage, damage of the peripheral nerves resulting in pain and weakness in hands and legs and ataxia or loss of movement in body.

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, contact a qualified medical professional.

Power and endurance training Coffee could be the secret to 'key to all-round fitness' fighting obesity

Team sport players are as good at endurance as longdistance runners and as powerful as bodybuilders and it is down to their blend of training, a study suggests.

The key is to combine strength and endurance training, researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University say.

Cycling, running or swimming is recommended for all-round fitness. But climbing stairs or doing chores - energetically - also works, as an alternative to the gym, they said.

The research team compared the performance of three different groups of male athletes, who trained at least three times a week in their sport. There were 87 endurance athletes, such as

road cyclists, skiers and distance runners, 77 power athletes, such as sprinters, bodybuilders and throwers, and 64 team athletes involved in football, basketball and volleyball.

All were from the Lithuanian Sports University in Kaunas, Lithuania, and aged 17 to 37.

The athletes were all tested on muscle power, how high they could jump vertically from a standing position, and their ability to use oxygen during intense exercise - a measure of aerobic endurance.

The researchers discovered that team athletes had a similar aerobic stamina to endurance athletes and a similar jump range to power athletes.

Drinking coffee could help people slim down and avoid type 2 diabetes by helping the body burn off extra calories, according to researchers.

Scientists say a cup of the hot drink may kick-start brown fat into action – brown fat is active tissue which burns sugar and fat from food to warm up the body. It is different to white fat, which is what makes people look overweight.

This is food fat stored by the body when people eat more energy than they use.

Caffeine is believed to be the part of coffee which takes the body's calorieburning up a gear, but the scientists said more research is needed. More than two thirds of UK adults are overweight and around 3.4mil-

lion people – one in 20 – have type 2 diabetes, which can lead to a stroke or heart disease. Researchers from the University of Nottingham tested their theory on nine healthy volunteers after finding it had worked in a lab.

The people were aged 27, on average, and had to refrain from exercising, drinking caffeine or taking drugs or alcohol for nine hours before the tests. They were then given a cup of Nescafé instant coffee, or water in an experiment for comparison, and their body scanned while the caffeine effects set in. The thermal scans showed the people's brown fat in their neck got hotter when they drank the coffee, showing it was working to burn calories.

in brief CROHN'S PATIENT REVERSES HIS PAINFUL CONDITION BY GOING VEGAN AS DOCTORS PRAISE PROMISING CASE AND SAY 'FOOD REALLY IS MEDICINE'

A Crohn's disease patient reversed his painful condition with a vegan diet, doctors have claimed. There is currently no cure for the agonising condition, which can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain and weight loss.

However, drugs can help some patients can achieve clinical remission - when the disease is no longer active but a flareup could still occur. But one unidentified man's symptoms completely disappeared after he cut animal products from his diet, after drugs failed to help.

A doctor said the case study provides 'hope for thousands of people' and hailed food as medicine with the life-long disease who rely on medication. However, other experts warned against a plant-based diet, insisting there is not enough evidence it will help.

Critics of the case report even said a vegan diet could even exacerbate nutrient deficiencies in Crohn's patients. The case study was published by medics at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Missouri, in the journal Nutrients.

Dr Kelsea Sandefur, the author, revealed the man had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease in November 2014 at the age of 25. He experienced months of weight loss, diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms, and an examination showed severe inflammation in the gut.

Treatment began in January 2015. But after a year, tests still indicated his disease was mildly active. According to the doctors, only about 10 per cent of traditionally managed Crohn's disease patients achieve long-term remission.

HIGH-TECH £800,000 SURGEON SET TO TRANSFORM KNEE REPLACEMENTS WITH PERFECT JOINT FITTING FOR THOUSANDS OF NHS PATIENTS

A high-tech robot surgeon is set to transform knee replacements for thousands of NHS patients. The £800,000 ‘robodoc’ is so precise it allows doctors to make artificial joints fit perfectly, reducing the chances of them wearing out after ten or 15 years, as many do.

Surgeons hope it means implants will now last a lifetime – helping patients avoid more surgery and saving the NHS vital cash. Called Mako and made by US tech firm Stryker Inc, the device has been used in the UK private healthcare sector for some years. But now a number of NHS trusts are adopting the technology to try to improve outcomes for patients.

The Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth is using the Mako machine for knee and hip replacements, while the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham says it has plans to make it available to NHS patients soon.

About 90,000 knee replacements are carried out each year in the UK to help people who have had crippling osteoarthritis, in which the smooth cartilage that lines the joints wears away, leading to pain while moving.

The procedure usually involves highly skilled surgeons cutting out bone and cartilage before fitting a new implant.

But it can be extremely difficult to ensure man-made joints are a perfect fit for the patient’s anatomy. As a result, components rub against each other and, over time, wear away. The robodoc device reduces the risk of this happening because of its pinpoint accuracy, claim some experts.

To Our Readers We are publishing these items in good faith, kindly consult your Doctor before you try to implement any advice. We do not hold any responsibility for its efficacy...

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'Toughest thing I've done', Disha Patani on working with Salman Khan Bollywood babe Disha Patani, who was recently seen in Salman Khan's 'Bharat' has said her knee is yet to recover from an injury that she had during the film's shoot. She added that she had to continue jumping and doing the flips despite the injury.

In an interview, the actress said, "This is among the toughest things I have done. I injured my knee while shooting and still had to do the flips, dance, jump the fire hoops, etc. In fact, my knee has still not recovered!"

Speaking about the experience of working with a star like Salman, Patani said, "It was such a great experience to work with such an established actor. He is so hardworking, humble, understanding and nice to everyone. It's amazing to see

how even after working for so many years, he is so charged, wanting to do things and so energetic." She added that it was unfortunate that she didn't get to work with Katrina Kaif who portrayed a character from a different era in the movie.

On how she chooses her films, Disha said, "When scripts come to me, I usually have an instinct, whether I want to do it or not. So far, all the films I have acted in, have been an instant yes or no. I check if I see myself as that character or not."

On the workfront, Disha is currently working on Mohit Suri's romantic thriller 'Malang', opposite Aditya Roy Kapur. She will also be seen in Anees Bazmee's romcom opposite Kartik Aryan.

Ranveer gets a legal notice from WWE star Lesnar’s advocate Actor Ranveer Singh managed to steal the limelight with his high voltage energy from the commentary box in the recent India-Pakistan cricket match, and later with his Instagram posts where he shared pictures with some popular cricket legends and current team members.

However, his excitement has been dampened by WWE star Brock Lesnar's advocate Paul Heyman, who has sent a notice to Singh.

Heymann has apparently sent a notice to Singh for apparently using his catchphrase 'Eat. Sleep, Conquer, Repeat' in a twisted manner. In a post where the actor can be seen sharing a selfie with Hardik Pandya. He also shared the photo on Twitter. Lesnar's advocate reacted to the caption by retweeting the picture. He wrote, "@RanveerOfficial ARE YOU F'N KIDDING

Parineeti calls brotherin-law Nick generous Actor Parineeti Chopra can't stop gushing over her brother-in-law, American pop singer Nick Jonas. In an fun TV show, the 'Kesari' actress said he was well prepared for his Indian wedding ceremony with her cousin sister Priyanka Chopra. The power couple got married in India in December last year, and had three-day wedding festivities at Jodhpur's royal Umaid Bhawan Palace, where they exchanged wedding vows as per both Christian and Hindu rituals in two separate ceremonies.

Parineeti said she got lots of money in "dollars and rupees" as well as diamond rings in the 'joota chupai' ceremony. The Indian ceremony is a tradition wherein the sisterin-law hides the shoes of the groom and then asks for money or gift in return. Parineeti opened up about the wedding in a show, and said, "I got a lot of money, I got dollars and rupees, in millions and we also got diamond rings. We also got bags, we got a lot of stuff.

He was very generous."

"He was actually more prepared than all of us. So I thought I was the smart one and I

was going to go and do this ‘rasam’ (ceremony) and take only cash from him. They were more than ready because when the time came, he literally just signalled to someone and all of us cousins looked at the back, and there was this guy with a giant tray full of diamond rings and all of us got diamond rings and the bridesmaids got a lot of gifts.

So I am proud to show off that Nick jiju is very generous," she added.

When asked whether Priyanka had any bridezilla moments at the wedding, Parineeti said, "We honestly thought of it before the wedding happened but actually not at all."

ME???????????" While many saw the reply as a mere warning, it turns out that Heyman has taken things a step further as he has served a legal notice to the actor for using the catchphrase which was popularised by Lesnar inside the wrestling ring.

In his latest tweet, tagging a report by a publication that said that the advocate "warned" the actor, Heyman clarified that it wasn't just a warning and that he has actually sent a legal notice to Ranveer. "I didn't warn. I served noticed.

And while I applaud @TheStatesmanLtd for their coverage of #YourHumbleAdvocate and @BrockLesnar, I must stress that I am not a manager (what an outdated, antiquated term). I am an #Advocate. And I'm the best #Advocate in history," he tweeted. Ranveer is yet to give an official statement.

Salman plays 'young at heart' businessman in 'Inshallah' Announcement of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Inshallah' created quite the stir, especially with the cast involving Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt in the lead. Much was said about casting the young actress opposite a much older Khan. New details have come forward about their characters in the film.

Salman is set to play a 40 year old businessman with a young heart. A source in the know said, "It's a character that's young at heart and Salman will sport a stylish look, complete with designer jackets and sunglasses." They also said that his character is based in Orlando, Florida, USA. Also reports suggest that Alia will essay the role of an aspiring actor in her mid-20s. They said that Alia's character hails from a place situated at the banks of river Ganga, which is why Bhansali and team had been visiting places like Varanasi, Rishikesh, Haridwar. Sources also said that Bhansali and his team will be in USA for near three weeks, looking for ideal shooting locations in Florida. A source said, "The prime spots on their wish-list are in the streets of Orlando and the beaches of Miami." Alia had

earlier responded to statements on the age gap between the characters in the movie.

She had said, "I didn't get any criticism. I think I got a lot of excitement. I think speculation is also a form of excitement in a way and why shouldn't there be speculation.

There should be and at least I am not bothered by that and I don't think Salman or Bhansali sir are bothered. I think this is a filmmaker who has given us very good films, he is someone who we all are very fond of and I think we should just trust him with his vision."

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Madame Tussauds unveils Priyanka Chopra figure in London Madame Tussauds London has revealed its first wax statue of a Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra Jonas, completing her presence at the world-famous wax museum.

Priyanka has been working closely with Madame Tussauds' team on the epic project since a private sitting at her New York City apartment.

“Fans have been waiting to see the hotly-anticipated London arrival since the first figure was revealed earlier this year in Priyanka’s adopted hometown of New York.

Madame Tussauds London joins its sister sites in Sydney and Asia in unveiling their figures to longawaiting fans,” the museum said in a statement.

Styled to match the actress’ appearance at the 2017 Golden Globes, Priyanka’s figure will stand out in its exquisite gold sequin gown

by Ralph Lauren. The only update to the look is the addition of replica diamond wedding and engagement rings in a nod to her newly-wed

Actress Deepika Padukone has always been at the forefront of spreading mental health awareness through her NGO, The Live Love Laugh Foundation, recently flew down to New York for a fundraising dinner organised by the Youth Anxiety Center. At the event, the 'Chhapaak' actor spoke on anxiety and depression at the event.

She shared some photos and a video from the fundraiser on Instagram. In the clip, we hear her saying, "300 million people in the world suffer with anxiety and depression. But I think the key to know is that depression and anxiety can creep up on absolutely anybody, from any profession, any gender, any part of the world. The toughest part for me was that I didn't know what was happening. The day I understood there was a name to it, it was called 'clinical depression' I already started feeling much better. If there is anything that I've learnt in the journey of recovery is that you need to be patient, and that there is hope.

Superman once said, once you choose hope, anything is possible!"

The Youth Anxiety Center was founded on 2013 by New YorkPresbyterian Hospital and is dedicated to the treatment of people, mainly youth, suffering from depression and anxiety through research and c l i n i c a l programming.

status, the museum noted.

Meanwhile, the 36 year old actress said, "I love London, it has such an energy and spirit to it.

Working with Madame Tussauds London's team has been so much fun. It's incredible to think that my fans can now meet my figure in one of my favourite cities in the world."

Visitors to Madame Tussauds London will find the actress in the attraction’s “Party” area, where they can sip their drink of choice alongside Priyanka and her fellow AListers at the Tussauds Bar. Steve Davies, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said, “Priyanka Chopra Jonas is an obvious choice as the latest addition to our star-studded line-up.” He added, "We welcome guests from around the globe each year and we’ve seen Priyanka’s fan base continue to grow worldwide. It’s been an honour to work with Priyanka and we’re sure fans will be excited to meet her new figure at Madame Tussauds London.

Bachchan is unrecognisable in first look of 'Gulabo Sitaabo'

Deepika on fighting depression: You need to be patient

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has commenced shooting his upcoming 'Gulabo Sitaabo', in Lucknow. The veteran actor shared a fan-made video of his arrival in the city, saying that social media is ahead with everything. His words were soon proved true, when the first-look picture from the sets of the film were leaked online and are now going viral.

Directed by Shoojit Sircar, 'Gulabo Sitaabo' also stars Ayushmann Khurrana. Bachchan wrote on his blog, "First days are first days and first days are a reckoning of what is to be done what needs to be observed... what what what.. ahh confusing as any other.. but hopefully we shall get it right soon.. It has begun, and that is important.. so another environ clothings make up crew artists all new and ready to give the best."

Talking about getting his look ready for the shoot, he also wrote, "Its been an exhausting day.. the prosthetics have been tiresome and they sap all your efforts away.. but then this is what we aimed for.. hesitant to disclose the look.. methinks it shall be with the print media soon.. till then.. my abbreviated resolve."

A report has claimed that Amitabh will play a grump old landlord from Lucknow in the film. A source said, "When Shoojit showed him the look sketch, he was excited to work on the film, taking it on as a new challenge. He is required to sit down with the

make-up team for hours before starting the shoot. An international crew has come on board to work on the appearance."

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Tamannaah signs another horror-comedy The queen of horror, actor Tamanaah Bhatia has signed on another horror film, titled 'Raju Gari Gadhi 3'. The movie is the third part of the Telugu horror-comedy franchise. According to a statement released by the makers, the film will be directed and produced by Ohmkar and will go on floors next week. The launch ceremony was attended by the film's cast and crew, including Tamannah, who was last seen in Telugu film 'F2', along with Venkatesh and Varun Tej. Ashwin Babu has been roped in to play the male lead in the film which is scheduled for release later this year. Tamannaah has just recently completed shooting for the Tamil remake of Telugu horror comedy 'Anando Brahma', which stars Taapsee Pannu in an important role. Tammy reprises Pannu's role in the remake. On the work front, she has almost half a dozen projects in the pipeline, and has multiple releases scheduled this year.

She was last seen in Prabhudevastarrer 'Devi 2', the Tamil remake of Kangana Ranaut-starrer 'Queen'.

Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi team up for Sekhar Kammula’s next Sekhar Kammula of 'Happy Days' and 'Fidaa' fame is all set to work on his next project, featuring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi as the lead pair. Grapevine suggests that an official announcement regarding the project will be made later this year and the film will go on the floors next year.

This is Kammula and Pallavi's second project together. The actress had made her Telugu debut with 'Fidaa', opposite Varun Tej. Meanwhile, Kammula is currently working on the final draft of the script and as seemingly impressed both Chaitanya and Pallavi with his pitch.

On the work front, Chaitanya is currently busy shooting for Telugu comedy 'Venky Mama', which also stars Venkatesh. This is the first time he will share screen space with his uncle. While Sai Pallavi is all set to begin

shoot for Rana Daggubati's 'Virataparvam', in which he plays a Naxal. She has an interesting slate of projects in her kitty.

Two actors turn writers for Mani Ratnam's next!

Ace director Mani Ratnam had last directed 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam', that had Simbu, Vijay Sethupathi, Arun Vijay, Arvind Swami, Jyothika, Aditi Rao Hydari, Dayana Erappa and Aishwarya Rajesh playing the lead roles. The film was co-produced by Mani Ratnam himself, and Subaskaran under the banners Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions respectively. It had music by AR Rahman and cinematography

by Santosh Sivan. The director is currently working on 'Ponniyin Selvan', that is in the preproduction stage now. It has Aishwarya Rai

playing one of the leads. The other actors who are a part of the film, are yet to be known.

The latest update on this project is that Siva Ananth will be one of the writers of the film, along with Kumaravel and two others. It must be noted that Siva Ananth played a crucial role in Mani Ratnam's 'CCV' while Kumaravel has acted in a lot of critically acclaimed movies like 'Abhiyum Naanum', 'Kaatrin Mozhi', 'Kurangu Bommai' etc.

Vinoth was afraid to direct 'Nerkonda Paarvai' Director of the upcoming Tamil film 'Nerkonda Paarvai', H Vinoth admits that he told Ajith about how he was afraid to direct the project. Produced by Boney Kapoor, the film is the Tamil remake of Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu starrer 'Pink', and features Shraddha Srinath and Vidya Balan. In an interview, Vinoth said, "I know about Ajith sir fans. I have had a tough journey to build a career, and a mistake could spell disaster, I realised that there could be two issues how his fans would consume this film and how a cult film that has admirers across the country could be remade by retaining the essence. We should first at least understand half of 'Pink'. The challenge was also to find the right cast and crew. I told Ajith sir these issues and that I was afraid to do this film. He told me that he would not pressurise me and told me to concentrate on another script."

Vinoth then watched the original on loop for three days, and realised the film kept him engaged in spite of watching so many times. He felt he couldn't afford to miss

TV Listing

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SATURDAY JUNE 29, 2019 01:15 FILM: DUNNO Y NA JAANE KYUN...

05:00 FILM: LOGIN 07:03 FILM: NAZAR KE SAMNE 09:41 FILM: WOH 7 DIN SUNDAY JUNE 30, 2019 00:33 FILM: WOH LAMHE 05:00 FILM: BLUE ORANGES 07:15 FILM: ANDHA KANOON 10:30 FILM: ANDAAZ 13:44 FILM: SANAM TERI KASAM 16:53 FILM: DON 2 19:52 FILM: SINGH IS BLING 22:45 FILM: A FLYING JATT MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 01:30 FILM: RAMA RAMA KYA HAI DRAMA 05:00 FILM: BAAT BANN GAYI 07:10 FILM: AASMAN SE OONCHA 10:05 FILM: AAR YA PAAR 13:20 FILM: DARAAR 16:50 FILM: UTT PATAANG 19:00 FILM: AAKROSH 22:00 FILM: TUMSA NAHIN DEKHA TUESDAY JULY 2, 2019 00:38 FILM: DUS TOLA 05:00 FILM: HUFF! IT'S TOO MUCH

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SATURDAY 29TH JUNE TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 16:30 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 20:00 SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3 21:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 23:00 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW SUNDAY 30TH JUNE TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 17:00 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 18:30 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW 20:00 SUPER DANCER CHAPTER 3 FINALE

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MON 24TH - FRI 28TH JUNE 2019 15:30: STYLE CHEF 16:00: THE GREAT INDIAN GLOBAL KITCHEN 2 16:30: RASOI SHOW 17:30: CHHUTA CHHEDA 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: UTTARAN 19:00: JAHAANARA 19:30: BEPANNAH 20:00: TERE NAAL ISHQ

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having such a distinguished film to his filmography. “I met Ajith sir again and told him that I will explain the crux as a one-liner and if he is on the same page, then we can go ahead. It’s a film about how we see and understand women and how they should be seen and understood. He said that was exactly what he thought as well,” he added.

'Nerkonda Paarvai' is all set to release on August 10, and marks Boney Kapoor's entry into southern filmdom.

MON 24TH - FRI 28TH JUNE 2019 14:30: KHATRA KHATRA KHATRA 18:30: KITCHEN CHAMPION 19:30: CHHOTI SARDARNI 20:00: SHAKTI ASTITVA KE EHSAAS KI 20:45: GATHBANDHAN 21:30: BEPANAH PYAARR 22:00: SILSILA

07:00 FILM: AAJ KA MAHATMA 09:50 FILM: JAANAM 12:40 FILM: MAST 15:30 FILM: JOSH 19:00 FILM: LAKSHYA 22:50 FILM: SHOWBIZ WEDNESDAY JULY 3, 2019 00:54 FILM: DHOKHA 05:00 FILM: 18.11...A CODE OF SECRECY 07:28 FILM: ANOKHI ADA 10:00 FILM: SHIVA SHAKTI 13:00 FILM: KRANTIVEER 16:03 FILM: AAKROSH 19:00 FILM: ALONE 21:40 FILM: SAAYA THURSDAY JULY 4 2019 00:15 FILM: HAI APNA DIL TOH AWARA 05:00 FILM: BEZUBAAN ISHQ 07:33 FILM: PARDESI 10:46 FILM: HAIR IS FALLING 12:30 FILM: TERI KASAM 15:50 FILM: LAKSHYA 19:40 FILM: SABSE BADA MAWALI 22:25 FILM: ALONE FRIDAY JULY 5, 2019 00:48 FILM: JAHAN TUM LE CHALO 05:00 FILM: THE SILENT HEROES 07:18 FILM: BAAT BANN GAYI 09:30 FILM: KARISHMA KUDRAT KA 12:42 FILM: KHEL 16:15 FILM: DIL CHAHTA HAI 20:00 FILM: AGENT VINOD

23:00 THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW MON 1ST JULY - FRI 5TH JULY TIME TV PROGRAM NAMES 18:00 VIGHNAHARTA GANESH 18:45 MERE SAI 19:30 YEH UN DINON KI BAAT HAI 20:00 CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA 20:30 BEYHADH 21:00 PATIALA BABES 21:30 LADIES SPECIAL 22:00 CRIME PATROL SONY MAX 2 PRIME TIME 19:00 MONDAY ARADHANA 19:00 TUESDAY AAKHIR KYON? 19:00 WEDNESDAY TIRANGAA 19:00 THURSDAY PATI PATNI AUR WOH 19:00 FRIDAY AYA SAWAN JHOOM KE 20:30: MOHE RANNG DO LAAL 21:00: BALIKA VADHU - LAMHE PYAAR KE 22:00: COLORS KE SANG ANTAKSHARI KE RANG SAT 29TH JUNE 2019 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 19:00: UTTARAN 20:00: UNPLUGGED 21:00: COURT ROOM 20:30: INDIA'S GOT TALENT (SEASON 8) 21:30: ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA SUN 30TH JUNE 2019 18:00: RADHA PREM KI DEEWANI 18:30: UTTARAN 19:00: UNPLUGGED 19:30: RED ALERT 20:30: INDIA'S GOT TALENT SEASON 8 21:30: ZINDAGI KI HAQEEQAT SE AAMNA SAAMNA 22:30: KHOOB LADI MARDANI JHANSI KI RANI 23:00: VISH SAT 29TH JUNE 2019 19:30: DESI BEAT RESET 20:00: BFFS WITH VOGUE (SEASON 3) 21:00: DANCE DEEWANE SEASON 2 22:30: KAWACH MAHASHIVRATRI SUN 30TH JUNE 2019 19:30: DESI BEAT RESET 20:00: BFFS WITH VOGUE (SEASON 3) 21:00: DANCE DEEWANE SEASON 2 22:30: KAWACH MAHASHIVRATRI

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Mahant Swami is in Ahmedabad now

Global Water Dance presented in London

Face To Face - Poem by Rabindranath Tagore

Day after day, O lord of my life, shall I stand before thee face to face.

With folded hands, O lord of all worlds, shall I stand before thee face to face.

Under thy great sky in solitude and silence, with humble heart shall I stand before thee face to face.

In this laborious world of thine, tumultuous with toil and with struggle, among hurrying crowds shall I stand before thee face to face.

BAPS chief Pujya Mahant Swami came back to Ahmedabad on 17th June. He conducts early morning pooja daily. A large number of devotees attend the pooja. June 19th was youth day. The youth enacted the essence of youth programme conducted earlier in a skit. June 21 was international yoga day and everybody present there participated in yoga events. On 23rd June Sunday assembly was conducted. The theme was Ahmedabad and its traditions. Videos, skit and discussions were held on the subject and a large number of devotees participated in the programme.

Coming Events ● Zoroastrian All Party Parliamentary Group Gareth Thomas MP & Lord Bilimoria In association with Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) Request the pleasure of your company For the Zoroastrian All Party Parliamentary Group’s celebration of the Sesquicentennial Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948) and his relationship with the Parsees, Chief Guest: Her Excellency The High Commissioner Of India to UK, Ruchi Ghanashyam, Special Guest Speaker : Lord Parekh, On Monday 8th July 2019 from 4 pm to 6 pm Venue: Committee Room 1, House of Lords, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA ● Maa Krupa Foundation UK, Jalaram Katha, Ramnikbhai Dave, 25th, 26th and 27 July 2019, Time 3.30 pm to 6 pm, Venue: Alperton Community School, Ealing Road, Wembley, Middlesex HAO 4PW, Katha followed by prasad ● Narayan Seva Sansthan, Udaipur-India and Narayan Seva Sansthan-UK, Bhajan and satsang, Date 4th July Shree Hindu Community Centre, 541A Warwick Road, Tyseley, Birmingham -B112JP, 11 am to 1 pm, 6th July, Shri Ram Mandir, Ford St, Walsall-SW2 9BW

Disclaimer Asian Business Publications Ltd (ABPL) is not in any way responsible for the goods and services rendered by its advertisers. The ABPL management accepts all advertisements in good faith and it is entirely up to readers to verify advertisers’ products and services, should they feel the need to do so.

Sneh Joshi

Climate emergency has been declared in the UK recently emphasising how seriously we must focus on environmental issues.

In the context, a phenomenal event was organised globally where hundreds of dancers throughout the world have danced to spread awareness on water issues.

Global Water Dances, the first of its kind biennial event to raise awareness on water scarcity, pollution and fracking was held on Saturday, 15th June with dancers in 180 locations across six continents dancing simultaneously on local, global and participatory

themes at the same local time.

The Site Leader for London was Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence and the dance was presented by the lakeside at Regents Park, a stellar example for a rich biodiversity. The ritual started with Cllr. Arien Areti and Cllr. Philip Abraham giving opening remarks on the importance of clean and safe drinking water.

Site-specific dance was done on Ganga Stotra, highlighting Namami Gange-the Integrated Conservation Mission to clean Ganga waters. The event was supported by Waterwise.

London Sevashram Sangha (LSS) celebrated Om Day on Sunday 21st July with Srimat Swami Saswatananda Giri being their chief guest. The project started as a response to the negative world situation that existed at the time when the Millennium was celebrated in the UK. It was not realised that the Hindu Buddhist Jain and Sikh belong to a common heritage and shared values.

The LSS has been the leading partner in the project. The Om group is perhaps the largest group in the world with enlightened teachings based on universal doctrines.

A few years after, the Government implemented the “Community Cohesion Policy” indicating that we

were on the right tract. It demonstrated how divisive and edgy was the community relationship was in the UK. But this problem existed between nation and nation as well causing fear of the uncertainty of the future of the world.

It was in this situation Om Day won an award for community cohesion. And here we are twenty years now working together in a changed world! Om Day has inspired many, not only in the UK but even in other countries to follow similar lines because UNITY and PEACE will always remain ideals that mankind will strive to achieve in different ways. These are the only things that make life valuable and meaningful.

And when my work shall be done in this world, O King of kings, alone and speechless shall I stand before thee face to face.

Om Day

AJIT NINAN FOR TOI

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The UK’s leading Vedic writer and TV personality

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 The New Moon this week high-

The New Moon this week benefits activities that take place "behind the scenes". This is a cycle in which you become more compassionate, sensitive and get in deeper touch with these traits. This phase in the twelfth house is said to give us spiritual protection. Meditation and retreats may be particularly helpful to you now.

The New Moon this week gives TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 you a great boost in your third

The New Moon this week lights up your solar eleventh house.

This phase brings benefits and fresh energy to networking activities, long-term goals and organisations in your life. Achieving your goals tends to come more easily. Income from your business or career is likely to increase. You can rely on your friends for their help and support.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22 The New Moon this week boosts

The New Moon this week rejuvenates your solar tenth house.

This phase will bring increased public recognition and professional success. This can be a time of career advancement, and success in business. Your worldly or public status may change for the better.

Integrity, directness, and honesty will get you everywhere now.

lights your home and family sector. You are likely to find much joy and pleasure in your family connections and experiences during this period. Opportunities to buy or sell real estate for financial gain may present themselves.

Home improvements and renovations are also favoured.

house of communications. A great time for mental pursuits and literary opportunities present themselves. During this period, neighbours or relatives could be especially helpful in your life. You express your ideas with more enthusiasm and positivity, and they are received well. your financial sector. You are likely to enjoy success in your various monetary ventures. You will be more confident and enthusiastic about our earning ability.

Money problems from the past may clear up during this period and there will be many opportunities to accumulate wealth.

Opportunities abound !

New Moon this week CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22 The occurs in your sign, giving you an energy boost and is particularly beneficial and significant for you. This heightens your optimism and confidence. You are greeting life with a fresh and positive attitude. You have an altogether different perspective on life now, and are not fazed by anything. Furthering yourself comes easy during this time.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

The New Moon this week reinforces and energizes your need to broaden your horizons and stimulate your mind. You are feeling most adventurous and willing to achieve higher knowledge and spiritual growth. This may take you to far off lands in pursuit of your new-found goals. You must distance yourself from the mundane grind of life and take on something which is more meaningful for your inner growth.

SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22

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The New Moon this week activates your eighth house.

Your attention turns inward on a deeper level to personal transformations. There may be a strong focus on other's money, such as the resources of a partner, inheritance, banking and loans, or taxes. This transit should be positively dealt with to achieve any benefits. A good time to start self improvement programs.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

The New Moon this week stimulates your relationship sector. You may enjoy benefits through marriage, business partnerships,negotiations, and/or contractual agreements.

Financial benefits could possibly come through partnerships. The need for freedom in your social relationships is stronger than ever.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

The New Moon this week positively strengthens your work and health sector. You are likely to see growth in these areas, as well as daily routines. Benefits may come through work itself, co-workers, or employees during this cycle. You might be especially interested in the healing arts such as massage or aromatherapy.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

The New Moon this week gives a great boost to your creative fifth house. Your willingness to enjoy yourself and explore your creativity now brings new opportunities. Love and romance may come into your life or an existing romance is enhanced with good humour and warmth. Pregnancy or childbirth may occur during this time.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

32

Sport

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AsianVoiceNews

CRICKET // WORLD CUP

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INDIA WIN A THRILLER, BEAT AFGHANS Mohammed Shami's hat-trick in the last over of the match helped India maintain their winning streak as they defeated Afghanistan by 11 runs at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground on Saturday. Chasing a modest target of 225 runs, Afghanistan had a poor start as opener Hazratullah Zazai (10) got out in the seventh over bowled by Shami. Gulbadin Naib and Rahmat Shah then stitched a 44-run partnership. After Naib's dismissal, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Gulbadin added another 42 runs before Jasprit Bumrah sent both the set batsmen, Rahmat Shah (36) and Hashmatullah (21), back to the pavilion in the 29th over. Asgar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi then took the charge but only managed to form a 24-run partnership as Afghan (8) became a victim of Yuzvendra Chahal. Najibullah Zadran came out to bat along with Nabi but their 36-run partnership was halted by Pandya as he took the wicket of Najibullah Zadran (21).

Rashid Khan took the field when they needed 59 runs from 48 balls. Nabi and Rashid Khan played brilliantly. However, at a very crucial time, Yuzvendra Chahal bowled Rashid Khan. Nabi still kept Afghanistan's hope alive. The match was then brought to a point where Afghanistan needed 16 runs in the last over of the inning. Mohammed Shami bowled the final over and Nabi hit a boundary on the first delivery of the over.

But Nabi gave away an easy catch to Hardik Pandya on the third delivery which ended his 52-run inning. Shami then took another two wickets to complete his hat-trick as he bowled both Aftab Alam and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Earlier, Afghanistan displayed a spirited bowling performance to restrict India to 224 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 50 overs after being asked to bowl first.

Shakib keeps Bangladesh afloat Mushfiqur Rahim (83 off 87 balls) and Shakib (51 off 69) helped Bangladesh post a competitive 262/7 after Afghanistan opted to field at the Hampshire Bowl. Shakib was also exceptional with the ball. The leftarm spinner ended with figures of 5/29 in 10 overs, his best in ODI cricket. Chasing 263 was tough for Afghanistan batting line-up but 48 for no loss in 10 overs raised hopes

that the Gulbadin Naib-led side might just get its first win of the tournament after six losses in a row. However, the batting fell apart after Shakib removed Rahmat Shah (24) and from 49 for no loss, Afghanistan were reeling at 132 for six. The seventh wicket stand for 56 runs between Samiullah Shinwari (49 not out) and Najibullah Zadran (23) saved them the blushes. Afghanistan were eventually all out for 200 in 47 overs.

Bangladesh’s third win in seven games took them to seven points and if they win their remaining fixtures against India and Pakistan, the Mashrafe Mortaza-led team will end the league stage with 11 points.

Pakistan end SA’s Cup dream Haris Sohail smashed a 59-ball 89 to help Pakistan to script a 50-run win over South Africa on Sunday at Lord's. With just their second win from six games, Pakistan managed to stay alive in the tournament. The defeat, their fifth in this tournament, on the other hand sent South Africa crashing out. On Sunday, Pakistan dropped at least five catches, but then produced a moment of brilliance as pacer Wahab Riaz sent Chris Morris back with a curving yorker that crashed into the bottom of the leg stump. Wahab took two more scalps with his deadly fuller deliveries. Apart from

Cricket-mad children appointed as 'Playground Pundits’ for England vs India match Rupanjana Dutta On Sunday 30 June, England will play India at Edgbaston in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, but it will be no ordinary fixture.

On this very special match-day, three young cricket-mad children have been appointed as ‘Playground Pundits’ and will take over some of the production elements that are integral for making this high-profile game special.

Joining the celebrities and legends of the game will be these three youngsters, Edward, Summer and 8 year old Indian-origin girl Anna.

To rehearse for their roles on the day, the young ‘Playground Pundits’ have already interviewed Usain Bolt via a video link.

Sunday’s match will be titled #OneDay4Children in support of ICC Cricket 4 Good and UNICEF’s joint fundraising efforts

England captain Eoin Morgan with Summer, Edward and Anna

supporting children across the globe. The young 'Playground Pundits’ will support and manage the captains’ press conference the day prior to the game, assist the commentators and presenters in the broadcast zone, make announcements over the PA system encouraging spectators to donate and take part in a special social media takeover. As #OneDay4Children

suggests, it is all about showcasing children as the heroes of the day and the campaign. Edgbaston will turn blue in support of UNICEF and the players will show their backing for the campaign by wearing a oneoff #OneDay4Childrenbranded kit, to raise important funds, using the huge reach of the tournament – over one billion cricket fans.

hat-trick man Mohammed Shami

Sohail, Babar Azam (69), leggie Shadab Khan (3-50) and Mohammad Aamir (2-49) contributed handsomely to Pakistan’s moraleboosting win.

Sri Lanka upset England Top-ranked England lost for the second time when Sri Lanka secured a stunning 20-run victory at Headingley. England had been aiming to retake the lead in the World Cup standings with a win and appeared to be on track after restricting Sri Lanka to 232-9. But Lasith Malinga took four top-order wickets and Dhananjaya de Silva snared three in nine balls as England were bowled out for 212.

Angelo Mathew's slow unbeaten 85 in Lanka's 232-9 finished as the highest score of the match. Everything appeared to be going England's way at the innings break but when Malinga removed Jonny Bairstow on the second ball and dismissed opener James Vince (14) in the seventh over, the hosts were wobbling at 26-2. The paceman returned to

take 2-12 in his second spell, claiming his 50th World Cup wicket when he had Joe Root (57) caught behind edging down the leg side. He made it No. 51 when he trapped Jos Buttler (10) lbw with a full ball that crashed into the batsman's boot.

HOW THEY STAND Teams NZ Aus India Eng Bang SL Pak WI SAfrica Afg

M W L Tied NR Pts NRR 6 5 0 0 1 11 +1.306 6 5 1 0 0 10 +0.849 5 4 0 0 1 9 +0.809 6 4 2 0 0 8 +1.457 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.133 6 2 2 0 2 6 -1.119 6 2 3 0 1 5 -1.265 6 1 4 0 1 3 +0.190 7 1 5 0 1 3 -0.324 7 0 7 0 0 0 -1.634 NR - No result • NRR - Net run rate upto 24th June 2019

Indian women's hockey team wins FIH series finals Indian women's hockey team won the FIH Women's Series finals after beating hosts Japan 3-1 in the final held at the Hiroshima Hockey Stadium. The Indian team was helped by an early goal from captain Rani in the 3rd minute, but conceded an equalizer in the 11th minute as Japan's Kanon Mori scored. A brace from Gurjit Kaur in the 45th and 60th minutes, however, saw India register an emphatic victory. The World No 9 Indian team had already qualified for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers 2019 after securing a place in the final of the competition.

India take lead in the 3rd minute as Rani stepped up to score from her team's first penalty corner. The Indian skipper struck the ball sweetly along the ground and beat Japanese goalkeeper Akio Tanaka to give India a 1-0 lead. India's dominance saw them win their second penalty corner in the 9th minute, but it went in vain. The second quarter also saw India maintain possession but forward Vandana Katariya misses a glorious opportunity in the 18th minute. Japan, on the other hand, also started to get into their rhythm.

India controlled ball possession well as they made five circle entries compared to Japan's zero. The likes of Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Lilima Minz stepped up to

Indian women celebrate victory

help break Japanese attacks, and rotated the ball comfortably to create opportunities for India. However, a better performance by the Japanese defence in the final few minutes of the second quarter meant that both the teams went into the half-time break level at 1-1. India stepped up their attacks again in the opening minutes of the third quarter winning two PCs, but could not convert them into goals.

With just five minutes remaining in the match, Japan decided to take off their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player, and that helped them in creating some opportunities. However, it also worked against them in the last minute of the match as Gurjit, the top scorer of the tournament, scored her second goal of the match through a penalty corner to make it 3-1 .