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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin embarks on UK visit

R D E R ?

India, China, and Russia are increasingly aligning to shape a “new world order,” seeking alternatives to US dominance.

The move comes amid tensions with Donald Trump’s administration, including doubled tariffs on India over Russian oil, straining Washington-New Delhi relations and creating opportunities for a multipolar global balance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, urging decisive action against terror financing and radicalisation

The two-day summit, attended by over 20 leaders from non-Western countries, highlighted Beijing’s push for a new global security and economic order challenging the US This marks the fifth time China has hosted an SCO summit and the largest gathering since the organisation s founding

Citing the recent Pahalgam terror attack, PM Modi urged SCO member states to hold countries supporting crossborder terrorism accountable and congratulated Kyrgyzstan on assuming the SCO presidency

The Summit addressed SCO Development Strategy, global governance reforms, counter-terrorism, peace and security, economic cooperation, and sustainable development Modi outlined India’s approach under three pillars, Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity, stressing that peace and stability are essential for prosperity and calling for coordinated action against terrorism without double standards.

On connectivity, he reaffirmed support for projects like Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor, highlighting opportunities in start-ups, innovation, youth empowerment, and shared heritage. He proposed a Civilizational Dialogue Forum to strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties, supported SCO’s reforms against organised crime, drug trafficking, and cyber threats, and urged similar reforms in global institutions, including the UN

Modi thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for hosting the Summit and reiterated congratulations to Kyrgyzstan The member states adopted the Tianjin Declaration at the conclusion of the Summit

PM Modi meets Xi during first China visit in 7 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping this morning during his first visit to China in seven years, amid rising US tariffs that have brought the two Asian neighbours closer

Arora

Continued on 18

Subhasini Naicker

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin with Hendrik Wüst, Member of the German Federal Council (left)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanging perspectives during SCO summit

Prominent women condemn far-right attempts to link sexual violence with asylum seekers

Mu sicians, M Ps, trad e union l ead ers and c am p a ig ner s h ave signed an op en letter rejecting w hat they d escribe

a s f ar- ri g h t at tem p ts to

e xp lo i t v i o len c e a g ai ns t w omen by blaming asylum seekers

Si g n a t o r i e

Church, Anoushka Shankar

Annie Macmanus, alongside Labour, Green and independent MPs including Diane Abbott, Zarah Sultana, Kim Johnson and Ellie Chowns Senior trade union leaders and Shami Chakrabarti, the L a b o u r p e e r, h a v e a l s o added their names

The letter, coordinated by Stand Up to Racism and titled Women Against the Far Right, states, “We reject

defenders of women – they e x p l o i

women to fuel hate and division ” It comes amid growing

Anoushka Shankar

seekers to wider immigra-

i o n p o l i c i e s R e fo r m U K

l e a d e r Ni g e l Fa r a g e h a s claimed immigration fuels

s e x u a l v i o l e n c e , w h i l e

Robert Jenrick, the shadow

w i t h “medieval attitudes” threatened his daughters’ safety

The letter argues there is no evidence asylum seekers are more likely to commit sexual violence, noting that many are sur vivors of war and persecution themselves It accuses the far right of s p r e a d i n g m i s i n fo r m a t i o n t o s t o ke u n r e s t , c i t i n g a

Guardian investigation that fo u n d t w o i n f i v e p e o p l e arrested in last year ’ s riots had prior reports of domestic abuse “ V i o l e n c e a g a i n s t women is endemic across s o c i e t y a n d t o o o f t e n

ignored by those in power, ” the letter says, highlighting cuts to victim support services It stresses that targeting refugees, Muslims and m i g r a nt s d o e s n o t h i n g t o make women safer

Starmer’s vo ws to shut

d own asylum h otels

Sir Keir Starmer, on the other hand, has pledged to close ever y asylum hotel in the UK, following mounting protests across towns and cities

Sp e a k i n g a b o u t t h e issue, the Labour leader said he understood local frustrations Asked how he would feel if a migrant hotel were placed at the end of his road, he replied, “I completely get it Local people by and large do not want these hotels in their towns, in their place –and nor do I I’m completely at one with them on that ”

St a r m e r s t r e s s e d h e wanted asylum hotels “ emptied” and closed “ as quickly a s p o s s i b l e , ” i n s i s t i n g Labour is listening to residents’ concerns

“Come back Rishi” as L abour hits record low

A s Labo ur slumps to its lowest app rov al rating of the p a rl ia m en t, R i sh i Su na k’s I nstagram h as been inu nd ate d w it h c al ls fo r h i s return

The former prime min-

i s t e r, w h o r e s i g n e d a s Conser vative leader last July, has kept a low political prof ile while continuing as an MP and recently taking up a

s e n i o r a d v i s o r y r o l e a t Goldman Sachs, where he

previously worked But his latest Instagram post from the Wensleydale Show went viral not for the photos, but for the flood of comments urging him to make a comeback

“Come back Rishi”, “You w e re r i g ht a l l a lo n g ” a n d “The UK needs you ” dominated the replies One user quipped: “You miss the sun w h e n i t s t a r t s t o s n o w ” Another wrote: “Where are

t h o s e p e o p l e c l a i m i n g h e would go off to California? He’s still ser ving his constituents, and all his warni n g s a b o u t L a b

come true ”

The surge in nostalgia for Sunak comes as a new YouGov poll shows Labour has dropped to just 20% support its lowest since the 2024 general election and only three points ahead of the Conser vatives on 17% Nigel Farage’s Reform UK now leads the f ield on 28% Starmer faces mounting unrest inside Labour, with some MPs warning his leade r s h i p c o u l d c o m e u n d e r threat if the party performs badly in next May’s elections across Wales, Scotland and London

Keir Starmer replaces top aide

Sir Keir Starmer has made h is third senior staff ing ch ange in a year, replacing the most senior civ il servant in his p rivate off ice Ninjeri “Nin” Pandit, who had ser ved as the prime minister’s principal private secretar y since last October, has been moved into a new role starting in September The position of PPS is considered one of the most soughtafter in Whitehall, often a stepping stone to running government departments Her new title has not yet been conf irmed Reports suggested Starmer was dissatisf ied with Pandit’s performance, with the BBC

Downing Street strongly rejected claims she had been demoted, insisting she would continue to play a key role in ensuring Starmer’s priorities are delivered in No 10 Pandit’s move follows the departures of Sue Gray as chief of staff last year, and Matthew Doyle as communications director in March Gray, later made Baroness Gray of Tottenham, left shortly after being appointed as envoy to the nations and regions

posts in No 10 under successive prime ministers, including director of the policy unit under Rishi Sunak and head of the deliver y unit’s health and social care team

Her departure comes as Starmer faces mounting pressure after a diff icult f irst year in off ice, with Labour trailing Reform UK in opinion polls

Shabana Mahmood vows to end prison crisis with Texas-style reforms

ban

d h as p ledg ed to end Britain’s prison overcrow ding crisis “ once and for all” within six m o n th s , u nv ei l in g sweep ing reforms to s ent en ci ng an d o f fe nd e r m ana g ement

The new sentencing bill, to be introduced this week, will move offenders away from short prison terms and towards tougher community punishments, including football a n

released on parole will be subject to electronic tagging, while a Texas-style “good behaviour” scheme will allow inmates, excluding the most serious offenders, to earn early release from a third of the way through their sentences

Mahmood said too many offenders were leaving prison “ a better criminal rather than a better citizen” and insisted the changes would cut reoffending while easing capacity pressures Prisons are forecast to hit capacity again by spring, after a year in which thousands of inmates were released early to prevent the system collapsing

The reforms also expand the use of problem-solving courts for offenders with drug and alcohol problems, and introduce immediate deportation for foreign nationals once they have ser ved 30 per cent of their sentence, a move critics say could deny justice to victims Mahmood argued the measures would deliver “real punishment that cuts crime,” rejecting accusations that Labour is going soft She said tagging reduces reoffending by 20 per cent and stressed that banning orders would ensure offenders still “ pay with their liberty” even outside prison

Alongside the sentencing bill, Mahmood signalled a renewed push on welfare reform, w a r n i n g d i s a b i l i t y b e n e f i t s p e n d i n g w a s “unsustainable” and risked collapse without changes She framed both prison and welfare reform as a “moral duty” for Labour

I N B R I E F COURT DEBATES ASYLUM SEEKER RIGHTS

A legal debate has erupted in the Court of Appeal over whether the human rights of asylum seekers housed in hotels outweigh the safety concerns of local families The case stems from an injunction obtained by Epping Forest district council, which seeks to prevent asylum seekers from staying at the Bell Hotel following protests prompted by allegations against one asylum seeker The Home Office is appealing the injunction, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressing fears that it could set a precedent leading to similar actions Edward Brown KC, representing the Home Office, argued that the public interest in accommodating vulnerable individuals is not equal to upholding planning controls He told the court that hotels are considered critical national infrastructure for this purpose and wrongdoing by an individual is not sufficient for closure The council however highlighted potential risks to local children and argued that the asylum seekers human rights do not override planning laws

RISING BORROWING POSE CHALLENGE FOR CHANCELLOR

Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a significant economic challenge ahead of the autumn budget as government borrowing costs have surged to their highest levels in nearly three decades Analysts are warning that households and businesses should prepare for a large taxraising budget of up to £30 billion to address the situation The yield on the 30year UK government bond rose to 5 63 per cent, nearing a 27-year high The elevated borrowing costs will likely force the Chancellor to increase taxes to comply with her fiscal rules having already raised them by £40 billion last October Higher borrowing costs typically lead to weaker economic activity and increased government spending on debt interest which in turn reduces the Chancellor s fiscal headroom and makes tax increases more probable The Treasury is reportedly considering new tax measures, including a potential new property tax regime or the abolition of a capital gains tax exemption on primary residences

WORKLESSNESS IN BRITAIN HITS RECORD HIGH

Official data shows around 1 7 million adults in Britain are unemployed, equivalent to just under five per cent of the working-age population According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) more than 6 5 million people are now receiving out- of-work benefits the highest level on record That total larger than the combined populations of Birmingham Leeds Glasgow Manchester Sheffield Bradford Edinburgh Liverpool and Bristol has risen by half a million since Labour took office just over a year ago The share of the working-age population claiming sickness-related benefits, including those in employment receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP), has surged from 7 7 per cent in 2019 to 11 4 per cent at the start of 2025 The financial cost is escalating just as sharply Welfare spending on healthrelated benefits has jumped from £69 5 billion in 2020/21 at the height of the pandemic to £92 8 billion last year with forecasts predicting it will hit £108 6 billion by 2030

Baroness Shami Chakrabarti

Zarah Sultana

Shabana Mahmood

Rishi Sunak

India, Russia and China send Trump a clear message

In the past few weeks, world politics has changed in a big way US President Donald Trump put a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods such as clothes and jewellery He wanted to put pressure on India But the move has gone against him Reuters reported that these higher taxes hurt many Indian exports and damaged relations between India and the United States India did not give in At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood side by side with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping Modi ignored Trump’s calls and chose to stand with Russia and China instead of bowing to Washington The Guardian said the SCO summit became “ a public stage for India, China and Russia to present a united front, countering US influence ”

The tariffs will hurt Indian exporters Analysts say 70 per cent of India’s exports to the US, worth around 55 billion dollars, are now at risk But India is already working on answers Business leaders and experts want India to sell more to other regions such as Asia, Africa and Europe

Trump’s move has also helped Russia Reuters noted that while the tariffs hurt both the US and India, they give Moscow an advantage because India keeps buying Russian oil despite Western sanctions Along with responding firmly to Trump, India has also reassured Russia that it remains a steadfast and reliable friend In the past, Russia has stood by India during challenging times and by supporting Moscow now, India has, in a way, repaid that debt of friendship

By siding with Russia, a nation currently confronting NATO, India has effectively secured long-term cooperation and support from Moscow Strengthening ties with Russia will also play a crucial role in counterbalancing China’s aggressive posturing in the region

The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President

Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit has opened several new doors for India Historically, Russia has been a key supplier of military equipment to India, and with these deepening relations, India is likely to gain access to more advanced defence technologies in the future

This renewed partnership not only strengthens India’s strategic position globally but also enhances its security and technological capabilities, ensuring that India remains wellprepared in an increasingly competitive geopolitical landscape

On the other hand, by extending a hand of friendship towards China, the Modi government has infused a fresh wave of warmth into the relationship between the two nations After a long stalemate, several suspended exchanges, including air services, visa facilities for citizens, and the import-export of key products, have now resumed, signalling a new phase of cooperation

This renewed engagement also raises hopes that the longstanding border disputes between India and China could become easier to resolve soon

India has undoubtedly opened a new chapter in global relations, but China cannot be considered as reliable a partner as Russia Prime Minister Narendra Modi will need to tread

President Xi Jinping shared a symbolic moment with Modi on the banks of the Sabarmati River, he soon dispatched Chinese troops into Ladakh, where they remain to this day, positioned face-to-face with Indian forces

At the SCO, Modi appeared confident His message to Trump and the US was simple: India will not give in to threats By standing with Putin and Xi, he showed that India has choices and will not be pushed into a corner When countries stand together, even the United States must take notice

The declining appeal of Keir Starmer?

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s arrival at 10 Downing Street was once sold as a moment of calm competence after years of turbulence Yet that aura is fading quickly As The Daily Telegraph put it bluntly this week, “Starmer’s growing list of enemies can smell his weakness ” Instead of consolidating his power, he is already surrounded by doubts, division and discontent

His attempt to recast himself as “Mr Fixit” has only deepened the impression of drift Sky News observed that his reliance on yet another fixer in chief is “likely to be a recipe for conflict ” Even Bloomberg suggests he is guided more by the ghosts of Blair and Brown than by his own vision It is an image of a man looking backwards, not forwards

The contrast with his predecessors is telling David Cameron, for all his flaws, had an instinct for charm and outreach He coined the phrase “the new special relationship” to describe ties with India and backed it up with visits and trade missions Boris Johnson, despite his chaos, exuded energy on the world stage and was welcomed in New Delhi with warmth Even Rishi Sunak, whose premiership was short and politically constrained, carried a natural authority with the Indian diaspora His background and heritage allowed him to connect effortlessly with communities that saw themselves reflected in him

Starmer, by comparison, has failed to build such bridges His promise at a UK–India Week conference to “mend the strained relationship between the Labour Party and India”

rang hollow when measured against a decade of eroding trust Labour’s support among British Indians has fallen from 60 per cent to around 40 per cent, as The Guardian reported, reflecting both neglect and suspicion

Financial Times has highlighted the hurdles in UK–India

Cameron and Johnson approached these challenges with confidence, even a hint of bravado Sunak was able to frame them in the language of shared heritage and mutual respect Starmer, by contrast, has been hesitant and transactional, rarely projecting the enthusiasm that builds lasting partnerships His and team's reluctance to connect with the British Indian press is also marked with much scrutiny by the community

This weakness matters Britain’s relationship with India is one of its most important strategic opportunities of the century A leader who cannot inspire confidence among British Indians at home or command respect in New Delhi will struggle to shape that future

Starmer’s declining popularity is therefore not just about Westminster intrigue It stems from a deeper problem: a lack of effort, conviction and cultural sensitivity Cameron and Johnson could sell a vision, even when flawed Sunak embodied connection Starmer offers only technocracy Unless he finds both empathy and boldness, especially with Britain’s Indian diaspora, his premiership may not just be colourless and forgettable It could be cut short

Compassion in the times of anxiety and overdiagnosis

We are living through an unprecedented era of anxiety

Between April 2023 and April 2024, 3 8 million people in England sought help from mental health services, a 40 per cent increase on pre-pandemic levels, including one million c

Psychiatric Morbidity Survey reports that one in five adults in England now lives with a common mental health condition, up from one in six a decade ago Among 16 to 24-year-olds, the rate has surged from 18 9 per cent in 2014 to 25 8 per cent in 2023–24, according to Rethink Mental Illness

NHS Digital’s 2023–24 data adds another layer of concern: suicidal thoughts in the past year have risen from 3 8 per cent in 2000 to 6 7 per cent, while lifetime self-harm has quadrupled These are not abstract figures; they reflect lived realities across our communities

It is tempting to call this the age of anxiety But alongside genuine suffering comes the risk of overdiagnosis A Policy Exchange report, endorsed by Jeremy Hunt, warns that relaxed diagnostic thresholds have encouraged families to pursue labels simply to secure support, costing the state £16 6 billion annually, according to The Times Meanwhile, polling by More in Common reveals that nearly three in five teenagers have missed school due to anxiety, with the figure rising to 69 per cent of girls More than 40 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds now spend over six hours a day on their phones, a factor

fuelling distress, The Sunday Times reports

For British Asian communities, this contradiction has a sharper edge Stigma around mental illness still silences too many Former England cricketer Monty Panesar spoke candidly about his own struggles, noting that in the Asian community, “There was no understanding of what mental health is it is a huge taboo ” His words resonate with many who fear opening up ”

But there are also stories of resilience Poppy Jaman, a British Bangladeshi and founder of Mental Health First Aid E

become a leading voice for reform Her journey serves as a reminder that with the right support, recovery is indeed possible

And voices like Jayasree Kalathil remind us that Western diagnostic frameworks do not always reflect South Asian lived realities Her work challenges services to address systemic racism and engage with cultural nuance, rather than imposing one-size-fits-all labels

So, what should we do during Suicide Prevention Week? Within our own families, conversations matter most Talking about stress, anxiety or suicidal thoughts at the dinner table or in places of worship may feel uncomfortable, but silence is far more dangerous This week is a reminder that compassion begins at home By speaking openly, we can save lives

Thought for the week

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere ” - Martin Luther King Jr

Jeffe ries’ lat est rea d on U S -In dia relat ion s is blunt: t he 50% t ariff wall W ashingt on just t hrew up aga inst Ind ian goods is n ot gr an d stra teg y, it ’ s griev ance politics Chr is Wood at Je ffer ies ca lls t he dutie s “dr aconian ” and pe gs t he hit to India’ s economy at $55–60 billion He also at tribute s the m ove t o Dona ld Trump’s “ per son al pique” a ft er New De lhi r efused to let him play me diat or in an Ind ia -Pak ist an flar e-up In oth er words, policy by wounde d e go If accurat e, tha t is mor e t han pet ulan t diploma cy It is te xtbook abuse of power – a nd t here for e impea cha ble

First, the facts, because markets trade on detail The White House created a two-step stack: a 25% “reciprocal” tariff rate applied to India in late July, then an extra 25% penalty on India alone on August 6 for buying Russian oil The administration’s own orders say the new 25% Russiarelated duty “shall apply in addition to” the reciprocal tariff, which is how you get to 50%

The economic consequences are immediate and ugly Reuters reports duties now “ as high as 50%” on garments, gems, footwear, furniture and chemicals, with exporter groups warning that nearly 55% of India’s $87 billion in merchandise exports to the U S could be affected Jobs, especially in small-firm clusters from Surat to Noida, are in the firing line This is not how you treat a strategic partner in the Quad It is how you turn a supply-chain ally into a sceptic

Worse, the legal scaffolding beneath this tariff spree is wobbling A U S federal appeals court has just ruled that most of Trump’s sweeping tariffs are illegal because the emergency statute he leaned on does not grant a president power to impose blanket tariffs The court is letting them linger until October 14 while the White House appeals, but the headline is damning: the core authority is likely ultra vires If you are an ally on the receiving end, “trust us, it’s all perfectly legal” is no longer persuasive

Now to the constitutional heart of the matter The American impeachment standard is not a scavenger hunt f o r s t a t u t o r y c r i m e s

n , Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” into Article II, Section 4, leaving Congress to judge abuses of public trust Hamilton couldn’t have been clearer in Federalist 65: impeachable offenses are those that arise from “the abuse or violation of some public trust ” Modern House Judiciary analyses reach the same conclusion: abuse of power and corrupt use of office are impeachable

So ask the only question that matters: if the Jefferies assessment is right – that a president used the tariff lever of the United States to punish India because he felt snubbed as a would-be Kashmir mediator – is that a legitimate public purpose or a private vendetta dressed up as policy? It looks a lot like the latter Using the machinery of state to settle personal scores with another sovereign government is not “America First,” it is Office First, Person First, Constitution Last That is precisely the kind of corrupt motive the framers meant Congress to check Cue the predictable spin: tariffs are leverage, India buys Russian oil, reciprocity is good Fine, argue the merits But the White House’s own documents show the penalty is stacked on top of a universal tariff framework that a federal court has just found unlawful And the contemporaneous economic analysis from Jefferies says the push was guided by “personal pique,” not considered strategy When the motive is private and the instrument is public power, you are staring at an abuse of office Markets call that mispricing risk The Constitution calls it impeachable

For India and Britain, the response should be grownup, not theatrical New Delhi should keep its head, protect jobs in exposed sectors, and accelerate trade diversification London should say the quiet part out loud: allies don’t weaponise tariffs against each other to indulge one man ’ s vanity As for Washington, there is a constitutional remedy for presidents who treat policy like a cudgel for personal slights The House should pick it up

Alpesh Patel

A m aj o

Child grooming gangs active across 85 UK areas

ch aired by Ind ependent MP

Rupert Lowe has u ncov ered

acro ss the U K

The review reveals abuse far more widespread than

groups of men of Pakistani heritage The inquiry collected harrowing testimony from hundreds of survivors, family members, and whistle-blowers, alongside thou-

local institutions

Survivors bravely spoke of being groomed, drugged, raped, trafficked and threate

while public bodies turned a blind eye The team documented cases dating back to the 1960s and found alarming patterns of vulnerable white girls being dismissed b

protect them Lowe’s statement strongly condemned t h e o n g o i n g n e g l i g e n c

describing decades of target-

ignored, thus allowing gangs to operate with impunity

increased political pressure on the Labour government, w

reform after years of official foot-dragging Formal hearings are expected later this

experts develop policy recommendations for tougher laws and stronger protective

Keir Starmer has ordered a nationwide inquiry following these damning findings,

prompt decisive action to end this distressing cycle of abuse

Rochdale grooming gang members face possible deportation

T wo members of the no tori-

o u s R o c h d al e g ro o m i ng g ang, wh o w ere stripped of t h ei r B ri ti s h ci t iz en sh i p ,

cou ld soon face deportatio n

R e p o r t s s u g g e s t t h a t after years of legal battles, Abdul Aziz and Adil Khan may finally be removed from the UK The pair were part of a nine-man gang jailed in 2012 for a series of horrific sexual offences against vulnerable teenage girls

T h e H o m e O f f i c e

m o v e d t o r e v o k e t h e i r British citizenship in 2015,

a r g u i n g t h a t i t w a s c o nducive to the public good due to the grave nature of their crimes Both men, who also held Pakistani nationality, challenged the decision on human rights grounds, b u t t h e i r a p p e a l s w e

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

Appeal in 2018

Despite losing their final legal challenge, their deportation has been delayed, a

criticism from victims and l

Burnham The delays have been attributed to further

legal proceedings, including a claim by the men that their deportation would be a "disproportionate interference" with their family life Victims and local comm

d frustration at the men's continued presence in the area where they committed their crimes

Wolverhampton man seriously injured in knife attack

Two me n have b een r emande d in custody a fte r carry in g out a bruta l machete assault

o n B a r cr o ft R o a d, W o l v e r h a mp t on , in b r o a d da ylight, lea vin g their v ictim with life -changing injuries

O n t h e a f t e r n o o n o f F e b r u a r y

Jassdeep Singh and 19-yearold Faisal Hussain targeted a man in the city’s Blakenhall district, subjecting him to a horrific attack that shocked both residents and police

R e s p o n d

Police officers launched an immediate forensic investigation, including an extensive review of CCTV footage to piece together how the assault unfolded

Their swift work led to the identification and appreh e n s i o n o f S i n g h a n d Hussain within weeks of the incident The public trial at W

tencing, scheduled to take

authorities reinforcing that such acts of

under the law

Racial abuse halts Sky News interview in Nuneaton

D u ri ng a l iv e S k y N ew s s eg m e nt in Nuneaton, a businessman nam ed Zahin, aged 3 2, faced sho cking racial slurs in front of children wh ile d iscussing local opinions o n asylum seekers

The incident took place as Midlands’s c

interviewed Zahin, who had moved to the UK from Malawi at age six and expressed his love for his town despite the hostile environment

Just as Zahin began speaking, two women accompanied by children interrupted the interview with verbal abuse One woman, holding a beer glass, obstructed the camera while the other launched a tirade, accusing asylum seekers of criminal behaviour and using offensive racial language, including the phrase "dirty monkeys"

Zahin challenged the aggressors, questioning what they were teaching their children and condemning the injustice of being wrongly accused due to assumptions about his faith

Despite efforts by the crew to defuse the situation, tensions escalated, lasting about five minutes before the team departed for safety reasons A local woman later apologised to the reporters, acknowledging that while most residents are welcoming, a dist u r b i n g r a c i a l h o s t i l i t y a p p e

taken hold recently This distressing episode comes amidst ongoing protests and unrest in Nuneaton related to asylum seeker issues, reflecting deep divisions within the community Zahin emphasised the need for dialogue over hostility, stating that conflicts cannot be r e s o l v e d t h r o u g h s h o u t i n g a n d s w e a r i n g , especially in the year 2025 The incident underscores the challenges facing communities grappling with complex social issues and the lasting impact of racism

Former Hollyoaks actor Rizwan Khan convicted of rape

Hol lyoaks actor Rizwan Kha n ha s be en found guilty of r apin g two wome n The 40 year old star wa s a lso convicted of sex ua ll y assa ul ting one of his victims and slapping a child across the face , all in separat e in cident s He was found guilty of raping his first victim after physically attacking her, and was also convicted of raping another woman after she fell asleep

The jury heard that she woke up to see him having sex with her The actor was given conditional bail by Judge Paul Reid so that he may spend the night at his house On October 14, Khan is scheduled to be sentenced

Prosecutor Robin Turton told a jury at T e e s s i d e C r o w n C o u r t t h a t o n e v i c t i m

claimed the actor told her, "I need what I need " What I desire is what I desire

I N B R I E F A £200,000 APPLE TREE SPARKS NEIGHBOUR DISPUTE

A UK gardener has been landed with a staggering £200 000 legal bill after her 40foot apple tree sparked a costly court battle The case involved Antoinette Williams who was sued by her neighbour Barbara Pilcher over hundreds of rotting apples that would drop into Pilcher s Garden each year The High Court dismissed Williams' claims, resulting in the significant financial penalty The incident serves as a stark warning about the potential costs of neighbourly disagreements over garden nuisances Gardening experts advise that such disputes often triggered by issues like shade, privacy, and overhanging branches, are best resolved through direct communication and mediation Before taking any action, residents should also contact their local council to ensure the tree does not have a Tree Protection Order which can make it a criminal offence to interfere with it

FRAUD RING EXPOSED IN LEICESTERSHIRE

An operation involving local authorities the National Food Crime Unit, and Leicestershire Police resulted in the arrest of five suspects who allegedly played central roles in a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud Officers from the force conducted investigations into fraudulent activities involving counterfeit goods, focusing on the illegal distribution and sale of mixed rice in packaging deceptively labelled as premium basmati, in an effort to mislead consumers and retailers The suspects ranging in age from their forties to their fifties include residents from Leicester, Croydon, Epsom, and London, with some detained during coordinated raids across these locales All suspects were brought in on charges of fraud by misrepresentation and conspiracy to defraud although several have now been released pending further investigation while others have presented themselves for voluntary interviews with authorities The Economic Crime Unit stresses that enquiries remain ongoing, as investigators seek to uncover additional evidence and trace any further individuals potentially involved

EPPING FOREST COUNCIL TO CHALLENGE ASYLUM HOTEL RULING

unleashed as appalling and stressed the gravity of the

Police continue to reas-

community, reminding residents to remain vigilant, and have urged anyone with fur-

street violence to come forward

"You, as a woman, should abide by what a man wants " The woman told police that he was violent and raped her after she said “ no, ” fearing he would attack her otherwise, according to the Mirror Turton allegedly struck her, punched her back, hurled her on a bed, pushed her against a wall, and strangled her before she fled A second victim said he raped her after she declined his advances at 3am, needing rest

‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ (2021), and ‘This England’ (2025), with guest roles in ‘Vera’ and ‘Holby City’ Before acting, he worked at a financial call centre

Epping Forest District Council is seeking permission to take its legal battle over The Bell Hotel s use for asylum seekers to the Supreme Court The council had previously won a temporary High Court injunction requiring 138 asylum seekers to leave by September 12, but this was overturned by the Court of Appeal last week The dispute centres on the hotel owner, Somani Hotels, allegedly failing to seek planning permission for housing asylum seekers, which the council argues amounts to unlawful use The Home Office, responsible for placing migrants, supported the hotel's case and appealed successfully Council leader Chris Whitbread has highlighted the strain protests outside the hotel have placed on the local community, while the Court of Appeal cautioned against justifying lawlessness The council insists it has not ruled out further action and remains committed to protecting community interests A fuller High Court hearing for a permanent injunction is scheduled for October amid ongoing tensions

Rupert Lowe

Adil Khan and Abdul Rauf

Jassdeep Singh and Faisal Hussain

UK report shows rise in sex crime convictions of Indian nationals

India n n ational s hav e s ee n t h e l a r ge s t r is e in s e

o ff e nc e c on vic t ions am on g f or eign nationals in the UK , a ccording to an anal ysis of off icial governm ent data

D a t a f r o m t h e U K

Computer and analysed by

Control (CMC), reveal a 257%

convictions of Indian nationals between 2021 and 2024

Convictions rose from 28 in 2021 to 100 in 2024, marking an increase of 72 cases

foreign nationals for sexual offences rose 62% from 687 in 2021 to 1,114 in 2024, compared with a 39% increase

Other sharp rises were seen a m o n g N i g e

(117%), and Afghans (115%)

Among South Asians, convictions of Bangladeshis doubled, while Pakistanis saw a 47% increase

The CMC analysis shows Indian nationals ranked third in serious crime convictions, rising 115% from 273 cases in

2021 to 588 in 2024

The thinktank reported nearly 75,000 non-summary

nationals in the UK over four years, despite a drop in vio-

Office data shows the num-

detention has nearly doubled in the past year

India continues to be a

with 98,014 study visas issued last year, alongside the high-

tourist visas

Fake clothing mastermind ordered to pay back £90 million

I n a la nd m a rk ru l in g , an Ind ian-origin businessman, A rif P atel, has been ord ered by a UK court to repay mo re than £90 million after being exposed as the masterm ind o f a major tax fraud

T h e 5 7 - y e a r - o l d , w h o now resides in Dubai, was previously convicted in 2023 for leading a criminal net-

w o r k t h a t o r c h

a t e d a massive fraudulent scheme involving counterfeit clothing and false VAT claims

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Patel's gang stole £33 4 million from the British gov-

e r n m e n t t h r o u g h f r a u d ulent VAT repayment claims

related to fake exports of textiles and mobile phones They also imported and sold counterfeit designer clothes worth over £19 million The proceeds from these crimes were used to amass a lavish property empire and other

Ferrari

order, which allows authorities to seize and sell Patel’s assets, including properties in the UK and overseas, to r

Officials from HMRC and L

worked jointly on the case,

money would be returned to directly fund public services

prison for his role, marks one of the largest criminal confiscations ever secured in the UK

Greater Manchester launches new digital portal for crime victims

A ne w d ig it al se r v ic e , G r e at e r Ma n c he st er Victims’ Ser vices (GMVS), has l aunc hed t o pr ovide cr ime vict ims with a single hub for support The website and self-refer ral port al o ff er i n for ma t io n ,

r es ou r c e s, an d r e f er r al r out es , d esi gn ed a r oun d t he r ea l e x pe r i en c es of l ocal victims

The new GMVS platf o r m a l l o w s v i c t i m s t o access a one-stop website for advice and support, use a secure self-referral portal to manage their cases, and explore a criminal justice timeline from reporting to court Open to all affected by crime, it aims to simplify support, build

trust, and reduce retraumatisation from repeatedly recounting their experiences

K a t e G r e e n , D e p u t y M a y o r f o r S a f e r a n d

S t r o n g e r C o m m u n i t i e s , said: “Every victim’s experience is unique, but all deserve to be heard, supported, and empowered

T h i s n e w p l a t f o r m p u t s their needs first, making it easier to get the right help at the right time I hope it will reduce the anxiety victims face and encourage them to seek information and support ” C a r o l i n e L u m s d o n , Head of Service at Greater M a n c h e s t e r V i c t i m s Services, said: “Our ser-

vices support anyone aged 4

i c

m C a r e Coordinators provide personalised guidance, working closely with specialist

o r g a n i s a t i o n s a c

o s s G r e a t e r M a n c h e s t e r

Whatever your situation, we ’ re here to help

s Greater Manchester’s goal

o f p r o v i d i n g a c c

s i b l e safety, health, and wellbei

l neighbourhoods The free GMVS website and portal is open to anyone in the region affected by crime, directly, as a witness, or as a family member, and was designed with input from victims and local partners

Solicitor avoids suspension over antisemitic posts

A Muslim solicit or a voided suspen sion de spit e a ser ies of a ntisemit ic on line at ta ck s, in cluding thre ate ning Jewish TV pr esent er R achel Rile y Mohammed Sarfraz, 54, shared anti-Jewish posts on

F a c e b o o k a n d X b e t w e e n 2019 and 2022, specifically targeting Riley, the tribunal

h e a r d T h e S o l i c i t

Disciplinary Tribunal found the 17-year veteran guilty of 21

offensive” social media posts

struck off after apologising

Sadiq Khan announces £875k for hate crime fight amid criticism

Mayor Sadiq Khan has b een u rg ed t o st o p “d ragging h is feet” on tackling hate crime as h e an

£8 75, 000 for

U K and the West Ham U nited Foundation, to combat racism and extrem ism

Despite a fall in recorded hate crimes, 21,284 incidents between August 2024 and July 2025, down from 25,361 the previous year, Khan said Londoners are “living in increasingly divisive and uncertain times ”

“Hate crime, extremism and intolerance have no place in London,” he said “That’s why

Londoners the skills to stand up to hate I will always champion London’s diversity as our greatest strength and work to build a safer, more inclusive city ”

Shared Endeavour Fund, is expected to reach 50,000 Londoners It aims to unite communities and counter hate from Islamophobia and anti-Semitism to far-right activity and Islamist extremism by teaching young people to spot and reject such narratives

Officials say this is vital amid anti-migrant protests and figures showing 43 under-18s were arrested for terror-related offences last year Commander Dominic Murphy, head of t

warned of a record number of children being drawn into extremism online, saying: “This is a whole societal problem, and we need innovative ways to counter it ”

Race hate crimes hit record high in Northern Ireland

Ne w fi g u r es f ro m t h e P o li c e S erv i ce o f Northern Ireland (PS NI) and the Northern Ireland S tatistics and Research A gency rev eal a new , shamefu l record for race-related hate crim es in the region

In the year ending June 2025, there were 1,329 race hate crimes and 2,049 racist incidents recorded, marking the highest levels since records began in 2004 This represents an increase of 434 more crimes and 646 more incidents compared to the previous year Amnesty International has described the situation as a "crisis" and a "year of hate and fear " The report's findings include the impact of racist riots in Belfast in August 2024 and a wave of violent attacks on migrant families in J u n e 2 0 2 5 , i

Sarfraz from practising for six months, suspended for a year, and ordered him to pay

£63,000 in costs and attend an antisemitism course His posts included accusations

Rachel Riley, 39, and Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, 68, alleging “Jewish overrepresentation” in parliament, a

e d threat to Riley that her “time is coming to an end very soon ”

demonstrate racism in Northern Ireland is out of control

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland Director, emphasised that these are not just statistics but represent real people living in terror He criticised what he called "complacency and inaction" from political leaders, arguing that hate crime thrives when politicians offer words but no action The report calls for urgent and decisive leadership from the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver a new and effective anti-racism strategy and ensure justice for every victim

I N B R I E F

CAMPAIGNERS CALL FOR FREE TRAVEL AS LONDON FARES RISE

Campaigners have called for free public transport in London to tackle inequality and cut car use London s Tube is already the world s most expensive with fares set to rise above inflation until 2030, a burden that critics say is pushing people off trains and onto the roads Campaign group Fare Free London says free public transport would boost the economy, cut car use, and tackle inequality Simon Pirani, from the group, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that high fares are hitting Londoners of all ages, from job seekers and low-paid workers to families unable to afford outings He said many are resorting to long bus journeys to avoid costly Tube and rail fares, adding: “These high fares are exacerbating social inequality in London – the entire situation must be reviewed ”

GAME-CHANGING DRUG OFFERS HOPE FOR HIGH BP

A new class of drugs has been hailed by doctors as a potential game-changer in the treatment of stubbornly high blood pressure Clinical trial results for the drug, called baxdrostat, have shown exciting promise, particularly for the millions of people whose hypertension remains difficult to control despite existing medications Baxdrostat works by blocking the production of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates the body's salt and water balance and is a key driver of blood pressure The trial found that patients taking the new drug saw their blood pressure fall by a significant margin compared to a placebo This reduction is considered large enough to substantially lower the risk of heart attack stroke and kidney disease Experts suggest the development is a triumph of scientific discovery as precisely targeting aldosterone production has been a research goal for many years The drug could offer a new and effective approach to managing a condition that affects over a billion people globally

NHS TO OFFER CHILDREN UNIVERSAL CHICKENPOX VACCINE

Children across the UK are set to be offered the chickenpox vaccine as part of a new, universal vaccination programme recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) The landmark decision marks a significant shift in national health policy and follows years of debate over the vaccine's inclusion in the routine childhood schedule The new programme will likely involve two doses of the vaccine, administered to young children Previously the jab was only available on the NHS for at-risk individuals or those with compromised immune systems Health officials believe the new measure will dramatically reduce the number of chickenpox infections which can sometimes lead to serious complications and hospitalisation The move brings the UK in line with other countries that have long included the vaccine in their immunisation schedules Experts argue that a widespread vaccination programme will not only protect children from a highly contagious illness but also reduce the overall burden on the health service during outbreaks

Sadiq Khan

Asylum seekers face new restrictions on spending

T he Hom e Office h as intro-

d u ce d co n tro v ers i al new rules th at prohibit asylum

s e eke rs f ro m u s i ng th ei r

g overnm ent support fund s

o n lu xury g o od s and ser-

v ices

The policy is part of a broader government drive to reform the asylum system

a n d c o

Under the new regulations,

allowances will be banned from spending the money on items such as cigarettes, alcohol, and designer clothing The rules also explicitly

bling and high-end services, including luxury hotel stays

stating that it is a necessary step to ensure that taxpayer

funds are used for essential

essential purchases

However, the new policy

criticism from human rights organisations and charities Critics argue that the rules are dehumanising and punitive, effectively treating asylum seekers as criminals and adding to the psychological

distress they already face They also question how the

y enforced, highlighting the

debate over the new restrictions underscores the deep divisions in public and political opinion regarding the

those seeking refuge in the

Families pursue legal action after Air India disaster

Following the tragic A ir Ind ia crash that killed 24 1 p eop le o n board and a further 1 9 on the g rou nd ,

and Bri

irm Bea

to represent them in the U S courts

In an emotional Sky News interview, Nehal said, “Our world has fallen apart, and we want justice We lost four family

Girish, his wife, and their children sit at the centre of her home Her mother is

about it makes me cry ” Her 32-year-old brother G

elled with his wife and two young children to visit their ailing mother in Diu, India They were on the Air India flight from Ahmedabad to G

takeoff on 12 June, killing all 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it hit a hostel block near BJ Medical College, about a mile from the runway

A total of 241 people on board the Air India flight died, along with 19 on the ground Among the 53 UK citizens on the plane, only 39-year-old Vishwas Kumar Ramesh survived Nehal’s family was deva

a t e d , a s h e r b r o t h e r Girish supported the household, paying rent and for their mother’s medication

Nehal says, “Whatever happened to us must not hap-

want justice ”

She is among 90 Indian and British families repres e n t e d b y U S l a w f i r m Beasley Allen, preparing for l e g a l a c t i o n T r u p t i S o n i , who lost her brother, his w i f e , a n d s

l a w , called for an independent probe into possible “technical snags or design faults,” saying, “Nothing can reverse o u r l o s s T h e

u t h m u s t come out ” F o u r t e e n v i c t i m s , including survivor Vishwas, w e r e f r o m D i u , a s m a l l coastal enclave in Gujarat M a n y r e s i d e n t s h o l d Portuguese citizenship and later settled in Britain With j u s t o v e r 5 0 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e , nearly everyone in Diu has been affected Families gath-

ered at night to pay r e s p e c t s , w i t h Vishwas participating in rituals for his y o u n g e r b r o t h e r Ajay, who died on the flight

The preliminary investigative report into the crash raised m o r e q u e s t i o n s than answers, citing pilot error and fuel cutoff, but offering no safety r e c o m m e n d

f o r t h e aircraft, prompting backlash from pilots

Mike Andrews, principal a t t o

e n , told Sky News that a technological or electrical issue is more likely than human error, but stressed that full analysis requires flight data r e c o r d e r i n

m a t i o n H e noted that the Boeing 787 has known issues with water leaks in lines serving toilets a n d g a l l

y s , w h i c h c o u l d affect electrical systems Andrews also highlighted the TCMA (throttle control malfunction accommodation), a safety system that monitors engine speed and can autonomously shut off or control engines Waterinduced shorts could trigger u n c o m m a n d e d i n p u t s , potentially contributing to the crash

*Asian Voice has approached Mike Andrews, the principal attorney of Beasley Allen and Air India for comment

Police outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf London

High commission of India hosts independence day celebration at Navnat Centre

I ndi an ci tiz ens , P I Os, and friends of India in the UK

c e le b ra te d th e 7 9 th

I n de p e nd en c e

C om mis si o ner o f I ndi a to the UK u nfu rled the natio nal flag and praised th e diaspora

f o r th e i r p at ri o t is m , h a rd work, and contributions to bo th India and the UK He emph asi sed the importance o f continuing to serve bo th nations with dedicati on, act-

i n g a s e xe mp la ry am ba ssadors of Indi a abro ad

The event also featured prominent community leade r s , i n c l u d i n g L o r d R a m i

Ranger, who highlighted the diaspora’s role in promoting P M M o d i ’ s #Atmanirbharbharat vision, Deputy Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr Reyes Chamdal, and former MP Virendra Sharma Indian organisations showc a s e d t r a d i t i o n a l h a n d icrafts, regional cuisines, and cultural performances, while a special Ganesh Vandana marked Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrating India’s rich heritage

Arise and Awake Jagruti Association (UK) hosts grand celebration

Kokila Patel

S i g d i R es tau r ant i

M anchester hosted an hon-

and Awake Rohit Samaj

J a g ru ti T r u st , S u ra t T h e

e v en t c el eb rat ed Rat il al C hohan, fo und er and lead er o f th e as s o ci at io n , f o r 60 years o f d ed icated com munity serv ice in the UK acro ss six d ecades

T h e c e r e m o n y w a s

a t t e n d e d b y d i s t i n g u i s h e d guests including CB Patel,

P u b l i s h e r / E d i t o r o f A s i a n Voice and Gujarat Samachar;

K o k i l a P a t e l , C o n s u l t i n g Editor of Gujarat Samachar;

S u r e n d r a P a t e l , f o r m e r

D i r e c t o r o f t h e D r a m a

D e p a r t m e n t a t B h a r a t i y a Vidya Bhavan, and his wife

B h a v i n i P a t e l P r o m i n e n t

c o m m u n i t y l e a d e r s f r o m across North West England, a s w e l l a s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m B o l t o n , P r e s t o n , M a n c h e s t e r , B r a d f o r d , L e e d s , L o n d o n , L e i c e s t e r , and Birmingham, were also present

Organised by his daugh-

t e r a n d M e m b e r s h i p S e c r e t a r y C h e t n a S o l a n k i ,

t h e e v e n t p a i d t r i b u t e t o

Ratilalbhai’s decades of service, reflecting the grandeur of past events he had hosted with dignitaries, including Indian Prime Ministers and H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r s A s Ratilalbhai entered to traditional drumbeats and waving tiranga flags, he was visibly moved, especially seeing CB Patel, who had arrived from London, bringing tears of joy to his eyes

T h e c e r e m o n y o p e n e d w i t

Vandana by Vrinda Urveshi Sisodia, followed by a floral tribute to Ratilalbhai’s late

m o t h e r , I n d i r a b e n , b y h i s daughter Chetna and family

N a t u b h a i C h a u h a n , t h e a s s o c i a t

everyone

s support and highlighted the Arise and Awake Rohit Samaj Jagruti Trust, Surat’s impactful work He i n t r o d u c e d P r e s i d e n t

R a j e n d r a C h a u h a n , V i c e President Hemant Chauhan, G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y J a s w a n t Solanki, Treasurer Jitendra

C h a u h a n , a n d T r u s t e e s Y o g e n d r a M e h t a , K h a n d u

C h a u h a n , a n d M e h u l

C h a u h a n , n o t i n g t h e i r efforts in funding medical and student fees, rebuilding homes, and supporting the u n d e r p r i v i l e g e d t h r o u g h food and clothing distribution across India, especially during Diwali

D u r i n g t h e e v e n t , R a t i l a l b h a i h o n o u r e d C B Patel with a shawl, a copy of h i s b o

e K a n a i Connection’, and a special s t a r a w a r d , ’ T h e K

C o n n e c t i o n R

l a l C Chohan Award’, to be pres e n t e d a n n u a l l y o n 2 4 t h August in recognition of outstanding community service

Accepting the honour, CB Patel reflected on his 45-year friendship with Ratilalbhai, f

his late wife, Indiraben He praised Ratilalbhai’s family, especially daughter Chetna a

Solanki, for organising the memorable event CB Patel also acknowledged Ratilalbhai’s immense contributions to the Hindu community across Preston, B

Asking Questions Can Avoid Arguments

Rohit Vadhwana

Wh en disagreements arise with fam ily

m e m b ers o r fr i end s, th ey o f ten escalate into argum ents Yet we know that arg uing rarely solv es anyth ing; instead, it d eepens d ivides and leav es m atters unresolved A far more effectiv e ap pro ach is to ask the righ t kind of questions

For example, instead of saying, “You didn’t maintain your promised timeline,” one could simply ask, “Did you complete the work within the agreed time?” Similarly, rather than blaming someone for poor quality, you might ask, “Was the outcome acceptable to the authorities?” By turning accusations into questions, you avoid sounding judgmental and allow the other person to reflect on their own actions

T his app roach has two benefits:

1 Self-realisation for the other p erson – When they answer, they acknowledge the truth themselves rather than being cornered by blame

2 Clarity for you – Their genuine response may reveal information you didn’t know, helping correct any misperceptions

To make this work, two things are essential:

- Ask in the rig ht tone and spirit – The questions must come without bias or preconceived judgment A curious, open mind leads to honest exchanges

- Listen intently – Listening is not about preparing your counter-argument while the other person speaks It means giving full attention, absorbing their words, and refraining from unnecessary interruptions or rebuttals Often, no counter is even needed A sincere answer can speak for itself, opening up perspectives for both sides By replacing statements with thoughtful questions, you shift the conversation from confrontation to reflection This not only avoids unnecessary arguments but also helps both parties discover their share of truth In most cases, the outcome is an amicable resolution and a stronger relationship (Expressed opinions are personal)

Gujarat Hindu Society anniversary festivities light up Preston

Awake* project, announcing plans to formally establish it in the UK

Surendra Patel was honoured by Ratilalbhai with a

North London community and spiritual events, while other leaders from the North

also recognised Held at

Surendrabhai Patel & C B Patel presenting Ratilal C Chohan and his children with the 'Smruti Granth'

L-R: Rishikesh Chohan Renuka Patel Kokilaben Patel CB Patel Chetna & Navnit Solanki Ditesh Chohan and Anant Chohan

L to R: Dr Monica Jayaben Chauhan, R C Chohan, Surendra Patel and CB Patel lighting the lamp

Bhaishri’s

Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza at the katha

Devotees enjoying the katha

HE Vikram Doraiswami hoisting the Indian Flag at Navnat Centre

Members of the Shree Jalaram Jyot Mandir Sudbury, Wembley with CB Patel

Dance performance at the event

India showcases sports vision at London reception

Fire guts Hindu community centre in East London

A devastating fire tore through the Shree S or at hi a P ra j a pa ti Co m mu n i ty ( S SP C) Centre in Ilford, East London leavi ng the b ui l d i ng c om p le t el y gu tt e d Th e b l a z e, which broke out around 8pm, has c aused severe damage to one of the area ’ s most important communi ty hubs for Hindus of Gujarati origin

Doraiswami paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand’s contributions to Indian and global sport, highlighting National Sports Day as a celebration of India’s sporting legacy H

ment’s focus on building world-class sports infrastructure and nurturing young talent for future success

the state’s top-tier sports facilities, experience in

bid He emphasised that submitting the proposal on National Sports Day underscores India’s commitment to a sustainable and inclusive Games while celebrating its sporting heritage

The incident occurred while devotees were participating in a Ganesh Chaturthi procession The timing meant that nobody was inside the building when the fire erupted, averting what could have been a major tragedy “The procession set off at 6 30pm, and the centre was locked We don’t know what caused it, but around 8pm, there was a blast from within,” said community member Ravi Bhanot “The community is very distraught, especially since a havan was due to take place there on Sunday ”

across the street at the Ilford Islamic Centre s

n d plumes of thick black smoke rising into the night sky The fire was so intense that nearby homes had to be evacuated as firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control

London Fire Brigade responded with six fire engines, 40 firefighters, and a 32metre turntable ladder used as a water

e A spokesperson confirmed the building was “fully alight” on arrival and had sustained significant structural damage By 9 20pm, the flames were under control, but the hall was reduced to a burnt shell The roof collapsed and the interiors, believed to have housed sacred idols and community artefacts, were completely destroyed In a striking contrast, a three-metre neon sign of Lord Ganesh on the exterior wall remained intact

Police confirmed that the cause of the blaze is still under investigation “At this s t a g e , i n f o r m a t i o n s u g

believed to have been started deliberately,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said Local MP Jas Athwal, who visited the site, warned that the building may have to be demolished because of the extent of the structural damage “Thankfully, police were patrolling at the right time,” he said, praising the swift response of emergency services

The SSPC National Executive Council ( N E C ) r e

Community Centre at the time of the fire was not being used and thankfully there were no injuries reported We now await the respective authorities to provide their report into the possible cause of the fire We wish to thank everyone who has sent their best wishes of support during this difficult time We will provide a fuller statement once we know more ” The centre, located on Cleveland Road, has long served as a gathering point for members of the Sorathia Prajapati commu-

events, weddings, cultural activities, and charity initiatives for decades

The tragedy comes just a week after

restaurant nearby, was destroyed in a suspected arson attack that left five people hospitalised Although the two incidents are not currently linked, the community remains anxious

For now, members of SSPC are left grieving the loss of their centre; not just a physical building, but a cultural and spiritual home for generations of British Hindus

The reception welcomed UK sports leaders, members of the Indian diaspora, and media representatives

L to R: Ex Mayor of Southwark Sunil Chopra, Shashi Patel, Vimalji Odedra, Deepak Patel, CB Patel, Gujarat s Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Kuldeep Shekhawat and Shashi Vekaria

CB Patel meeting Gujarat’s Sports Minister Harsh Sanghvi at the event

L to R: Cllr Sunil Chopra of Southwark, Sister Polina Temponera of Brahma Kumaris London Youth Group, Brother Raghav Chawla of Brahma Kumaris Delhi Dipti Khatry of Brahma Kumaris London and CB Patel

Time to concentrate on the Aviation sector

There have been many unanswered deadly air tragedies the world over to date

The lives of the people cannot be taken for granted like this anymore

To begin with, putting an end to these tragedies is the foremost task of the aviation industry In my native areas

l i k e

Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, farmers and fishermen have been taking various precautionary measures to protect their farming/fishing activities from the wrath of nature –like bamboo shoots/poles to protect the banana crops from the strong winds and motorised fishing boats to venture into rough seas Just like that, even a small step will do, resulting in expected outcomes

Big countries like America and big continents like Asia should take possible steps and put in a lot of hard work to make sure that all is not lost in the immense joy of flying given the great technological advances and huge human resources available out there - the sooner, the better - in the best interests of all

The other day I had an opportunity to travel by bus in my native district of Tuticorin after a hectic schedule And the joy and happiness I had out of it cannot be explained in words – just soothing my tired physical and mental faculties like anything

Likewise, the aviation sector has been front and centre in mass transportation of people and goods/cargo alike, thereby triggering rigorous economic activities across the world

A l l t h i n g s c o n s i d e r e d , t i m e h a s c o m e f o r a l l t h e countries, authorities and airliners to make good use of innovation and technological advances available out there so as to be able to ensure crucial factors like passenger comfort and overall safety in the aviation sector globally

P Senthil Sarav ana Durai

Onam - A festival of Kerala

Onam is a harvest festival celebrated by the Malayali people of Kerala It is a state festival which falls during the M

September) according to Malayalam calendar

The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali The Malayalis celebrate this festival with unity without the difference of caste and religion Onam is a celebration of ten days The festival is marked by various sports and festivities in Kerala, including worshiping, music, dances, games and boat races People put flower mats in front of their houses on this day, to welcome the King Mahabali is celebrated with lots of cultural elements This festival is the most important harvest festival of Kerala Keralites all over the world celebrate this festival with great pomp and gaiety

Jubel D Cruz

A

Trusting China - a dangerous illusion

“Trusting China is a dangerous illusion” in AV dated 30 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 gives a balanced view of the pros and cons associated with having a friendship with China If we purely go by the history and the most recent aggressive landgrabbing activities, India should not trust China

As mentioned in the article, leaning towards China may increase dependence on its rival, but keeping in mind the present geopolitical situation, a mutually beneficial longterm relationship is required

India will have to be extra careful in dealing with China and make sure the “Make in India” mission is not diluted and people should be encouraged to buy Made in India products China can throw material into India at a very cheap price, which may adversely impact local manufacturing, a problem most Western countries are facing today because they have given more emphasis to outsourcing and cheaper prices Now they are heavily dependent on China

Interdependence and mutual respect are a must to have a long-term relationship; any hidden agenda will not give the desired benefits

A month of devotion and festivals

One of the Jain community’s most revered festivals is Paryushan It is regarded as a period for introspection, forgiveness, and inner cleansing It is based on the three main tenets of Jainisam: truth, penance and non-violence

Paryushan urges everyone to take a moment , purify their m

regardless of whether they adhere to the Shwetambar or Digambar traditions

As a grand finale of Paryushan, Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important and spiritual significant days of the festivals It marks the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th T

violence, truth and compassion form the foundation of Jain philosophy

‘Micchami Dukkadam’ is a traditional Jain greeting used to seek forgiveness from others

Ganesh Chaturthi - celebrates the birth of Hindu deity Lord Ganesh, marking a time for devotees to seek blessings

obstacles from their lives The festival holds deep spiritual significance, symbolising the cycle of birth, life and death, while also promoting community bonding, family unity and culture heritage It is a vibrant 10-day celebration

At the same time, Labour Day celebrated on the first Monday of September in Canada and the United States is public holiday that honours the social and economist achievements of workers It’s a day to recognise the contributions of the labour movement and progress made securing fair wages and reasonable working conditions

Su resh and Bhavna Patel

England and Wales fertility rate hits record low

The fertility rate in England and Wales has fallen to its low est lev el o n record for the third consecutiv e year, according to new data from th e Of fi c e f o r N ati o n al Statistics ( ONS)

The total fertility rate dropped to 1 41 children per woman last year, the lowest

were first collected in 1938

broader trend of millennials deferring parenthood, with t

mothers rising to 31

The data reveals that the

and men aged 25 to 29, while the largest increase was for mothers aged 30 to 34 and fathers aged 35 to 39, indicating a clear shift towards

recorded the highest average age for new mothers at 32 5 years

This demographic shift h

Education Secretary Bridget P h i l

urged Britons to consider h

, warning of worrying reper-

that many young adults are postponing having children due to financial constraints A

College London found that w

quarter were actively trying to conceive

Beyond financial barriers, the most common reason cited was not feeling ready, while others pointed to not having found a suitable partner This complex mix of economic pressures a n

reshaping family planning across the country

PM urged to ban Fujitsu from government contracts

timeless treasure

I am currently reading through the classic 'Soneri Smruti Granth' book inspired by Shree C B Patel, which gives very good interesting information about the struggle and ultimate achievement of individual East African Asians settled in their 'Karmabhumi' England

It is an interesting read about inspiring journeys of different people and nice to know how different Mandirs and organisations were formed It also takes you back to the past, to the memories of rural life in India and East Africa

This book is really a timeless treasure

Online scammers justify crimes as 'reparative justice' for colonialism

A stu dy has found that online fraudsters in Ghana are deliberately targeting British women in romance scams, w ith some justifying their crimes as a form of rep arative justice fo r colonialism A ccord ing to a paper p ublished in the journal Deviant Behaviour, a group known as the "Sakawa Boys" believ e t h ei r a ct io n s are a w ay t o re cl ai m w ealth unju stly taken from their ancestors d uring British colonial rule

The research, based on interviews w i t h c y b e r c r i m i n a l s a n d p o l i c e i n G

show little remorse for their actions

One fraudster, Kojo, claimed that his ancestors were stripped of their dignity by colonialists and that his actions were a form of revenge, stating, “This is not just a game, this is history reclaiming itself ” Another fraudster, Justice, echoed these sentiments, linking the historical exploitation of Ghana’s natural resources and the slave trade to their current criminal activities

The academics who authored the

paper, which included researchers from

Nigeria, noted that while the scammers rationalise their crimes as acts of resistance against colonial legacies, this perspective overlooks the severe financial and psychological toll on their victims The study serves as a reminder that online romance scams are a serious crime with significant consequences, d e s p i t e t h e h i s t o r i c a l j u s

some perpetrators use

One in five would skip marriage given equal rights

ied o nes Th e researc h, w hich f ound that 63 p er cent of th ose s urveyed sup po rt equal legal status , is e xp ecte d to inc reas e p re

ur e o n

he go vernment to legislate on th e matter Despite a common public belief in "

couples currently have significantly less

A cross -party group of 76 politicians, i ncluding se ni or La bour M Ps, i s urgi n g Pri m e Mi n i st er Sir Kei r Starmer to block Fuj i ts u f rom re c ei v in g an y n e w g ov er n m en t c on t ra c ts du e to i t s central role in the Post Office Horizon scandal The call comes even as Fuj i t s u h a s be e n awarded a £12 5 mi llion go ve r nm e n t c on t ra c t an d is in neg oti ati on s f or a £ 3 7 0 m i l l i on extensi on

The Horizon system, d e v e l o p e d b y F u j i t s u , w a s a f a u l t y a c c o u n t i n g s y s t e m t h a t i n c o r r e c t l y showed shortfalls in Post

O f f i c e b r a n c h a c c o u n t s

This led to the successful prosecution of more than

7 0 0 s u b - p o s t m a s t e r s between 1999 and 2015, in what has been described as one of the most devastating miscarriages of justice in British history It has been f o u n d t h a t t h e s c a n d a l drove 13 people to suicide

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the group of MPs and peers stated that it was not morally acceptable for a c o m p a n y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r s u c h h a r m t o c o n t i n u e profiting from public money

breakdown The survey, however, also highlighted continued strong support for marriage as an institution, with 58

government has said that it has been

The group questioned what m e s s a g e s u c h a s i t u a t i o n s

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 anusha at anusha.singh@abplgroup.com

Hitesh Hing u

Narend ra Patel

Bridget Phillipson Keir Starmer

As each day p asses you can’t but think t he gam e is over for Ukraine The tru mpeting by the ‘The coalit io n o f the will ing’, a gro up o f so me 3 1 co untr ies who pledged to strengt hen su ppo rt for Ukraine against Ru ssia is but a sm oke screen, cr eated mo re for the do mest ic pol it ics o f those nations, t han in any solid verifiabl e boot s on the gr ound su pp ort for Ukraine

On 24th August Ukraine celebrated its 24th Independence Day The very notion of independence comes into disrepute once you look at the detail of where this nation is today

President Trump nearly broke President Zelensky’s arms off as it was twisted and turned in all directions until he relented to behave himself In the end, Zelensky all but sold off many of his nation’s rare earth treasures to America for their continued support The coalition of the willing scrambled like vultures in their greed to get some left over crumbs And whilst the west carve up Ukraine for their own pleasure, Russia maintained its attack and now control at least 20% of Ukraine

Therefore, watching Zelensky taking part in their Independence Day event one was left with just one question, ‘independence from whom and for whom?’ As far as I

K A P I L’S K H I C H A D I

Ukraine - Game Over ?

closer to the EU and the west, the higher the desperation in Moscow When discussions about joining NATO became the norm, Moscow could see the west’s global power domination strategy to encircle Russia from the west America, and even central Europe, were making sure there was ample land mass between them and Russia The area and its people they would accept as collateral damage should the need arise

Estimates vary, but according to Trump more than $350 billion has been given to Ukraine by western nations And according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, when we compare aid by nations as a proportion of their GDP it gives some interesting insight It turns out Denmark and Estonia are the biggest donor’s pro rata Look where the USA (Table -1 )

The benevolence of nations can be applauded, or should we take another look and consider their true motivation? Look at (Table-2) it tells us of the top 10 nations and their contributions to Ukraine on the military front

Some nations are having a great time Another war, and another opportunity to sell arms and keep their indigenous defence industries serviced with funding and securing local jobs Wars for the west have become the conduit through which they make billions, save jobs and enslave nations in a debt cycle There is no such thing as benevolence

can make out, he has given up most of his nation to either American commercial interests, or to Russia

Historically, there is controversy as to the origins of Ukraine and its relationship with Russia What we do know is the Russian Empire from the 17th century onwards absorbed large parts of Ukrainian territory In due course the Soviet Union (1922–1991) and in 1922, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was established, and Ukraine became a constituent part of the Soviet Union This period of Soviet (Russian) control lasted until 1991 When the Soviet Union collapsed, there was bound to be realignment by the new nations with their newly acquired independence However, there was an understanding that they should remain neutral, but this over the past few decades has clearly been breached As each of these nations became

This gets more interesting when you compare what was spent on the gulf war as a % of GDP by various nations, (Table-3) and what they are spending on Ukraine Rough estimate suggests that three times more was spent in attacking Iraq, than is being spent in protecting Ukraine

And with any war, there are always refugees (Table4) tells us where most of the Ukrainian refugees are going Look where France is, proportionately not pulling their weight in this war, though always seen at every major summit as one of the top EU leaders!

Kiel Institute for the World Economy datasets have been very useful, and I give due acknowledgement to them I have used them to show that there is more to this war than meets the eye Every western entity has known since the war started that the only possible way to peace is by Ukraine ceding land, and in not being seen as a NATO threat

President Zelensky has not done his nation any favours History will show that he sacrificed his nation and his people for nothing However, Trump wanted all the fanfare of a deal to himself In his zeal for a deal, he now looks beholden to Putin who on American soil taught him what it’s like to be a leader

The game is ending in Ukraine because the west is now tired of it They will carve the spoils and leave Ukraine in a sad state In time the people of Ukraine will realise how they were exploited by the west, as well as their very own Let this be a lesson for all other smaller nations who rely on the US and the west Just remember, you will be nothing more than collateral damage in any future power play

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan faces second sexual harassment allegation

Karim Khan KC, the Br itish la wyer serv in g as chief prosecutor a t t he Int ern ation al Crimin al C our t (ICC), is facing a second alleg at ion of se xua l har assmen t A woman who says she w

intern more than 15 years

prolonged” and

completely unconsented” caresses Her account, published by The Guardian, follows a separate c

from a younger colleague at the ICC, which prompted

Hague Khan has previously d

truth” to the claims

The second complainant said she felt compelled to come forward after reading about the earlier allegations She told the newspaper that at the time she did not lodge a formal complaint because s h e w

career and “trying to figure out how to stay in his good g r a c e

e t t h e w o r

experience while not sleeping with him ” Both women a

h e m , a n d u r g e d them to lie down with him Khan, 55, is currently on leave of absence from his role as ICC chief prosecutor, a post he has held since 2021 He is best known for issuing a r r e s t w a r r a n t s a g a i n s t Russian president Vladimir P u

d w a r crimes in Ukraine, and for I s r a e l i l e a d

r s B i n y a m i n Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant in connection with the Gaza conflict C a r t e r - R u c k , t h e l a w firm representing Khan, said he “categorically denies” the allegations, insisting he has never harassed or mistreated a n y o n e o r m i s u s e d h i s authority His lawyers did not respond to a request for comment from The Times

d them to work at his home, where he then kissed and t o u c

Britons gloomy about country’s direction

M or e t ha n e i gh t i n t e n Britons believe the UK is in a “b ad” s tate, wit h over a third desc ribing it as “ ve ry bad,” a c c or d in g to th e l a te s t YouGov s ur ve y Onl y 14 pe r cent of res pondents sa id the country is in a good condition, and just 1 per cent r ated it as “ very good ” The research, published this week, shows a deepening s e n s e o f p e s s i m i s m a b o u t Britain’s standing compared t o o t h e r w e s t e r

o s e s u

d s a i d t h e country is in worse shape than a decade ago, while 60 p e r c e n t e x p e c t t h i n g s t o deteriorate further over the coming year, up sharply from 39 per cent in last year ’ s poll

T h e e a r l i e r s u r v e y w a s conducted during the 2024

when many voters hoped a change of government might bring improvement Yet the new Labour administration

d t h e Conservatives: sluggish econ o m i c g

w t h , h i g h t a x e s , immigration pressures and the continuing cost of living crisis Moves to raise revenue and tighten rules have also u n

, s a i d Britain is performing worse than most or all other western countries, an increase of five points on last year

Ex-West Yorkshire detective jailed for misconduct

A f o rm er We st Y o rks h i re Police officer has been jailed fo r m o re th a n tw o y ear s after being conv icted of m iscond uct in public office for pursu ing a sexual relationship with a crime v ictim Wasim Bashir, 55, who served as a detective constable in Bradford, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, 29 August, t o t w o y

f r o m t h e force while under investigation but will still face misconduct proceedings, with West Yorkshire Police confirming it will seek to bar him from working in policing again The conviction followed a

force’s Counter Corruption U

Police Conduct Bashir was acquitted of a second misc o n

judge directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict

months in prison He was found guilty of one count of misconduct in public office after forming a sexual relationship with a woman who had reported being the victim of a sexual offence, a case in which Bashir was directly involved H e r

Kapil Dudakia

Karim Khan KC

Suicide Prevention Week

Why culturally sensitive care matters more than ever

Anusha Singh

For Rizwan Jav ed M BE, suicide prevention is not an abstract idea, it is liv ed experience

“I’ll never forget the first time I stepped in to help someone, ” he recalls “It was only two days after I completed the Samaritans suicide prevention course My heart was racing, I was questioning myself, but I approached them, made small talk, and showed I cared That moment changed everything for me ” That single act of courage, rooted in compassion and training, shaped Javed’s mission He later launched Untangled29, an Instagram account dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging open conversations about mental health For him, the goal is to break the silence that still grips many communities, especially South Asian families

“Talking about mental health in our communities can be tough,” he says “There’s stigma, a belief that you must remain strong and hide emotions But this stops people from seeking help We need to start conversations in our own households, create safe spaces, and normalise vulnerability ”

His words cut to the heart of a wider issue In the UK, more than 5,000 people die by suicide each year, around one life every 90 minutes It remains the leading cause of death among men under 50 and a major cause of death in young women too Behind every number is a story of struggle, silence, and often stigma

And while suicide affects people from every background, research highlights sharp disparities in access to care People from minority ethnic backgrounds are often less likely to seek mental health support, even though they experience similar or greater levels of distress For example, studies suggest that Asian and Black communities are underrepresented in mental health services, despite growing evidence that stigma and cultural barriers often make individuals more vulnerable to suffering in silence Alicia Nagar, Head of People, Wellbeing and Equity at MHFA England, says this is precisely why culturally tailored strategies are so vital “Suicide prevention must start with recognising the different experiences and barriers faced by culturally diverse communities,” she explains “While most people want to help, many lack the confidence, skills, or cultural understanding to have life-saving conversations This confidence gap can be even wider in communities where stigma is compounded by cultural taboos or fear of judgment ” She stresses that prevention cannot be a “one-size-fits-all” approach “By working with trusted community leaders, tailoring support to reflect cultural contexts, and building

diverse mental health first aider networks, we can reduce stigma and encourage compassionate dialogue In workplaces, embedding inclusive training helps colleagues and managers spot warning signs and respond with respect ” This idea of safe, stigma-free spaces resonates deeply with Javed’s work “It’s essential to create spaces in our communities for open discussions about mental health,” he says “When people feel safe and there’s no fear of judgment, they are more likely to share their struggles Safe spaces give people the courage to seek help and encourage a caring community where everyone feels accepted ” Globally, the challenge is even starker The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 700,000 people die by suicide every year, making it one

Teenagers struggling with mental health

A major ne w poll has re vea le d the sca le of t he m ent al he alth cr isis

amon g Brit ain’s 16- an d 17-y ea rol

unde rminin g their se nse of purpose

The survey of more than 1,100 teenagers found that one in three girls suffer from anxiety, with nearly 70% admitting it has led them to stay away from school Among all respondents, nearly 60% said they had missed classes because of anxiety The study highlights a generat i o n

and wellbeing, particularly young women, who report lower life satisfaction, more body image worries and a greater likelihood of depression compared with boys

The poll also found that 81% worry about finding a good job, while almost half are highly anxi o u s a b o u t e x a m s a n d f i n

Substance use is widespread, with 82% reporting alcohol consumpt

Nearly four in ten were exposed to online pornography before the age of 13, underlining concerns about digital harm

Phillipson said the figures showed that “something very wrong has clearly been allowed to take hold” and pledged to expand in-school mental health support to nearly a million more pupils this year

children’s commissioner, said the

“There’s stigma, a belief that you must remain strong and hide emotions. But this stops people from seeking help. We need to start conversations in our own households, create safe spaces, and normalise vulnerability.”

of the leading causes of death worldwide For every death, there are likely 20 more suicide attempts, leaving lasting impacts on families, workplaces, and communities Suicide is preventable, yet prevention often fails because interventions are not accessible, trusted, or culturally relevant

In the UK, progress has been made The government has launched national strategies, and charities such as Samaritans, Papyrus, and CALM provide vital lifelines But campaigners argue that much more needs to be done to tackle cultural stigma and widen access to tailored care

Recent data shows that suicide rates among young people from ethnic minority backgrounds have risen in recent years, underlining the urgency of targeted action

The workplace, Nagar notes, is one area where early intervention can make a tangible difference “Inclusive mental health first aid training equips colleagues to support one another with cultural sensitivity When managers can recognise signs of distress and respond without judgment, it creates a culture of care ”

But beyond workplaces and policies, both experts agree on one truth: prevention begins in everyday interactions Javed’s story demonstrates that a caring conversation, even a few words of reassurance, can change the course of someone ’ s life “Don’t be ashamed of your story,” he urges “It will inspire others and one day become someone ’ s coping mechanism ”

The message is clear Suicide prevention requires empathy, awareness, and training But above all, it requires cultural sensitivity and understanding that stigma, silence, and shame can weigh more heavily in some communities than others

Tackling these barriers with compassion and inclusivity could mean the difference between despair and hope, between silence and survival

For policymakers, healthcare leaders, and employers, the task ahead is not simply to roll out more mental health services, but to ensure those services are equitable, accessible, and culturally attuned Because in the fight against suicide, equity is not just a principle It saves lives

Overall, 24% of 16- and 17-yearolds reported anxiety, rising to 34% among girls Depression affected 18% of girls compared with 13% overall, while nearly 40% of girls said they often felt they had no purpose in life

Mental

faced enormous challenges, from the pandemic to a crisis in mental health, yet they remain ambitious and socially aware They deserve a clear commitment that they matter, and that they are being heard ”

health concerns push parents towards homeschooling

Brit ain say t hey would se riously c

child

growing

crowde d classrooms drive dissa tisfaction with the sta te school sy st em

A survey of 2,000 UK parents with children aged five to 16 found that 43 per cent cited bullying as t h e i r t o p c o n c e r n , f o l l o w e d b y mental health issues (34 per cent) and a lack of individual attention (29 per cent) The figures reflect a broader rise in families opting out of mainstream education Councils reported that 111,700 children were in elective home education as of a u t u m n 2 0 2 4 , a s h a r p i n c r e a s e from around 92,000 the previous year

Beyond safeguarding and wellb e i n g , p a r e n t s e x p r e s s e d d o u b t s a b o u t h o w w e l l s c h o o l s w e r e preparing children for life after e d u c a t i o n T h r e e - q u a r t e r s o f respondents said the system was failing to equip pupils with essential skills, and 70 per cent wanted greater focus on practical subjects such as money management

The findings come as the government’s curriculum and assessment review prepares to publish its final report later this autumn

Parents also pointed to disruptive behaviour in classrooms (28 per cent), large class sizes (26 per cent), and outdated teaching methods (55 per cent) as reasons for considering alternatives More than half of those surveyed felt their child’s school did not adequately support their mental health needs, while 38 per cent said their child had felt unsafe A further quarter said state schools lacked proper f a c i l i t i e s f o r p u p i l s w i t h s p e c i a l educational needs and disabilities

Mental health overdiagnosis

‘costs UK £16bn a year’

The UK is spend ing more than £1 6 billio n a year as a result of w hat experts warn is the overd iag nosis of mental health cond itions and neu r o d ev e lo p m e nt al d i s o rd e rs am ong young peop le A new report by the Po licy Exchange think tank argues th at the ed ucation, welfare and h ealth systems are being o verw h el m ed , w i th f am i li e s i n ce nti v i se d to p ur su e d i ag n o se s in ord er to access support F o r m e r h e a l t h s e c r e t a r y S i r J e r e m y H u n t , w h o b a c k e d t h e findings, said he had witnessed “ an alarming escalation in the prevalence and severity of mental illhealth among children and young p e o p l e , a l o n g s i d e a s i g n i f i c a n t increase in diagnoses of neurodev e l o p m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n s ” H e warned that while the impulse to support children was important, society risked medicalising “ routine” aspects of development in a w a y t h a t u n d e r c u t r e s i l i e n c e

“Child development is a messy and uneven process, ” he added T h e r e p o r t h i g h l i g h t e d t h e rapid rise in demand across services in the past decade One in five children in Britain are now identified as having special educat

Between 2018 and 2024, the number of 11 to 15-year-olds receiving d i s a b i l i t y l i v i n g a l l o

learning difficulties such as ADHD increased by 70 per cent Children and young people accessing NHS m

nearly half between 2021 and this year T h e

reforming the special educational needs system, including making Education, Health and Care Plans non-statutory It also warned that

Rizwan Javed MBE

Alicia Nagar

Pakistani and Bangladeshi women face stark pay gaps

Subhasini Naicker

South Asian women remain underrepresented in the workforce, with Pakistani and Bangladeshi women facing some of the greatest barriers despite rising levels of education.

A new report by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) highlights that in 2022, economic inactivity among Bangladeshi and Pakistani women in London stood at 48 1%, far higher than men from the same communities (15 3%) and other racially minoritised or White British women The report also reveals stark pay gaps, with Pakistani women earning 60% less than men and Bangladeshi women 50% less, the largest disparities among all ethnic groups

Asian Voice spoke to the researchers behind the study to understand how the project came about, the biggest barriers preventing access to good work, and what more can be done

Explaining how the research came about and why it focused on Bangladeshi and Pakistani women in London’s workforce, Domiziana Turcatti said, “This

work was commissioned by the Greater London Authority’s Workforce Integration Network (WIN), which seeks to tackle disparities in employment They chose to focus on Bangladeshi and Pakistani women because of the high rates of economic inactivity in London, but also to better understand the barriers faced by those already in or trying to enter work By ‘good work’ we mean jobs that match skills, pay fairly, embrace EDI, and offer progression opportunities ”

Anisa Butt added, “There’s a

lot of quantitative evidence showing that Pakistani and Bangladeshi women are among the least represented in the labour market, so it was an appropriate and necessary group

to focus on, particularly to explore how they can be better supported to re-enter and thrive in work ”

Systemic bias blo cks wom en ’ s op portunities

On the biggest barriers preventing Bangladeshi and Pakistani women from accessing opportunities, Uroosa S yed

explained, “The barriers are overwhelmingly structural rather than cultural Women reported discrimination in recruitment, overseas qualifications being dismissed, pressure to anglicise names, and inflexible workplace practices, particularly hard for those with caring responsibilities Visa restrictions, lack of culturally appropriate childcare, and limited professional networks also came up repeatedly The real obstacles are systemic: bias in the labour market, rigid policies, and workplaces that don’t reflect women ’ s realities ” Yasna Sarwar added, “It

became clear through the interviews that most barriers are structural, not cultural Women themselves helped shape the recommendations, rooted in their lived experiences ”

Turcatti emphasised, “This research shifts attention away from blaming cultural or religious norms While these play a role, the bigger issue lies with employers and policies that reproduce barriers Employers can control workplace cultures, and local authorities can shape supportive policies, this is where real change must happen ” C omm unity v oices at the h eart of research

Speaking about the methodology, Butt said, “We used datasets like Understanding Society, which follows individuals over time and includes an ethnic minority boost, allowing for robust analysis of Pakistani and Bangladeshi women in London It also has attitudinal variables

on gender roles, which made it ideal to supplement the qualitative research ”

Turcatti explained, “GLA wanted the research shaped by women themselves, so we created a Community Research Fellowship with seven researchers from diverse backgrounds They helped design interviews, analyse findings, and shape recommendations For us, the methodology was also about embedding lived experience and building research skills ”

Sarwar added, “Including community researchers made the project more ethical and inclusive It centred marginalised voices, created trauma-informed spaces, and gave us skills while ensuring the analysis reflected lived realities ”

Syed said, “The participatory approach was vital As community researchers we helped design sensitive questions, build trust, and include women who are often excluded from research Numbers are important, but this qualitative work captured the real experiences and resilience of women ”

On industries with greater barriers or openings for women, Turcatti said, “Our report found that sectors like media, law, and tech present significant barriers Beyond the lack of networks, women noted that much of the informal networking happens around alcohol, which excludes many and highlights the need for more inclusive practices ” Syed added, “The women I interviewed were underrepresented in higher-paid professions like tech and law, and rarely progressed into managerial roles due to limited mentoring and role models At the same time, there was an overrepresentation in low-paid, insecure work such as cleaning, retail, hospitality, and care, with few opportunities for progression ” “ Remov ing barriers builds a fairer society”

On the opportunities that could be unlocked if barriers were removed, Turcatti said, “From a policy perspective, involving communities in designing and shaping solutions would lead to stronger, more cohesive policies and a fairer society ”

Syed added, “The impact would be transformative Women could fully use their skills, progress in their careers, and build confidence Families would gain financial security and inspire future generations, while wider society would benefit from industries accessing untapped talent, creating stronger businesses, a dynamic economy, and a fairer society ” Sarwar said, “Removing barriers would mean greater independence and financial stability for women, better integration, and more contributions across society It would inspire girls and future generations to pursue opportunities, creating lasting change ”

Sons killed more women than strangers in 2022, report reveals

in 20 22, according to ne

he Femicide C ensus The rep or t shows tha t of 121 women kille d by men , 12 we re k illed by the ir son s and 11 by someone the y did not k now

Dr Karen Ingala Smith

each

Midlands recalled her son first hitting her at 12, adding, “there are only so many times you can be told by social services there’s nothing more we can do ” A 34-year-old mother said her family spent two years seeking help as her autistic teenage son became i n c r e a s i n g l y v i o l e n t , w i t h m o r e than 60 police call-outs Despite repeated assaults, the CPS refused to prosecute, citing “public interest ” Her partner recalled fearing the boy would kill her during one attack

The Femicide Census reported

warned this is “the tip of the iceberg,” as son-to-mother abuse is often unrecognised and services fail to provide adequate support

The government has pledged to halve violence against women and g

Minister Jess Phillips called

stronger services, and tougher justice measures

Ayodhya student wins prestigious Landscape Award in UK

Reema K han, 24, from Ayodhya, is currently p ursu ing her master’s in l an ds c

Manc hester Sc hoo l of Architecture, UK

Institute Award (2021) for her dissertation on the wetlands of Kashmir, which examined the relationship between ecology, architecture, and community livelihoods Reema also played a key role in the Stretford I n f r

for its sustainable design and honoured with the Pineapples Award (2025) for Best Infrastructure

Period pain in teens linked to chronic pain in adulthood

Teen age rs with moder ate or se ver e per iod pain a re far more like ly to dev elop chr onic pa in in a dult hood, O x f or d U n i v e r s it y r e s e a r ch h a s foun d

Analysing data from over 1,100 p a r t i c i p

discovered that 15-year-olds with severe dysmenorrhoea faced a 76% higher risk of chronic pain by age 26, while those with moderate pain had a 65% higher risk

T h e t e a m s a i d t h e f i n d i n g s highlight the need for better menstrual education, reduced stigma, and early access to effective treatment

& Adolescent Health’ a n

Research Foundation is the first to l

k t e e n a g e p e r i o d p a i n w i t h chronic pain beyond the pelvis It found that moderate to severe dysmenorrhoea raised the risk of back, abdominal, and joint pain in adulth o o d , w i t h

e x p e r i

n g severe pain more than twice as likely to develop chronic headaches or joint issues Anxiety and depression had only a minor impact, with researchers suggesting that heightened adolescent “neuroplasticity” may make the brain more sensitive to repeated pain signals

Study reveals one in three women gamers feel guilty

gamers reported 20% more guilt W o

n casual play made them “ gamers ” felt 42% less shame Dr Rennick said the study shows many women feel excluded from gaming culture, with guilt often tied to perception rather than time spent playing “We found no link between guilt a n d p l a y t i m e , w o m e n w h o f e e l guilty or keep secrets don’t play l

A new study sh ows nearly a third of U K wom en w ho play mobile games feel g uilty about it L ed by Dr Steph Rennick (University of S ti rli n g ) a nd D r S eá n R o ber ts (Card iff U niv ersity) with U nd one Games, th e survey o f 1 ,00 0 wom en fo u n d 28 % rep o r ted g u il t o v e r gaming, with younger players (1 624) more likely to feel sham e than tho se over 55 The study found women who hid their gaming from friends and family were three times more likely to feel guilty (63% vs 23%) Guilt was also linked to identity: 60% didn’t see themselves as “ gamers, ” and those viewing gaming as maledominated were twice as likely to feel shame (46% vs 23%) Women e

explained

Uroosa Syed

Domiziana Turcatti

Anisa Butt

Yasna Sarwar

Breaking the wheel

Karma as a path to empowerment

Swathi Anil

M eetu Bisht's book, “To the Beginning of the End

o f Karm a ” , unp acks o ne of India's m ost well-kno wn but often misunderstood concep ts Draw ing o n her u pbringing in the Indian Him alayas and years of teaching spiritual p hilo sophy, she redefines

K arma not as a system of fate or p unishm ent, but as a liv ing process we can u nd erstand and chang e By doing so, she argues, we can break free from repeating the same painful life patterns With Asian Voice, Meetu talks about the complexities and layers of Karma and how her book incorporates the concept

K arma: M ore th an ju st action and reactio n

Bisht challenges the conventional an pop-culture view of Karma as simple justice or retribution She explains that th is only partially true as it restricts our understanding and keeps us in fear consciousness Inste she posits that “Karm is an opportunity to awaken, identify and understand the ego " It's a mirror that reflects our unaddressed tendencies and soul impressions, or sanskars, which drive our actions

Healing begins with humility and the acceptance that we may be responsible for our current situation Bisht emphasises that while past-life impressions might attract painful experiences, we still have the power to change the script For relationship Karma, the key is to realise that these connections aren't random; they are soul agreements to heal past Karma The healing comes not from changing the

are a timeless guide for keeping our inner environment healthy

The role o f perso nal experience in wisd om

Bisht shares that her own upbringing in a strict environment, where her unconventional nature was misunderstood, led her to a deep-seated inner turmoil This personal journey was a clash of egos, her own and those around her and the catalyst for her spiritual quest Through Vedic ology and selfovery, she realised strongest egoic dencies were low f-esteem and achment

other person but from dropping our own egoic patterns, such as expectations and attachments, which raises our frequency and breaks the cycle

"Karma doesn’t end at the experience of the consequences of one ’ s deeds," she says, "It ends with the eradication of the specific tendency or energy that caused the deed " The purpose of Karma isn't to punish but to create ego awareness and help us restore our higher, egoless self

When we see Karma as a hard knock on the human ego, we can begin to understand and transform the patterns that lead to suffering T he counterintuitiv e p ower of charity

When it comes to practical tools for healing Karmic patterns, Bisht offers a surprising insight: charity She argues that this simple act can be more effective than prayer or meditation in resolving both financial and health

Karma According to Bisht, our challenges in these areas aren't due to external factors like luck or other people but are rooted in past-life patterns and tendencies

A ncient wisdom for mo dern mental health

Bisht connects modern mental health challenges such as anxiety, insecurity, and negative thinking directly to an inflated ego and the heavy burden of one's subconscious storage This storage contains unsettling egoistic tendencies like guilt, anger, and fear, which she refers in her book as Maya Higher the ego, more the Karmic burden on the soul", she says

She explains that Vedic philosophies, such as the Bhagavad Gita, provide a blueprint for overcoming these inner battles The story of Arjuna, caught in fear and self-doubt on the battlefield, is a metaphor for our own struggles Lord Krishna's wisdom exposes Arjuna's ego as the real enemy, teaching us that mental health challenges are an internal war that can be won through selfawareness and righteous action The ancient texts are not just stories; they

Anika Chowdhury’s ‘Glowborne’ project revitalises Chess’s ancient history

A n i ka C h o w d h u ry , a c reativ e visionary, is breathing new life into th e game o f ch ess w ith h er inno v ati v e p ro j e ct , ' Gl o w bo rn e' , C howd hury is reim ag ining the g lo bally popular game by rev iving its rich and often ov erlo oked So uth A sian and East African orig ins

W i t h ' G l o w b o r n e , '

Chowdhury goes beyond a simple redesign, aiming to reconnect the game with its historical and cultural roots The project delves into the a n

o f c h e s s , which is believed to have originated in India before spreading to Persia and then on to Africa By incorporating visual and thematic elements from these regions, Chowdhury is transforming t

By working on ese deficiencies, she as able to transform er relationship with erself and, in turn, ith others This ersonal experience ecame the oundation for her work as a Karma guide "I could understand human nature in a positive way," she states Her journey taught her that Karma ends at peace, and by disassociating from her own ego, she could help others pinpoint the ego as the true culprit behind their Karmic complexities

Taking ownership of the inner wo rld

The book’s core message is that the end of Karma begins with taking full responsibility for our inner world This means shifting from an egoic selfdriven by blame, judgment, and attachment to our spiritual self, which is peaceful, powerful, and accepting Bisht explains that the first step is discomfort, not with an external situation, but with one's own internal response to it

The ego loves to blame others, but by probing our own reactions, we can identify when the ego is at play

The solution is to consciously step away from the mental noise and observe these ego-driven thoughts without judgment "Simple observation and conscious distancing from the egodriven self is the best way forward," she advises This act of disidentification creates space, alters our frequency, and ultimately breaks the wheel of karma, allowing us to end the cycle of pain and suffering

vibrant celebration of heritage

Her work not only honours the diverse traditions that shaped chess but also offers a fresh perspective on a classic pastime This creative endeavour is a powerful way to highlight the cultural contributions of South

Asia and East Africa, ensuring that their foundational role in the game's development is recognised and celebrated by a contemporary audience The project serves as both an educational tool a n d a t e s t a m e n t t o t h e enduring power of cultural storytelling through art

Cultural organisations warn of 'crippling' legislative changes

L e ad i ng cu l tu ra l organisations acro ss the UK hav e issu ed a stark warning to the g o v ern m en t, c auti o n in g th a t p rop o s ed l eg i s lat i v e chang es to m em bers h i p c o u ld h a v e a c ri p p li ng e ff ect o n th e se ct o r

A ccording to a report from Th e Art Newspaper, these o rg ani s at io n s are d e ep l y concerned th at the new regu la ti o ns w i l l n eg a ti v el y imp act their ability to operate effectively and financially T h e p r o p o s e d c h a n g e s a r e r e p o r t e d l y a i m e d a t reforming the legal framew o r k g o v e r n i n g m e m b e rship bodies However, cultural institutions fear that the new rules will impose s i g n i f i c a n t a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a n d f i n a n c i a l b u r d e n s , p o t e n t i a l l y j e o p a r d i s i n g their long-term sustainability The concerns centre on h o w t h

fundraising and governance to the core services they provide t o t h e i r m e m b e r s and the public A s p o k e s p e r s o n for one of the organisations stated that the new legislation could fundamentally undermine the role o f c u l t u r a l i n s t i t u t i o n s i n British society The art sect o r , a l r e a d y n a v i g a t i n g a c h a l l e n g i n g e c o n o m i c c l imate, is urging the government to reconsider the proposals and engage in further dialogue to ensure that any new laws do not inadvertently harm the country's vibrant cultural landscape

Meetu Bisht

Left: the Victoria and Albert Museum Right: Bodiam castle, acquired by the National Trust in 1926

The fraudulent side of Artificial Intelligence

Anusha Singh

Art ificia l Intell ige nce (AI)

is of ten h ailed a s the e ngine of innov ation

t ransfor ming indu st rie s, f ue lling scientific d iscove ry, and pr omising sma rte r ways of living But wh ile AI br ings p rog ress, it a lso o pens th e door to u np rece de nt ed risks

One of the fastestgrowing threats is AIenabled fraud, where criminals weaponise the same tools designed for good to deceive, manipulate, and exploit

From cloned voices that sound exactly like loved ones to deepfake videos impersonating business leaders or community elders, scams are no longer crude attempts easily spotted by sceptical eyes They are sophisticated, personalised, and frighteningly real

What makes the rise in AI fraud particularly alarming is that it no longer requires technical expertise; anyone can now access cheap, user-friendly tools to create convincing fakes in minutes This dual reality, innovation on one side, exploitation on the other, makes AI both a powerful ally and a dangerous weapon

The question is no longer whether AI will reshape our world, but how prepared we are to protect ourselves from its fraudulent misuse

The rise o f AI f rau d

According to cybercrime experts, AIdriven fraud has grown at an unprecedented rate over the past two years, with deepfake scams, synthetic identity theft, and voice cloning at the forefront Once the preserve of hackers with sophisticated technical knowledge, these tools are now widely available Offthe-shelf applications can clone a person ’ s voice, face, or identity within minutes

As Aarti S ama ni, F ounde r o f S hre em Gr owth Par tners, notes, “We are experiencing an unprecedented growth in AI Fraud This escalation is because the technology is now cheap, fast, and widely accessible It can produce and distribute very realistic artefacts at scale ” This accessibility, combined with the vast amounts of personal data available on social media and the dark web, enables fraudsters to tailor scams so convincingly that they feel authentic

Ordinary people are

increasingly on the frontline of AI-enabled scams A phone call mimicking a child’s voice claiming to be in distress, or a WhatsApp video from a supposed community leader, can be enough to persuade someone to send money or share sensitive details Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, migrants unfamiliar with local systems, or those less confident with technology , are often the first to be targeted

The UK’s National Crime Agency recently reported that cases of deepfake-enabled fraud rose by more than 40% between 2022 and 2024, with losses running into hundreds of millions of pounds. Globally, Juniper Research estimates that AI-driven identity fraud could cost victims over $2 5 billion annually by 2027

Cult ura l v ulnera bilities

Fraudsters do not only exploit technology; they exploit culture South Asian communities, for example, are especially vulnerable because of traits that are otherwise strengths close family ties, deep respect for authority, and reliance on trusted business relationships

Samani explains, “These are the very traits that perpetrators exploit using deepfake-enabled technology Fraudsters pose as relatives in distress

or trusted elders, to manipulate people’s instincts to help ”

By manipulating these cultural dynamics, scammers prey on people’s strongest values their loyalty, generosity, and trust One of the biggest obstacles to tackling AI fraud is silence Victims often feel a sense of shame, blaming themselves for being deceived But experts insist this mindset only strengthens fraudsters’ hand.

Samani stresses, “We need to move away from ‘ scam shame’ There is nothing to be embarrassed about this It can happen to even the most cautious people Awareness shared across communities remains our strongest shield ”

Governments and regulators are beginning to act Proposals for stricter digital identity checks, AI watermarking, and penalties for malicious use are under discussion in the UK and across Europe But regulation moves slowly, while fraudsters move fast Until systems catch up, awareness and vigilance remain the strongest protection

AI will continue to shape the future, but how safe that future feels will depend on our collective ability to recognise, resist, and talk openly about its fraudulent side

Building awareness and resilience

The best defence, surprisingly, is not always technological It starts with human behaviour:

§ Pause before reacting urgent demands for money or information should always be a red flag

§ Verify identity use trusted channels such as a known phone number or in-person check.

§ Limit what you share online even harmless details, such as a birthday wish, can be used to design personalised scams

§ Talk openly discuss AI fraud with family, friends, and within communities Creating safe spaces to share experiences reduces stigma and builds resilience

Artificial intelligence's growing role in the classrooms of UK

A new report rev eals that half of teachers in the UK are now using artificial intelligence (A I) to help create their lesson plans, a significant increase from just a third last year

The survey of 3,000 teachers and 60,000 teenagers highlights a soaring use of large language models like ChatGPT in educational settings Beyond lesson planning, the report from the National Literacy Trust indicates that teachers are also leveraging AI for tasks such as checking grammar and spelling, writing school reports, composing letters to parents, and even drafting assemblies

increase in AI use among students The proportion of pupils using AI for homework has

climbed to second place among the reasons for its use, surpassed only by asking questions Regular weekly use of AI by teenagers has jumped from 31 per cent in 2024 to nearly 46 per cent this year

A quarter of teenagers admitted to "just copying" AI outputs, an increase from 20 per cent last year While the adoption of AI is becoming more widespread, it also raises concerns among educators Two-thirds of teachers surveyed expressed worry that AI might devalue traditional writing skills

should be integrated into school curricula to help students navigate the new landscape and use AI more creatively and critically

AI-powered stethoscope promises faster heart diagnosis

Mo re than two centuries after its invention, the stethoscop e is und ergoing its first major transformation U K d octors have develop ed an

detecting heart conditio ns with in just 15 seconds

The device, created by researchers at

College Healthcare NHS Trust with support f

NIHR, analyses subtle differences in heartbeats and blood flow that human ears cannot detect It can identify heart failure, valve disease, and abnormal rhythms, while simultaneously recording an ECG

Presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, the tool is being hailed as a breakthrough in cardiology Experts say it could enable earlier diagnosis, often crucial for effective treatment “So often heart failure is only diagnosed in its

Narayan of the British Heart Foundation “With earlier detection, patients can access the treatment they need to live well for longer

described the leap forward: “The design of the stethoscope has been unchanged for 200 years – until now In just 15 seconds, AI can deliver results showing whether someone has heart failure, atrial fibrillation or valve disease ”

The hardware, produced by Californiabased Eko Health, departs from the classic round chestpiece, featuring a rectangular design linked to earbuds Data from the device is uploaded to the cloud, where AI algorithms analyse recordings and return results instantly via smartphone

Researchers stress it should be used only on patients with suspected heart issues, not for routine check-ups

Aarti Samani

“Sanskrit carries a vast literary and cultural heritage”

S anskrit is a fo und ati onal

l ang u ag e an d th e ro o t o f

m any mod ern tongues, p reserv ing ancient texts in science, medicine (A yu rv ed a), p hi lo sop hy, and li teratu re, i n cl u d i ng ep i c s l ik e th e

M ah ab h ar ata a nd

R am aya na B eyo nd a lan -

g u ag e , i t o f f ers a cc es s to som e o f the world ’ s deep est w isdom , and w ith g row ing interest in Yoga, spirituality, a nd A yu rv ed a , i ts s tu d y rem ains essential

In the UK, Sanskrit has

l o n g b e e n t a u g h t , b u t

C a m b r i d g e h a s n o w

announced it will discontinue the International GCSE Sanskrit exam, with the last sitting in June 2027 This q u a l i f i c a t i o n p r o v i d e s a structured pathway for students in the UK and abroad, including Nepal, to embark on Sanskrit studies and gain

r e c o g n i s e d a c h i e v e m e n t

L o s i n g i t t h r e a t e n s t h e future of structured Sanskrit

e d u c a t i o n A p e t i t i o n t o “Save Sanskrit IGCSE” has already gathered 7,670 sign a t u r e s , a n d n u m e r o u s

c o m m u n i t y o r g a n i s a t i o n s a n d S a n s k r i t s c h o l a r s a r e actively campaigning to preserve it

Speaking to Asian Voice, Dr A ntonia Rup pel, who has taught Sanskrit in the UK, U S , a n d G e r m a n y f o r around 20 years, said, “The term ‘dead language’ is misleading It refers not to a language’s vitality but to the fact that it is studied mainly through texts rather than spoken daily In this sense only, Sanskrit can be called ‘dead’ Britain has a strong tradition of Sanskrit schola r s h i p , b u t i t s s t u d y i s declining, especially in highe r e d u c a t i o n w h e r e e c onomic priorities dominate Cambridge dropped undergraduate Sanskrit nearly 25 years ago; Edinburgh downgraded its professorship; at SOAS, teaching is handled by an instructor with another primary role Oxford still

h a s a s t r o n g p r o g r a m m e , though under financial press u r e A t s e c o n d a r y l e v e l , Sanskrit at St James Schools has also suffered, with the A Level removed five years ago and now the IGCSE being cut ” Highlighting the role of U K s c h o o l s , u n i v e r s i t i e s , and policymakers in revivi n g i n t e r e s t

Ruppel said, “When subjects are offered within schools or u n i v e r s i t i e s , s t u d e n t s a r e more likely to explore them, especially when the subject i s a s i n

n s i c a l l

c h a s Sanskrit Though central to H i n d u s c r i p t u r e , S a n s k r i t also carries a vast literary and cultural heritage, comp a r a b l e t o a n c i e n t G r e e k d r a m a E m p h a s i s i n g t h i s universal value helps people engage with it, appreciate it, and defend it against purely s h o r t - t e r m i n t e r e s t s Cutting Sanskrit from curricula is therefore a loss not only for British Asians but for Britain’s cultural life as a whole ” S a n s k r i t t e a c h e r E l le J e ss u p s a i d , “ I n t e r e s t e d i n s t i t u t i o n s m u s t w o r k together actively to support Sanskrit They must explain to the young that Sanskrit study harmonises well with scientific or artistic subjects a n d w i l l h e l p t h e m t o become wise and useful citizens ”

a t u r e b y w r i t e r s l i k e

K a l i d a s a , c o m p l e x p h i l osophical works, and Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, a foundational linguistic text Sanskrit is part of India’s heritage and also of the world’s, comparable to Mesopotamian or G r e e k a c h i e v e m e n t s

Though challenging, learning Sanskrit is rewarding, offering the joy of reading classical texts while sharpe

skills that benefit students

across many areas of life ” O n c o n c e r n s o v e r Cambridge’s decision to disc o n t i n

Sanskrit examination from 2

concerns resonate with me It’s sad to see opportunities for young (and older) people in the UK to earn a qualific

Sanskrit is still taught at several universities, including Oxford, where I studied it as

"Cutting Sanskrit from curricula is therefore a loss not only for British Asians but for Britain’s cultural life as a whole."

Concerns ov er discontinuation of exam

On cultural, historical, and intellectual significance

o f S a n s k r i t t h a t m a k e s i t worth preserving in the UK

a n d g l o b a l l y , S c h o l a r o f

I n d o - I r a n i a n l a n g u a g e s , texts and cultures, Anahita Hoose said, “As the language of the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata (including t h e B h a g a v a d G i t a ) , a n d o t h e r k e y H i n d u t e x t s , Sanskrit holds immense sign i f i c a n c e f o r f o l l o w e r s o f H i n d u i s m , t h e w o r l d ’ s t h i r d - l a r g e s t r e l i g i o n a n d the UK’s third-largest faith S a n s k r i t a l s o a p p e a r s i n texts from other traditions, such as Jainism The global p o p u l a r i t y o f y o g a h a s drawn people from diverse b a c k g r o u n d s t o s t u d y Sanskrit, including texts like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras Its value is not only spiritual or religious: Sanskrit encompasses masterpieces of liter-

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin embarks on UK visit

D r a v i d a M un n e t r a

Kazha gam (D MK) President a n d T a mi l N a d u C hi e f Ministe r, M K Stal in , is on a visit t o the United Kingdom aimed at str engthen in g economic, educa tion al, and cul

Nadu and the UK

Prior to this, he visited G

r m a n y , w h e r

warmly received by German officials and the Tamil diaspora The tour seeks to bol-

ships, engage with the global

and meetings with key leaders He interacted with businesses in the UK on 2 and 3 September

On 4 September, at the University of Oxford, as part o f t h e ‘ S e l f - R e s p e c t a n d

L e g a c i e s ’ c o n f e r e n c e c o mmemorating the centenary of the Dravidian movement, Stalin to unveil the portrait o

T h a n t h a i P e r i y a r E V R a m a s a m y a n d d e l i v e r a

s p e e c h i n T a m i l a t S t Antony’s College

T h e c h i e f m i n i s t e r ’ s s p e e c h a t U n i v e r s i t y o f

Oxford will be keenly anticipated as it will provide a window to the thought process of a major opposition party leader in India It is also of h u g e s i g n i f i c a n c e t h a t t h e speech will be in Tamil A t w o - d a y c o n f e r e n c e t i t l e d

'The Self-Respect Movement and its Legacies' sponsored by the Asian Studies Centre and Balliol College will also t a k e p l a c e w h e r e s c h o l a r s from around the world will be presenting papers

On 6 September, he is due to meet the UK’s Tamil d i a s p o r a a t t h e e v e n t ‘Maaperum Tamil Kanavu,’ o r g a n i s e d b y t h e N o nR e s i d e n t T a m i l W e l f a r e Board, at a London hotel, c e l e b r a t i n g T a m i l c u l t u r e and heritage M K Stalin has served as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister s i n c e 2 0 2 1 , f o l l o w i n g t h e D M K ’ s e m e r g e n c e a

During his tenure, he introduced the state’s first-ever a g r i c u l t u r a l b u d g e t a n d launched initiatives including the ‘Green Tamil Nadu M i s s i o n ’ a n d t h e ‘ C h i e f M i n i s t e r ’ s B r e a k f a s t

Board (NRTWB) has organised a distinguished cultural

and heritage while providing

meaningful platform for

recital of the Tamil Thaai

Tamil Nadu, followed by

cultural programme and an interactive session with the diaspora “On behalf of the World Tamil Organisation (WTOUK), I extend our heartfelt wishes for the success of this visit We are confident that it

Nadu’s global standing, both

a l advancement and the celebration of its rich cultural heritage ” He returns to India on 8 September

Bradford student Ramone Mehta achieves five A* at A-Level

A Brad fo rd student is celebrating his A-Level success after earning A\*s in all fiv e subjects

R a m o n e M e h t a , f r o m

C o t t i n g l e y , a c h i e v e d t o p marks in some of the toughe s t s u b j e c t s – B i o l o g y , Chemistry, Physics, Maths, a n d F u r t h e r M a t h s H i s h e a d t e a c h e r a t B e c k f o o t

School described his results as among the best in the country

He will now study natural sciences at the University of Cambridge in October

R a m o n e w i l l b e g i n studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge in October

H i s m o t h e r , B e a t a

A n d r a s z - M e h t a , t o l d t h e

offered early exposure that

through life, even if they pursued unrelated fields like medicine or law, connecting them to India’s rich cultural

offers a Sanskrit O Level, b

t o n l y i n N

m b e r , which may not suit all students ”

Jessup said, “The IGCSE affirms the importance of S

removal undermines educational rigour and threatens Sanskrit teaching in schools Although Cambridge initially offered the Mauritius O Level as an alternative, they

, leaving most of the world without a Sanskrit exam for 16-year-olds ” *Asian Voice is awaiting a comment from Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of Cambridge International

T e l e g r a p h & A r g u s : " W e were all crying We are so proud She explained that

C r e d t N e w s q u e s t

Ramone’s talents were evident early on, completing 11 GCSEs with 10 A*s and one A Teachers encouraged him to take Maths and Further

M a t h s f r o m h o m e w h i l e

s t u d y i n g B i o l o g y , Chemistry, and Physics at school

B e a t a a d d e d t h a t

B e c k f o o t h e a d t e a c h e r

S i m o n W a d e d e s c r i b e d Ramone as being in the top

0 01% in England

p t i o n a l abilities were clear from a

months he spoke three languages, Polish, Punjabi, and English, and by age five, he was writing his own books She added, “When he starte d p r i m a r y s c h o o l , t h e reception teacher called to say, ‘Are you aware your son can read and write?’ For me, that was normal ” Ramone is excited about university but unsure of his f u t u r e p l a n s H i s m o t h e r , Beata, emphasised that his success is due not just to talent but also to hard work She said, “Everyone said he is phenomenal, but achieving A\*s is difficult He put in countless hours, continuously pushing himself I told him I’m happy with whatever he achieves, but he was determined to get them ”

Labour MPs wed in week-long celebration of cultures

Jones have

, Louise Jones, MP for North East Derbyshire, said she was “delighted” to share news of h

w Labour MP Jeevun Sandher

She wrote: “Over August, I m a r r i e d m y w o n d e r f u l partner, Jeevun Sandher! We

and

had a beautiful wedding that brought together traditions from our two different heritages, which made it all the more special as we start the next chapter of our shared future ” Jones confirmed she will c h a n g e h e r s u r n a m e t o Sandher-Jones “to reflect our new family,” though her par-

l i a m e n t a r y e m a i l w i l l r e m a i n t h e same “for the time being ” The couple celebrated with a weekl o n g w e d d i n g , b l e n d i n g e v e n t s from both cultural traditions They first met in January 2023 w h i l e c a m p a i g n i n g in Loughborough S a n d h e r , n o w M P f o r Loughborough, told the BBC last year that their shared understanding of politics has strengthened their relationship: “I think we understand each other’s lives incredibly well if we have to cut plans for political reasons, we both completely get it ”

Antonia Ruppel

Elle Jessup

Anahita Hoose

Ramone Mehta

Louise Jones

Jeevun Sandher

The rise of meaningful solo adventures

Subhasini Naicker

Solo trav el has become one of the fastest-g row ing trends in the trav el ind ustry, d riv en by people seeking adv enture, new connections, and meaning ful exp eriences

No longer limited to yo ung backp ackers or retirees, more professionals in their 30s, 40s, and beyond are choosing to travel ind ependently bu t with like-m ind ed groups

Recognising this shift, husband-and-wife duo Lee Thompson and Radha Vyas founded ‘Flash Pack’, a company that redefined solo travel by combining adventure with community Their mission is simple yet powerful: to help solo travellers explore the world while building lasting friendships along the way

What inspired you to create Flash Pack, and what gap did you see in the travel market for solo adventurers?

Radha: After a few failed ventures, I was stuck and searching for my “big idea ” Wanting an escape, I looked into group tours when my friends weren’t

Brazilian World Cup, I took a selfie at the top of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue It went viral, reaching over 100 million people worldwide and earning global press coverage That exposure brought our first customers, filled several trips, and put Flash Pack on the map

Why do you think solo travel has become such a strong trend in recent years?

Radha: Solo travel is booming because, by your 30s, time with friends and family rapidly declines Careers, moves, marriages, and children shrink social circles, making it hard to even plan a dinner, let alone a holiday That’s why

free What I found was a huge gap in the market for people like me, independent, adventurous, in their 30s, often single, and craving connection Solo travel was rising, people were settling later, and friendships were declining Around the same time, I met Lee on Match com On our first date, I shared the idea, and he immediately connected with it That very day, we started sketching out the concept Within a year, Flash Pack was born, combining adventure with community for likeminded travellers

What was the biggest challenge when you launched, and how did you overcome it?

ee: Starting a travel company was tough We had to convince people to spend over £2,500 on a brand-new business with no reviews or presence, an emotional purchase The first six months were brutal, with barely any sales and even our first booking refunded To push through, we relied on creativity During the 2014

more people, married or single, are turning to solo travel It’s not only practical but also empowering, especially for women, and the industry is growing fast as more people embrace it

How has the demographic of solo travellers changed over the years?

ee: Our business grew quickly because no one in group travel was targeting people in their 30s and 40s, many of whom were single, child-free, or starting families later This age group drove the solo travel trend, which postpandemic has shifted toward connection and friendship for better mental health We’re growing faster than ever and have now expanded into the over-50s market, where many are embracing travel later in life, often after delaying family, not having children, or postdivorce

How do you think solo travel impacts personal growth compared to traveling with friends or

A lifetime of service: The enduring legacy of Virendra Sharma

Virendra Sh arma s rem ark-

able jou rney from a bus con-

d u c to r to a res p e ct ed Member of Parliament is a pow erful testam ent to a life dedicated to p ublic service

B o rn in B ri ti sh I nd i a, h

arrived in Londo n in 1968,

family?

Radha: Traveling with friends and family is wonderful, you share memories and bonds But solo travel offers a completely different kind of growth It pushes you out of your comfort zone, builds independence, confidence, and resilience, and allows you to focus entirely on yourself without others’ needs For many women, especially from Asian backgrounds, it can be a profound act of self-discovery, stepping away from roles like daughter, wife, or mother, and embracing personal freedom It opens doors to new people and perspectives, and unlike family holidays, the impact often lingers for months or even years

Wheredo you see solo travel heading in the next decade, and how will Flash Pack evolve with it?

Radha: Solo and group travel are both booming, and neither trend shows signs of slowing Since Covid, people have realised how vital real connection is, studies even show loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 20 cigarettes a day Group trips, where strangers quickly bond through shared adventures, have become a powerful antidote to disconnection In today’s AI-driven, screen-saturated world, people are seeking inperson experiences, travel, yoga, run clubs, over digital interactions This shift marks an exciting time: a backlash against online isolation and a move toward deeper, reallife connections Companies like Flash Pack make this easier, helping people form lasting friendships and feel truly understood

Lee: Solo travel is no longer just for singles, around 10% of our customers are in relationships but choose to travel solo, whether due to work, different interests, or simply wanting their own adventure What’s also shifted is the mindset: it’s less about traveling alone and more about making friends and building connections along the way

ed throu gh his long tenure as an Ealing councillor and his time as the Mayor of Ealing, wh ere he ch am pioned causes related to ho using and race equality

A s t h e M P f o r E a l i n g Southall from 2007 to 2024, Sharma was a tireless advocate for his constituents and a champion for social justice He actively served on key parliamentary committees, including the Health Select Committee and the Joint Committee on Human R

g t h e s e p l a tf o r m s t o i n f l u e n c e p o l i c y and represent the interests of his diverse community

His work also extended to i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e l

where he chaired

Groups, such as those for Indo-British and Nepal relations, consistently working t o s t r e n g t h

diplomatic and cultural ties with its global partners

Throughout his time in t h

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and was also a key figure in

health issues like tuberculosis His principled stance on

Heathrow Airport, which he initially opposed, showcased his independent spirit This unwavering commitment to his community and a more equal society earned him a reputation as an accessible and responsive representative

While he has no political

remains close to the community, well respected and is often witnessed at gatherings Labour Party must not miss out this chance They should take advantage of his

handing him a suitable role It will only help the party get closer to the Indian diaspora

, Sharma was known for his dedication to specific causes He campaigned for the

Indian biker’s motorcycle stolen in UK, seeks help

Yog esh Alekari, a 3 3-year-old b ik er f ro m M u m b ai , embarked on a so lo w orld tour on his KTM mo torcycle

o n M ay 1 , 20 2 5, co v e ri ng

ov er 24 ,0 0 0 km across 17 cou ntri es in 1 18 days His j ou rney, w hi ch sh ow c ased his adv enturous spirit, was set to continu e to Africa but came to an abrupt halt in the U K after his bike was sto len in No ttingh am

On August 28, while visi t i n g a f r i e n d a n d h a v i n g breakfast at Wollaton Park, Mr Alekari left his fully loaded motorcycle unattended In broad daylight, four individuals allegedly stole the bike, which contained his p a s s p o r t , m o n e y , d o c uments, and electronic gear

C C T V f o o t a g e p o s t e d b y Alekari showed the thieves brazenly taking the bike

“I parked in a busy area

with children around, thinking it was safe I went for b r e a k f a s t , a n d w i t h i n a n hour everything was gone, ” A l e k a r i t o l d t h e B B C Heartbroken, he is appeali n g t o f o l l o w e r s t o h e l p recover his bike and passport to continue his journey or return home

C e d t n s t a g r a m

The stolen items, worth over £15,000, included his MacBook, spare phone, two c a m e r a s , c a s h , p a s s p o r t , clothing, and other essent i a l s “ T h i s w a s n ’ t j u s t a bike it was my home, my dream, my everything,” he said He reported the theft to N o t t i n g h a m s h i r e P o l i c e , who gave a crime number but did not visit the scene Alekari, who planned to ride across Africa before returning to India, said he never expected such an incident in Nottingham Yogesh Alekari

Nursing agency boss pleads guilty in £105k UK visa fraud

A ccording to STV News, a n urs ing ag ency bo ss operated th e UK branch o f an in te rna ti o nal f

hopefuls and other agency o

, providing forged documents and jobs that never materialised At Stirling Sheriff Court, it was revealed that after c

and Home Office investigations led to the search of her flat, her arrest, and analysis of her phone, which showed

extensive fraud-related conversations

Victims included people from India and Nigeria seeking UK work, as well as students hoping to stay in the UK after completing their studies

K e m l o , o f S t i r l i n g , pleaded guilty to defrauding victims of £105,580 between August 2022 and December

£13,000 for work visas and “certificates of spons o r s h i p , ” d o c

the documents were forg-

were arranged

The scam was allegedly o p e r a

agency, BizzNurse Ltd, set up in 2016, originally legal The court heard she acted as

Zimbabwe, who controlled the scheme

Radha Vyas

Lee Thompson

Virendra Sharma

Sunitha Kemlo

Dear Financial Voice Reader,

Alpesh Patel

Pensions growth beats saving more

The quick maths

Assumptions: starting pot

£6,000 per year, 20 years

Pensions growth is the lever that moves your retirement Not saving more Not working longer And not playing adviser roulette The way you grow your pot matters more than the size of each monthly top up

£200,000, contributions

Scenario Pot in 20 years

4% a year

+25% contributions, still 4%

+1% growth (to 5%), same contributions

+2% growth (to 6%), same contributions

£616,893

£661,560

£729,055

£862,141

A 1–2% lift in annual growth beats a 25% bump in saving That’s the compounding you want working for you Why hunting for a “better” wealth manager hasn’t worked

Recent headlines show the problem is structural

St James’ s Place (SJP) fee overh aul from 26 Au g 20 25 Exit fees go, but the ongoing advice fee rises to 0 8% a year and upfront fees switch to a tiered 3%/2%/1% model SJP says this is about transparency, but it still raises ongoing costs for many

SJP’s w ider tro ubles The firm booked a £426m provision for historic servicing issues linked to ongoing advice fees, prompting a sharp share price slide and scrutiny over value for money

Quilter’ s o ngo ing ad v ice rev iew Quilter set aside about £76m to compensate clients charged for ongoing advice they didn’t receive, and says remediation is likely following a skilled person review

Regulatory pressure on ad vice fees The FCA wrote to large advice firms in 2024 and published a multi firm review in Feb 2025 on ongoing services and charges

Expect more refunds when firms can’t evidence the service Enforcement continues Advisers have been fined and banned over pension transfer failings, notably around the British Steel Pension Scheme

If you ’ re paying percentage fees fo r average portfolios and p atch y serv ice, your pensions g row th is bleed ing My growth first pension plan (what I do and what you can copy)

1 Cost ceiling

Target a total ongoing cost well below the 0 75% charge cap that applies to auto enrolment default funds Costs come straight out of your returns

2. Own the global engine

Use broad global equity index funds as the core growth driver Individual quality companies without panic getting the better of you

3 Keep products simple

Platform + a small set of liquid funds you understand Simple menus reduce mistakes and overheads The FCA’s Value for Money push is about net returns after all costs, which is exactly what you care about

4 Consolidate small pots

Many of you have multiple tiny pots from job changes Government policy is moving to automatic consolidation because small, dormant pots get eroded by charges Start consolidating now into a low cost home

5 Demand evidence if you pay ongoing advice fees

No annual review or documented service delivered?

Ask for a refund FOS decisions and recent cases have led to repayments of ongoing fees

6 Rebalance once a year

Set target weights, then rebalance annually No tinkering in between Let compounding breathe What to do this week

• Find your fee

• Move idle pots Use your provider’s transfer tool to pull stray pots into one low cost SIPP or workplace scheme with a global equity core

• Ask for service records If you pay an ongoing advice fee, ask for the last three years of review notes and actions If they can’t show them, request a refund The regulator is looking at exactly this

• Set a “growth check in” date One day a year to review asset mix, update contributions, and rebalance That’s it For British Indian readers

Many of us were told to work harder and save more That mindset built families and businesses But your pension doesn’t care how hard you worked last month It cares about pensions growth, costs, and time in the market Focus there

The bottom line

• A small, repeatable lift in growth beats bigger monthly savings

• High, opaque fees and weak service are the enemy

• Keep costs low, own the global growth engine, consolidate, and review once a year Your future self will thank you

General information, not personal advice Check your circumstances before making changes

Tycoon launches £25bn rival Heathrow expansion plan

Continued from page 1

Surinder Arora, 66, the

Group, has formally submitted his Heathrow West proposal to redevelop the airport west of London His plan, drawn up in partnership with Bechtel, the US construction and infrastruc-

deliver

cost-efficient

orbital motorway

building a fully operational

2,800-metre runway north of the two existing strips, targeted for completion by

Terminal 6 to the west of the current site, opening in

expansion after decades of

commission backed a third runway, successive mayors of London opposed it on

however, have long argued that any expansion should be delivered by a competitor to Heathrow’s current owners a group of international investors

A r o r a i n s i s t s h i s p l a n offers reduced land use, less disruption to nearby residents and businesses, higher levels of sustainable travel, and an expansion designed to meet the needs of airlines

a n d f r e i g h t o p e r a t o r s

Unlike Heathrow’s £49 billion proposal, which relies o n a 3 , 5 0 0

r e r u n w a y that would cut across the M25, his scheme avoids disturbing the motorway, making it cheaper and faster to deliver

“Heathrow West directly

United Kingdom’s primary objective of unlocking economic growth at the UK’s o

doing so on budget and on time,” said Arora, founder and chairman of the private-

already one of Heathrow’s largest landowners Carlton Brown, a long-

appointed chief executive of

the Heathrow West project, added: “There is no reason why the UK’s only hub airport cannot outcompete not just its European rivals but also Dubai, Singapore and others ” Arora also revealed he is

Changi Airport, famed for its swimming pool, cinema

“the

been ranked by Skytrax as the world’s top airport

Heathrow’s expansion and the proposed third runway

Alexander, with the process expected to begin later this year

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser

Minouche Shafik , a former deput y g ove rnor of the B ank of En gland, as his n ew chief economic a dviser , in a move to bolste r D owning Street ’ s economic ex pe rtise ahead of a chall enging e nd to the ye ar The appointment comes a

brings Darren Jones, deputy t

Labour MP James Murray taking over Jones’s Treasury r

Starmer’s focus on strengthe n i n g h i s e c o n o m i c t e a m ahead of Reeves’s autumn budget, which is expected to f e a t u r

t h e r t a x r i s

e s p i t e t i g h t f i s c a l r u l e s requiring the government to balance day-to-day spending with revenues by 2029

Shafik brings decades of high-level economic experience She served as deputy governor for markets and b a n k i n g a t t h e B a n k o f England from 2014 to 2017

before becoming vice-chancellor of the London School of Economics More recentl y , s h e w a s p r e s i d e n t o f Columbia University in New York, resigning in 2024 after criticism of the institution’s h a n d l i n g

p r o t e s t s o v e r the Israel-Gaza war Earlier in her career, she was permanent secretary at t h e U K ’ s i n t e r n a t i o n

and later deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, where she

Spring A crossbench peer in the House of Lords,

raised in the US, and earned her doctorate in economics from Oxford In her 2021 book, ‘What We Owe Each Other’, Shafik c

including minimum income floors, pensions tied to

Asian businessmen boost Labour and Lib Dem coffers

contributor, behind

also received £50,000 from Amin Hemani, a shareholder in Fieldgate Properties, and £35,000 from Lord Waheed Alli, the media entrepreneur

from London Hotel Group, run by Gauhar and Meher Nawab, and £3,928 from PG Paper Company Ltd, led by Puneet and Poonam Gupta The Liberal Democrats

Choudhrie, who also topped their donor list last quarter

from Asian businesses were modest: £5,000 from Faith Hotels Ltd, under Tejinder

included £12,500 each from Nagwa MSA Abdelmottaleb

and £3,000 from property investor Ramesh Dewan Reform UK saw growing Asian support, with £25,000 each from Mohamed Amersi and Bassim Haidar London-

Oil tycoon clings to £5m Surrey mansion as workers lose jobs

The fugitive owner of a col lapsed

refin

hundr

and debt s mount into the

Winston Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai, who is believed to have fled the UK, o w n s

swimming pool, sauna and steam room, bought for £4 5 million in 2014 The property was advertised for rent earlier this year Soosaipillai and his wife Arani, sole

owners of the Prax Group, saw the company fall into administration in June, triggering the expected closure of the L

launched action against him for breaching his duties as a director Creditors are

employees, £70m to HMRC, £9 2m to Shell, and possibly £250m in total taxes O

d Rentokil It remains unclear whether administrators will attempt to seize the Surrey home Reports suggest the couple fled abroad this summer, but their whereabouts remain unknown

About 420 refinery staff and thousands of contractors are affected The couple paid themselves a £3 65 million dividend last year despite Prax posting losses of nearly $30 million Administrators revealed Prax had built up debts and intercompany loans exceeding £1 5 billion A High Court lawsuit accuses Soosaipillai of “misrepresentation” and “deceit” over a £783 million HSBC loan facility, which was withdrawn, causing the firm’s collapse F

Lord Waheed Alli Sudhir Choudhrie

India's economic growth surges to 7.8% in April-June

with the US The finance ministry noted that highfrequency indicators for July 2025 suggest the economic momentum from the first q u a r t e r i s c o n t i n u i n g Officials also anticipate that d o m e s t i

strengthen in the coming

o p m e n t amid rising trade tensions

GST rate changes

growth The

contributed significantly,

year

major economy However,

risks remain, particularly for

festive season and planned

Jio Platforms to launch IPO in first half of 2026

Jio Platf orms , the tele com

a nd digi tal a rm of Relia nce

I ndus tries (RI L), is se t to l a u n c h i t s i n i t i a l p u b l i c of ferin g (I PO) in th e firs t h alf of 20 26 Thi s highly a n t i ci p a t e d l i s t

n g i s e xpected to be the larges t i n I ndi a, with broke rages v a l u i n g th e co mp a n y a t

ove r $100 bi llion (£88b n) RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani confirmed the IPO plans during the company's a n n u a l s h a r e h o l d e r meeting, stating that Jio is m a k i n g a l l n e c e s s a r y arrangements for the filing

"We aim to list Jio by the first half of 2026, subject to

all necessary approvals," he said, adding that the move

o b a l counterparts and offer an attractive opportunity for investors

The IPO will be the first from the RIL group since t h e l i s t i n g

Petroleum in 2006 The announcement follows a recent proposal by the market’s regulator Sebi to lower the minimum s t a k e s a l e f o r l a r g e companies, which would make it easier for firms like Jio to go public Backed by major global investors including Meta and Google, Jio has grown t o b o a s t 5 0 0 m i l l i o n s u b s c r i b e r s s i n

launch in 2016 The listing w

g n investors, who collectively hold about a 33% stake, to achieve a partial or full exit

First 'made-in-India' chip to be rolled out soon

p p r o v e d u n d e r t h e Semiconductor Mission, all o f w h i c h a r e p r o g r e s s i n g s w i f t l y T h e m i n i s t e r a l s o n o t e d t h e g o v e r n m e n t ' s commitment to building a

Z y d u s Wel ln es s L td ( ZWL) has made its first o v ers ea s ac qu i s i ti o n, p u r ch a s in g U K - b

skilled talent pool for this burgeoning industry, with s t e p s b e i n g t a k e n a t t h e university level

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel praised the s t a t e s p r

e , pointing out that Gujarat w a s t h e f i r s t s t a t e t o announce a semiconductor p o l i c y i n 2 0 2 2

formation, due to the tariffrelated uncertainties W it h s t

currently home to four of

that the chips produced in Gujarat will help the

reliance

, chairman of CG Power,

production at the plant is slated to begin in 2026, with

reach its full capacity of

automotive and consumer g o o d s s e c t o r s , a m o n

Zydus Wellness acquires UK's Comfort Click

population,

sustainable f

expect ed to be come worl d's s econd larges t economy by 2 038, s ays a report by E arnest and Young (EY) According to the report, I

i n P P P terms, with a GDP projected a t $ 3 4 2 t r i

i o n U n l i k e many other big economies in the world, India has some u n i q u e a d v a n t a g

India in 2025 is just 28 8 years This means there's a

drive the economy forward for decades

Further, India has the second-highest savings rate among the world's largest e

money is available for big projects and new businesses Moreover, the government's borrowing is actually going d

countries are seeing their debt pile up, India's debt-toGDP ratio is expected to fall from over 81% in 2024 to about 75% by 2030

The report also mentions that India’s strong economy

what’s happening in other countries The report says that major economies like the USA, China, Germany,

successful, they face some

doesn't For example, China

population, and the USA has a lot of debt Germany and

dependent on global trade, which can be a risk In simple terms, India's mix of a young population, high domestic demand, and good financial health gives it the most promising path for long-term growth

Former RBI governor Urjit Patel appointed as IMF executive director

In a su rp rise move, fo rmer Reserve Bank of India (RBI) G o ve rn o r Ur j i t P a te l h as b ee n a p p o i n te d as a n E xec u tiv e D ir ecto r at th e I n te rn at i o na

( IMF

for

three-year

of th e Cabinet, co mes after P atel’ s resignation from th e c e nt ra l ba nk in 2 0 1 8 following p ublic differences with th e government Patel, who served as the 2 4 t h R B I g o v e r n o r , a

tenure was cut short by six months Subramaniam’s termination was reportedly due to alleged impropriety l

Subramaniam, whose three-

India's industrial output growth rises to 4-month high

I nd i a ’ s i nd u s tr ia l o u tp u t g r o w th rea ch e d a fo u rmo nth h igh of 3 5% in July, propelled by a strengthening manufactu ring secto r and a steady p erfo rmance in th e electricity sector

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

N a t i o n a l S t a t i s t i c s O f f i c e ( N S O ) s h o w e d t h a t t h e I n d e x o f I n d u s t r i a l

Production (IIP) grew faster

t h a n J u n e ’ s 1 5 % b u t

r e m a i n e d b e l o w t h e 5 %

r e c o r d e d i n J u l y o f t h e previous year

T h e m a n u f a c t u r i n g sector saw a significant rise, growing by 5 4% in July, an improvement over both the p r e v i o u s m o n t h a n d t h e same period last year The e l e c t r i c i t y s e c t o r a l s o maintained positive growth, expanding by 0 6% in July after a contraction in June H

7 2%

In a positive sign for consumer sentiment, the

the

Mahindra to manufacture fuselage for Airbus H125 helicopter

package, along with the

Line, demonstrates Airbus’s confidence in India Anish Shah, group CEO

Group, also commented on the deal, highlighting that the contract strengthens the

between the

testament to the

g e d e l i v e r y targeted for 2027 This work p a c k a g e f o l l o w s a s i m i l a r d e a l i n A p r i l 2 0 2 5 , w h e n Airbus contracted MASPL to produce the fuselage for its H130 helicopter J u r g e n W e s t e r m e i e r , p r e s i d e n t a n d m a n a g i n g director of Airbus in India and South Asia, stated that the contract is

capabilities of

Over

1,400

killed, 3,000 injured in Afghan quake

province

The earthquake could impact

1,411 people were killed and 3,124 people were injured in the hardh

killed and hundreds injured in

Indrika Ratwatte Rescuers were

survivors in the rubble of homes flattened in Kunar

Emergency "operations con-

the head of the Kunar Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Ehsanullah Ehsan, said H

injured people left in the distant villages" in need of evacuation to hospitals The toll may rise as

some of the hardest-hit villages

blocked roads, the UN migration agency said T h

was about 27 km from Jalalabad, according to the US Geological Survey, which said it struck just eight km below the Earth's surf

quakes can cause more damage, especially since the majority of Afghans live in low-rise, mudbrick homes vulnerable to collapse After decades of conflict, Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, facing a

Afghans forced back to the country by neighbours Pakistan and Iran in recent years

Flooding submerges Kartarpur Gurdwara

I S L A M A B A D : T h e rev ere d Gu rd w ara Darbar S ah ib comp lex in P akistan’s Narow al district has been extensively su bm erged after flood waters from t h e Rav i Ri v e r ent ere d t h e K artarpu r corridor According to P aram jit Singh S arna, a former p r es i d en t o f th e De lh i S i kh G u rd w a ra M an ag e m en t C omm ittee, the g round floor of the gu rdw ara is no w com pletely u nd erwater This includ es th e sacred site w here Gu ru Nanak Dev Ji died, as well as th e langar h all, p arikram a, and residential quarters

Sarna noted that flooding of this scale has not been seen

the holy scripture, the "saroop"

o f S r i G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b , remains safe as it is installed on

the first floor of the g u r d w a r a , w h i c h stands about 12 feet a b o v e t h e g r

Singh Sirsa also confirmed the safety of the holy scripture and said that eight people h a v e b e e n r e s c u e d f r o m t h e gurdwara

The Pakistan military has launched a major rescue operation, using boats to evacuate pilgrims, staff, and local resid e n t s t o s a f e r g r o u n d M

confirmed that the Kartarpur c o r r i d o r w i l l r e m a i n c l o s e d until the situation stabilises

In India, the Akal Takht’s o

Committee (PSGPC) He has directed the PSGPC to work w i t h t h e P a k i s t a n E v a c u e e Trust Property Board to assess the damage to the entire complex, which is reportedly under several feet of water

in brief

ETHAN AGARWAL ENTERS CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S RACE

Tech entrepreneur Ethan Agarwal has announced his candidacy for California governor in 2026, telling Axios he s running as a Democrat who embraces capitalism and meritocracy Agarwal 39, is positioning himself as a probusiness voice in a crowded field, drawing a contrast with progressives like Sen Elizabeth Warren and Assembly member Zohran Mamdani “We have some things in common, like being pro-choice and believing in gun control and LGBTQ rights and immigration But I fiercely support capitalism and meritocracy and believe California could use some business and tech acumen to fix things in a way that other candidates in the race won’t,” he said

INDIAN EMBASSY WARNS PUBLIC OF FRAUD CALLS

The Indian embassy in Washington has issued a public advisory regarding a scam in which fraudsters are impersonating embassy officials over the phone to extort money and personal information The scam artists are using a technique known as “spoofing” to make their calls appear as if they are coming directly from the embassy’s telephone lines According to the advisory these individuals are making fraudulent claims such as errors in consular forms or pending complaints with Indian police or Interpol They then attempt to obtain personal details or demand money from the victims The embassy clarified that if anybody receives such a call they have to to report it immediately

INDIAN NATIONAL JAILED, FINED IN SINGAPORE

Islamist party tells Yunus to ban Awami ally Jatiya

DH A K A : Ba ng l ad e s h ’ s l a rg es t I slamist p oliti cal party Jamaat-eI s la m i (J eI ) c o nve ye d t o c h i e f ad vi ser Muhammad Yunus to ban t h e ac t i v i ti es of Ja ti y a P ar t y, taggi ng it an ally o f the banned S heikh H as ina- led A wami League, ahead of the p arli amentary po lls d ue i n Feb

The former PM Khaleda Zial e d B N P , h o w e v e r , s a i d t h e “unholy efforts of evil forces” to create a ground for thwarting the p o l l a r e g r a d u a l l y b e c o m i n g visible, an apparent reference to JeI and its ally National Citizen’s Party (NCP), the leaders of which played a key role in the Hasina govt’s ouster

Talking to reporters, JeI chief Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said, “Jatiya Party worked as an ally of Awami League You can also take a similar decision on Jatiya Party like the decision you t o o k a b o u t A w a m i L e a g u e ( b a n n i n g i t ) ” N C P a l s o w a n t s

Party

Jatiya Party to be banned Yunus held separate meetings w i t h J e I , N C P a n d B N P

d e l e g a t i o n s , a m i d a s p u r t i n political violence “There is no alternative to elections It would be extremely dangerous for the nation if anyone contemplates an alternative,” said the chief adviser

d u r i n g d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h t o p political leaders, according to his press secretary Shafiqul Alam

A l a m s a i d Y u n u s a s s u r e d leaders that the national election will be held in the first half of Feb next year in a free, fair, and festive manner, as outlined in his recent address to the nation BNP acting

c h a i r m a n T a r i q u e R a h m a n s a i d that “almost a year ago, I said

i n v i s i b l e f o r c e s w e r e w o r k i n g ”

“Now, the evil-efforts of the ill-

f o r c e s a r e b e c o m i n g v i s i b l e i n preparing the ground to destroy

t h e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r p e o p l e t o establish their rights in Bangladesh through elections,” he said

Court sacks Thailand PM for ethics violation

BAN GK OK : Thailand’s constitut i on a l c our t di s m i s s e d P M P a et o n gt a r n Shi n a wa t ra f ro m off ic e f or a n ethic s violation after on l y a y ea r i n powe r, d ea l ing a n ot he r c ru s hin g b l ow t o t he Shinawatra politic al dynas ty that c ould usher in a new period of turm oil P a e t o n g t a r n , w h o w a s T h a i l a n d ’

P M , becomes the sixth premier from o

e Shinawatra family to be removed by the military or judiciary in a t u m u

e for power between the country’s warring elites In its verdict, the court said Paetongtarn violated ethics in a leaked June telephone call, during which she appeared to kowtow to Cambodia’s powerful form e r l e

r H u n S e n

i l r e c e n t l y a c l o s e a l l y o f t h e Shinawatra family - when both countries were on the brink of an

armed border conflict Fighting erupted weeks later and lasted five days The ruling paves the way for the election by parliament of a new PM, a process that c o u l d b e d r a w n o u t , w i t h Paetongtarn’s ruling Pheu Thai party losing bargaining power and facing a challenge to shore up a fragile alliance with a razorthin majority

In a 6-3 decision, the court said Paetongtarn had put her private interests before those of the n a t i o n a n d h a d d a m a g e d t h e country’s reputation, causing a loss of public confidence “Due to a p e r s o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p t h a t appeared aligned with Cambodia, the respondent was consistently willing to comply with or act in accordance with the wishes of the Cambodian side,” the court said The ruling brings a premature end to the premiership of t h e d a u g h t e r a n d p r o t e g e

f tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra

Naivasha Hindu temple celebrates centenary of faith and community

N A I V A S H A ( K E N Y A ) : The Naivasha Hindu Temple in Kenya recentl y c elebrated it s c entenary (19 25 - 2025 ), a m il es tone that brought together devotees, wellwishers, and comm unity l eaders to honour one hundred years of faith, devotion, and s ervic e The two-day program opened o n 2 3 r d A u g u s t w i t h

Chalisa, followed by aarti and mahaprasad The evening came alive with ras garba and bhajans, filling the temple grounds with

devotion On 24th August, the

aarti Devotees then joined in a grand shobha yatra through the streets of Naivasha, which was

appreciation and a vote of thanks brought the formal program to

congregation shared mahaprasad, reinforcing the spirit of unity and togetherness Chairman of the Naivasha

saying, “This

a building structure; it is a place of faith, devotion, and blessings and seeks continued support from devotees ” The writer of this article, Mina Khagram, is a community leader, educator, and wellness

MINLA Zoom Sessions with Dr Lalit Sodha, she has hosted over 95 inspiring sessions featuring global leaders, celebrities, and

An Indian national was sentenced to two years and a month in jail and fined SGD2,000 by a Singapore court for killing a senior National University of Singapore (NUS) law professor in a road accident in 2023 On July 7, 2023 Natarajan Mohanraj (28) a construction worker looked at his mobile phone while driving a lorry and the vehicle hit a car driven by Emeritus Professor Tan Yock Lin (70) Lin died in hospital during treatment According to a report, Natarajan had a history of careless driving Despite the accident, Natarajan continued to drive another lorry on two separate occasions in 2024 after his licence was revoked

PUNJABI ORIGIN CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE THAILAND

After three close calls in the past eight years, 28-year-old Praveenar ‘Veena’ Singh has finally won the Miss Universe Thailand 2025 crown Representing Saraburi, Veena triumphed over 76 contestants, including Bangkok s Praewwanich Praew Ruangthong (first runner-up) and Phuket s Narumon Dale Pimpakdee (second runner-up), at the grand finale on August 23 at MGI Hall in Bangkok Born in Chiang Mai on April 16 1996 to Indian parents Veena later became a naturalised Thai citizen She is a graduate in Russian Studies from Thammasat University Her pageant journey began in 2018 when she was placed as second runner-up

AFGHAN OFFICIALS ACCUSE PAK OF DRONE STRIKES

Afghan officials said Pakistani drones struck homes in Nangarhar and Khost provinces, killing three people and wounding seven, prompting the Taliban govt to summon Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul in protest In Khost’s Spera district, a southeastern border region adjacent to Pakistan s North Waziristan three kids were killed and several others wounded when drones hit the home of Haji Naeem Khan, according to an official In Nangarhar s Shinwar district, near Afghanistan s eastern border with Pakistan, a spokesman said four sons and two wives of a man named Shahsawar were among those injured when his house was destroyed

Mina khagram

in brief BANGLADESH MOB DISRUPTS WAR VETERANS’ TALKS

Bangladesh police detained at least one 1971 Liberation War veteran and over a dozen others gathered for a meeting which was disrupted by a mob who termed the participants as accomplices of the deposed PM Sheikh Hasina The protesters alleged that accomplices of Awami League regime had rallied at the venue to conspire against last year s movement, dubbed as July Uprising The group that came storming the auditorium where the 1971 veterans meeting was going on identified themselves as ‘July warriors as they tore down the banner of the discussion titled ‘Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh

EX-LANKA PRESIDENT WICKREMESINGHE GETS BAIL

A Sri Lankan court granted bail to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe who was arrested last week over allegations that he misused state funds while in office Wickremesinghe, 76, joined the court hearing via Zoom from a state-run hospital His United National Party (UNP) said he was admitted over the weekend on his doctor s advice to monitor his health The UNP has said Wickremesinghe, who lost power in a 2024 presidential election, is innocent and suggested that the case against him is politically motivated which Sri Lanka's ruling party headed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake denies

ANTI-IMMIGRATION PROTESTS IN AUSTRALIA

Anti-immigration rallies were held in major cities of Australia The protesters called for an end to what they describe as mass migration The federal government strongly condemned the rallies Officials said the protests spread hate and divide communities They also warned that some events were linked to neoNazi groups Labor Minister Murray Watt said the rallies were not about social harmony and were promoted by extremists Some members have distanced themselves after neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell claimed the rallies as his own

49 MIGRANTS KILLED AS BOAT CAPSIZES OFF MAURITANIA

A boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Mauritania earlier this week, killing at least 49 people, with around 100 likely missing, officials said The officials said that they were able to rescue 17 people and 49 bodies have been recovered and buried The accident occurred when the migrants saw the lights of a town off the coast of Mauritania some 80 km north of Nouakchott and moved to one side causing the boat to capsize the official said According to a statement from the migrants the boat had left The Gambia a week earlier with about 160 people on board the official added Officials did not disclose where the migrants in were headed

SOUTH KOREA TO BAN MOBILE PHONES IN SCHOOLS

South Korea has passed a bill banning the use of mobile phones in school classrooms nationwide, joining other countries in efforts to curb social media use among minors One of the world s most wired nations South Korea has recently sought to tighten rules on electronic devices in schools, citing concerns over smartphone addiction among students The move makes South Korea the latest country to restrict social media use among schoolchildren, following similar steps in countries including Australia and the Netherlands Seoul’s education ministry said that the law bans the use of smartphones in classrooms except when needed as assistive tools for students

Trump revokes Kamala Harris' security detail ahead of her book tour

WASH ING TON D C: Pr eside nt

Donal d Tr ump has cancel led t he

Secr et Se rvice protection for forme

Harr is, a me asur

ha t was previously ext ended by a n ex ecutive order from for me

Pr eside nt Joe

comes just as Ha rris is prepar in g for a n ational book t our to promot

new memoir

from the Trump administration to the Secretary of Homeland

Security authorised the discontinuation of any security-related procedures previously authorized b y E x

tection for other notable figures, including former President Joe

House in January, Trump has also revoked Secret Service pro-

Minneapolis shooter's chilling anti-India messages unveiled

M I NNE A P OL I S : T h

m as s shooting at a C atholic church in Minneap olis h as been linked to a d is tu rbi ng anti -I nd i a m e ss ag e written by th e p erpetrato r The shooter, identified by police as Ro bin Westm an, had scrawled " Nu k e I nd ia " o n o ne o f th e w ea p o ns u s ed i n th e att ac k, al o ng w i th o th e r h ate - fi ll ed messages, and showed them off in a vid eo u ploaded to social media before the trag ic ev ent

The attack, which occurred on August 27, saw two children, aged eight and ten, and three o c t o g e n a r i a n s k i l l e d d u r i n g a mass marking the start of the academic year The shooter, a former student of the church's school named Robert Westman b e f o r e l e g a l l y c h a n g i n g h e r name in 2020, shot herself after firing into the church through a stained-glass window In her video, which has since

been removed at the request of police, she displayed multiple hateful messages, including “Kill Donald Trump now, ” and others t a r g e t i n g

Noem confirmed the authenticity of the writings, referencing some of the phrases on an X post FBI Director Kash Patel stated on X that the agency is i

domestic terrorism and a hate

crime aimed at Catholics

This incident marks the second time in two years that a transgender person has attacked a Christian institution, following a 2023 mass shooting at

assault on a place of worship and o

sending condolences to the local a

Vatican

Police kill Sikh man threatening passers-by in Los Angeles

L OS A NG E L E S : L o s A ng ele s police h av e fatally sh ot a 3 5-yearo ld S i k h m an, id ent if i ed a s Gu rp r ee t S i ng h

brief chase involv ing

nt, which occu rred on July 1 3 near th e C ryp t o c om A ren a, w a s captured on bo dycam foo tag e recently released by the L APD T h e c o n f r o n t a t i o n b e g a n a f t e r o f f i c e r s r e s p o n d e d t o

multiple 999 calls reporting a man, later identified as Singh,

s w i n g i n g a l a r g e b l a d e a t passers-by at the intersection of F i g u e r o a S t r e e t a n d O l y m p

footage shows Singh, an Arcadia resident, brandishing the blade in what some have identified as " G a t k a , " a t r a d i t i o n a l S i k h martial art He also appeared to cut his tongue with the blade The weapon, initially described as a two-foot-long machete, was later identified by some sources as a "khanda," a double-edged

sword

Officers Michael Orozco and N e s t o r E

drop the weapon The police d e p a r t m e n t c o n f i r m e d t h a t Singh failed to comply, instead throwing a water bottle at the officers before getting back into his car and driving away Police initiated a brief pursuit in which Singh drove erratically, waving the blade out of his car window

Singh’s vehicle collided with a police car near Figueroa and 12th Streets As officers approached,

d l y c h a r g e d a t them with the weapon, at which point gunfire erupted Singh was shot and taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries The machete was recovered at the scene and is being held as evidence as the s h o o t i n

investigation

Consulate of India opens new chancery in Seattle

SEATTLE: The Consul ate Gener al of India in Seat tle ha s open ed its n ew Chancery premises, a lan dma rk deve lopmen t for the city 's diplomatic commun ity The in a ugur at ion cer e mony was at tende d b y a host of dist in guishe d guests, in cl uding t he Amb assador of In d i a t o t he

Kwa

Ferguson hailed the opening as a significant milestone The new Chancery is located in the Federal Reserve Building in the heart of downtown Seattle, spanning two floors The first floor is dedicated to consular services, providing a convenient space for visitors,

While the government has previously relied on FBI background checks and biometrics, t

while the 11th floor houses the administrative and commercial wings

The location is notable for its historical significance, having served as the Seattle branch of the Federal Bank of San Francisco from 1951 to 2008 The building has been list-

neighbours, employers, and co-workers A c c o

Edlow, the policy is intended to ensure that aliens are being properly vetted and are of good moral character The agency asserts that the practice fulfils the original intent of the 1965 Immigration and Naturalisation Act Applicants may be asked to provide letters of r e c o m m e n d a t i o n f r o m c o m m u n i t y members, and while voluntary, the agency n o t e d t h a t p r o a c t i v e l y s u b m i t

s u c h evidence may help avoid additional scrutiny and delays

ed on the US Federal Government's National Register of Historic Places since 2013, adding a layer of heritage to

beginning its consular operations in July 2024, the Consulate has already provided services to nearly 23,722 applicants from its broad jurisdiction, which includes Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska

included meetings with senior leadership from Seattle's prominent tech compa-

American community leaders, underscoring

strengthening ties between India and the US Pacific Northwest

Critics have voiced concerns that the p o l i c y i s a f o r m o f p o l i t i c a l p o s t u r i n g , d e s i g n e d t o c r e a t e a c h i l l i n g e f f e c t a n d d i s c

u r a g e p e

o m a p

f o r citizenship Some immigration lawyers have p o i n t e d

h a t s u c h i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a r e l a b o u r - i n t e n s i v e a n d o f t e n d o n o t y i e l d useful information, which is why they were p h a s e d o u t i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e T h e discretionary nature of the policy, which allows officers to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to conduct an investigation, has also been criticised for potentially leading to inconsistent and subjective scrutiny of applicants

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris

Belgian court rejects Mehul Choksi’s bail application

A Belgian court is learnt to have rejected the bail plea of f ugitive diam ant aire M ehul

C ho k s i ah e a d o f h is

e x t r a di t io n he a r in g th e r e

Choks i, who was arres ted in B elgium in Apr il this year ,

h a d a ppl ie d f or b ai l o n

m edic al grounds las t month

Indian law enforcement agencies argued that Choksi was a habitual absconder and was likely to flee to another country if granted bail The court accepted the argument and denied bond

Choksi is wanted in bank f

£1 39bn He has been in a B

months now Ahead of his

n g scheduled in mid-Sept, the C B I h a s p

B e l g

o s e c u t o r s

u m i n o u s evidence of his involvement in economic offences in India and details of his escape from US and Antigua in the past,

warrants against him T

Centre of CBI is monitoring the developments in the case in direct coordination with

channels It has also hired the services of a local law firm to bolster the case

Choksi had fled India in Jan 2018 He fled to the US and then to Antigua, whose citizenship he had obtained a year before The CBI filed an FIR on complaint of bank

investigation

In 2021, he vanished from A

surfaced in Dominica while attempting to escape to Cuba by boat In 2022, five more cases were registered against

Belgium, for the second time,

Belgian citizen, after securing an ‘F Residency Card’ there

Belgium in Nov 2023, Choksi was finally arrested there on April 11 this year Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi, who is in a UK jail n

£1 3bn Punjab National Bank fraud case where they have used letters of undertaking to c

exposure of the case Both of them are fighting against their extradition to India now

Former Vice President Dhankhar vacates official residence

F o r me r V ic e P r e si de n t J a gd e e p D ha n k ha r v a ca t e d

t he VP Enclave , his official

r eside nce, approxima tel y six

wee ks a fte r his unex pe cte d r esign ation from the secondhighest constitution al post

D h a n k ha r h as t em p or a r il y

r e l oc a t e d t o a p r iv a t e

f a rm ho use a t G ad a ip ur in

t h e C h ha t a r pu r a r e a of South De lhi, which be longs t o IN L D l e a d e r A b ha y Chauta la, while he awaits t he

a l l ot m e n t of a n o ff ic ia l b un galow

V i d e o s s h o w e d Dhankhar, who was the first

o c c u p a n t o f t h e E n c l a v e ,

d e p a r t i n g t h e s p r a w l i n g

c o m p l e x i n t h e e v e n i n g , accompanied by a cavalcade

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

v e h i c l e s C h a u t a l a confirmed on X that he had

offered his residence to the f o r m e r V i c e P r e s i d e n t because of their old family ties, stating, Till the new official accommodation is allotted and ready, he can stay in our house " Chautala recently told reporters he w a s c o n f i d e n t t h a t D h a n k h a r w o u l d s o o n r e v e a l t h e r e a s o n f o r h i s resignation

S o u r c e s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e V P E n c l

s successor, with the election for the new Vice President

s c h e d u l e d f o r 9 t h S e p t e

affairs ministry is expected t

bungalows in the Lutyens’

Ministry of Home Affairs The process for identifying a permanent residence for the former Vice President has yet to begin

India must prepare for all-out war, says defence minister Rajnath

I n d i a's a rm ed fo r ce s a nd d e fenc e i nd us try m u st be p repared for a wid e range of s e cu ri t y ch a ll eng es , f ro m sh ort battles to a protracted f i v e- y ear w ar, d ef enc e m inister Rajnath S ingh has stated Speaking at th e ‘Ran S a m w ad ’ co n cl av e, S i ng h u nd e rsc ore d th e ne ed fo r p r ep a red n es s a m i d an u n p red ic ta bl e g e o p o li ti c al climate, citing lessons from both Operation Sindoor and t h e ex te nd e d Ru s si aU kraine co nflict

S i n g h a f f i r m e d t h a t while India does not seek war or initiate aggression, it is imperative to respond with strength if challenged The d e f e n c e m i n i s t e r s

e s s e d that modern warfare is no longer solely about the size

o f a r m i e

d e cyberspace and space, with t

aerial vehicles, and

Singh said, the forces and d

master existing technologies

unforeseen challenges Praises Navy's 'floating F-35'

Extreme weather causes widespread damage, fatalities in India

A s eri es o f extreme weather events, includ ing c loudbursts, fl as h f lood s, and land sli des, h a ve ca u s ed s i gni f i c ant d evas tat ion and los s o f l if e across several Indi an states

The monsoon's f ury h as been particul arly severe i n Jammu and Kashmi r, wh ere a series o f c l

d bu r s t s and f l as h flo ods have c lai med at least 38 li ves

p e o p l e w e r e k i l l e d , including a family of seven who were buried alive in their mountainside home

The continuous downpours

h a v e a l s o l e d t o t h e

s u s p e n s i o n o f t r a f f i c o n major highways, including t h e J a m m u - S r i n a g a r

n a t i o n a l h i g h w a y , w h i c h

has been partially reopened after being blocked for days

T h e d i s a s t e r h a s a l s o i m p a c t e d t h e p i l g r i m a g e season, with the Vaishno

D e v i s h r i n e r o u t

w i t n e s s i n g m

t i p l e l a n d s l i d e s I n a s e p a r a t e incident at Ardhkuwari, at least 38 pilgrims were killed in a landslide, with most of t

northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Punjab

The heavy rains have not been limited to Jammu and K a s h m i r I n G u j a r a

, relentless downpours have paralysed the eastern belt, p

y 1 0 inches of rain in 14 hours In U t t a r a k h a n

recorded a staggering 369%

excess rainfall in 24 hours, l

flash floods that killed four people The Met department

warning of further intense downpours Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, five more deaths were reported, taking the monsoon death toll in

lauded the Indian Navy for its self-reliance efforts Singh said India no longer needs to depend on foreign shipyards, stating, “One nation has

warships

The newly commissioned vessels, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, are the first of their

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai and Garden

Singh highlighted that the twin warships will not only

security

Maharashtra, two people

and

strikes in Nashik and Jalgaon districts

Argentina eases entry for Indians holding valid US visas

In a move set t o significa ntly boost tour ism and bilat era l r e la t i o n s, A r g e n t i n a ha s e ased it s ent ry requireme nt s for Ind ian citizen s holdin g a v a l id U S v is a T h e r esolution , publishe d in the c ou n t r y 's o ff i ci a l g a ze t t e , a l lo w s I n d i a n p a s sp o r t holder s to e nt er Arg ent ina without ne edin g to apply for a n a ddition al Ar gen tine visa o r E le c t r o n i c T r a v e l Aut horization (A VE)

A m b a s s a d o r M a r i a n o

C a u c i n o h a i l e d t h e n e w policy as "wonderful news

f o r b o t h A r g e n t i n a a n d India" and stated that his country is ready to welcome m o r e I n d i a n v i s i t o r s t o experience its culture and s c e n i c b e a u t y T h e relaxation of travel rules is part of a broader push to

d e e p e n c o o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e t w o n a t i o n s across various sectors, which h a s b e e n g a i n i n g m o m e n t u m i n r e c e n t months

The visa announcement f o l l o w s t h e s e c o n d J o i n t

W o r k i n g G r o u p ( J W G ) meeting on agriculture held in July, which saw officials f r o m b o t h c o u n t r i e s underscore the importance of their partnership During the virtual meeting, Devesh C h a t u r v e d i , S e c r e t a r y o f I n d i a ' s D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e a n d F a r m e r s ' W e l f a r e , h i g h l i g h t e d Argentina as a "key partner f o r I n d i a " b u i l t o n

c o l l a b o r a t i o n , k n o w l e d g e sharing, and the exchange of t e c h n o l o g i e s a n d b e s t practices

The officials at the JWG i d e n t i f i e d s i g n i f i c a n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r f u t u

cooperation in areas such as agricultural mechanisation, pest management, climateresilient farming, and joint research initiatives The new

citizens from China and the Dominican Republic w

agenda and reciprocates India's own

Dancer sets world record for longest Bharatanatyam performance

I n a r em a rka bl e fea t o f endurance and dedic ation, V i d u s h i D ee ks h a V f ro m U dupi has set a new w orld re co r d f o r th e lo n g es t B h ara tan aty am d a nc e performance Sh e claim ed to have performed the classical dance continuously for an astounding 21 6 ho urs, from 21st to 3 0th Aug ust Wh ile a p ro v i s io na l c ert if i cat e h as b een i ss u ed , th e G o ld e n Book of World Reco rds will no w v er if y all te ch n i ca l as p e ct s b ef o re f o rm a ll y certifying the record Manish Vishnoi, the Asia head of the Golden Book of World Records, confirmed t h a t w h i l e t h e r e w a s " n o doubt she performed for 216 hours," a thorough check of a l l t e c h n i c a l a s p e c t s , including breaks, would be conducted before the final

c e r t i f i c a t e i s i s s u e d

Speaking at the valedictory

f u n c t i o n , h e p r a i s e d

D e e k s h a ' s d e t e r m i n a t i o n , calling her an inspiration for

h a i l i n g f r o m a n o r d i n a r y family with an extraordinary dream He recalled that a previous record was set just last month with a 170-hour

h a expressed her intention to surpass it by a significant margin

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who was in Udupi, visited t h

reminisced about his

form demands

An emotional Deeksha thanked all her supporters, sharing that the first three days of the marathon were the most challenging The dancer,

native of Arooru in Brahmavar,

Mehul Choksi

Jagdeep Dhankhar

Rajnath Singh

India and Canada appoint new envoys after Modi-Carney meeting

commissioner to India T h e a p p o i n t m e n t s a r e seen as a move to restore n e c

businesses in both countries

s e n i o r

diplomat Dinesh Patnaik as the new high commissioner

t o C a n a d a P a t n a i k , currently India's ambassador to Spain, is expected to take u p h i s n e w r o l e s h o r t l y

S h o r t l y a f t e r , C a n a d i a n

r e i g n m i n i s t e r A n i t a A n a n d a n n o u n c e d t h e

a p

C o o t e r , w h o h a s p r i o r e x p e r i e

In a statement, Anand said Cooter's appointment is an i m p o r t

strengthening the bilateral r e l a t

Canada's economy The two nations are also considering talks for an Early Progress T r a d e A g r e

m e n t ( E P T A ) , which could pave the way f o r a C

Agreement (CEPA)

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with Ottawa blaming the Indian

always maintained that the Canadian government failed to provide any evidence to support its claims India had withdrawn diplomats after

ensure their security, while Canada had expelled some Indian diplomats, accusing them of running a campaign of violence Despite the past

rebuilding the relationship based on shared democratic values and mutual respect

Less than 50 missiles brought Pakistan to a halt: IAF vice chief

Th e Indian A ir Fo rce (IAF)

v i c e c h i ef , A i r M ar sh a l

Na rm d es h w ar T i w ari , h as rev ealed that fewer than 50 air-lau nched weapons w ere eno ugh to compel P akistan to ag ree to a ceasefire d uring

t h e M ay 7 - 1 0 h o st i li ti es

Sp eaking at an ev ent, Tiwari

s ta ted t h at t h e p re c is i o n strikes, part of " Op eration Sindo or, " w ere so effectiv e that by m idd ay on May 1 0, P a ki s tan w a s su i n g f o r peace

T i w a r i s h o w c a s e d videos and satellite imagery to demonstrate the damage inflicted on Pakistani terror and military infrastructure, including airbases and radar sites He highlighted that

Narmdeshwar Tiwari

India to start testing indigenous 'iron dome' next year

India is set to beg in testing new intercepto r missiles from next year as a c ri ti c al st ep to w a rd s b u i ld i ng

er the am bitious 'Mission Sud arshan C hakra (M SC)' T he prog r am m e, a nno u nce d by P rime Minister Narend ra M o d i , ai

u ri ty cov er to both strategic and v ital civ ilian areas by 20 35 T h e D e

p m e n t Organisation (DRDO) plans to test a series of long-range surface-to-air missiles (LRS A M s ) u n d e r ' P r o j e c t

K u s h a ' T h e f i r s t , t h e M 1 missile with a 150-km interception range, will be tested in 2026 This will be followed by the M2 (250-km range) in 2027 and the M3 (350-km range) in 2028

T h i s f u l l y a u t o m a t e d s y s t e m i s d e s i g n e d t o

counter a wide array of aerial threats, including enemy a i r c r

, s t e a l t h f i g h t e r s , cruise missiles, drones, and precision-guided munitions

The system is set to rival the capabilities of the expensive R u s s i a

Triumf air defence system, which the Indian Air Force currently operates in limited numbers

S p e a k i n

e ' R a n

Samwad' conclave, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil

dence that India could build i

This comprehensive defence shield will also integrate India’s indigenous two-tier ballistic missile defence (BMD) system, which has been developed to

on August 23, which included

and

laser-based directed energy weapon, marked an initial step towards this ambitious shield

Maratha quota agitation leader ends fast

A ct i vi s t M an o j J a ra ng e ended h is five-day hu nger s tr i ke at Mu m b ai ’ s Az a d Ma id an o n T u e sda y a fte r

t h e M ah ar as h t ra go v er nment accep ted severral of h is key demands regarding Maratha co mmu nity reser-

v at io ns , i nc l u di n g th e issu ance of Kunbi caste cert if i c at es to e li gi b l e Marathas

Jarange accepted a glass o f f r u i t j u i c e o f f e r e d b y s e n i o r B J P m i n i s t e r Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who heads the cabinet subc o m m i t t e e o n M a r a t h a r e s e r v a t i o n , a n d o t h e r

Historical references from the Hyderabad gazetteer will guide the verification process

will be handled at the village level by a panel comprising gram sevaks, talathis

t h e I A F h a d d e p l o y e d a n array of fighter jets, including Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, and Mirage-2000, to launch s o p h i s t i c a t e d B r a h M o s supersonic cruise missiles, as well as Crystal Maze-2, R a m p a g e , a n d S c a l p m i ssiles The strikes were carefully calibrated to have mini m u m c o l l a t e r a l d a m a g e while creating a deterrence i n t h e m i n d s o f t h e Pakistani army

Lt-General Pratik Sharma disclosed that the Indian Army had fired as many as 30,000 artillery and mort a r s h e l l s a n d o v e r 300,000 rounds of small a r m s i n r e t a l i a t i o n f o r Pakistan's ceasefire violations He stated that for e v e r y r o u n d f i r e d b y Pakistan, India retaliated with a minimum of three t o f o u r r o u n d s L t - G e n S h a r m a b l a m

d P a k i s t a n i army chief Asim Munir for d i r e c t l y i n c i t i n g t e r r o r i s t s with a provocative speech on April 16, which led to the P a h a l g a m t e r r o r m a s s a c r e and, in turn, prompted India

A t t h e s a m e e v e n t , Northern Command chief

grow with age, leading to a doubling of production since its introduction Kutch is the

t o l a u n c h O p e r a t i o n Sindoor He criticised the Pakistani army as a revisionist army despite suffering four defeats in war

m e m b e r s o f t h e p a n e l a t s o u t h M u m b a i ' s A z a d Maidan, the site of his agitation since August 29, marking the end of his fast

The 43-year-old activist was in tears after breaking the fast as his supporters

c h e e r e d l o u d l y a t t h e

The breakthrough followed a meeting between Jarange and a state cabinet sub-committee Soon after the talks, a government resolution (GR) was issued, laying out the process to identify and certify Marathas as K u n b i s , a n a g r a r i a n O B C caste

As per the GR, a dedicate d c o m m i t t e e w i l l b e f o r m e d t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas who

cultivating Kamalam in

Mahisagar, Panchmahal, and Banaskantha The fruit is now exported from

fruit in Gujarat began

Agriculture University in the year 2000 and was formally

F o r me r BJ P M L A N al i n Kotad iya, fo rmer A mrel i S P

Jagdi sh Patel , fo rmer PI Anant

P a te l , a nd 14 o t h e rs w e re fou nd guil ty and sentenced to li fe imp ri sonment i n Bi tcoin

s cam cas e T he c onvi ct io ns w er e m ad e u nd e r r el e va nt sectio ns of the I PC and the Prevention of Co rrup ti on Act Kotadiya, who had earlier been declared an absconder, was named as an accused in t h e k i d n a p p i n g o f S u r a tbased businessman Shailesh

B h a t t f o r e x t o r t i o n o f

Bitcoins in 2018 Along with h i m , t h e t h e n A m r e l i S P

Jagdish Patel and Amreli LCB PI Anant Patel, along with nine others, were arrested by Gujarat CID

A c c o r d i n g t o C I D o f f icials, Bhatt had invested mill i o n s i n a v i r t u a l c u r r e

demonetisation period When the company abruptly shut

November 21, 1961, to prove Kunbi ancestry Jarange, who began his fast on August 29 demanding a 10 per cent quota for Marathas in education and government jobs under the OBC category, declared the outcome a victory for the community

Mark Carney and Narendra Modi

protest site He later left Azad Maidan in an ambulance for medical check-up

NORTH-EAST

Stalin urges Tamil diaspora in Europe to invest in the state

C H E N N A I : T am i l N ad u

Chief Minister MK Stalin called u pon the Eu ro pean

T a mi l di a s p o r a t o strengthen th eir bond with th ei r h o me la n d by i nv es ti ng i n T am i l Na du

a nd s u p p o rt in g i ts develo pment jo urney, as he began his h igh-level visit to Germany and the United K ingdom

A d d r e s s i n g T a m i l d i a s p o r a members in Dusseldorf, Stalin urged them not only to preserve their Tamil identity abroad but also to contribute to the state's progress actively "You observe how developed countries are Tamil Nadu too, should develop this way I am sure you think about this more than I do So please extend all possible help to your motherland," Stalin said in his address He appealed to diaspora members

t o c o n s i d e r l a u n c h i n g v e n t u r e s i n Tamil Nadu, no matter how modest "Aim to launch businesses in Tamil Nadu even if it's a small business Motivate large companies you work for to invest in Tamil Nadu, explaining the opportunities," he urged

connected to their roots "Take care of your villages, help in education of the

government schools there Wherever you go don't lose your Tamil identity Don't forget your roots, don't

people," he said Stalin arrived in Dusseldorf on

Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Germany He is also scheduled to

Minister-President Hendrik Wüst to deepen bilateral cooperation between Germany s most industrialised state and Tamil Nadu

meetings, diaspora interactions and academic engagements

Karnataka deputy CM Shivakumar apologises over RSS anthem row

Sh i v aku m ar is s till battli ng

riti ci sm f or si ng ing the Rash triya Sw ayam sev ak Sa ngh ( RS S )'s anth em in the Karnataka assem bly In a fresh ap olo gy, the Congress lead er has soug ht forgiv eness for the act that is being seen as drifting from the party line and has d rawn the BJP's jibe

"My intention was never to praise the RSS In 1980, I started my journey as Congressman and studied the history of various political parties in the country I've been tortured by the BJP and put in Tihar jail They made me suffer in jail If anyone is hurt, I am sorry and seek an apology," said Shivakumar

He also vowed to remain with the Congress until his last breath

"I want to reiterate my loyalty to the Gandhi family and the Congress I was born a Congressman; I will die as a Congressman I want to send a message across the country: I am committed to the Congress Gandhi family is my God," he said in Bengaluru The Congress leader has been facing criticism over a 73-second video that showed him s

Matrubhume - after the BJP took a jibe at him over his past remarks on the RSS in the assembly

The incident offered the BJP ammunition to target the Congress for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mention of the RSS, ideological parent of the BJP, in his Independence Day speech Taunting the Congress, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari had said, "Rahul Gandhi and close aides of the Gandhi Vadra family straight into ICU/Coma mode now "

29 killed, 256,000 impacted by Punjab floods

CHANDIGARH : The deva sta ting fl oods in Punjab have cla imed 29 l iv e s so f ar

impa cting t he lives of more

n 256,000 peopl e, official s said Twelve out of 23 districts in the state have been hit in the one month starting August 1, in w

called one of the worst flood d

n decades, an official bulletin said

Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu

a n d K a s h m i r T h e f l o o d

situation worsened due to heavy rainfall in many parts of the state

According to the bulletin, of the 29 casualties, the maximum - six - have been reported from P a t h a n k o t d i s t r i c t A m r i t s a r , Barnala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Mansa and Rupnagar districts r e p o r t e d t h

B a t h i n d a , G u r d a s p u r ,

P a t i a l a , M o h a l i a n d Sang ru r sa w one death each, the bulletin said T h r e e p e o p l e w e r e missing in Pathankot, it a d d e d S o f a r , 1 5 , 6 8 8 p e o p l e h a v e b e e n evacuated to safer places across the state The district-wise break-up shows 5,549 people have been rescued in Gurdaspur, 3,321 in F e r o z e p u r , 2 , 0 4 9 i n F a z i l k a , 1 , 7 0 0 i n A m r i t s a r , 1 , 1 3 9 i n Pathankot, 1,052 in Hoshiarpur, 515 in Kapurthala, 163 in Mansa, 115 in Moga, 60 in Tarn Taran, w h i l e 2 5 p e r s o n s h a v e b e e n rescued in Barnala district, the bulletin said

Mamata accuses BJP of ‘using army for politics’

K OL K A TA : The Trinamool C ong ress ’ protest stage at Kolkata’s Mayo Road became the latest flashp oint in the battle between th e state g overnment an d th e C en tre C h i ef m i ni s ter Mamata Banerjee accused th e BJP of “using the army for politics” after the Ind ian Arm y dism antled the structure th at h ad stood for weeks beside the Gandhi statue at Mayo Road Mamata rushed to the spot as soon as she receiv ed news of th e dism antling

“ T h e y h a v e c

( m i c

o p h o n e ) c

i o n a n d demolished the stage, you can see I h a v e n o g r u d g e a g a i n s t t h e a r m y , because we are proud of the army But when the army has to follow the BJP's words, then doubts arise about where the country is going!” said the TMC supremo from the site She insisted that the protest had been peaceful “No roads are closed for this TMC

p r o g r a m m e I t i s b e i n g h e l d o n Saturday and Sunday Permission was also taken for it Army should have c o n s u l t e d K o l k a t a P o l i c e b e f o r e dismantling TMC's stage erected to p r o t e s t ' h a r a s s m e n t ' o f B e n g a l migrants The police could have talked to our party and opened our pandal We would have opened it, or shifted to

another place ” M a m a t a c l a i m e d t h e e n t i r e exercise had BJP’s stamp “When I reached the foot of the Gandhi statue, a b o u

running away after seeing me, ” she said “It is not your fault You did it on the BJP's terms You did it in Delhi's w o r d s Y o u d i d i t o n t h e D e l h i ' s defence minister's words We have this much intelligence We are not blaming the army We are blaming the BJP, their minister,” she added “ P e r m i s s i o n f o r e v

than three days needs to be obtained f r o m t h e M o D , G o v t o f I n d i a

Permission for conduct of events was provided for two days However, the stage has been put up for almost a month Several reminders have been sent to the organisers for removal of the temporary structure However, it was not removed,” he said With no action from organisers, the army informed Kolkata police and began dismantling the stage A Maidan police officer confirmed that army officials said the structure h a d t o b

escalation

The floods have impacted 1,044 villages, including 321 in Gurdaspur, 88 in Amritsar, 24 in B a r n a l a , 7 2 i n F a z i l k a , 7 6 i n Ferozepur, 94 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 115 in Kapurthala, 77 in Mansa, 39 in Moga, 82 in P a t h a n k o t a n d o n e i n S A S Nagar, according to the bulletin According to the bulletin, a huge loss of livestock has been r e p o r t e d f r o m t h e a f f e c t e d v i l l a g e s , t h o u g h t h e e x a c t figures can be determined once t h e f l o o d w a t e r r e c e d e s , t h e b u l l e t i n s a i d S i m i l a r l y , t h e d a m a g e s r e l a t e d t o i n f r a s t r u c t u r e w i l l b e a s c e r t a i n e d a f t e r t h e w a t e r recedes

FIR filed against TMC’s Moitra for alleged remarks against Shah

R A I P U R : A F i rs t I nf o rm a ti o n Re p o rt ( F I R) w as registered against Trinam ool Congress legislator M ah ua Moitra in C hhattisg arh’s Raipur in connection with her all eg e d d er o g ato r y re m ark s a g ai n st U ni o n H o m e Minister Am it Shah, p olice said Moitra has reportedly said that Amit Shah’s “head should be cut off” over his alleged failure to curb the infiltration of illegal Bangladeshi migrants into India

A video of Moitra’s interaction with reporters in Bengali has since gone viral, drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders and prompting legal action The Krishnanagar MP, while speaking to reporters in Nadia district, directly blamed the Home Ministry for lapses in border security “ I f I n d i a n b o r d e r s c a n n o t b e p r o t e c t e d

n d infiltrators are entering in hundreds, disrespecting our women and taking over our land, then Amit Shah’s head should be chopped off and placed on the table,” Moitra said, accusing the Union Home Minister of attempting t

government

Following her remarks, an FIR was lodged at the Mana Camp police station on August 30 under Sections 196 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint filed by a local resident, Gopal Samanto Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take punitive action against Moitra and demanded an apology

Assam Rifles busts arms haul in Mizoram, recovers war-like stores

Assam Rifles has seized a major cache of

said Acting on intelligence inputs, troops launched an operation on August 29 at Saikumphai village, where they cordoned off a house The initial search led to the

hidden cache packed with sophisticated weapons and war-like stores Among the seized items were a Heckler and Koch G3 assault rifle, two Springfield sniper rifles, two shotguns, an MA assault rifle and two hand grenades The haul also included 75 live sniper rounds, 92 tracer rounds of 303 calibre, 30 live 7 62mm rounds, 91 rounds of 5 56mm, eight live and two fired 12-bore cartridges, and both live and fired 9mm rounds In addition, troops recovered three drums of Cordtex, seven packets of PEK

plate and a belt The house owner was taken into custody All seized items and the accused have been handed

district for further investigation

THADOU LEADER WHO ATTENDED MANIPUR PEACE TALKS KILLED

A senior leader of the Thadou community in Assam who recently participated in a peace dialogue aimed at resolving ethnic tensions in Manipur was abducted and killed in Karbi Anglong district police said The victim identified as 59-year-old Nehkam Jomhao served as chairman of the Thadou Literature Society, Assam According to officials, he was forcibly taken from his residence at Chonghang Veng in Manja on Saturday His murder is suspected to have been carried out by militants Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police Sanjib Saikia confirmed the arrest of six suspects in connection with the killing “The accused have admitted to the crime, although the body is yet to be recovered The investigation is ongoing to determine the motive,” Saikia said Jomhao had played a key role in the historic peace dialogue held in Imphal on August 6, where representatives of the Thadou Inpi Manipur engaged in discussions with Meitei groupsmarking the first formal contact between the two communities since the outbreak of violence in the state The killing has sparked outrage among Thadou organisations

NANOSENSOR TO DETECT CANCERCAUSING POLLUTANTS

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have created an innovative nanosensor capable of detecting cancer-linked contaminants such as mercury and antibiotic residues in water within seconds Built using milk protein and thymine the sensor employs fluorescent carbon dotsmaterials just a few billionths of a metre in size - that glow under ultraviolet light When exposed to harmful substances like mercury or tetracycline antibiotics, the glow fades, offering an instant visual cue even at trace levels “Mercury is highly carcinogenic, and antibiotic overuse can lead to severe health consequences Our sensor can identify both pollutants at extremely low concentrations,” said Prof Lal Mohan Kundu of IIT Guwahati’s Chemistry Department The study highlights the sensor s remarkable sensitivity - detecting mercury at just 5 3 nanomolar (below US EPA safety limits) and tetracyclines at 10–13 nanomolar In lab tests, it delivered results in under 10 seconds and proved effective across multiple samples including tap water river water milk urine and serum

WEST BENGAL

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat advocates 3-child family

I n a w ide-rangi ng a ddres s, R SS

c hief Mohan Bhagwat has offered

a c lea r vis ion for In dia's demographic future while si multaneously putting a n end to pers istent

r u m ou r s r e g ar d i n g h i s ow n

ten ure His dual mes sage, delivered to a large audi ence, has been s een as both a strategic outli ne f or the nation a nd a powerful signal ab out the s tability of the organ is ation's leaders hi p

national debate over population trends, advocating for a threechild policy for Indian families

This proposal, he argued, is a cru-

country's long-term demographic balance While some regions of India are beginning to show signs

PM Modi highlights Sardar Patel's role in Hyderabad's liberation

from th e Nizam's rule Modi reiterated that th e cou ntry wou ld celebrate 'Hyderabad Liberation Day' next month, marking th e anniversary o f t h e mi l it ar y a c ti o n th a t i ntegrated the p rincely state i nto the Indi an Union Modi emphasised that it w a s P a t e l w h o p e r s u a d e d t h e c a b i n e t , l e d b y Jawaharlal Nehru, to send in

t h e A r m y t o e n s u r e Hyderabad remained a part

o f I n d i a H e a l s o p a i d

tribute to all the heroes of "Operation Polo," the swift military campaign launched o n 1 3 t h S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 8 , which liberated Hyderabad from the Nizam's rule The N i z a m w a s r e p o r t e d l y supported by Pakistan, and his forces, along with the Razakars, were accused of c o m m i t t i n g

against the people

with emotion, recalled the

the state In the clip, Patel acknowledged the difficulty of the Hyderabad case and stated that his government

integrate Hyderabad, which had resisted joining India after 15th August 1947 The o

culminated in the Nizam’s

7 t h September

Indo-US agencies dismantle $40mn cybercrime syndicate

importance of international c

( C BI) and the U S F ederal

B u re au o f I nv e st ig ati o n ( FBI) hav e successfully d ism antled a m ajo r trans national cybercrim e synd icate T he synd icate is believed to

h a v e d e fra u d ed A m e ri c an citizens o f nearly $4 0 mil-

li on thro ug h tech -s up p ort

s cam s K ey fi g ures in th e o peration have been arrested

T h e U S E m b a s s y i n

I n d i a p r a i s e d t h e j o i n t

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

r a t i o n i n c o m b a t i n g s u c h c r i m e s " T h r o u g h s h a r e d i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d c o o r d i

r k i n g together to dismantle international networks, prevent future scams, and keep our citizens safe," the embassy said in a statement

The successful bust follows a series of advisories f

n India, which have recently

crimes in the United States

A recent advisory on July 26 explicitly warned that visi-

s a s revoked, potentially making them "ineligible to return to the United States for life "

O t h e r a d v i s o r i e s i n J

detailed those crimes such a

could lead to similar penalt i e s T h e e m b a s s y h a s stressed that the US values law and order and expects foreign visitors to follow all US laws

Ranya Rao

to pay

of an ageing population, others r

Bhagwat's comments suggest that a controlled approach to family size is necessary to harness the

country has a robust workforce and a stable society for generations to come Concurrently, the RSS chief f

speculation regarding a potential retirement age of 75 for leaders w

"Neither will

retire, nor will

ask someone else to do so

He asserted that he has never supported

such a policy, thereby ensuring a sense of continuity and steadfastness in his leadership role

Bhagwat’s statements directly confront public discussions surrounding both India's population challenges and the internal workings of the RSS leadership By addressing both matters head-on, he has not only clarified his own future role but also articulated the S

nation

demographic future

for

Reliance to develop 5,50,000-acre

solar project in Kutch

Reliance Ind ustries L im ited ( RI L ) ch a i rm a n M u kes h

A mbani told the shareholders at th e annu al g en eral meeting th at the com pany is d e v el o p i ng o ne o f t h e wo rld’s largest solar projects spanning 5,50, 000 acres o f arid land – th ree times the size of Sing ap ore - in Kutch, Gujarat

At peak, the project will deploy 55 MW of solar modules and 150 MWh of battery containers every day, maki n g i t a m o n g t h e f a s t e s t i n s t a l l a t i o n s g l o b a l l y , h e said Ambani said that the site could meet nearly 10% of I n d i a ’ s e l e c t r i c i t y n e e d s within the next decade The project will connect seamlessly with Reliance’s marine and land infrastructure at

and hydrogen integration

Ambani said the company will produce and export g r e e n a m m o n i a , g r e e n methanol, and sustainable a v i a t i o n f u e l , p o s i t i o n i n g India as a global hub for c o s t - c o m p e t i t i v e g r e e n hydrogen and its derivatives While the initial focus will b e o n m e e t i n g R e l i a n c e ’ s o w n c a p t i v e d e m a n d , t

company plans to scale up to 3MTPA (million tonnes per annum) of green hydrogen equivalent production capacity by 2032

and

Non-NDA states demand fiscal safeguards over GST rate rationalisation

A grou p o f seven non-NDA ruled states has voiced strong o pp os iti o n to the p rop os ed Go ods and Services Tax (GS T) rate rati onal isation, warning that th e move coul d resu lt i n s i g ni f i c a nt re ve nu e l o s s es ranging from £ 8 5bn to 2bn T h e s t at es , wh i ch i n c lu d e Karnataka, Tamil Nad u, West Bengal, Tel angana, Hi machal P r ad e s h , P u nj ab , a nd Jharkhand, have rejected th e pl an in its current form, argui ng that col lap sing the exi sti ng f ou r-s lab stru cture into just two slabs of 5 % and 18 % woul d negativel y impact their fi scal s tabil ity

£5 3mn each

The DRI has backed its

ceedings under various sections of the Customs Act

soon Meanwhile, the COFE-

linked to the case was heard

adjourned to September 11

The DRI has said investigations are being fast-tracked to ensure recovery

During a meeting in New Delhi, the states expressed a fear of up to a 20% hit to their G S T r e v e n u e s T h e y c h a llenged the assumption that an increase in revenue buoyancy would automatically offset these losses A joint statement from the states noted that the net effective GST rate has already fallen from 14 4% to 11 6% since 2018, and the n e w p r o p o s a l w o u l d l i k e l y p u s h i t b e l o w 1 0 % T h e y

argued that the GST's share of states' revenue is nearly 50%, w h i l e t h e U n i o n g o v e r nm e n t ' s s h a r e i s o n

, making the states particularly vulnerable to any rate reduction

To mitigate the expected s h o

demanded

five-year revenue

protection guarantee, using the 2024-25 fiscal year as the base They are also seeking an additional levy on sin and luxury goods over and above the proposed 40% and government loans to help them

, arguing that without proper safeguards, the rationalisation plan would create significant uncertainty in their revenue receipts

Jadfa (Age 85)

Jai Mataji Jai Shree Krishna

Mataji, Jai Shree Krishna

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our mother beloved , Baluben Jadfa, who peacefully left us on Saturday, 30th August 2025, at 7:00 am.

A kind, loving, and hard-working woman, she dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren and was always ready to help the poor and needy

Her good deeds and gentle soul touched many lives.

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered foreverr.

Om Shanti ....Jai Mataji

Mohan Bhagwat

Why India continues to stand by Russia

decades of

Washi ngton raises tariffs to press ure New Delhi over its c on tinued en ergy and trade ti es with M os cow

Russia has historically been one of India’s most reliable partners, standing by New Delhi even during t

d themselves This legacy of trust goes back to the Cold War era, when the Soviet

External Affairs Minister S

s o f t e n reminded, Russia has never taken steps that negatively

p r o g r a m

d e c a d e s , Russia has remained India’s top defence supplier, with more than 60 per cent of India’s military hardware of Russian origin

In the past few years, t r a d e b e t w e e n I n d i a a n d R u s s i a h a s s u r g e d f r o m around $13 billion in 2021 to

impacted India’s interests

H e h a s d e s c r i b e d t h e partnership as something

“

politics or economics

When much of the West t i l t e d t o w a r d s P a k i s t a n , M

Union backed India during the 1971 war with Pakistan, shielding it at the United N a t i o n s S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l against hostile resolutions It also played a vital role in s t r e n g t h e n i n g I n d i a ’ s defence capabilities; from supplying fighter jets and t a n k s t o h e l p i n g

nearly $70 billion in 2024–

India has also been urging d

infrastructure, technology,

A framework for a Free Trade A

connectivity

FREE AI: India’s Blueprint for Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Finance

By Ashesh Jani, Co-founder & CEO, Ribbon PLC

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept, it is here, influencing how we live, work, and increasingly, how we manage our money Recognising both the immense potential and inherent risks of this powerful technology, the Reserve Bank of India’s FinTech Department recently released the FREE AI Report, a framework inspired by India’s core

Enablement of Artificial Intelligence

This document sets out how India plans to balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that AI strengthens its financial sector while protecting the interests of customers, businesses, and the economy at large

As someone who has worked in international banking for over two decades, I see this as a critical step forward, not only for India, but for the global financial community that increasingly looks to India for regulatory and technological leadership

What is the FREE AI Report?

a s a n energy and defence partner, but also as a nation that has

Russian oil in recent years is both an economic necessity

durable partnership

Amid US sanctions and

stance He has stressed that protecting the interests of Indian farmers and small producers remains a “red

compromised Responding

Russian oil purchases, he has been blunt, “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it ” He has also questioned the logic of US demands, noting that I

America as well, making the criticism inconsistent

While the US and India s

ties, including through the Q

cooperation, Washington’s

with Moscow’s consistent

rooted not in defiance of

ties with

historic ally

shoulder with it when few others did

T h i s l o n g - s t a n d i n g relationship explains why I n d i a h a s c o n t i n u e d i t s trade with Russia despite growing global pressure and sanctions New Delhi sees M o s c o w n o t

What Trump’s tariffs on India mean for the UK?

T h e n e w T ru m p a d m i n i s tr a t i on h a s rei gnited a ta ri ff war with Indi a, plac ing f re sh duties on a wi de ran ge of goods from s teel and alum inium to tex ti les an d tech c omponen ts This e sc alation has rattled global tra de mark ets , given Indi a ’ s pos ition as on e of the fas test-growing economi es an d a vital partner i n glob al supply chains

The Trump administration’s decision reflects the same “America First” mindset that characterised his first term Then, as n o w , t h e l o g i c i s c l e a r : e v e r y t r a d i n g partner, ally or not, is viewed through a transactional lens Clearly, with Trump, y o u n e v e r k n o w w h e n t h e h a n d s h a k e becomes a fist bump, and when the fist bump turns into a punch

For the UK, following the Free Trade A g r e e m e n t ( F T A ) w i t h I n d i a , t h i s alignment poses both a challenge and an opportunity On one hand, India’s ties with Moscow and Beijing complicate the West’s broader strategic narrative On the other, Britain, post-Brexit, cannot afford to lose g

growing economies

For India, the tariffs are a reminder that goodwill and strategic alignment do not shield it from American economic pressure For others it reveals a sobering reality:

tomorrow

This sentiment resonates strongly in London Britain’s reliance on the US for trade, security, and global positioning has always been double-edged The India case is a timely reminder that the UK must build resilient, multi-polar trade partnerships, especially in Asia, if it wants to weather Washington’s unpredictability

For now, India seems unfazed Officials in New Delhi argue that its market size and g r o w

economy, including the US, can afford to disengage for long But the lesson is clear: no country, even a strategic partner, is immune from America’s hardline economic nationalism

The FREE AI Report is the Reserve Bank of India’s attempt to create a structured framework for the ethical, safe, and inclusive use of AI in India’s financial sector Its central message is clear: while AI can unlock tremendous benefits, ranging from hyper-personalised banking to advanced fraud detection, it must be deployed in a way that is transparent, accountable, and aligned with the principles of fairness and equity

The report identifies four key pillars:

1 Res pons ibility: Financial institutions and fintechs must remain accountable for the outcomes of AI systems AI should never become a “black box” that excuses poor decisionmaking

2 Ethics : AI must align with values of fairness, avoiding bias and discrimination in lending, onboarding, or risk assessment

3 Enablement: Regulators and institutions should work together to encourage safe experimentation, so that innovation is not stifled

4 Transp arenc y: Customers must have clarity on how AI-driven decisions are made, especially when it impacts their credit, payments, or financial security

Together, these principles form the backbone of what RBI calls a balanced, forward-looking approach to governing AI in finance

Why Does India Need This Framework?

India has one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse financial ecosystems With a young population, widespread digital adoption, and platforms like UPI and Aadhaar, the country is already a global leader in financial innovation

But this scale also creates risks AI systems trained on biased or incomplete data can exclude vulnerable groups from credit Automated fraud-detection tools, if opaque, can cause genuine transactions to be blocked without recourse And without clear guardrails, institutions may adopt AI in ways that undermine consumer trust

The FREE AI framework acknowledges these challenges and sets out guiding principles to ensure that AI serves the people, not the other way around

Key Recommendations of the FREE AI Report

The RBI report does more than state principles, it offers practical recommendations for implementation

• Governanc e Stru ctures: Banks and fintechs should establish internal AI governance committees to monitor ethical deployment

• Bias T esting: Institutions must routinely audit AI models to check for bias in lending, recruitment, or fraud detection

• Expl ainabil ity: AI systems should be designed with “explainable AI” features, allowing both regulators and customers to understand how decisions are made

• Ac cou ntability: Responsibility for AI outcomes should rest with the financial institution, not outsourced vendors or algorithms

• C onsum er Protection: Customers should have access to grievance redressal mechanisms when affected by AI-driven decisions

• C apacity Building: Regulators and institutions must invest in skills, knowledge, and infrastructure to manage AI responsibly

Together, these measures create a framework where innovation can flourish without compromising trust or fairness

Implications for Global Finance and the Diaspora

India’s approach to AI regulation has significance well beyond its borders In a world where regulators are struggling to keep pace with technological change, the RBI’s framework provides a model of proactive, principle-based governance

For the Indian diaspora in the UK and the wider Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community, this matters deeply Many depend on fintech platforms to send money home, invest in Indian markets, or manage cross-border accounts The FREE AI framework ensures that these platforms, whether Indian or global, operate with integrity and fairness, giving NRI customers greater confidence

As fintech firms like Ribbon build bridges between the UK and India, such regulatory clarity makes it easier to design products that meet both customer needs and compliance standards

A Personal Perspective

Having worked for over 20 years in international banking, including leadership roles at ICICI Bank, and now as Co-founder & CEO of Ribbon PLC, I have seen how regulation shapes innovation Ribbon, licensed as an Electronic Money Institution, is focused on empowering NRIs with multi-currency accounts, low-cost remittances, and access to India’s financial ecosystem Frameworks like FREE AI provide invaluable certainty to institutions, confidence to customers, and credibility to the ecosystem Most importantly, they allow fintechs to innovate with purpose, not chasing technology for its own sake, but using it to solve real human problems responsibly

Looking Ahead

The FREE AI Report represents a leadership moment for India At a time when global regulators are still debating how to govern AI, the RBI has taken decisive action, not by restricting innovation, but by shaping it with India’s core values of Dharma and Karma, ie responsibility, ethics, enablement, and transparency This is the kind of forward-looking framework that will not only strengthen India’s financial sector but also inspire global standards For the NRI community in the UK and beyond, it signals that the platforms they rely on to stay connected with India are being built on strong, ethical foundations

Artificial Intelligence will undoubtedly define the next chapter of global finance But its success will depend not only on algorithms, data, or computing power, it will depend on the wisdom of the frameworks that guide its use With FREE AI, India has shown that it is ready to lead that journey

Ashesh Jani is the Co-founder & CEO of Ribbon PLC, a licensed fintech with AI-driven financial solutions for the Indian diaspora

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and India s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru together in Delhi, 1955

Vladimir Putin in India with President Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, December 2002

Continued from page 1

The leaders met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin, a day after Modi’s arrival, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other global leaders also attending The h o u r - l o n g m e

o n enhancing cooperation, with Modi stating that the interests of 2 8 billion people in both countries are

trust, respect, and sensitivity as the foundation for future relations

PM Modi and Xi Jinping met f o r t h e f i r s t

o u t 1 0 months, their last encounter being at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia Modi recalled that their Kazan talks were “ very fruitful” and gave a positive direction to N

meeting comes amid a thaw in relations since the 2020 Galwan c

stability, the resumption of Kailash M

a r o v a r Y a t r a , a n d d i r e c t flights Experts say the talks carry

b r o a d e r r e g i o n a l i m p l i c a t i o n s , w i t h I n d

B R I C S M o d i h i g h l i g h t e d t h a t stable India-China ties can benefit

prosperity

Modi also met Cai Qi, a top Politburo member and close ally of Xi, widely seen as Xi’s right-hand man Indian authorities said Modi shared his vision for bilateral ties and sought Cai’s support, while Cai reaffirmed China’s desire to expand exchanges in line with the l e a d e r s ’ c o n s e n s u s A p l a n n e d banquet was replaced with a brief m e e t i n g d u e t o s c h e d u l i n g

Chinese, Russian, and Indian leaders met in Beijing, projecting unity and signaling a new world order aimed at providing an alternative

t o A m e r i c a n h e g e m o n y W i t h

Donald Trump’s aggressive trade and foreign policy moves shaking the old order, the three nations see a strategic moment to strengthen their ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared cordial and confident as h e i n t e r a c t e d

Chinese President Xi Jinping The

leaders maintain frosty relations with the US, and the image recalled

i m

B R I C S S u m m i t A n a l y s t

that the photo underscored India’s broader diplomatic ties, including with China, despite lingering border disputes, particularly as the Trump administration threatens to alienate New Delhi with tariffs

The SCO Summit highlighted global power dynamics, with Modi emerging as a central figure while

a k i s t a n a p p e a r e d s i d e l i n e d

Although Pakistani PM Shehbaz

S h a r i f a t t e n d e d , t h e r e w a s n o h a n d s h a k e o r b i l a t e r a l m e e t i n g with Modi A video showed Modi speaking to Putin while seemingly ignoring Sharif, and another captured Sharif’s awkward handshake with the Russian president During the Day 1 “leaders” photo, Modi stood in the front row alongside Putin and Xi Jinping, while Sharif, also in the front row, was separated from Modi by at least eight leaders

During official engagements, Modi and Putin shared a warm hug and even traveled together in a Russian-made Aurus sedan to the Ritz-Carlton in Tianjin, where they

A New World Order?

c o n f l i c t s T h e v i s i t f o l l o w s

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent trip to India, which further normalised ties Putin calls Modi “dear friend” amid SCO summit P M N

Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the strength of IndiaRussia ties during their bilateral meeting Putin greeted Modi as his “

decades of friendly and trusting relations Modi welcomed efforts

to end the war in Ukraine and

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Modi described the meeting as

trade, fertilisers, space, security, and culture He stressed that the “Special and Privileged Strategic P

a cornerstone of regional and global stability

Modi hold talks with Myanmar leader, urges fair elections

PM Modi met Myanmar’s acting president and military leader Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, a n d e x p

upcoming elections will be fair and i

management

On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Modi emphasised India’s support for a Myanmar-led peace process, noting that dialogue and c o n s u l t a t i o n a r e k e y H e

India strengthens ties with China and Russia

posted on X about the unusual carpool, noting the “insightful” dis-

Modi before departing, highlighti n

Russia relationship amid US pressure The summit occurs as US-

Trump recently doubled tariffs on

imports from Russia as indirectly funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine

The Indian government criticised the move as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” warning that the tariffs, affecting more than $48 billion in exports, could make trade commercially unviable, cause job losses, and slow growth in the world’s fifthlargest economy The tariffs could also impact China, the US’s largest t

Vladimir Putin amid 50% US tariffs on India, President Donald Trump criticised US-India trade, calling it a “one-sided disaster ” Trump said on Truth Social:

“India sells us massive amounts of goods, their biggest ‘client’, but we sell them very little, a totally one-

Trump added that India’s high tariffs have blocked US businesses, calling the situation a “totally onesided disaster ” He also noted that India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia, not the US, and said India’s recent offer to cut tariffs to zero “ comes years too late ”

Adding to tensions, the US has

credit for preventing war between

Indian administration stated it was

with India, not the US This claim strained US-India relations further,

caused by perceived US partiality towards Pakistan According to the G

Allgemeine’, US President Donald Trump reportedly tried at least four times in recent weeks to speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by

declined The Mainz-based paper suggested Modi’s refusal reflects both the depth of his anger and a sense of caution

Trump to talk to PM Modi came even as his administration hit India with 50% tariffs, the highest for any

Neighborhood First, Act East, and Indo-Pacific policies

AI and infrastructure take centre stage at SCO

The Tianjin Declaration of the S C

cooperation, emphasising “equal rights of all countries to develop and use AI ” This follows Premier Li Qiang’s proposal last month to c

coordinate global AI regulation

reduce

risks, improve security and accountability, and implement

proposed

and promoting open-source AI models

country other than Brazil

However, a US appeals court recently ruled that most of Trump’s tariffs, including those in India, China, Mexico, and Canada, were illegal In a 7-4 decision, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found that the tariffs violated law, rejecting Trump’s claim that they were authorized under emergency economic powers The ruling will take effect on 14 October, allowing t i m e f o r t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n t o appeal to the US Supreme Court, potentially reshaping the administration’s foreign trade agenda

Amid these tensions, the IndiaChina-Russia meetings underscore a strategic alignment where mutual economic and diplomatic interests take precedence over Washington’s p r e s s u r e , e s p e c i a l l y a s I n d i a defends its energy and trade interests while maintaining a multipolar approach to global diplomacy

Speaking to Asian Voice about the evolving relationship between India, China, and Russia shaping the emerging “ new world order”, Pr o fe s so r N i t a sh a Ka u l o f U n i v e r s i t y

T h e e v

v i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p between Russia, India, and China is not new This has been in the making for several years now, what is new at present is the strategic significance of this as perceived by important western actors, in particular, the United States under P r e s i d e n t T r u m p F u r t h e r , t h

n Russia and China were acutely visible in recent years, the new development here is India's relatively more open signalling towards a p u r p o r t e d l y a n t i - w e s t e r n N e w World order, especially through high profile diplomacy and summ i t r

r r a t i v e s o

c r i s i s ( f o r example, the current one about the crisis of the international order) can serve many functions, and in the medium term, an implication of this might be more coherence in t h e d

e n t p o w

u p i n g s accompanied by greater contestation and conflict in a range of domains ”

On the impact of Trump’s decision to double tariffs on India, Prof Kaul said, “Trump’s high-pressure, transactional approach prioritises US nationalist interests over previously professed values The tariffs are more significant for India than the global balance of power, making it harder for India to hedge between the US, Russia, and China,

Ukraine Modi’s personalist foreign

though domestic supporters are unlikely to notice This may fuel anti-Western sentiment in India Meanwhile, the UK and Europe r

India Ultimately, India’s business elite benefit most from its strategic choices, while average citizens face economic hardship linked to these policy failures ” D

Sondhi, Director of the Centre for Global Challenges

University, said, “India, China, and

working more closely amid the shifting geopolitical landscape For the Indian diaspora, this opens opportunities to explore business and technology

PM Modi addresses the SCO Summit in Tianjin China

Nitasha Kaul

Gunjan Sondhi

PM Modi meeting with Cai Qi Politburo standing Committee Member and First Ranked Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee

PM Modi in a bilateral meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, Senior General of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

PM Modi receives warm welcome by the Indian community at hotel

PM meets with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin

talks with Chinese

SCO Summit

Ganesh Chaturthi one of India’s most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune The festival sees people from all walks of life bringing home beautifully adorned Ganpati idols, performing elaborate poojas, and immersing themselves in prayers, music and sweets

This year, the celebrations have been extra special, with celebrities cricketers, and public figures sharing glimpses of their festive rituals Many have set up grand Ganpati pandals, welcomed the deity into their homes, and performed traditional poojas, offering prayers for health, happiness and success From visiting public pandals to posting heartfelt moments with their Ganpati idols stars and sportspersons alike are keeping the spirit of devotion and joy alive making the festival a truly panIndian celebration

Ekta Kap oor visited Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja to offer prayers during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, while Varun Dh awan also sought blessings at the famed pandal, smiling and waving at fans amid tight security Celebrations began nationwide on August 27, with several celebrities joining in Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, along with his wife Anjali and children Arjun and Sara, also paid a family visit to Lalbaugcha Raja to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings

Bollywood star Kareena K apo or gave fans a glimpse of her Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at home with sons Taimur and Jehangir Sharing a picture of a handmade

Ganesha idol, she showed her son seeking blessings with folded hands In her post, Kareena recalled how Ganpati celebrations were always special in the RK family and expressed joy that her children now look forward to the festival too She wrote, “Ganpati Bappa Morya! Bless us all with love and peace forever ”

BJP MP and actor Kang ana Ranaut shared warm wishes on Instagram, praying that Lord Ganesha brings happiness, peace, and prosperity to all Aksh ay Kumar also posted a picture of Lord Ganesha, extending heartfelt Ganesh Chaturthi greetings to his fans and their families with a cheerful “Ganpati Bappa Morya ”

Shilpa Sh etty, who skipped Ganesh Chaturthi this year due to family mourning, shared memories from past celebrations, writing, “Home feels incomplete without you this year, but the heart is full of your blessings ” Govinda and w ife Sunita Ahuj a shut down divorce

rumours with their annual puja at home

Bipasha Basu posted a glimpse of daughter Devi making an eco-friendly Ganpati idol, while K unal K emm u shared photos of his celebrations with Soha Ali Khan and

Stars, cricketers join Ganesh Chaturthi festivities

celebrating the festival with his son Laksshya and sister Ekta Superstar S alman Kh an, who hosted Ganpati with his entire family, bid farewell to Lord Ganesha in grand style He shared a vibrant video on Instagram of the visarjan, filled with devotion, music, and joy The beats of Marathi dhols and cymbals set the festive rhythm as every member of the Khan family joined in the celebrations with boundless enthusiasm

Jacqueline Fernandez welcomed Lord Ganesha into her home for the very first time, sharing on Instagram: “Welcoming Bappa home for the very first time May this new beginning be filled with blessings, love, and light Ganpati Bappa Morya!” Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh also marked the occasion on social media, posing alongside Ganpati Bappa with his wife and daughter,

daughter Inaaya, writing, “Ganpati Bappa Morya!”

Actress Ananya Pand ay welcomed Ganpati into her home, joining the festive fervour Munjiya star Sh arvari shared heartwarming glimpses of the celebrations in her hometown, Morgaon (Maharashtra), alongside her mother and sister Sonu Sood too marked the occasion by bringing Ganpati home, while T usshar Kap oor continued his annual tradition of

captioning the moment simply with “Ganpati Bappa Morya ” T winkle Kh anna brought her signature wit to the celebrations, posting a picture of herself in a saree with the caption: “Our hearts are ready for Ganpati Bappa, our stomachs for modaks The perks of getting ready early: first dibs What do you love the most about this festival?” Actress Nimrat Kau r visited the GSB Seva Mandal in Mumbai and shared a selfie and photos on Instagram, writing, “Aala Re Aala!!! Ganpati Bappa Morya ” Meanwhile, several other Bollywood celebrities, including Priyanka Chopra and Karan Johar, extended their wishes, seeking blessings for their loved ones and future endeavors

Am bani's grand Ganesh C haturthi celebrations

As in previous years, the Ambani family celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in true grandeur The festivities began in Mumbai with the arrival of Lord Ganesha at their residence, Antilia, where the idol is lovingly referred to by devotees as “Antilia Cha Raja ”

Adding a playful touch to the occasion, Orry (Orhan Awatramani) shared a lighthearted video from inside the celebrations Joined by his close friends Janhvi Kapoor and Ananya Panday, the trio pulled funny and sarcastic faces for the camera, while musician Rishab Rikhiram Sharma joined in the fun The clip also captured Orry sneaking a bite of sweets from a plate, perfectly blending devotion with delight

Renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra offered a closer look at Janhvi Kapoor’s custom ensemble for the festivities Sharing pictures with the actress from Antilia, he described her as the “Param Sundari,” dressed in a dusty rose pink, handwoven tissue lehenga adorned with intricate silver zari embroidery Styled by Ami Patel, Janhvi’s look perfectly captured the elegance of the occasion, while Manish himself twinned in festive attire from his own label

Adding to the star-studded evening, singer Harshdeep Kaur and her husband Mankeet Singh were spotted at Antilia, where they bumped into Bollywood’s power couple, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations

Kunal Kemmu and Soha Ali Khan Sharvari with her mother and sister

Neil Nitin Muskesh with his family

Manish Malhotra with Janhvi Kapoor

Nimrat Kaur

Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone Harshdeep Kaur and her husband Mankeet Singh at Antilla

Ananya Pandey

Palak Purswani (centre) joins the celebrations at the Ambani residence, with the beautifully adorned decorations adding to the festive charm

Akshay Oberoi breaks silence on strained ties with Vivek Oberoi

Vivek Oberoi shot to fame overnight with his debut film ‘Company’, followed by the hit ‘Saathiya’ alongside Rani Mukerji. While both films won audience acclaim and brought him instant success, Vivek had faced struggles before landing these roles, choosing not to rely on his father Suresh Oberoi for a launch Interestingly, not many know that actor Akshay Oberoi is his cousin In a recent interview, Akshay spoke about his bond with Vivek and their family

Akshay Oberoi revealed that when he first came to Mumbai to pursue acting, he received no help from Vivek, and few even knew they were related Only in recent years, as Akshay gained

r e c o g n i t i o n , d i d p e o p l e r e a l i s

, “Unfortunately, there wasn’t really a line of communication I never did it, he never offered it ” He also hinted at a family feud, admitting there wasn’t much contact between the families, but added that things are improving now “I think the older generation is realising it’s time to let go of whatever happened in the past, probably just Punjabi ego clashes,” he shared

Akshay Oberoi holds no bitterness about not receiving help from Vivek, who was already a star He said, “I am grateful because maybe their success made me believe it was possible for me Somewhere, I was inspired by it, but there was no help

” H e w a s l a s t s e e n i n ‘ F i g h t e r ’ a l o n g s i d e H r i t h i

Singh Grover, and will next appear in Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan’s ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’

Ahaan Panday on delayed debut

“Felt wronged, was delusional for 4-5 years”

Though Ahaan Panday eventually made his dream debut with ‘Saiyaara’, the journey wasn’t easy. The 27-year-old was meant to be launched years earlier, but projects kept getting shelved and opportunities slipped away. In a recent interview, he admitted feeling wronged by people, but said he never grew bitter.

approached his parents, Chikki and Deanne Panday, with the idea of launching him, which eventually led to Mohit Suri’s *Saiyaara* Reflecting on the journey, Ahaan said, “I would always remind myself that assisting on a set is a dream for millions, and pursuing art is a luxury. I got to be on sets, learn from other actors, and that kept me going I never felt bitter that things weren’t working out, because being there itself was a gift ”

In an interview with ‘The Hollywood Reporter India’, Ahaan Panday admitted, “Have I felt wronged by people? Yes But it wouldn’t be right to get personal about that As an actor, you take inspiration from those moments, I would enlarge small experiences for a character In the first four or five years, I was blindly optimistic, even delusional, and I think people around me sensed it ” Ahaan’s big break came when Yash Raj Films’ Aditya Chopra

Ashish Vidyarthi on National Award win: “I feared I’d have to wash dishes”

Bollywood

actor Ashish Vidyarthi recently revealed that despite winning the National Film Award, financial struggles kept him from celebrating what should have been a career milestone

In a candid chat with Siddharth Kannan, Ashish Vidyarthi recalled how, after winning the National Award for ‘Drohkaal’, director Govind Nihalani urged him to host a party

But at the time, the actor was struggling to pay rent, let alone afford a celebration

“He told me to book Mainland China I had only seen the place from outside, never imagined eating there,” Ashish said

Encouraged by a friend, he eventually went ahead with the party, though anxiety loomed large “I was sipping lime water so I wouldn’t add to the bill by ordering vodka That night even teetotallers wanted to drink and vegetarians wanted meat! At one point, I nervously asked Govind ji, ‘What if I can’t pay? Will I have to wash dishes? Will the police come?’” he recalled

To his relief, Govind Nihalani assured Ashish he’d cover the bill, allowing him to finally enjoy the evening Reflecting on life after the award, Ashish said financial duties toward his parents pushed him to take up any work available, including B-grade films Today, he has built a multifaceted career as an actor, motivational speaker, food vlogger, and now a contestant on ‘The Traitors’

Mohit Suri’s ‘Saiyaara’, starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, shattered records to become the highest-grossing film ever led by debutants and the biggest love story in Indian cinema With a worldwide collection of 563 crore, it also stands as the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025

TV Listing

SATURDAY 06 SEP 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Radha Krishna

20:00 Kanku

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

MON 01 SEP - FRI 05 SEP 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Radha Krishna

20:00 Kanku

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

22:30 Radha Krishna

MON 01 SEP - FRI 05 SEP 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka S-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 BIGG BOSS 19

SATURDAY 06 SEP 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

22:30 Radha Krishna

SUNDAY 07 SEP 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

11:00 Kanku

11:30 Sheni Vijanand

14:30 Kanku

17:30 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Radha Krishna

22:00 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka S-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 BIGG BOSS 19

SUNDAY 07 SEP 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka S-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 BIGG BOSS 19

Kamalinee Mukherjee quit Telugu films after being ‘hurt’ by portrayal in Ram Charan movie

Kamalinee Mukherjee, a popular face in Telugu cinema during the early 2000s, has been absent from the big screen since ‘Govindudu Andarivadele’ (2014) with Ram Charan and Kajal Aggarwal On the D-Talks podcast, she revealed she was ‘hurt’ by how her character was portrayed in the film, which led her to quit Telugu cinema

Kamalinee said that while shooting ‘ G o v i n d u d u A n d a r i v a d e l e ’ w a s a n “amazing” experience with a supportive team, she felt “out of place” with how her role ultimately shaped up “It wasn’t contentious or a fight, but I felt hurt and stepped back from Telugu f i l m s f o r a w h i l e , ” s h e s h a r e d

Clarifying that she holds no grudge, K a m a l i n e e a d d e d t h a t s o m e t i m e s scenes don’t translate as expected, and t h e d i s a p p o i n t m e n t f e l t p e r s o n a l , prompting her to explore other languages

A f t e r ‘ P h i r M i l e n g e ’ ( 2 0 0 4 ) , Kamalinee made her Telugu debut with Sekhar Kammula’s ‘Anand’ the same year, followed by hits like ‘Style’, ‘Godavari’, and ‘Happy Days’ She later ventured into Tamil with ‘Kadhalna Summa Illai’ (2009) and Malayalam with ‘Kutty Sranku’ (2010) Her last T e l u g u f i l m w a s ‘ G o

(2016) in Malayalam

Tamil actors Vishal and Sai Dhanshika announce engagement

Tamil

actors Vishal and Sai Dhanshika got engaged in the presence of family and shared the news on Instagram with pictures from the ceremony.

In one photo, the couple posed with garlands, Dhanshika in a saree and Vishal in a white shirt and vesti, with his arm wrapped around her

Singer Suchitra accuses fiancé Shunmugaraj of abuse, fraud

Singer and former RJ Suchitra has accused her fiancé, Chennai-based High Court lawyer Shunmugaraj, of domestic violence, financial fraud, and taking over her Chennai home

The second photo showed Vishal and Dhanshika exchanging rings, while the last featured them with family The engagement, held on Vishal’s 48th birthday, was announced in a joint post where he wrote they were “feeling positive and blessed” to begin a new chapter, and sought blessings and good wishes from fans

Fans flooded the couple’s post with congratulatory messages, with comments like “Stay blessed” and “Wish you happiness always ”

Vishal, an actor and film producer, made his lead debut with the romantic thriller ‘

‘Thaamirabharani’, and ‘Malaikottai’ He has also produced films such as ‘Pandiya Naadu’ (2013), ‘Naan Sigappu Manithan’ (2014), and ‘Poojai’ (2014) In 2006, he received the Kalaimamani award for his contributions to Tamil cinema Sai Dhanshika, who works across Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu films, debuted with ‘Thirudi’ (2006) She later appeared in acclaimed projects like ‘Peranmai’ (2009), ‘Aravaan’ (2012), ‘Paradesi’ (2013), and ‘Kabali’ (2016)

Mammootty starred with Aishwarya in ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’ after others refused

Rajiv Menon’s 2000 romantic drama

‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’, starring Mammootty, Aishwarya Rai, Tabu, Ajith Kumar, and Abbas, won both audience and critical acclaim, with AR Rahman’s soundtrack becoming a hit. Recently, Menon revealed how Mammootty was cast as Major Bala in the film

In a chat with Sudhir Srinivasan, Rajiv Menon revealed that casting Major Bala in ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’ was the toughest part of the process Though several leading actors were approached, they turned down the role of a war veteran who had lost a leg and struggled with alcoholism, unwilling to play a physically challenged character Mammootty, however, embraced the role without hesitation, bringing depth to Major Bala’s silent love for Aishwarya Rai’s Meenakshi

memory from the sets of ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’ Since Major Bala had lost his right leg in the war, Mammootty decided to lean to the right while walking But at times, he would forget and lean to the left instead “One day I noticed it, and even my assistant director wasn’t sure whether to correct him Then Mammootty himself asked, ‘Am I supposed to lean right or left?’ It turned into one of the funniest moments on set,” Menon recalled

In an Instagram video, she alleged emotional and physical abuse, claiming he manipulated her after the ‘Suchi Leaks’ controversy, isolated her socially, and exploited her vulnerability Suchitra said she was eventually thrown out of her home, forcing her to move to Mumbai for work While she had earlier hinted at the eviction, this was the first time she named Shunmugaraj and detailed the alleged abuse

In her video, Suchitra said, “After the Suchi Leaks episode, I thought nothing worse could happen But it did, I fell in love I was beaten several times, kicked with boots like a WWF wrestler I’d sit in a corner and cry, begging him to stop ” The 2016 ‘Suchi Leaks’ controversy, involving leaked private content from her hacked X account, had already shaken her life Now, she alleges fiancé Shunmugaraj scammed her financially, took over her home, and left her with nothing

“He used my house, my money, my resources I later discovered he wasn’t even divorced his first wife came to me begging to take him back,” she claimed

Disabling comments to avoid trolling, Suchitra vowed legal action: “I really loved him Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given him a rupee But now I’ll chase him in court till he pays back every single paisa ”

In a separate post, Suchitra shared an image of Shunmugaraj, alleging he used her address on his Aadhaar card without consent He and his legal team are yet to respond to the claims

Rajiv Menon also shared a lighthearted

Priyanka Chopra thrilled as ‘The Cycle of Love’ premieres at Telluride

Priyanka Chopra is thrilled as her production ‘The Cycle of Love’ is set to premiere at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival Sharing her excitement on X, she wrote that the film, directed by Oscar-winner Orlando von Einsiedel, tells a remarkable story of resilience and devotion, inspired by PK Mahanandia’s extraordinary journey of cycling across continents for love

Priyanka Chopra said her banner Purple Pebble Pictures has always aimed to champion unique, universal stories, adding she was honoured to see ‘The Cycle of Love’ debut at the Telluride Film Festival Director Orlando von Einsiedel also expressed his excitement, calling it a deeply personal film that follows the extraordinary journey of PK Mahanandia, who cycled from Delhi to Sweden for love

Director Orlando von Einsiedel called the film a story of destiny, kindness, and the power of hope, saying PK’s journey shows that everyone deserves love Grateful to those who shared their stories and proud of the global teams behind the project, he said he can’t wait to bring this joyous tale to audiences worldwide

Aditya Chopra bags UK Stage Debut Awards nomination for ‘Come Fall in Love’

Bollywood filmmaker Aditya Chopra has been nominated for the UK Stage Debut Awards for ‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’, staged at Manchester’s Opera House earlier this year Adapted from his 1995 blockbuster ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ starring Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan, the musical had its UK premiere in May Aditya Chopra returned as director for the English stage adaptation, which reimagines the love story of Simran and Roger Celebrating the nominees, ‘The Stage’ editor Alistair Smith

said, “This year ’ s nominees embody the future of British theatre, and I can’t wait to celebrate their achievements ” The awards panel also highlighted the recognition of several South Asian talents, including Amit Sharma, nominated in the Best Creative West End Debut category for Ryan Calais Cameron’s ‘Retrograde’

Also in the Best Director category are Adam Karim for ‘Guards at the Taj’ at London’s Orange Tree Theatre and Aditya Chopra for ‘Come Fall In Love’ at Manchester’s Opera House The winners will be announced on September 28

'Kill'

director Nikhil Bhat to make Hollywood debut; action film shooting in 2026

Nikhil Bhat, acclaimed for his action thriller ‘Kill’, is now preparing for his Hollywood debut. ‘Kill’ earned praise at

According to reports, Nikhil

Hollywood stars for his next big project, with the script said

details remain under wraps, the

Murad Khetani is already in preproduction

Guru Randhawa faces backlash over ‘Azul’ video, Sonam Kapoor backs criticism

Singer Guru Randhawa, known for hits like ‘Lahore’ and ‘High Rated Gabru’, has landed in fresh controversy over his latest release ‘Azul’. The music video, where he plays a photographer in an all-girls school, has been slammed online for “sexualising schoolgirls” and promoting problematic fantasies.

A viral Instagram post accused Randhawa of objectifying minors and even likened the depiction to alcohol branding, drawing support from actor Sonam Kapoor Critics argue that despite being played by adults, the characters are shown as underage, normalising harassment and reinforcing harmful stereotypes

One user wrote, “Finally this issue is being raised It’s prevalent in Bollywood too, and we underestimate its impact on kids and youth ” Another said, “It’s 2025 and people still don’t understand the implications, schoolchildren are seeing this and learning that sexualising girls is okay ” A third added, “From audiences praising it to models calling it a career highlight, when all this comes together it distorts the motives of online society ”

Guru Randhawa faces fresh trouble as a Samrala court summons him over a ‘Sirra’ lyric deemed derogatory to Sikh scripture With ‘Azul’ already under fire, the singer is now at the centre of a wider debate on music and morality

India, Nigeria in race to host 2030 C'wealth Games

This

nations of the Commonwealth

significance and legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games and the strength and appeal of our sustainable Games model,"

President Donald Rukare said in a statement

I n d

country's plans as it dreams of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad Rukare praised

"dynamic and ambitious spirit in which they have engaged in the c o l

The Commonwealth Sport team

presented and excited about how

the Games can advance

create legacy benefits for local communities "

news for the multi-sport

Glasgow 2026 might be the last Commonwealth

Glasgow will host a pareddown version of the Games next year after the Australian state of Victoria, the original host, pulled out citing escalating costs The

African city of Durban withdrew due to financial issues

approved the ministry of youth affairs and sports’ submission of

the bid and the choice of host city as Ahmedabad, which offers “world-class stadiums, cutting-

passionate sporting culture

The Cabinet also sanctioned

Collaboration Agreement (HCA)

grant-in-aid to the Gujarat govt, should the bid be accepted India last hosted the CWG in 2010 in Delhi Field hockey, badminton, table tennis, shooting, wrestling, w

archery disciplines will return to the CWG programme if India’s bid to host the multisport event in 2030 is successful

Ashwin retires from IPL, set to explore foreign leagues

India off-spinner Rav ichand ran

A sh w in w ho exited fro m test cricket in December 2024, now announced his d ecision to retire from IP L Ashwin played h is last I P L g a m e f o r C S K ag a i ns t Rajasthan Royals in May earlier this year

H e s a i d , “ t h e y s a y e v e r y ending will have a new start My time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today, but my time as an explorer of the game around v a r i o u s l e a g u e s b e

e franchisees for all the wonderful memories and relationships over the years and most importantly

ICC

the IPL and the BCCI for what they have given me until now Look forward to enjoying and

m a k i n g t h e m o s t o f w h a t ’ s ahead of me, ” Ashwin said in a statement T h e 3 8 - y e a r - o l d h a s b e e n

offers record prize

T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l C r i ck e t

C o u n c il (I C C ) a n n o u n c e d a r ecord-bre akin g pr ize mon ey pot

o f $ 1 3 8 8 m i ll io n fo r t h e W om e n ’ s O DI W or ld C up

c om me n ci n g o n Se p t 3 0 C ohost ed by India a nd Sr i La nk a, t he tour na men t’ s prize mone y ha s in cr ea se d by 297%, up from $3 5 million a t the 2022 e dition he ld in Ne w Zea la nd This ma rk s t he la rge st payout in th e ODI W orld C up forma t, surpa ssing

t he $1 0 million aw arde d in t he 2023 me n ’ s World Cup

Dindigul Dragons, and t h

i m p l i c a t i o n

a r e that he may look to p l a y i n f r a n c h i s e e leagues (Big Bash, SA T 2 0 , H u n d r e d a n d CPL) across the world

A s h w i n h a d g o t only nine games last s e a s o n p l a y i n g f o r CSK, taking seven wickets and going for an economy rate of 9 12, which didn’t exactly meet the standards that he had set for himself over the years H e w o u

retained by the franchise for the next IPL The offie understood

t h a t h i s t i m e i n c u t - t h r o a t cricket was probably up While Ashwin is regarded as one of India’s Test legends, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he took his first big step in the IPL, before he had made his debut in the longest format In the Champions League T20 in South Africa in 2010, the offie was asked to bowl a Super Over in a group game against V i c t o r i a , w h e r e h e c o u l d n ’ t defend 24 runs Such a blow c o u l d h a v e s h a t t e r e d m a n y young bowlers, but not Ashwin

money for women’s ODI WC

p a r t i c i p a t i n g t e a m T

c h a m p i o n s w

men ’ s team received $4 million the following year after breaking

defeating Rohit Sharma’s Men

l i n Ahmedabad on Nov 19, 2023 I

I C C chairman Jay Shah stated, “This announcement marks a defining

“This four-fold increase in prize money is a landmark moment for women ’ s cricket and reflects o u r c l e a r c o m m i t m e n t t o

this sport professionally ”

The runners-up will receive $2 24 million, up from $600,000 i

million, an increase from the previous $300,000 Additionally,

guaranteed a sum of $250,000

The Women’s ODI World

5-YEAR-OLD AARINI BECOMES YOUNGEST FEMALE TO EARN FIDE RATING

In a historic moment for Indian chess, Aarini Lahoty, a five-year-old prodigy from New Delhi, has become the youngest Indian female to earn a FIDE rating entering the global ranking charts with a commendable rating of 1551 Her achievement not only places her among the youngest chess talents in the country but also highlights the deepening roots of chess excellence in India Born on 19 September 2019, Aarini achieved her FIDE rating at the tender age of 5 years and 10 months breaking the previous record set by Udhriti Bhattacharya who had earned her rating at 6 years and 4 months Aarini’s name is now etched into the history books as a symbol of early excellence intelligence and fierce determination This breakthrough comes in a year already rich with youth accomplishments in Indian chess However, Aarini s feat stands out not just because of her age but also due to the strength of her initial rating, which demonstrates her ability to compete with much older and more experienced opponents Aarini was introduced to chess at a very young age and quickly showed a natural talent for the game Under the guidance of her coaches and with unwavering support from her family she rapidly progressed through the ranks at local and national events Her recent performances in official FIDE-recognized tournaments were enough to earn her a coveted rating, a key benchmark that places players on the international competitive map

NEERAJ FAILS TO CROSS 90M MARK IN ZURICH DIAMOND LEAGUE FINAL

The increased prize money translates to higher earnings for t h e w i n n e r s a n d a g r e a t e r g u

million, compared to the $1 32 million Australia pocketed in the previous edition in New Zealand

a c h

long-term growth Our message i

must know they will be treated on par with men if they choose

India finish on top with 40 medals at C'wealth Weightlifting Championships

T he 2 5 t h C om m on we a l t h S en i or W e ig ht l i f t in g C ha m p ion s h ip h e l d in Ahmedabad witnes sed a spect acular dis pla y of s trength and skill from Indian l if ters Tushar

C ha u dh ar y e m e r g e d a s a hig hl ig ht b y c linching two gol d m edals in t he Yout h Boys (+9 4 kg) and Junior M en (110 kg) categories with a tota l l if t of 2 85 kg, epitomising India’s r is ing dom inanc e in weightlifting

India bagged a total of 13 medals at the 2 5 t h C o m m o n w e a l t h S e n i o r W

n g Championship, including 4 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze medals India won a total of 40 medals across the senior, junior, and youth categories at the championships

Ajaya Babu Valluri won gold in the senior men ’ s 79 kg category with a flawless total of

underline India’s growing competitive edge and the success of their athlete development programmes

India’s strength was evident not only in individual performances but also in team results The country secured team trophies across all groups: youth boys, youth girls, junior men and women, and senior men and w

talent nurtured with strong coaching and

Vijay Sharma emphasised the strategic shift that prioritises youth and junior athletes, stating that this focus is yielding significant

performances in global multi-sport events

India’s total senior medal haul of 4 golds, 6 silvers, and 3 bronzes topped the medal tally, with competitors from Malaysia, Nigeria, and Australia trailing closely behind

since its inception in 1973 and came under the ICC’s purview following the merger of men ’ s and women ’ s cricket in 2005 The inaugural edition was held in England, largely funded by businessman Sir Jack Hayward, with no prize money offered

It wasn t Neeraj Chopra's day as the 27-year-old failed to cross the 90m mark in Zurich Meanwhile, Julian Weber stunned the crowd, crossing the 90m mark twice to clinch top spot in the men's javelin throw event of the 2025 Diamond League Final The Tokyo 2020 gold medallist was in third spot till his final throw But he managed to keep his streak of top-two finishes alive, as he ended his outing with a throw of 85 01m, which sent him to second position It also saw him bag his 26th consecutive top-two finish Meanwhile, Weber was at a different level He began with a throw of 91 37m, and then he bettered it in his second attempt reaching 91 51m Weber's throw is also the season s best this year Then the German fouled in his third attempt He ended his outing with throws of 83 66m, 86 45m, and 88 66m Meanwhile, Neeraj began his outing with a throw of 84 35m, followed by an attempt of 82 00m He fouled in his next three attempts, and then ended the final with a throw of 85 01m which saw him get second spot

Praggnanandhaa qualifies for Grand Chess Tour finale

seal ed his spot in the Gran d Che ss Tour final e after finishing run ner-up at t he Sin quefiel d Cup, where Ame rican Wesley So

victory So defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan in the ninth and final round to tie w i t h P

Fabiano Caruana on 5 5 points at the top He then went on to the play-off scoring 1 5 points out of a possible two Praggnanandhaa played out a draw with Levon Aronian of United States and defeated Caruana in the tiebreak to finish second on one point while the latter had to be contend with the third place finish after the tiebreaker wherein he scored a lone draw against So With Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France

already the highest point scorer in the Grand Chess Tour, Levon Aronian also qualified for the GCT grand finale along with Caruana and Pragganandhaa

In the Classical section, So Caruana and Praggnanandhaa ended on 5 5 points apiece tying for the top spot while Aronian finished solo fourth on 5 points from his nine games

United States and Duda JanKryzsztof of Poland tied for the fifth spot on 4 5 points apiece a half point clear of world champion D Gukesh who did not have a great event Alireza Firouzja of France finished ninth on 3 5 points while Abdusattorov ended last with 2 5 points in all Praggnanandhaa raised visions of winning the cup with a swift victory over Caruana in the first tiebreak game

Ravichandran Ashwin

Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi submits formal bid to CS interim chief Donald Rukare (left) in London