Inquiry into UK’s role in 1984 Golden Temple massacre under consideration P02
Eid on the Square returns to Trafalgar Square P08
“I’m doing well in India, I don’t need asylum” P14
Indian origin Texas teen Faizan Zaki wins US spelling bee
Diaspora lauds India’s anti-terror mission, supports delegation visiting the UK
Swathi Anil
The Indian parliamentary multi-party delegation group of 9 people reached the UK on June 1, led by BJP minister Ravi Shankar Prasad with other 6 MPs viz Daggubati Purandeswari, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Ghulam Ali Khatana, Amar S i n g h , S a m i k B h a t t a c h a r y a , M Thambidurai, former Union Minister of S t a t e M J A k b a r a n d f o r m e r Ambassador Pankaj Saran
Being part of the anti-terror diplomatic offense, Indian government generated 7 all party delegations and sent to 33 countries to not just spread the message of complete omission of terrorist attacks, Pakistan’s part in funding
, P a h
Sindoor, but also for diplomatically
Pakistan
Anusha Singh
Leicester crash prompts debate over police transparency and ethnic disclosure
Over the past few weeks, Asian Voice has closely followed and reported on Labour’s shifting immigration policies, shedding light on the party’s increasingly restrictive stance Despite claims from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his team that their aim is simply to foster self-sufficiency and economic balance, the language and tone emerging from Labour tell a more troubling story one that mirrors, rather than challenges, the growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the country
PM Starmer may not openly endorse harsh immigration rhetoric, but the impact of his policies suggests little appetite for making the UK a more welcoming place for immigrants. Meanwhile, the broader political landscape offers little comfort No major party appears willing to take a strong, principled stand in favour of immigration or multiculturalism
Continued on page 13 I S B R I T A I N R E A L L Y A N ‘ I S L A N D O F S T R A N G E R S ’?
The All Party Delegation of MPs from India interacted with representatives of the large and diverse Indian Diaspora at India House
Inquiry into UK’s role in 1984 Golden Temple massacre under consideration
Sk y News has lear ned that a for ma l inqu ir y in to Br it a in’s pot ent ial milita ry involv emen t i n t he 1 98 4 G old e n Te mp le m assa cre is “unde r conside rat ion” by t he gov ern ment
The call for transparency follows the 2014 declassif ication of documents revealing t h a t t h e n -P r i m e M i n i s t e r Margaret Thatcher’s government dispatched an SAS off icer to advise Indian authorities ahead of Operation Blue Star
the controversial raid that killed hundreds at Sikhism’s holiest shrine in Amritsar Large portions of related government f iles remain sealed
complex The operation left hundreds dead and continues to stir global outrage, particularly among the Sikh diaspora
Labour MP Tan Dhesi, who chairs the House of Commons Defence Committee, said he has spoken with ministers and off icials in No 10 who conf irmed an inquir y is being discussed “It’s high time the Sikh community received truth and transparency,” he told Sky News “That can only come through an inquir y into the extent of UK involvement ”
Operation Blue Star, launched in June 1984, targeted armed Sikh separatists who had taken refuge inside the Golden Temple
On Sunday, June 1, thousands of British
demand that Labour follow through on its repeated pledges to hold an independent inquir y These include commitments made in Labour’s 2017 and 2019 manifestos, a 2022 letter from Sir Keir Starmer promising an inquir y if Labour took power and social m
Rayner supporting the demand
Yet, nearly a year into Labour’s government, no formal announcement has been
Reform UK to launch ‘Doge’ audit team in Kent council
Nigel Farage has announced that Kent C ounty Council
w ill be the f irst lo cal auth or-
i t y to un d er g o a “D o g estyle” au dit u nd er Reform
U K , as th e party begins a sw eep ing rev iew of p ublic
s p e nd i ng fo llo w i n g i ts recent electoral g ains
The audit will be carried out by a newly formed team
o f t e c h n o
m
UK says the team is mod-
e l l e d o n D o n a l d Tr u m p ’ s
fo r m e r D e p a r t m e n t o f G o v e r n m e n t E f f i c i e n c y, once led by Elon Musk, and i s d e s i g n e d t o s c r u t i n i s e c o u n c i l f i n a n c e s w i t h a tech-f irst approach
The initiative is being led by an unnamed individual described by Reform UK as “ one of the UK’s leading tech entrepreneurs” with a background in data analyti c s a n d e x p e r i e n c e a s a turnaround CEO
Ke n t , w i t h a c o u n c i l
budget exceeding £2 5 billion, is the f irst of ten councils now under Reform control to be visited by the unit following the party’s success in last month’s local elections, in which it won 677 seats about 39 per cent of t h o s e c o n t e s t e d “Ev e r y c o u n t y n e e d s a D o g e , ” Farage declared, criticising what he described as excess i v e s p e n d i n g o n c o n s u lt a n t s , c l i m a t e i n i t i a t i v e s , and projects “county counc i l s s h o u l d n’t b e i nv olv e d in ”
L i n d e n Ke m k a r a n , Reform’s new leader of Kent County Council, has formally written to chief executive Amanda Beer, informing her of the incoming review, a letter co-signed by Farage a n d p a r t y c h a i r m a n Z i a Yusuf
C o u n c i l o f f i c e r s h a v e been asked to provide the
D o g e t e a m w i t h f u l l a n d immediate access to relev a n t d i g i t a l a n d p a p e r records
made Earlier this year, over 400 Sikh groups wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to act on the party’s promises British Sikhs have now threatened “ no platform” Labour MPs, banning them from speaking at gurdwaras and community events, unless a public inquir y is announced by the end of July In a letter dated 1 June, more than 450 gurdwaras, charities, and student societies warned Starmer of “massive consequences ” for Labour MPs in key constituencies Dabinderjit Singh OBE of the Sikh Federation (UK) warned that continued silence could cost Labour politically “If Labour breaks its promise, it will be an act of betrayal A judge-led inquir y must take place or Labour risks losing signif icant Sikh support ”
2014 conducted a limited internal review under David Cameron, which concluded the U K
However, the inquir y was widely criticised for its narrow scope and was seen by many Sikh leaders as a cover-up
The Indian government maintains that Operation Blue Star was a necessar y militar y operation targeting armed militants not the Sikh community at large
Scottish L abour MPs threaten revolt ahead of likely by-election defeat
Sir Keir Starm er is facing g row ing unrest among Scottish L abour M Ps am i d co n ce rn s th a t t h e p art y i s heading for a d amaging d efeat in the up co m i n g Ha m i lto n , L ar kh i ll & Stonehou se by-election
Senior Labour sources fear the party could place third behind the SNP and Reform UK when voters go to the polls next week In response, several Scottish MPs have warned government whips that they may refuse to support proposed changes to disability benef its and broader welfare reforms if Labour suffers a poor result
“The Hamilton loss will have s e r i o u s i m p l i c a t i o n s a n d r i p p l e through the Scottish Parliamentar y Labour Party,” a government source said “It sounds really bad on the ground And if we lose, are Scottish MPs really going to walk through the lobbies in support of welfare cuts? It’s an SNP seat, but Reform
looks set to come second ”
The by-election was triggered by the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie in March McKelvie had h e l d t h
majority over Labour in 2021, during a period of strong SNP polling With Labour aiming to reclaim ground in S c o t l a n d a h
Holyrood elections, the seat is seen as a key test A weak performance w
Labour’s prospects and messaging north of the border
Insiders say Scottish MPs are p
Starmer’s decision to restrict winter fuel payments to only the most vulnerable pensioners, fearing it may have cost the party support among older voters Some MPs are reportedly considering going public with their opposition to further welfare cuts if the Hamilton result is as poor as expected
L abour MPs turn on Reeves’ fiscal rules
Rachel Reev es is under grow ing pressure from w it h i n th e
widespread d iscontent amo ng MPs ah ead of next w eek’s spend ing rev iew
A Sur vation poll of
Unit and shared with The Times,
which restrict borrowing to capital investment and prevent day-to-day spending increases Nearly the same
hindering the government’s ability to raise living standards, improve public ser vices, and meet climate goals
More than a third of MPs favour changing the framework, with over 20% supporting tax rises or higher borrowing to boost spending both of which the Treasur y has ruled out
I N B R I E F UK BID FOR TELEGRAPH REJECTED
A £550 million bid for The Telegraph by British entrepreneur Dovid Efune and hedge fund manager Jeremy Hosking has reportedly been ruled out as the longrunning battle to acquire the newspaper nears its end The leading contender is now RedBird Capital a US private equity firm which last week announced it had reached an agreement in principle to acquire Telegraph Media Group The deal is backed by a mix of UK investors and IMI, a media investment firm based in the United Arab Emirates RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale described the agreement as “the start of a new era” for the 170year- old newspaper RedBird initially sought to buy The Telegraph through a joint venture with IMI but the UK government blocked the deal due to concerns over foreign state ownership Ministers introduced new legislation that restricted such ownership, limiting IMI’s potential stake to 15 per cent because a majority of its funding came from a senior political figure in the UAE
AI SET TO DISPLACE THOUSANDS OF CIVIL SERVANTS
Government data reveals that nearly twothirds of tasks performed by junior civil servants could be automated using artificial intelligence Ministers anticipate that leveraging new technologies for routine duties could save the government £36 billion annually Chancellor Rachel Reeves aims to cut civil service running costs by 15 percent within four years, reportedly favouring a reduction of 50,000 jobs, or approximately one in ten Whitehall employees According to government documents obtained by Politico through freedom of information requests, an analysis by the science and technology department indicates that 62 percent of tasks handled by administrative assistants are "routine " Similarly 48 percent of tasks performed by executive officers the second-lowest civil service grade were also deemed routine The government noted that the potential savings from these efficiencies do not have a specific time frame for realisation but are anticipated to be realised over the long term "
The Red Wall Caucus
vocal, warning Reeves against further cuts
unsettled, with some b u d g e
still unresolved
Public sentiment mirrors MP concerns
A YouGov poll found 59% of Labour v o t e r s p r e fe r t a x o r b o r r o w i n g increases over spending cuts, compared to just 13% who favour cuts Reeves, who has already permitted £100 billion in borrowing for c a p i
t h e Treasur y ’ s Green Book Her aim is to direct more funding to infrastructure in regional towns and villages But some Labour MPs fear this could s i d e l i n e r e d w
party
URGENT WARNING OVER SOUTHALL DEATHS
A 28-year- old man and a 20 -year- old woman have died after reportedly taking a green pill in Southall, West London, over the bank holiday weekend Police confirmed the pair had taken the unidentified substance together, prompting urgent public health warnings Ealing Council has urged caution, reminding the public of the risks associated with unregulated drugs A spokesperson said "If you or someone you are with feels unwell after taking any substance go to your nearest A&E or call 999 Don t try to sleep it off or drink excessive amounts of water always seek immediate medical help While toxicology reports are still pending, experts suspect the pills could contain synthetic cathinones potent lab -made stimulants that have been mis-sold as MDMA in recent incidents across the UK Authorities are urging anyone who may have come into contact with similar pills or powders to avoid taking them and to consult local harm reduction services for advice
Tan Dhesi
Dabinderjit Singh OBE
Rachel Reeves
Are vehicles becoming weapons?
In recent weeks, the UK has witnessed two alarming incidents where vehicles were used to harm pedestrians On May 26, during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade, a car ploughed into a crowd on Water Street, injuring 109 people, including four children The driver, Paul Doyle, 53, has been charged with multiple offences, including grievous bodily harm with intent
Just days later, on May 31, in Leicester, a car collided with pedestrians on De Montfort Street, injuring four individuals Leicestershire Police have arrested three people in connection with the incident, which followed reports of a fight in the area
These events raise a pressing question: Are vehicles becoming tools of mass harm?
Historically, vehicles have been used in terror attacks In 2016, a truck attack in Nice, France, killed 86 people during B a s t i l l e D
increased security measures worldwide
However, the recent UK incidents are not being treated as terrorism Instead, they highlight a troubling trend where individuals, possibly driven by personal grievances or mental health struggles, use vehicles to inflict harm The accessibility of vehicles makes them a convenient weapon for those intent on causing chaos
Many members of our communities, especially elderly people, do not own vehicles They rely on walking or public transport for their daily needs This makes them particularly vulnerable as they cannot quickly defend themselves from sudden attacks, whether from erratic drivers or those armed with the intent to harm Even everyday crimes such as purse snatching, phone theft, or burglary place these pedestrians
at increased risk while on the streets
Any physical injury from such attacks requires immediate medical care followed by intensive caregiving For elderly
Rehabilitation and support can be a long, exhausting, and costly process that heavily depends on the moral strength and resources of their families The ability to provide sustained care for those whose mobility has been severely impaired by violence is often a heavy burden, both emotionally and financially
For communities across the UK, especially those living in urban and densely populated areas where public gatherings and celebrations are common, the risk is particularly concerning These incidents underscore the need for heightened awareness and safety measures during such events
Law enforcement agencies must adapt to this evolving threat Enhanced surveillance, rapid response units, and c
respond effectively Public spaces should be evaluated for vulnerabilities, with physical barriers like bollards or designated pedestrian zones used to deter vehicle-based attacks
Equally important is addressing the root causes Mental health support, social outreach, and conflict resolution programs can help identify and assist individuals at risk of harming others A proactive approach can reduce the likelihood of such violent acts before they happen
While vehicles are essential to daily life, their misuse as weapons presents a serious challenge It is imperative for authorities and local communities to work together to implement preventive measures, foster vigilance, and build a culture of support and resilience
The changing face of warfare
India is facing a serious new challenge on the world stage China, Pakistan, and now Turkey are forming a stronger alliance This group is not just about friendly cooperation, it could shift the balance of power in Asia and directly affect India’s security and global standing
Things escalated after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed several Indian soldiers
I n d
Pakistan As expected, China supported Pakistan But Turkey’s open support was more surprising and concerning Turkey has also supplied advanced drones to Pakistan, giving Islamabad new tools that could shift the military balance in the region
India must also take note of some recent developments beyond its immediate borders From an Indian point of view, the fact that Afghanistan and Pakistan have recently re-established diplomatic relations is significant This could create new regional dynamics that favour Pakistan
At the same time, Russia, traditionally a close ally of India, recently signed three important defence and trade deals with Pakistan This growing Russia-Pakistan cooperation is a reminder that old alliances are changing, and India must constantly reassess its foreign policy
Meanwhile, global tensions continue to rise The war in Ukraine, nearly seven thousand miles away, has triggered ripple effects that are reaching Asia Reports of strikes on Russian ports, aerodromes, and even aircraft in the eastern
part of Siberia have drawn global attention For India, this shows how conflicts far from its borders can affect military readiness and global stability
But India also needs to focus on its neighbourhood Pakistan's border is very close to major Indian states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir Any change in the balance of power with Pakistan, especially with growing support from China and Turkey, could directly impact these areas
On the global front, India has recently become the world’s fourth-largest economy China, which sees itself as the top power in Asia, is uncomfortable with India’s rise For years, it has tried to weaken India’s regional influence by funding major projects in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar Pakistan remains central to this strategy
So, where does India go from here?
Fortunately, India has built strong partnerships with Gulf nations like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar These countries have made major investments in India and can help balance Turkey’s growing influence in the Muslim world Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these relationships have become stronger than ever India must stay calm and strategic It should continue investing in defence, building global friendships, and avoiding emotional or rushed responses As alliances shift and tensions grow, India needs careful planning, diplomacy, and strong leadership to stay secure and continue its rise
One man's loss is another man's gain
Sometimes, one country's problem becomes another country’s opportunity That’s exactly what we are seeing now in global education For many years, the United States was the number one destination for international students Countries like China and India sent some of their brightest minds there for higher education and research But recent changes, especially under former President Donald Trump and his supporters, have begun to shift that picture Trump-era policies made it harder for students from countries like China to get visas, especially in technical fields like AI and cybersecurity The US also started reviewing visa renewals more strictly and even cancelled many existing student visas According to the latest SEVIS data from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, international student numbers fell by 11% between March 2024 and March 2025 This includes many Indian students who either could not return to the U S or were forced to look elsewhere
For the United States, this is a clear loss But for other countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, and Australia, it’s a big opportunity These countries have seen a rise in applications from international students For example, UK universities saw a 7% rise in applications from Indian students in 2024 Germany and Canada are actively offering scholarships and work visas to attract global talent
India also has a unique chance here Many Indian students who once dreamt only of Harvard or Stanford are
now looking at universities in Europe or even thinking of staying back in India if conditions improve Indian policymakers should see this as a moment to invest more in higher education
Building better universities, forming tie-ups with global institutions, and offering scholarships can help India attract not just Indian students returning from abroad, but also students from neighbouring countries A strategy could also include sponsoring Indian-origin students to study in Japan, Germany, or the UK, countries with stable visa systems and strong tech industries
It’s not just about money or research anymore It’s about building a country rich in knowledge, ideas, and innovation Also worth noting is that while the US distances itself from China and tightens visa norms, China has built strong academic partnerships across Asia and Africa Meanwhile, Russia recently signed three major education and technology agreements with Pakistan These developments show that education diplomacy is becoming a key part of foreign policy
From India’s point of view, the time has come to think big When smart, motivated students are forced to leave the US or choose other countries, India must not stand on the sidelines With the right push, India can turn this brain drain moment into a brain gain opportunity Because in global education, just like in geopolitics, one man ’ s loss is always another man's gain
Thought for the week
"Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will " Glennon
Scene: Prime Minister's Office, Islamabad
Characters:
Doyle
• Prime Minister Im ran Sh ariff Bhutto Hacker: A wellmeaning but often befuddled puppet leader
• General M unir: The ever-strategic and verbose military chief
• B ern ard Wo o l ley : T h
Secretary, caught between duty and honesty
[The Prime Minister is seated at his desk, looking over a draft speech Bernard enters ]
Bernard: Prime Minister, General Munir is here to see you
PM Hacker: Ah, splendid Send him in, Bernard [General Munir enters, impeccably dressed in his uniform, adorned with an impressive array of medals which reach around his back ]
General Munir: Good morning, Prime Minister
PM Hacker: Good morning, General Please, have a seat
General Munir: Thank you
PM Hacker: Now, about this recent ahem skirmish Oh and congratulations on being made a Field Marshall
General M unir: Ah, yes The "Decisive Victory Operation," as we've termed it And yes, I thought I should promote myself with a title suitable to my greatness Never lost one yet you know Never fought one, mind you, but that’s why I am undefeated
PM Hacker: Indeed Though, from the reports I've seen, it appears we didn't quite achieve our objectives
General Munir: Prime Minister, success in military terms is often a matter of perspective It says so in my military encyclopaedia and memoir -I’ve titled it “Vanity Fair” –after my favourite magazine
PM Hacker: Perspective? We lost, didn't we? The blasted Indians fired into Pakistan, not just the bits we stole in 1947 but the bits we stole in 1948 as well And they hit our nuclear facility and then had the gaul to say they didn’t, so we would have to say “oh yes you did” I nearly fell for that trap of theirs And they took our some of our best terrorist training camps First the Americans take out Bin Laden, then last year the Iranians shoot missiles at our terror camps and now even the Indians What is this “ open shop on Pakistan” We’re corned Might as well call it the Republic of Pakistani Corner Shop
General Munir: Temporarily, perhaps But consider this: by not achieving our stated objectives, we've maintained the status quo, which, in itself, is a form of victory
PM Hacker: I'm not sure the public will see it that way
General Mu nir: Then we must guide their perception We did the terror attack so I could be more popular than ever Soon, you will be gone (I ahem, I mean in the usual democratic process) and the people will call on me to save them
PM Hacker: Guide their perception?
General M unir: Precisely We emphasize the bravery of our troops
PM Hacker: But won't the facts contradict that narrative? The troops got hit throughout all of Pakistan Whereas we came close to something in Gujarat for god’s sake It’s not like the Keralans or the Tamils even new we were around They covered all of Pakistan And we had to go the IMF and on top of that we had to call them for a cease fire
General Mu nir: Facts, Prime Minister, are often subject to interpretation
PM Hacker: Hmm Bernard, what's your take on this?
Doctors warned strikes could undermine NHS recovery efforts
H ea lth Se cr eta ry We s S tre eting h as war ne d tha t f urt her strike s by d octor s r isk "choking " the NH S just a s ef fo rts to re sto re se rvice s beg in to ta ke e ff ect
As the British Medical Association (BMA) prepares to ballot 50,000 junior now termed "resident" doctors for potential strike action lasting into early 2026, Streeting urged them to reject the call, arguing that the public no longer supports the walkouts
Writing in The Times, Streeting said, “The public backed strikes when pay was being eroded under the previous government But now, after the most significant pay increases across the public sector, they expect cooperation, not confrontation.”
Doctors received a 22% pay rise last year following prolonged industrial action and a further above-inflation increase of 5 4% this year Yet the BMA says this still falls
short of restoring realterms pay to 2008 levels and is demanding an additional 29%
Streeting said Labour had gone “ as far as we can ” on pay and accused the BMA of risking progress on cutting NHS waiting lists, which stand at 7 4 million “We cannot afford a return to strikes and cancellations,” he said “Strikes should always be a last resort.”
Polling by YouGov shows public support for strike action among doctors has dropped from 52% last summer to 39%,
with 48% now opposed Resident doctors began receiving ballot papers for new industrial action on Tuesday The ballot closes on July 7 and, if successful, could authorise strikes until January
Streeting rejected the BMA’s demand for another major pay hike, instead promising broader reforms to improve career pathways and working conditions Key among them is a plan to prioritise UK-trained doctors for NHS training posts part of a wider ten-year workforce strategy to be published this summer
Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, cochairs of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, stressed that strikes are not inevitable “The government can still avoid this,” they said “Wes Streeting must deliver on commitments to restore doctors’ pay to 2008 levels, so we can stay in the NHS and off the picket lines ”
Farage defends controversial ad targeting
N igel Farage has defended
Sc
ur leader Anas Sarwar, rej ecti ng acc usations of rac is m made by both Labour and F i rs t M i n
J oh n Swinney T h e
features clips from a 2022 speech Sarwar delivered at an event marking Pakistan’s 75th independence anniversary, where he spoke about i n c r e a s i n g S o u t h A s i a n p o l i t i c a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n R e f o r m U K i n s e r t e d t e x t implying Sarwar aimed to “ p r i o r i t i s e t h e P a k i s t a n i community” a claim not supported by the footage
At a London press conference, Farage played the video and accused Sarwar of b r i n g i n g “ s e c t a r i a n i s m ” into Scottish politics, saying, “All we ’ ve done is put out the exact words spoken by him without any com-
m e n t ” H e i n s i s t e d t h e
v i d e o m e r e l y h i g h l i g h t e d Sarwar’s own statements
Anas Sarwar
S a r w a r r e s p o n d e d forcefully, calling the claims
“ a b s o l u t e n o n s e n s e ” a n d accusing Farage of injecting “poison” into Scottish polit i c s S p e a k i n g t o B B C Scotland News, he said: “I have fought against sectari-
a n i s m a l l m y a d u l t l i f e
S c o t l a n d i s a w e l c o m i n g , diverse country some-
t h i n g h e p r o b a b l y f i n d s pretty scary ” He added: “Farage is a divisive figure He doesn’t know Scotland and probably couldn’t point to many places here on a map ” First Minister Swinney echoed Sarwar’s condemna-
Looking for a Hindu educated/well settled match for our son. Brahmin 43 years old, professional career, bachelor, location London.
Please send info to incognito1657@aol.com or Call: 07980 417 566
ADHD diagnoses surge
past 800,000, call for more support
I N B R I E F BRITAIN COULD RUN DRY IN TEN YEARS
tion, urging Meta to remove the advert from Facebook a n d I n s t a g r a m “ I ’ m d i sg u s t e d , ” S w i n n e y s
“Farage is distorting inform
that he’s already brought to UK politics
SNP have submitted formal complaints to Meta
More than half of the m ost p o p u lar m e nta l h
As more people turn
M o r e t h an 8 20 ,0 0 0 peop le in Eng land have b een fo r m al ly d i ag no sed w ith A DHD, according to new NHS d a ta th e fi rs t o f fi c ia l r el eas e o f s tatis tic s o n th e co n d i ti o n Th is includes one in 44 ch ild ren and one in 125 adults
The sharp rise in diagnosis has been linked to increased awareness, particularly via social media, and concerns about potential overdiagnosis by some private clinics Since the pandemic, prescriptions for ADHD medications have nearly doubled
A g o v e r n m e n t - c o m m i s s i o n e d r e v i e w , expected this summer, will recommend that schools and workplaces introduce practical a c c o m m o d a t i o
m time and flexible working for people with ADHD, even those without a formal diagnosis
D e s p i t e c o n c e r n s r a i s e d b y m i n i s t e r s about rising disability benefit claims and overdiagnosis, the NHS says ADHD remains significantly underdiagnosed It estimates that up to 2 5 million people in England may have the condition but many face years-long waits for assessment and treatment
To address the growing need, the NHS has set up a national task force, led by Cardiff University psychiatry professor Anita Thapar The group is working with other government departments to create a coordinated response, including improved support in schools, workplaces, and public services
Thapar stressed the importance of needsbased adjustments regardless of diagnosis, and confirmed that under-recognition remains a major issue The NHS is also collaborating with the Department for Work and Pensions to review how ADHD-related benefit claims are assessed, and plans to monitor private clinics to address concerns about diagnostic standards
The water minister has warned that Britain will deplete its drinking water supply by the mid-2030s without the construction of new reservoirs This declaration follows the government s decision to assume control of new reservoir projects from local councils Emma Hardy stated on Times Radio that the UK is facing an "infrastructure crisis because we haven’t built the reservoirs we need," noting that "we built no reservoirs for the past 30 years " To expedite development ministers have designated projects in East Anglia and Lincolnshire as "nationally significant " allowing them to bypass typical planning procedures and will do the same for future projects Upcoming government plans for new homes and data centres will further escalate water demand Hardy acknowledged that these new reservoirs "are going to take a while to build," but warned that without them, Britons could face water restrictions akin to those in the Mediterranean Experts indicated this month that an unseasonably dry spring could lead to Britain's first droughts since 2022
UK'S FIRST FLYING TAXI TAKES FLIGHT
Britain's inaugural flying taxi has successfully completed its maiden journey, with government support aiming for public service introduction by 2028 The VX4 electric aircraft prototype developed by Bristol s Vertical Aerospace achieved a historic crosscountry flight in normal European airspace outside of typical test environments This innovative vehicle is designed to transport a pilot and four passengers boasting speeds up to 150 mph and a range of 100 miles Last month, the government allocated £20 million to facilitate the widespread adoption of commercial drones and flying taxi services This initiative will see the Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) receive support from the newly established Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to streamline regulations and accelerate the public accessibility of these emerging technologies Chief test pilot Simon Davies described his first cross-country flight in the VX4 as a "truly special" career highlight
Chief suspended at university over 'culture of bullying' claims
T he University o f Lo ndo n
h a s s u s p e nd ed i ts v i c ec h a nc e ll o r, P ro fe s s o r W en dy T h o ms o n , a m id s t allegations o f bullyi ng and p oor leadershi p
A c c o r d i n g t o T h e
Times, Simon Cain, the university's director of human resources, in an internal letter to staff, confirmed that t h e g o v e r n i n g b o a r d o f trustees made a "unanimous d e c i s i o n " t o s u s p e n d Thomson while an independent investigation proceeds T h o m s o n , w h i l e n o t
directly addressing the bullying claims, stated that she had filed her own complaint regarding governance and staff issues " She also noted that the university informed her the suspension was not a disciplinary action The d e c i s i o n t o s u s p e n d P r o f e s s o r T h o m s o n w a s made during a board meeting on May 21, chaired by K a v i t a R e d d i , t h e d e p u t y c h a i r C a i n ' s l e t t e r s t a t e d that the board's "unanimous d e c i s i o n " t o s u s p e n d Thomson was "pending the outcome of an independent i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o a l l e g ations that have been raised against her
A separate letter sent by s t a f f m e m b e r s t o t h e t r u s t e e s s u s p e n s i o n , claimed Thomson had overseen a "culture of bullying a n d f e a r " T h i s l e t t e r expressed "the deepest concern for the future of the university ” asserting that disclosing concerns about "bullying and poor leaders h i p b y t h e v i c echancellor ”
Over half of top mental health TikToks misinform
Dubious advice included eating oranges in the shower
a s e a n x i e t y , u s i n g unproven supplements like saffron and holy basil, and o v e r s i m p l i f y i n g t r a u m a r e c o v e r y E x p e r t s w a r n e d t h a t s u c h c o n t e n t o f t e n b l u r s t h e l i n e s b e t w e e n e m o t i o n a l w e l l b e i n g a n d serious mental illness
David Okai, a neuropsychiatrist at King’s College London, said the misuse of
clinical terms risks confusing the public about what mental illness truly involves Many videos rely on anecdotal advice that may not apply
u n i v e r s a l l y a n d p r o m o t e therapy as a one-size-fits-all
s o l u t i o n D a n P o u l t e r , a n
NHS psychiatrist and former health minister, noted that several clips patholog i s e d n o r m a l e m o t i o n s , p o t e n t i a l l y t r i v i a l i s i n g severe mental illness
P s y c h o l o g i
Johnston added that PTSDrelated videos often over-
simplified complex experiences, suggesting “universal” s o l u t i o n s t h a t c a n l e a v e viewers feeling worse While TikTok says it works with the NHS and WHO to promote reliable content and
l health professionals argue stronger regulation is needed The findings have intens
h e Online Safety Act to better protect users from misleading and harmful content
Wes Streeting
Nigel Farage
Anas Sawar
Anita Thapar
A 28 -year-old man has been ch arged fo llowing a serious co llisio n in Leicester th at left five pedestrians inju red
T he incident occu rred
arou nd 12:34 a m o n
S atu rday, 31 May, on De Mo ntfort Street
Gurwinder Singh, of Gwendolen Road, Leicester, faces four counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent He appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 2 June
Leicestershire Police reported that five individuals four men and one woman were injured in the collision Two of the victims remain hospitalised with serious injuries but are in stable condition A sixth person was identified at the scene but did not sustain injuries
In connection with the incident, two other Leicester men were arrested A 31-year-old was taken into custody on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and causing serious injury by dangerous driving
A 34-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray Both have been
Leicester crash prompts debate over police transparency and ethnic disclosure
released on police bail pending further inquiries
In a statement to Asian Voice, Sh ivani Raja, the Member of Parliament representing Leicester said, ““I, like many others across our city, was shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic event that happened in Leicester in the early hours of Saturday morning
“These kind of incidents in Leicester are thankfully rare - but we need to ensure that similar instances do not happen again We must work towards ensuring our streets, no matter the time of day, are safe for everyone
“My prayers are with the victims and their families, and my thoughts
remain with all those impacted ”
Authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation particularly on social media to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation This incident marks the second of its kind in recent days, following the high-profile crash at Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade
In that case, a driver rammed into a crowd, injuring 65 people, including four children
Within hours, Merseyside Police issued a press release confirming the arrest of a suspect In an unusual move, they disclosed both the race and nationality of the individual: a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area
This level of transparency stood in stark contrast to an incident the previous summer, when speculation about the ethnicity of a 17-year-old arrested for the murder of three young girls in Southport sparked public disorder and nationwide unrest
Merseyside Police’s decision to release details of the Liverpool suspect’s ethnicity has raised
questions about precedent and consistency in police communications
According to former Metropolitan Police superintendent Dal Babu, such disclosures could pose “difficulties and challenges” for forces in the future
Speaking at The Guardian’s First Edition podcast, Babu described the move as “unprecedented,” though he acknowledged it was likely made to counter online misinformation and pre-empt racialised narratives “It doesn’t take rocket science to predict what will happen: the far right will twist this and say, ‘You’ve named the race because it’s a white person Why aren’t you naming the race of the next person?’
And it will present some difficulties and challenges to the police,” he warned Babu emphasised that the decision to release the Liverpool suspect’s background was “correct” in this specific context, as it helped to combat “racist and Islamophobic misinformation” circulating online
However, he urged that each case should be assessed independently, “You could imagine a
situation where the far right says, ‘Oh, you haven’t named the ethnicity of this person and that’s because they are a person of colour ’
“It’s really important that people don’t see it as a precedent Every incident will be different, and there may be circumstances where it is not appropriate to release such details ”
Vinod Popat, on behalf of Hindu Community Organisation Groups (HCOG), expressed deep concern and sadness felt across the community in Leicester, writing to Asian Voice
In what might be proving the Point made by Dal Babu, he further added, “What has added to the community’s distress is the delay in disclosing the identity and ethnicity of the driver and victims In the absence of clear information, speculation and anxiety began to spread, especially given Leicester’s diverse and sensitive social fabric We believe that timely and transparent communication is essential not just for the sake of public clarity, but to uphold trust between communities and
institutions
“In contrast, we note that in the recent Liverpool incident, Merseyside Police acted swiftly to provide critical details, including the ethnicity of the suspect This proactive approach helped to prevent misinformation and reduced the risk of community unrest
“HCOG urges local authorities and Leicestershire Police to consider the broader impact of delayed communication in such cases Early and sensitive disclosure, handled responsibly, is not about assigning blame it is about ensuring that facts guide public understanding, not assumptions or fear ” The police might now face a crucial decision: either commit to full transparency by consistently sharing such information, or adopt a policy of withholding it entirely because selective transparency might just not work
Asian Voice has reached out to local residents for comments on the safety concerns and is currently awaiting their responses
Shivani Raja
Tory council threatens legal action over asylum housing costs
A Conservative-led Lo nd on
cou ncil is consid ering legal
ac tion agai nst th e L abou r
g o v er nm e nt af te r be in g d eni e d e xtr a fu n d i ng to cov er the spiralling co st o f h ousing asylum seekers
H i l l i n g d o n C o u n c
, which hosts the highest proportion of asylum seekers in the UK 94 per 10,000 residents says it faces a £5 3 million budget shortfall this year as it struggles to sup-
m
Home Office accommoda-
m claims are processed
Located near Heathrow Airport, Hillingdon has six hotels housing over 3,000 asylum seekers When individuals are granted refugee status, they are given 28 days t o l e a v
which responsibility shifts to the council Many then
require temporary housing,
sleeping in tents
council is in talks with legal
compensate for the funding gap, after a recent claim was rejected on the grounds that existing grants were “suffi-
Man convicted after burning Quran in London protest
A man wh o burned a cop y
o f the Qu ran o utside th e
T u rk i s h c o n s u la te i n London has been convicted
o f a religio usly aggravated p ublic order offence, raising co ncerns o ver the limits o f free sp eech
H a m i t C o s k u n , 5 0 , s h o u t e d “ F - - - I s l a m ” a n d
“Islam is a religion of terror-
i s m ” w h i l e h o l d i n g t h e
b u r n i n g b o o k d u r i n g a
p r o t e s t o n 1 3 F e b r u a r y W e s t m i n s t e r m a g i s t r a t e s ’ court found him guilty of
d i s o r d e r l y c o n d u c t p a r t l y
m o t i v a t e d b y h o s t i l i t y
t o w a r d M u s l i m s H e w a s fined £240
Coskun, of ArmenianKurdish descent, is seeking asylum in the UK and said
h i s p r o t e s t t a r g e t e d t h e
T u r k i s h g o v e r n m e n t , n o t Islam or its followers He
c l a i m e d p e r s e c u t i o n i n
T u r k e y u n d e r P r e s i d e n t Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stressed that Coskun was not charged for burning the Quran but for h i s a b u s i v e l a n g u a g e a n d conduct in public An earlier charge of harassing the “ r e l i g i o u s i n s t i t u t i o n o f
Islam” was amended after l e g a l c h a l l e n g e s D i s t r i c t
Judge John McGarva ruled the act was “highly provocat i v e ” a n d m o t i v a t e d b y h a t r e d o f M u s l i m s , b u t denied the ruling revived blasphemy laws abolished in 2008
C o s k u n ’ s l a w y e r , K a t y Thorne KC, said the case effectively criminalised criticism of religion and risked s u p p r e s s i n g d i s s e n t Coskun himself called the ruling “ an assault on free s p e e c h ” a n d q u e s t i o n e d whether he’d face prosecution for burning a Bible
The Free Speech Union a n d N a t i o n a l S e c u l a r S o c i e t y , w h i c h s u p p o r t e d h i s l e g a l d e f e n c e , announced plans to appeal S h a d o w j u s t i c e s e c r e t a r y R o b e r t J e n r i c k c a l l e d t h e verdict “ wrong ” and warned of a creeping return of blasphemy laws
C o s k u n w a s a
c k e d during the protest by a man who has admitted assault but denies using a blade He will face trial in 2027 The CPS reiterated that the case addressed public disorder, not religious criticism
NOTICE
High Commission of India, London has received a notice of intended marriage from Mr. Yadu Krishnan Sukumarapillai, S/o Sukumarapillai Balakrishnapillai, holder of Indian Passport No. U3972835 and Miss Neethu Maria Joseph, D/o Joseph Varghese, holder of Indian Passport No. U6369078 under the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 of India. Objection, if any (along with valid reasons), to the intended marriage may be conveyed to the High Commission of India, London within 30 Days of publication of this notice at the following address:
Second Secretary, High Commission of India, India House, Aldywch WC2B 4NA
cient ”
extended beyond housing, putting pressure on education, healthcare, and staff capacity “The government seems to think councils have teams on standby for a crisis of this scale That’s simply not the case ”
Hillingdon currently has more than 100 asylum-seek-
housing and a social housing waiting list of 3,000 The council has resorted to buying up properties to cope with demand With government support falling short, it is now weighing cuts to core services to stay afloat
A further complication has emerged with the arrival
return the Chagos Islands to
i s now supporting 93 househ
community
“We need the government to fully fund the consequences of its decisions,”
national issue and must be met with national support
oughs, has echoed the call for more funding, warning of a £500 million shortfall across local authorities this year R
House of Lords, Labour peer
Sharon Taylor said the gove
h a r d ” t o e n s u r e a s y l u m seekers receive timely decisions and that councils are better equipped to manage t h e t r a n s i t i o n f r o m h o t e l accommodation
British Airways eyes expansion in India
British Airways, which has operated flights to India fo r over a century, is set to deepen its presence in the cou ntry wi t h i nc r ea se d ro utes, flight frequenci e
particularly
nder th
anti cip ated India- UK Free Trade Agreement (FT A)
Speaking to PTI during
British Airways, called India
a
market and highlighted its long-standing ties with the country “We’ve been part of aviation in India for 100 years, and we want to continue growing alongside it,” he said T
runs 56 flights a week from five Indian cities, including double daily services from D
flights from Mumbai From
October, first-class service
n Heathrow routes its first in nearly five years
D o y l e n o t e d a 2 5 % increase in capacity to India compared to pre-pandemic levels and said the airline employs around 2,500 peop l e i n t h e c o u n t r y H e d e s c r i b e d I n d i a ’ s a v i a t i o n sector as a “once-in-a-generation growth opportunit y ” d r i v e n b y a r a p i d l y expanding middle class British Airways is also optimistic about scaling up cargo movement between the two nations, particularly under the evolving trade framework
I N B R I E F
LANDLORDS FACE INSURANCE COMMISSION ‘NIGHTMARE’
Commercial landlords across the UK could be forced to repay substantial sums to tenants after a landmark High Court ruling challenged long-standing practices around insurance commissions In a case involving London s Trocadero Centre and cinema operator Picturehouse, the court found that landlords should not pocket commissions from insurance brokers as part of the premiums charged to tenants The judgment has triggered alarm across the insurance and property sectors, with experts warning of a potential “nightmare” scenario for landlords facing a wave of refund claims The decision could pave the way for hundreds of thousands of pounds in repayments and prompt widespread scrutiny of insurance arrangements in commercial leases The British Property Federation urged greater transparency, saying landlords should disclose all costs, including broker commissions The case echoes previous controversies in the leasehold market, which led to regulatory reforms With many tenants now eyeing their own contracts, this ruling may be the start of a broader industry reckoning
OVER 500 FIRMS NAMED FOR MINIMUM WAGE BREACHES
More than 500 companies, including Capita, Pizza Express, Lidl and British Airways, have been publicly named by the government for failing to pay workers the minimum wage The Department for Business and Trade revealed that 518 employers underpaid nearly 60 000 staff a total of £7 4 million following HMRC investigations from 2015 to 2022 Firms also faced financial penalties of up to 200% of the amount owed Capita topped the list underpaying 5 543 workers by £1 15 million due to issues such as unpaid login time for call centre staff The company said the money was repaid in full Pizza Express owed £760,701 to over 8,000 staff due to a historic unintentional technicality, while Lidl underpaid 3,423 workers by £286,437 British Airways was cited for underpaying new cabin crew between 2014 and 2017 Employment rights minister Justin Madders said “There is no excuse for employers to undercut their workers
HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES OPERATING AT A LOSS
A third of pubs, bars restaurants, and hotels are now running at a loss due to recent government tax increases, pushing many to the brink of collapse, industry leaders warn A new survey by UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association, and others found that £3 4 billion in additional costs hit the sector in April largely due to a rise in employer national insurance contributions from 13 8% to 15%, a lower NI threshold, and increased business rates The result has been severe: 60% of operators have cut jobs, nearly two-thirds have reduced staff hours, and more than half have scrapped investment plans Three-quarters have raised prices to stay afloat The sector, which employs nearly 940,000 people and contributes £26 2 billion to the UK economy, says the cost burden threatens its survival Trade bodies are calling for urgent tax reforms including a VAT cut and reversal of national insurance hikes The Treasury maintains it supports hospitality through targeted relief measures
Mosque trust issued warning over investment loss
T h e Ch ar it y Co m mi s s i o n has issu ed an official warnin g t o t h e E a s t L o nd o n Mo sque Trust after it lost £1 mi ll i o n t h ro u gh a f ai l ed in ves tmen t, c it in g s eri o u s concerns o ver financial misma na ge me nt a n d la c k o f oversight by the tru stees
Announcing regulatory
a c t i o n t o d a y , t h e C o m m i s s i o n s a i d t h e t r u s t e e s h a d “ f a i l e d t o responsibly manage charity funds” and did not exercise p r o p e r o v e r s i g h t o f t h e m o s q u e ’ s f i n a n c i a l a c t i v ities
CHANGE OF NAME
I, SABINA, RESIDENT OF 119 HEATHCOTT ROAD, LEICESTER, LE2 6LS, UNITED KINGDOM, DECLARES THAT I HAVE CHANGED MY NAME FROM SABINA TO SABINA NURANI, AND NOW I AM KNOWN AS SABINA NURANI.
The warning relates to a £ 1 m i n v e s t m e n t t h e t r u s t made in an NHS-approved supplier, with the expectation of a 20% return within six months However, the company went into administration, and the entire sum was lost
F o u n d e d i n 1 9 1 0 , t h e East London Mosque is one of the UK’s oldest and most prominent places of worship The trust overseeing its operations reported the loss to the Commission in F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 3 A s u b s equent review by the regulator found that the trustees had failed to conduct adequate due diligence before entering into the deal and h a d n o t t h o r o u g h l y reviewed key documents
T h e C o m m i s s
previously warned the trust to tighten financial controls
made
Now, following the formal warning, the charity has been given six months to take corrective action This includes commissioning an independent review of its
submitting the findings to the Commission The trust
efforts to recover the
funds Failure to
Ian Edwards
Eid on the Square returns to Trafalgar Square
T h e M ayo r o f L o nd o n, Sadiq Khan, has announced th at the popu lar Eid o n the Square festiv al will return to
T ra fa lg a r S qu ar e o n
Sunday, 8 June 2025 Th is free, fam ily-friend ly ev ent will celebrate Eid al-Ad ha with a rich sho wcase of culture, fo od , entertainm ent, and Islamic-insp ired art in o ne of th e c ap ital’ s m o st iconic p ublic spaces
The festival will be hoste
Haroon Rashid and feature
a diverse programme of per-
Mesut Kurtis, the traditional Qawwali group Chand Ali
dren’s favourites Omar & Hana
Visitors will also enjoy
Creative Arts Family Zone Rumi’s Cave, presented by S
provide
and creative writing Halal
Tourism Britain will lead guided walking tours and present a pop-up Muslim Museum of Britain
The festival market will
ellery, and a wide range of
fried chicken and churros F
tents for men and women on the North Terrace and a
reflection in the south-east corner
noon to 6pm and is delivered in partnership with the
C
Group Mayor Sadiq Khan said, “Eid on the Square is one of the highlights of our capital’s cultural calendar It
opportunity for Londoners a
grounds to unite and celebrate the huge contribution Muslim Londoners make to our city Together we can continue to show that our
strength Eid Mubarak!”
Muslim Aid, highlighted the festival’s role in empowering young voices through
tives to foster a more compassionate future
Ima Miah, representing
Group, added, “This event reflects the diversity, cre-
t y o f London’s Muslim communities and we ’ re excited to welcome everyone to share in the joy, culture and spirit of Eid al-Adha ”
Families overpaying by £3,000 for basic funerals
Ber eav ed families are payin g up to £3, 000 m or e tha n nec-
e ssa ry for basic fun era l se rv ice s, as man y fail to compare pr ice s an d a re ta ke n a dva n-
t a ge of du rin g emo tio na lly
v uln era ble time s Exclusive research shared with The Times reveals that the cost of a simple, attended f u n e r a l c a n v a r y b y m o r e than £3,000 between funeral providers operating just a few miles apart, despite offering near-identical services
In London, basic funeral prices range from £1,140 to £4,300 Similar disparities are s e e n i n o t h e r c
n
Liverpool, costs range from £1,285 to £3,050; in Leeds, from £1,300 to £2,740 Even i n G l a s g o w t h e c i t y w i t h the smallest difference the price gap was still 85 per cent
A basic funeral typically covers collection and care of the deceased, a standard coffin, hearse, cremation, an urn or container for ashes, and a short service Administrative tasks such as arranging nece s s a r y d o c u m e n t a t i o n a r e u s u
extras like embalming, floral tributes, viewings, music, and family limousines are generally charged separately
The findings come as the C o m p e t i t i o n a n d M a r k e t s Authority (CMA) continues to scrutinise the £2 billion funeral industry The CMA began investigating in 2018 due to concerns about steep price rises and poor transparency
T h o u g h t h e p a n d e m i c delayed its inquiry, the regulator ultimately concluded the market was not working w e l l I t i n t r o d u c e d r u l e s requiring funeral directors to clearly display prices and submit operational data A 2023 review found about 25 per cent of firms were still
n o n -c o m p l i a n t , p r o m p t i n g enforcement action against more than 100 businesses
The CMA is currently cons u l t i n g o n w h e t h e r t o launch a fresh market investigation
The data was compiled by The Farewell Guide, the UK’s first funeral comparis o n s i t e , w h i c h s u r v e y e d prices from 6,000 providers I t f o u n d s t r i k
t s : T a n d
i d g e i n Surrey had the highest average cost for a basic funeral at £3,360, while in Wyre Forest, W o r c e s t e r s h i r e , t h e s a m e service averaged just £1,650
Manchester gurdwara holds vigil for Pahalgam victims
anchester
those lost both Indian and Nepalese and served as a reaffirmation of shared values: peace, unity, and collec-
G e n e r a l o f I n d i a i n Manchester, shortly after the i n a u g u r a t i o n o f t h e c i t y ’ s n e w C o n s u l a t e G e n e r a l office
Y a d u v a n s h i j o i n e d t h e congregation for Sukhmani Sahib Keertan, offered her personal Ardaas before the G u r u G r a n t h S a h i b , a n d shared in Guru ka Langar
H
simplicity
comed by several prominent figures from the local Indian community, including Shri J a s
and founder of the ‘Educate Punjab Project’; Dr Rajinder
Dr Kapilmeet Kaur, consul-
Hospital
The gathering not only condemned the violence in Pahalgam but also served as a collective call for peace, an act of remembrance transformed into one of healing and resistance to hatred In
Spiritual gathering in Crawley draws thousands
A w eek-long spiritual even t hosted by the Gurjar Hindu Un ion in Crawl ey conc luded on
within our community,” said a spokesperson for the Gurjar Hindu Union “Pujya Bhaishri’s
Friday, M ay 31, with an impressive turnout of around 14,000 peopl e over s even days
The Shrimad Bhagwat Katha, delivered by the esteemed Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai, was held at the Apple Tree Centre and proved to be a transformative experience for the local Hindu community and beyond
ings of the Sikh Gurus and the shared values of compassion, humility, and service
As a token of appreciation, Dr Rajinder Pal Singh presented her with a signed copy of his book, ‘Journey Across Boundaries’, a reflection on the enduring bonds b
Government; and
nuclear physicist and advisor to the
echoed this sentiment, urging unity beyond all divisions and drawing on the teach-
t w e e n S i k h a n d H i n d u communities and the spirit of unity that transcends cultural and regional lines
Approximately 2,000 attendees gathered each day to listen to the revered spiritual leader, whose powerful oratory and deep insights into the ancient Bhagwat Purana struck a profound chord with audiences Far from being a purely religious gathering, this year ’ s Katha placed a strong emphasis on holistic health, wellbeing, and combating loneliness
“The sheer number of attendees is a testament to the spiritual hunger
discourse touched hearts, inspired healthy lifestyles, and created a real sense of belonging It helped people reconnect not just with their faith, but also with each other ” The event served as a much-needed space for reflection, connection, and communal support in an increasingly fragmented world The organisers noted that the Katha’s focus on social cohesion and emotional wellness made it especially relevant to today’s challenges
The Gurjar Hindu Union extended its heartfelt thanks to Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai, the dedicated volunteers, and the thousands who participated The organisation hopes the positive energy generated during the week will continue to inspire and uplift the community
Sadiq Khan
Vishakha Yaduvanshi (third from left) with the members of the community at Gurdwara Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib
Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza
Pujya Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza delivering the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha
University of Liverpool to open first campus in Bengaluru
The U niv ersity of Liverp ool
h as rec ei v
university and a sig nificant step fo rward in UK-India educational ties
The Bengaluru campus is set to welcome its
and postgraduate students in August 2026 Initial prog
Biomedical Sciences, and, for the first time among UK institutions in India,
G a m e D e s i g n A w i d e r range of subjects will be introduced in the following years
V i c e - C h a n c e l l o r
Professor Tim Jones said:
“We are delighted to have received approval from the
U n i v e r s i t y G r a n t s
C o m m i s s i o n t o o p e n
Bengaluru’s first international campus The Indian government’s commitment to expanding higher education is visionary, and we are proud to be a part of this
p r o g r e s s K a r n a t a k a a n d Bengaluru in particular is a natural fit for our expansion, building on the strong p a r t n e r s h i p s w e ’ v e c u l t ivated in the region Our goal is to deliver exceptional education and foster a research culture that supp o r t s s t u d e n t s , i n d u s t r y , and society ”
S t u d e n t s a t t h e n e w campus will benefit from
the academic excellence of a Russell Group university, k n o w n f o r i t s s t r o n g e m p l o y e r l i n k
alumni network, and commitment to innovation and enterprise Indian students w i l l a l s o g a i n a c c e s s t o Liverpool’s global mobility o p p o r t u n i t i e s ,
g academic and professional experiences in the UK and i n
K
dents, in turn, will have the opportunity to study in one of India’s leading innovation hubs
Lindy Cameron, British H i g h C o m
India, described the develo p m e n t
m
k moment” in the UK-India relationship: “Young people are at the heart of our p
d
d shared growth This new campus deepens academic collaboration and opens up opportunities for the next generation of leaders ” The university already has deep ties in Karnataka A two-decade research partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health a n d N e u r o s c i e n c e s
(NIMHANS) has influenced WHO vaccine policies on Japanese Encephalitis, sav-
Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru and companies
with Delhi University and AIIMS, where a recent joint initiative targets head and neck cancer
Country Director India
Professor Tariq Ali, ProVice-Chancellor for Global
academic and research collaboration, business innovation, and regional development
The new campus will
Dementia patients face neglect in UK care homes
P
poor
use in UK car e homes, according t o a
w r ep ort by the Ca re Qual it y Commission (CQC)
T h e w a t c
d o g w a r n s that vulnerable residents are often left alone, distressed, a
contributed to preventable deaths With nearly one million people in the UK living
strain, unable to meet grow-
Asian families, the crisis is
language barriers that leave elders especially vulnerable and often misunderstood
D
personal accounts, the report exposes harrowing neglect
Care said, “People are waiting too long for diagnosis and ongoing support Some don’t see a health professional for a year When care fails, the impact is devastating ” British Asian campaigners say this echoes their reality Dementia is still stigmatised in some communities,
leading to delays in seeking help Even when families do reach out, they often face c a r e s e t t i n g
t h a t d o n ’ t accommodate dietary, religious, or linguistic needs crucial elements of dignified care An independent review
,
e d
y Baroness Casey, is underway but won’t report until 2028 Families fear more elders will suffer before change comes “Dementia doesn’t discriminate but sadly, care often does,” said one advocate “No one should be forgotten just because they forget ”
Slough gurdwara fails food safety inspection
A promi nent gurdwa ra in Slough ha s be en hande d a low hygi ene ratin g following a rece nt in specti on by Slough B orough Counci l The Ramgarhia Singh Gurdwara, located on Woodland Avenue, received a 1 out of 5 rating indicating that major improvements are necessary Inspectors visited the site on April 23 and cited significant concerns over hygiene and food safety, despite noting
Reflections on the 41st Sanskrit Traditions Symposium at Trinity College
T h e 4 1 s t ed i ti o n o f th e S a ns kr
F riday, 3 0 May 2025, in the p icturesque su rround ing s of T r i ni ty C o ll eg e , O xf o rd Now a well-established fixture in th e acad em ic calend ar, th e e v
b ro u g h t together scholars and stud ent s f ro m ar ou n d th e w orld to explore the depth and d iv ersity of Sanskrit trad itions
O r g a n i s e d b y D r
R e m b e r t L u t j e h a r m s , D r J e s s i c a F r a z i e r , a n d D r
B j a r n e W e r n i c k e - O l e s e n , this year ’ s Symposium continued its longstanding tradition of rigorous yet collegial scholarly engagement
The day's programme featured a selection of pre-circulated papers that invited
d e t a i l e d d i s c u s s i o n o n a range of topics central to the study of Sanskrit intellectual and religious history
P r e s e n t a t i o n s i n c l u d e d contributions from Dr Tillo Detige (Rutgers University),
D r L u c i a n W o n g ( O x f o r d Centre for Hindu Studies),
Dr Mikel Burley (University o f L e e d s ) , a n d G o n z a l o F e r n a n d e z ( U n i v e r s i t y o f O x f o r d ) T h e i r p a p e r s spanned subjects as varied a s t h e D i g a m b a r
bharaka traditions and the
R e s p o n d e n
d prominent scholars in the field: Prof James Mallinson (University of Oxford), Dr Lubomír Ondračka (Charles U n i v e r s i t y ) , D r W e r n i c k eO l e
sparked
one of open inquiry, with
early-career researchers and
commemorative group photograph captured the spirit
engaged, and deeply comm
Sanskrit traditions
A particularly poignant moment was the presence of Prof Dermot Killingley, who initiated the original series of seminars under the name Sanskrit Traditions in the Modern World in 1984 His attendance served as a living
that the building’s structural compliance was “good ”
The council’s report stressed that hygiene standards required urgent attention, with safety procedures also falling short of expectations Despite the poor official rating, the gurdwara remains well-regarded by the community and online visitors On Google Reviews, it holds an impressive 4 7 out of 5 score, based on 271
reviews
One visitor wrote, “Loved the visit peaceful and calming Langar was delicious and free as always ” Another praised its role in the local Sikh community, saying: “It’s a very good spiritual place for the Sikh community in Slough The langar is provided daily by those who visit ”
The gurdwara has not yet commented publicly on the inspection findings or how it plans to respond
Representatives from the University of Liverpool and the Indian government
Students and scholars pose for a group photo at the symposium
From faith to fury: Why terror thrives in cultural peripheries
Religion is rarely born in violence The world’s great faiths ( J u d a i s m , C h r i s t i a n i t y , I s l a m ,
, Buddhism and Sikhism) emerged from deep civilizational soils: the arid deserts of the Middle East and the fertile Ganges plains
In these heartlands, belief evolved over centuries, integrated with language, culture, and custom But when religion is implanted by conquest or imposed through political design, it often loses its stabilising roots In such peripheries, faith is unmoored from tradition and reshaped into i d e o l o g y B e l i e f b
weaponised and terror finds fertile ground
Pakistan exemplifies this transformation Created in 1947 through a movement driven by religious nationalism, it forged a national identity around politicised Islam, often in opposition to India Over decades, its military and intelligence services treated jihad as strategic policy rather than t h r e a
Mohammed, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, IS-Khorasan, and
Haqqanis, once limited to tribal regions, became a core Taliban faction under Pakistani guidance But this strategy h
Peshawar, mosques bombed, clerics murdered The international fallout is well known, Osama bin Laden was killed by U S forces in Abbottabad, a military town, and 9/11’s operational planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was captured in Rawalpindi These are not isolated extremist acts, they are the blowback of belief weaponised by statecraft
Similar patterns appear elsewhere In the southern Philippines, Abu Sayyaf thrives in communities cut off from cultural continuity In Nigeria, Boko Haram and ISWAP cloak brutality in religious rhetoric, torching schools, bombing churches, and terrorising villages In Somalia, AlShabaab enforces a harsh theocracy in unmoored rural zones These groups do not share doctrine, they share dislocation They arise where religion lacks organic roots and is embraced with the zeal of the convert: absolutist, radical, and political
This is the new geography of terror It is not ancient faiths reclaiming lost ground, it is modern power exploiting historical rupture Where traditional cultures are broken, belief fills the void, but not as philosophy or community It becomes identity, grievance, and finally, violence In these fractured lands, faith no longer binds, it burns What began as sacred has been retooled as fury
Dr Narsinhbhai P atel
Bharat Forecast System
The launch of the Bharat Forecast System is a significant milestone By providing accurate weather predictions, it can enhance agricultural productivity, improve disaster management, and foster informed decisions, ultimately contributing to the nation's growth and prosperity
T S Karthik
Britain should return the Kohinoor to India
The Koh-i-Noor, meaning "Mountain of Light" in Persian, is a famous, large diamond, now part of the British Crown Jewels, weighing 105 6 carats after being recut It has a complex history, having been owned by various rulers and empires in India and Persia before ending up in British hands in 1849
The British got a five-year-old Indian prince to gift the Kohinoor diamond to them Hence, it’s no longer morally defensible for UK to hold on to this loot The honourable thing to do is to return it from where they took it – India
The Kohinoor was mined in India and was one of the largest diamonds ever mined After changing hands among various kings in India for centuries, it found its way to the legendary Ranjit Singh, who ruled Punjab The British conquered Punjab after his death in 1849 and installed his five-year-old son Daleep Singh as the king under the regency of the British Later, they got this child to gift the diamond to them They also moved Daleep Singh to England, converted him to Christianity and did not allow him to meet his mother or any other Indian relative, so that he wouldn’t be aware of his heritage
After Queen Victoria’s death, the Kohinoor was set in the crown of Queen Alexandra, the wife of King Edward VII, and that was used to crown her at their coronation in 1902 The diamond was then transferred to Queen Mary’s crown in 1911, and then to the queen mother’s crown in 1937 The Kohinoor diamond was also worn by Queen Elizabeth-II during her reign as the monarch of England The Kohinoor diamond is now part of the British monarch It is currently on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, seen by millions of visitors every day With King Charles-III succeeding to the throne after his mother’s death (Queen Elizabeth-II) on 8 September, 2022, the 105-carat diamond, which is steeped in history, will go to his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla, who has now become queen consort Hence, we Indians would like King Charles-III to return the Kohinoor diamond to its rightful owner, ie, India Jubel D' Cruz
K A P I L’S K H I C H A D I Kashmir – The Truth
Kashmi r is never out of the headli nes And in mos t articles, especially those written by, or s upported by western woke publications, there has been a systematic attempt to re-write the hi story of J ammu and Kashmir In fac t, one could go as far as saying that most of these publications are j ust plai n li es
The narrative of the Islamists and their appeasers is such that they have even managed to confuse Indians So whilst I do not claim to be an expert on Indian history, or on Jammu and Kashmir, or on Bharat Varsh, or on Sanathan Dharma, I do feel that I have sufficient grasp of the fundamentals to lay out a few truths in a simple format for everyone The table below is not exhaustive, but it gives a flavour of the difference between India and Pakistan, and the true status of Jammu and Kashmir
Let us also be very clear, in 1947 during the transition period from British rule to Indian independence, the British made it mandatory that every princely state that wished to be part of India had to sign the Instrument of Accession This was an agreement structured by the British Government on behalf of Her Majesty, and her envoy Lord Mount Batten was the designated person who signed all these agreements The Instrument of Accession (Jammu and Kashmir) was signed on October 26, 1947 Meaning, the British Parliament and Her Majesty gave concurrence to the agreement and made it legal under national and international law This is the ONLY legal position on Jammu and Kashmir Do not waste your time engaging in any discussion that deviates away from this fundamental legal position The Pakistani terrorist state is the aggressor, it is illegally occupying Indian territory, and it is in breach of the terms of partition from India Jammu and Kashmir has always been integral to India It has been integral to Bharat Varsh for thousands of years It has been integral to Sanathan Dharmic traditions for thousands of years And do remember, Jammu and Kashmir has been Dharma bhoomi for thousands of years, well before Islam was even made up in 610CE So, when Pakistani Muslims tell you of their rights, remind them of the rights of those who have been integral to those lands for thousands of years The land of Maharishi Kashyapa will always be integral to India Jai Hind
Continuation from page 3
Bernard: Well, Prime Minister, it s a bit like calling a loss a win if you shout loudly enough Half our people think we won the world cup –the football one! We will be fine
PM H acker: Exactly And if we don't shout, someone else will
General Munir: Precisely It's imperative we control the narrative
PM Hac ker: Very well Let s proceed with the "Decisive Victory" narrative
Ge n er al M un i
Prime Minister I shall send our diplomats to all the countries that
,
Operation Victory Parade
support us – both of them And don’t forget, next month, we take up t h e C h a i r m a n s h i p o f t h e U N
Security Council
Bernard: Well timed indeed We still got it We might not have much, but we got terror You can’t tariff that export Mr Trump I'll prepare the press release, then PM Hacker: Make sure it emphasizes our strategic success and the valour of our forces Poor boys, never won a war yet Still haven’t got over 1971
Bernard: Of course, Prime Minister General Munir: And perhaps a parade to celebrate our strategic success?
PM H acker: Splendid idea Nothing boosts morale like a good parade Make sure you show of our finest Chinese missiles
B ernard: Ummm yes, the made in China thing hasn’t worked out so w e l l W e , u m m m , m
refund on that
PM H ac ker: Oh great! Get the Head of the World Bank on the phone I need a drink of water I am sure he will agree we won and why we need more loans
[They all stand, the atmosphere filled w
triumph ]
Kapil Dudakia
T A H I R A ’ S S T O R Y
of strength and service
As Volunteers’ Week (2–8 June 2024) gets underway, a London woman living with a rare genetic condition is calling on others to help make a difference by volunteering
T a h i r a M a t h u r , 3 1 , f r o m
L o n d o n , f o l l o w i n g a s e r i e s o f
MRIs and genetic tests in 2022, was diagnosed with GNE myopathy, an ultra-rare genetic disorder that leads to muscle weakness and wasting, usually beginning in
t h e f e e t a n d l o w e r l i m b s a n d gradually spreading to other parts of the body Although she is still able to walk with the help of orthotics and a walking stick, her mobility is significantly affected Uneven terrain, crowded spaces, and bad weather can make it particularly difficult for her to move around
The mother of one reflected on her long journey to diagnosis, “My journey to a diagnosis wasn’t straightforward In my early 20s, I started to notice small changes in the way that I walked I was struggling to lift my feet, often tripping
a n d f a l l i n g v e r y f r e q u e n t l y
Climbing stairs became particularly challenging, I couldn’t run anymore and even simple everyday tasks became harder
“ I t t o o k a f e w y e a r s , b u t receiving a diagnosis was a huge relief Then the reality hit me quite hard – this was a progressive
c o n d i t i o n w i t h n o c u r e W h a t would my future look like?”
Despite the challenges, Tahira
affected by muscle-wasting conditions S h e
Panel, a group comprised of individuals affected by muscle-wasting conditions, either directly or indirectly The panel plays a crucial role in reviewing research grant applications to ensure they align with the charity’s strategic goals and address the real needs of those living with neuromuscular conditions
While a cure remains elusive, Tahira remains hopeful that cont i n u e d r e s e a r c h
breakthroughs for future generations
Alongside her research advocacy, Tahira actively fundraises and raises awareness through her
which she launched in late 2023 The fund supports the charity’s mission to advance research and provide crucial services for people living with these conditions She
work and to promote greater visibility, inclusion, and action
“Being diagnosed with a neu-
incredibly isolating,” Tahira said “It’s a lot to process and it’s easy to feel like no one really understands That’s why charities, like Muscular Dystrophy UK, are so
practical support, but a real sense
meet-ups, Information Days or simply being a trusted place to turn when you ’ re navigating a life-altering diagnosis, that support can make all the difference ” Tahira added, “Volunteering for Muscular Dystrophy UK is an opportunity for me to try and help make a difference It’s given me a sense of purpose and a comm
y understand the unique challenges of living with a neuromuscular condition I’d encourage anyone with time or lived experience to get involved Together, we can make a difference ” Tahira is also an active member of the charity’s South Asian
group
NHS trials breast cancer screening for women as young as 30
W omen in E ngland c ould soon be offered breast c anc er checks from the age of 30, as part of a new NH S trial aiming to catch the disease earlier
T h e B r e a s t C a n c e r R i s k
A s s e s s m e n t i n Y o u n g W o m e n (BCan-Ray) study, led by Dr Sacha Howell of the Christie Hospital in Manchester, has so far tested 719 women aged 30 to 39 Of these, 548 have already received a letter outlining their personal risk of developing the disease
Currently, NHS breast cancer
s c r e e n i n g b e g i n s a t a g e 5 0 However, early results show that
nearly one in five women in their 30s have an increased risk More than 10,000 younger women are d i a g n o s e d w i t h b r e a s t c a n c e r annually in the UK, and the disease is the leading cause of death among women under 50, claiming 2,000 lives each year
The trial includes a low-dose mammogram, a saliva sample for DNA testing, and a detailed questionnaire to generate a personalised risk score, in collaboration w
women could be offered annual
30s
Dr Howell, who treated Girls
before her death from breast cancer at 39, said, “About two thirds
cancer don’t have a family history We want to identify women at
The research is backed by the S a r a h H
Appeal and is expanding across more hospitals Experts say the study could help shape a national plan for faster diagnosis and more personalised screening
Supporting South Asian women through menopause
A new o rganisatio n d ed icated to s
in the UK
The Sattva Collective, a recently registered Community Interest Company (CIC), aims to provide culturally sensitive support, education, and community for women who are frequently left out of both m a i n s t
conversations
F o u n d e d b y M i d l i f e a n d
M e n o p a u s e C o a c h K i r a n S i n g h , the Collective is the first UK-based initiative of its kind to centre the unique experiences of South Asian women during this deeply personal and often stigmatised life stage “South Asian women are navi-
without the language, space, or support to express what they’re going through,” said Singh
Pesticide found in tampons poses risk to women
A recent stu dy reveals that wom en face a h ealth risk fro m a to xic chem ical present in so me of the UK s most p opular tampo n brand s
Researchers detected traces of glyphosate, a controversial weedkiller associated with cancer, in certain menstrual products These levels were found to be 40 times higher than the legal safety limit for drinking water
The study's authors cautioned t h a t " U n l
through food or water, chemicals absorbed via the vagina directly enter the bloodstream, bypassing the body’s detoxification systems As a result, even small amounts of h
risk " In July, experts analysed 15 popular tampon brands sold by UK retailers, including Tampax, LilL e t s , a n d o w n
p r o d u c t s from Boots, Superdrug, and Tesco
An analysis of one unidentified s a m p l e r e v e a l e d 0 0 0 4 m g / k g o f glyphosate, according to a study c o n d u c t e d b y a c o n s o r t i u m o f o r g a n i s a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g t h e
Pesticide Action Network (PAN), t h e W o m e n ’ s E n v i r o n m e n t a l N e t w o r k ( W E N ) , a n d T h e
Pesticide Collaboration
The 40-page report, which did n o t n a m e s p e c i f i c r e t a i l e r s , a c k n o w l e d g e d t h
l e t h e detected amount "may sound like a small amount," both British and European Union laws set a maximum limit of only 0 0001mg/kg for glyphosate in drinking water
The report explains that pesticides, such as glyphosate, contaminate period products because they are used in the cultivation of cotton, t h e p r i m a r y i n g r e d i e n t i n t a m -
Calls to
pons
The International Agency for R e s e a r c h o n C a n c e r ( I A R C
Organisation, has cautioned that glyphosate, the world's most widel y
linked to cancer Furthermore, the report warns that it has also been associated with the development of Parkinson's disease and other serious health conditions
Ruby Raut, Founder & CEO of WUKA, a sustainable, toxin-free p
mented on this saying, “It’s outrageous that in 2025, we ’ re still finding pesticides and chemicals linked
period products The vagina is one of the most absorbent parts of the body chemicals absorbed here bypass the body’s detox systems and go straight into the bloods t r e a m , u n
e w h e n i n g e s
d through food or water This isn’t just irresponsible, it’s dangerous!”
“It’s clear this is not a fringe issue These are products used by millions every month yet safety regulation, ingredient transparency and oversight remain shockingly absent ”
protect abortion rights as Farage urges law change
C am p a i g ne rs a nd M P s h av e warned that Nig el F arag e ’ s proposal to restrict abortion access could hav e “catas trop hi c consequ ences fo r w omen ” Th e Reform UK leader recently called th e current 24week legal tim e lim it for abortio ns “ lu d i c ro u s ” an d “ to ta lly o u t o f date ” In response, Labour MP Stella
“The Sattva Collective is here to change that We’re reclaiming midlife as a powerful, transformative time and doing it together ” The organisation is currently preparing to launch its full programme in 2025 and is actively seeking funding, sponsorship, and community partners to extend its reach and impact
T h e C o l l e c t i v e w i l l o f f e r monthly community meet-ups in local cafés, educational workshops on hormone health, mental wellbeing, and cultural stigma, and an a n n u a l M i d l i f e S u m m i t , s e t t o launch in January 2026 It will also run public awareness campaigns, create digital resources, and provide one-to-one and group coaching for women seeking more tailored guidance
C r e a s y , a v o c a l a d v o c a t e f o r e n s h r i n i n g a b o r t i o n a s a l e g a l right, accused Farage of echoing tactics seen in the United States “This is all part of the Trumpian p l a y b o o k , ” s h e t o l d T h e I n d e p e n d e n t , s u g g e s t i n g t h a t Farage’s stance is driven more by political strategy than medical evidence
Creasy has tabled an amendm e n t t o L a b o u r ’ s C r i m e a n d
P o l i c i n g B i l l t o g u a r a n t e e a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, warning that access must be protected “regardless of who is in power ” amid growing anti-abortion activism in the UK “Those who want to use women ’ s bodies as a battleground for culture wars either bargain away our rights for votes or fail to act when it matters,” she said
F e l l o w L a b o u r M P T o n i a Antoniazzi, who is pushing for a separate amendment to decriminalise abortion, said no woman should have Nigel Farage “dictat-
ing their reproductive rights ” She highlighted that nearly all abortions 99% take place before 20 weeks, and later procedures are often linked to extreme vulnerability, such as complex foetal anomalies, domestic abuse, or exploitation
“ F a r
women will have an abortion in her lifetime The vast majority of t h
right to choose,” she said T h e B r i
P
e g n a n c y Advisory Service (BPAS) also condemned Farage’s remarks, stating that there is no medical justification for reducing the abortion time
experts have confirmed this Any such move would have devastating
O’Brien
Despite claiming to be “ pro-
stance at a recent press conference, citing what he sees as an inconsistency in the law “If a baby born at 22 weeks can survive with medical help, how can we justify abortions at 24 weeks?” he asked BPAS is backing Antoniazzi’s amendment, calling it a “ compassionate and considered” reform to what it describes as outdated legislation
Tahira Mathur
Ruby Raut
Kiran Singh
B I R Y A N I O N T H E T U B E
A spoonful of culture or a recipe for outrage?
A viral TikTok v ideo of an Ind iano rigin wom an eating curry and rice w ith her right hand while sp eaking on th e pho ne aboard a L ond on Underground train has ig nited a fiery o nline debatetouching on cultural trad itions, p ublic etiquette, and the boundaries of personal space
The woman is seen casually enjoying her meal, a practice deeply rooted in many South Asian cultures where eating with hands is both traditional and symbolic However, not all onlookers were appreciative Some Tube passengers and online commentators criticised the act as "unhygienic" and “inappropriate” for a confined public setting like the Underground, where eating is generally discouraged due to the potential for mess and disruption
Others took issue with her speaking loudly on the phone, suggesting it disturbed fellow passengers
The video, which has since circulated widely across platforms like X and Instagram, has drawn mixed reactions P ublic transport etiquette or d iscrimination?
Critics argued that eating such meals with bare hands in public settings lacks basic decorum, with some advising she should use cutlery “It’s stupid to eat in trains like this It’s just not done,” one user wrote “It may not be illegal or immoral, but it does not make for good manners ”
Others, however, defended the woman, calling the backlash culturally insensitive and hypocritical “She’s not bothering anyone She’s eating her food and minding her business,” one commenter wrote “I’ve seen plenty of white people eat burgers with their hands on the train no one says a word ”
Another added, “It’s funny how an Indian woman eating rice with her hands is a crisis, but people don’t bat an eye at Brits eating chips or sandwiches the same way Meanwhile, the night Tube can look like a drug den Priorities, I guess ”
The incident also raised ethical concerns about privacy, with many users questioning the morality of filming someone in a public space without their consent
Several posts accused the backlash of being racially biased and rooted in double standards
One user wrote, “So it’s okay for kebabs, fries, or a footlong sandwich, but a brown woman eating biryani with her hands?
Suddenly it’s unhygienic ”
Another said, “She looked like she was multitasking commuting, eating, and chatting with a friend Honestly, good for her Winning ”
The incident has turned into a wider conversation on cultural norms and how they intersect with public behaviour in multicultural cities like London
A sian Voice p oll reflects com munity perspectiv e
To better understand the community’s sentiments surrounding the viral video of a woman eating biryani with her hand on the London Underground, Asian Voice
conducted a social media poll The results reveal a nuanced debate where opinions on public behaviour, cultural norms, and social expectations are far from black and white
The poll, run via Instagram, found that 56% of respondents felt the backlash against the woman was rooted in narrow perceptions of what constitutes ‘ proper ’ behaviour in Western public spaces, unfairly targeting individuals who do not conform to these standards On the other hand, 44% believed the criticism
on the Tube A statement on London gov uk clarifies:
“There are currently no plans to ban customers from eating or
was justified, suggesting that context or not, there are certain expectations of conduct on public transport
Interestingly, when asked more broadly about eating food with a strong smell on the Tube, a majority (58%) agreed it was unhygienic and inappropriate, regardless of cultural context
Meanwhile, 42% felt that such actions should be judged with cultural sensitivity in mind, especially in a multicultural city like London
When weighing the debate in terms of personal etiquette versus social bias, 65% said the controversy was more about individual behaviour and public manners rather than discriminatory bias However, 35% believed that racial or cultural bias did play a role, highlighting an underlying tension in how people from ethnic backgrounds are perceived when expressing their traditions publicly
In a revealing result, 61% of participants felt that etiquette rules on public transport should be flexible enough to accommodate cultural differences, while 39% preferred a universal standard for all passengers, regardless of background
But perhaps the most sobering insight came from a final question: 59% of respondents said they have felt judged for expressing their culture in public In a country that prides itself on being multicultural, that number is a stark reminder that inclusion is not just about diversity on paper it’s about how differences are accepted in everyday life
Is Eating Allowed on the Tube?
While many assumed the woman broke transit rules, Transport for London does not currently ban eating or drinking
drinking on the transport network
There are circumstances, such as during hot summer weather, when customers are encouraged to carry drinks with them
However, LU does take active steps to encourage customers to eat and drink responsibly for example, recent campaigns have asked customers not to eat foods with strong odour and not to leave litter ”
As debates over hygiene, civic sense, and cultural expression continue to swirl, the video has become more than just a moment of personal routine it has become a flashpoint in an ongoing conversation about coexistence in a diverse public space
Div erse conversations across co ntinents
Several of our readers from both India and London shared their opinions, offering valuable insights into how this issue resonates differently for people in India and those living here in the UK
A reader from India who wishes to be anonymous
She’s damaging the reputation of her community It often feels like some Indians or South Asians
lack basic civic sense starting to eat anywhere without considering the setting
The smell must have been overwhelming Honestly, it's a relief she wasn’t sitting on the floor eating off a banana leaf
Pranali Upadhyay, a lawyer based in India:
This just isn’t acceptable regardless of the culture you come from It s inconsiderate to others around you and has the potential to create a mess
Most cultures value a certain level of politeness and awareness in public spaces, and this behaviour falls short of that
What’s frustrating is how quickly any criticism is
Ilabelled as cultural insensitivity or appropriation
The reality is that such actions often reinforce negative stereotypes about Indians like the derogatory ‘curry muncher’ trope seen on platforms like Twitter These portrayals are harmful, and unfortunately, incidents like this only fuel them
If this had happened on the Delhi Metro, let’s be honest it wouldn’t be tolerated for a second
An anonymous respondent from London
ve lived in London for two years now, and based on my experience, I can say that experience on the Tube is a mixed bag I ve seen a lot some of it ordinary, some unpleasant, and some downright shocking
Let’s start with eating on the Tube It’s surprisingly common People from all backgrounds eat on their commute breakfasts in the mornings, lunchboxes and snacks in the evenings, even full-on meals like pizza or fast food Beer, fruit, crisps nothing is unusual Eating with your hands isn’t rare either, and no one really bats an eye In that sense, Londoners tend to be pretty laid-back and accepting Most people are polite and mind
Iwould
their own business
But it’s not all civil and orderly Loud phone conversations especially underground where reception is poor are irritatingly frequent I often struggle to talk to my parents, even with earphones, because of the noise Things get worse on weekends I’ve seen people urinate in train compartments, drunk passengers being disruptive, and litter cans, bottles, food strewn across the floors Sometimes, groups under the influence blast music on Bluetooth speakers or harass fellow commuters Fights occasionally break out These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of the unspoken reality of London transport,
particularly after dark
So when I see a video going viral about a woman eating biryani with her hands on the Tube, I can't help but feel there’s more at play Eating on the Tube is commonplace But when it involves someone who doesn’t fit the “mainstream” image, say, an Indian woman, it becomes content A stereotype I’ve seen this before: comments about our accents, body odour, or how we dress The reaction to this video feels like a continuation of that same pattern
Yes, there are things about the Tube that are unpleasant But eating biryani quietly? That’s really not one of them
Kiran Ruparelia, a photographer based in London
like to raise that on many occasions, I have been in trains where non-Indian origin people are eating “normal” Western food, that has included kebabs, American fast food, tuna sandwiches, etc, by hand
These foods stink, and these people commonly use both hands to eat and lick all their fingers. Nobody judges.
The fact someone felt this
should be made into a video and the disproportionate reaction to the video of the woman eating biryani on the Underground is a double standard The skin colour and food were different, but the action and context were not That said, I wouldn t be inclined to copy what was happening in the video, but that’s my personal preference.
Is Britain really an ‘Island of Strangers’?
Whether overt or implicit, the messaging from across the spectrum increasingly suggests that Britain is retreating inward, excluding those who don't fit an outdated image of who a "real Briton" is The Conservative Party, under figures like Kemi Badenoch, continues to push for tighter immigration controls Badenoch has argued that only migrants who are net contributors to the economy should be eligible for permanent settlement an approach that could exclude around 1 4 million people over the next five years Her comments implying that some cultures are superior to others have been widely criticised as “dangerous rhetoric,” casting doubt on her credibility as a champion of social cohesion
Meanwhile, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, takes an even more hardline approach The party leader proposes punitive economic measures against foreign workers, such as raising employers’ National Insurance contributions to 20%; and calls for Britain to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and repeal the Human Rights Act These radical steps, he argues, are essential to restoring control over immigration
All of this is when, as of 2024, the United Kingdom has experienced a significant decline in net migration, marking the most substantial annual decrease on record According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), net migration dropped to 431,000 in 2024, nearly halving from 860,000 in 2023
Given these positions, one is left to wonder: is Britain edging closer to the far right? If so, the country may have just taken one step forward and two steps back Experts weigh in on Labour polici es Community members and leaders have voiced deep disappointment over the increasingly anti-immigration stance adopted by those in power, many even doing so through the pages of Asian Voice
Their frustration is rooted in the fact that immigrant communities, who have long called the UK home, have consistently contributed to the country’s welfare
From bolstering the economy to supporting the NHS and public services, these communities have never shied away from their responsibilities The current rhetoric, they say, not only overlooks these contributions but actively undermines the values of inclusion and respect that Britain claims to uphold and the experts second their voices
According to Dr Maya G oodfellow, Presi dential Fe llow, C ity St George’ s, Universi ty of London and the author of ‘ Hosti le Envi ronm ent: How I mmigrants Became Sc apegoats’, "The Labour government haven't challenged anti-immigration narratives but have instead deepened them This matters not just because of the impact that negative discourse about
immigration has on people arriving and living here but also because it signals the direction of travel in terms of policy
“It seems Labour plans to make what is already an incredibly strict, stigmatising immigration system even more hostile, which will only hurt some of the most marginalised people further "
Similarly, Profess or N ando Sigona, Professor of In ternati onal Mi gration an d Forced Displacemen t said, “Starmer’s proposals tighten immigration
rules significantly - increasing English language requirements, extending the residency period for settlement, and ending new social care visas While framed as a correction to Conservative policies, these changes appear politically motivated, aimed at appeasing right-wing media and voters drawn to Reform UK
“This approach risks deepening labour shortages in sectors like social care and higher education and panders to antimigrant sentiment and could inflame xenophobia
“Starmer’s unwillingness to relitigate Brexit means that the White Paper blames the Tories for the growth in net-migration but without explaining why this is the case, ultimately shifting blame for the current situation onto migrants who have come to the UK in good faith and according to the rules ”
Si an Norris, sen ior inves ti gati on s reporter at
openDemocracy, who has reported extensively on immigration policy also commented and offered a more human approach saying, "While we have seen some positive policy changes on immigration, such as cancelling Rwanda, processing asylum claims from irregular arrivals, and committing to close large-scale accommodation sites, Labour s rhetoric on this issue has been divisive From framing immigration as causing harm to Britain, to using distressing language about becoming an island of strangers, Labour is framing immigration as a problem, and in doing so, they are putting community cohesion and human rights at risk
“Everyone says we need an honest conversation about immigration, well, to me that means looking at and celebrating the ways immigration benefits Britain, telling the human stories behind asylum and immigration in order to promote empathy and respect, and ending the borders industrial complex so that people in the immigration system are put before profit Do that, and hopefully we will see more progressive legislation, too " Level- headed voic es from within
As we see a great majority of leaders taking a stance that aligns
with their party, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London has come forward in support of the immigrants
Appearing on a news channel, the mayor showed his support for immigrants and he did so providing statistics He said, “A skilled migrant will contribute, on average, 16,000 pounds a year towards our economy, and that's when you include the public services he or she may use By the way, compare that to a Brit skilled worker, that's 800 pounds minus the public services they use And here's the lovely stat, a skilled migrant's family will contribute to the British economy 12,000 pounds a year
“That's even when you take away public services they use, a British skilled worker's family takes from the economy 4000 to 400 pounds when you include public services they use So the idea that skilled migrants are sponges, or, you know, skivers, it just isn't the case
”
Similarly, J erem y Corbyn, a former Labour leader, shared his opinion speaking at the parliament He said, “When he's
(Keir Starmer) finished denigrating every community that's made their homes in this country, will he just reflect for a moment on the massive contribution made in education, in health, in transport, and in many other industries by people who have come to this country?
“When he goes to a hospital, does he criticise those people who have come from another country and are working in our hospitals, looking after us in our health services? Or is he only interested in denigrating people because they were born speaking a different language and look different from him?”
Sectors under pressure
The UK's recent immigration reforms, particularly the cessation of international recruitment for adult social care roles, have intensified existing workforce challenges in the sector With an increasing need of social care workers and workforce to support a struggling NHS, already being held up by the immigrants, no one can really guess how Keir Starmer plans on employing Britons to a workforce they have no interest in
According to Dr Dora-O livia Vic ol, CEO of the Work R ights Cen tre, “None of the 39,000
workers who, by the government’s own admission, were tricked by rogue sponsors, have been compensated for their financial loss Scores of people are still in limbo, pressured to find a new visa sponsor, not permitted to take up work elsewhere, and precariously relying on food vouchers or the charity of friends to get by
“This government seems hell-bent on making life harder for migrant workers who themselves are at the mercy of an immigration system they have had no say in We need
harsher penalties for employers who abuse migrant workers on Certificates of Sponsorship, and more protection for workers
This would act as a real deterrent for those who seek to exploit for profit, and help fund a much-needed worker compensation scheme ”
When it comes to higher education and research, this is the sector, apart from health and social care, that will face the most immigration related issues
While the government maintains that it wants to keep the UK an attractive destination for top students and researchers, the proposed changes mark a sharp shift in tone and policy
Universities UK, a higher education body, has projected that policy changes will result in a £1 398 billion funding cut for institutions by the 2025-26 academic year
This analysis, shared with Politics Home, highlights growing uncertainty within the sector regarding the extent of the government's higher education reforms and the figures emerge as universities already grapple with financial strains
Viv ienne Ste rn, UUK Chi ef Exe cu tive, expressed her concern to, stating, "It does feel like in the last few weeks, we have had a series of announcements that rather than helping to address the underlying financial challenges facing the sector, just make them a bit worse "
Stern emphasised that while ministers claim to understand the system's pressures and aim for long-term stabilisation, the sector needs "a little bit less conversation, a bit more action, please " She noted that universities have been working to improve efficiencies and cut costs, and it's now the government's turn to "make a contribution to sustaining and improving the higher education and research system, which this country relies on "
This comes at a time when the UK can really attract students as the United States reels from sweeping science funding cuts and a hostile stance towards its top universities Britain is poised to become the global leader in science and research, but held back by restrictive immigration policies
Sir Ad rian S mi th, Pr esi de nt of the Roy al Soci ety, has warned that the UK cannot capitalise on America’s hostility unless it reforms its immigration system, especially the exorbitant visa and healthcare surcharges faced by foreign researchers
Ultimately, the UK’s immigration policy may inadvertently introduce longterm risks to the country’s progress Balancing the need for controlled immigration with the benefits of attracting global talent is crucial Policymakers must consider the potential economic, social, and cultural impacts of these reforms to ensure they support the nation's growth and uphold its values of inclusivity and openness
Dr Maya Goodfellow
Prof Nando Sigona
Sian Norris
Sadiq Khan
Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol
Jeremy Corbyn
“I’m doing well in India, I don’t need asylum”
B o o ke r wi n n er B a nu
Mus htaq has rejected asylum o ffers, is affirming her co mmitment to India, and
s h e ’ s p l an ni n g t o wi n another Booker just to wear a Mysuru silk sari
I n t e
Prize winner Banu Mushtaq
f i r m
tion about seeking asylum in the UK, saying she has no desire to leave India
“ I ’ m d o i n g g
d i n India, I will stay in India, and I don’t have any necessity to knock on London’s doors for asylum,” she said
o
recently, was speaking at a felicitation organised by the
writer recounted a striking exchange during a promot i o n a l
where an audience member asked if she was considering asylum “because of unrest in India ” The woman even o f f e r e d t o “ f
process
me ” The next morning, as she was preparing to head to court (Mushtaq is a practicing advocate), reporters gathered at her doorstep “I had no idea how to react,” she said with a laugh A s h e r b
shortlist, she secretly began w
speech four days ahead of
“My publisher told me not to get my hopes up it was
after all But I told myself
“ I t o l d h e r c l e a r l y I don’t want it We will continue to live in India Who
t o l d y o u t h e r e ’ s u n r e s t ? ”
M u s h t a q r e c a l l e d , c a l l i n g the moment an unexpected “googly” during the discussion
Reflecting on her time i n L o n d o n , s h e a c k n o w ledged the city’s rich literary culture stating, “London is a cultural capital Many writers have made it their home and produced great work ” She also marvelled at the
s t r o n g E n g l i s h - l a n g u a g e readership in the UK, noting that her English publisher has already done business worth over 6 crore with her prizewinning book ‘Heart Lamp ’
Mushtaq admitted she was initially unaware of the s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h e International Booker Prize
“I got a call from the publisher at 8 PM saying we were ‘longlisted’ I didn’t know what that meant My children had to explain it to
founded by Grammy-nominated producer Maejor and
Once upon a time... then TikTok happened
Childre n ’ s books a re getting shor ter, mirroring shrinking at tention span s and a digitalfir st gener ation incr easin gly dra wn to fast , flee ting conte nt
According to a Sunday Times analysis of top-rated c
length of children’s novels h
from 193 pages in the 1930s (Swallows and Amazons) to j
2020s
A
z sparked debate last month when he suggested that even his own Alex Rider novels, mostly over 300 pages, might now be “too long” to hook young readers That concern is backed by a survey of 504
84% said students’ attention spans have shortened since the COVID lockdowns
Experts say digital media
I’d win it, 500%,” she said with quiet confidence Mushtaq also shared a light-hearted memory from her trip: the chaos of losing her medicines and suitcase on the way to London Her daughter, who flew in from B
sari but not the Mysuru silk she had wanted to wear for the Booker reception
filled,” she said to applause “So let’s aim to win another one, just to wear the sari ” Mushtaq made history as the first Kannada-language author to win the International Booker Prize Her award-winning collec-
inner lives of working-class Muslim women in smalltown Karnataka, often nav-
and resilience with quiet strength
TikTok, with its rapid, looping videos, most under
stimulation that traditional reading can't match While the general trend is toward brevity, the 2000s briefly defied it thanks to
Anupam Kher’s directorial shines at star-studded UK premiere
A fter m aking wav es at the 2 0 2 5 C a nne s F i l m Festiv al, Anu pam Kh er ’ s latest directorial v entu re, ‘T anvi The Great’ , lit up Lo nd on with its glittering U K prem iere at th e iconic
A n i l A g a rw al R i v er si d e
Studios
T h e r e d c a r p e t w a s r o l l e d o u t i n s t y l e a s guests arrived for a champagne reception, followed b y a s c r e e n i n g o f t h e m u c h - a n t i c i p a t e d f i l m and an intimate Q&A session moderated by Kher h i m s e l f T h e e v e n i n g brought together a constellation of stars, including the f i l m ’ s e n s e m b l e c a s t : Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi, Karan Tacker, a n d d e b u t a n t S h u b h a n g i Dutt
The premiere drew an e c l e c t i c c r o w d o f f i l m , media, and business person-
a l i t i e s N o t a b l e g u e s t s i n c l u d e d B e n d I t L i k e Beckham director Gurinder
C h a d h a , a c t o r s N i t i n
G a n a t r a , A d e e l A k h t a r , Sacha Dhawan, and Preeya Kalidas, as well as Vedanta Limited CEO and Riverside
S t u d i o s p a t r o n A n i l Agarwal The former Vice
i a , M Venkaiah Naidu, was also among the dignitaries in attendance Tanvi The Great fol-
journey of Tanvi Raina, a spirited autistic teenager determined to honour her late father’s military legac
achieve the unthinkable S p e a k i n
film, director Anupam Kher said, “’Tanvi The Great’ is more than just a film it’s a tribute to courage, individuality, and the indomitable
tive producer, described the initiative as a way to spotlight the voices of everyday women through collective harmony For Khan, whose
entirely by women, participating in 195 was a natural extension of her activism Known for putting homestyle Indian food and the w o
global culinary map, she has long used her platform to advocate for dignity, representation, and opportunity
another note to her repertoire of impact
b e e n s p
e m o l i t i o
a n d w i l l n o w u n d e r g o r e f u r b i s h m e n t , t h a n k s t o the charitable trust’s backing It will be linked with neighbouring Cordes Hall and jointly operated by the Cordes Hall Charity, creating a dynamic arts hub in the heart of the community
Campaign coordinator
A l a n E v e r e t t h a i l e d t h e news as “ a fantastic outcome for local performers and residents,” adding that the restoration will breathe new life into a much-loved piece of local heritage
P r e v i o u s l y o w n e d b y t h e R o y a l B o r o u g h o f Windsor and Maidenhead, the Novello was offered to campaigners from the Save N o v e l l o P i c t u r e H o u s e g r o u p l a s t y e a r b e f o r e being placed on the open m a r k e t T h e i r s u c c e s s f u l f u n d r a i s i n g e f f o r t s w i l l now help kit out the interio r w i t h t h e a t r e f i t t i n g s , w h i l e t h e S u n n i n g h i l l Trust will modernise the
building and make it available through an affordable lease
The Sunninghill Trust, which dates back to 1813 a n d s u p p o r t s t h e l o c a l community through grants a n d a l l o t m e n t s , s a i d t h e project fits perfectly with its mission “ W e a r e d e l i g h t e d t o announce our significant support for this project by bringing an underutilised asset back into community use, ” a spokesperson said “The theatre sits right in the heart of our support area, and we ’ re excited to work alongside the Cordes Hall Charity to revitalise it for future generations ”
Max Porter, Chair of judges, with International Booker Prize 2025 winner Banu Mushtaq
Winners Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthi (who translated the book) holding their International Booker Prize trophies
Asma Khan
i
Informed by top intelligence
s o u r c e s , t h e d e l e
intended to furnish verifiable evidence and contextual
g
Lashkar's operational scope, its support network within Pakistan, and its sustained threat to regional and international peace and security
After a floral tribute at Gandhi statue and visiting Dr B R Ambedkar’s house in north west London, the delegation addressed hundreds of diaspora at India House
Diaspora lauds India’s anti-terror mission, supports delegation visiting the UK
of non-violence is more relevant today given the terror-
Secretary Priti Patel, IndoP
Lainston CBE and Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India, Koolesh Shah at the Conservative Campaign HQ
K
Minister for Citizenship and Migration and Minister of Equalities, Seema Malhotra MP at the Parliament Diplomacy a nd le gacy
T
h o s t e d b y t h e H i g h Commission of India, after reaching the UK visited the Ambedkar Museum, to pay
h o m a g e t o t h e I n d i a n
Constitution builder Dr B R
A m b e d k a r o n t h e 7 5 - y e a r celebration of the enforcem e n t o f t h e I n d i a n
C o n s t i t u t i o n D u r i n g t h e earnest moment, one of the most atrocious attempts of Pakistan funded terrorismthe 26/11 Mumbai attacks, g o t r e m e m b e r e d Furthermore, the group also visited Tavistock Square to
Sindoor was a political directive of the Indian government, of the Indian Prime Minister, and I want to share with you that it was a 100% success ” The High Commissioner added that terrorism needs to be treated as a global issue and not a problem limited to India
K
attempted to stage a protest
ism, showcasing Operation Sindoor as a paradigm shift i n i t s c o u n t e r - t e r r o r i s m strategy
T h e I n d i a n H i g h
C o m m i s s i o n i n t h e U K ,
posted a photo of the delegate group on X along with Patel saying, "The All-Party
P a r l i a m e n t a r y D e l e g a t i o n met with Shadow Foreign
S e c r e t a r y @ p r i t i p a t e l a n d h e r t e a m t o s h a r e I n d i a ' s firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism They
ing Labour Friends of India, L a b o u r C o n
Indian Organisations,
must be made to pay the cost
applause and chants praising the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
"
belongs to different parties with different ideologies, but when it comes to the interest of our country, we all stand
ism being sponsored from a c r o s s t h e b o r d e r b y Pakistan T h e i r t r i b u t e s t
g received by His Excellency V
D
High Commissioner of India to the UK at India House in London, where hundreds of c
members from the diaspora h
the delegation, waving tricolours and loudly chanting
p
Gandhiji’s statue, where they talked about Gandhi's ideology BJP MP Ravi Shankar
, Mahatma Gandhi's principle
'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'
Upon being refused entry to the building, the demonstrators proceeded to Trafalgar Square, unfurling Khalistani flags and banners
A s e n i o r i n t e l l i g e n c e source reportedly said, “This is a clear attempt by Pakistan t o c h a n g e t h e n a r r a t i v e
With international pressure mounting over its links to terror, the ISI is using proxy elements to disrupt diplom a t i c e f f o r t s a n d m i s l e a d public perception," mentioning it as a “desperate attempt
here united, not belonging to different parties but as Indians," reportedly said
According to a report by The Hindu, Mr Prasad said, You have great regard for your motherland The assurance to all of you is that I n d i a i s s t r o n g , r e s u r g e n t and will take care of Pakistan and terrorism, but you convey our message here and g l o b a l l y , t o o t e r r o r i s t
by Pakistan’s ISI” for distract
t h e p u b l i c
o m e x p o s i n g their connection with terrorist groups
Despite these challenges, the Indian delegation's outr e a c h r e s o n a t e d s t r o n g l y with the global Indian diaspora, reflecting both a united front against terrorism
a n d h e i g h t e n e d a w a r e n e s s
r e g a r d i n g e x t r e m i s t n e tworks operating under state patronage from Pakistan Mee ting wit h Secre tar y an d Ministe rs A f t e r a d d r e s s i n g t h e g a t h e r i n g , t h e d e l e g a t i o n met with the UK Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel MP, where they emphasised o n I n d i a ' s s t r o n g s t a n c e a b o
a l s o h i g h l i g h t e d h o w
# O p e r a t i o n S i n d o o r e x e mplifies the new normal set by India in this ongoing effort "
T h e d e l e g a t i o n a l s o interacted with Indo-Pacific Minister, Catherine West at the Foreign Commonwealth and Developments Office, where they reaffirmed their strong stance regarding the m a t t e r o f a n t i - t e r r o r i s m
T h e d
D o m i n i c J
h n s o n o f Lainston CBE and the new
Campaign HQ as well They met with Labour Party India Friendship Groups-includ-
BJP s Ravi Shankar Prasad adddressing the gathering at India House
Diaspora members gathered in large numbers to welcome the Indian delegation
The Indian delegation met the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Priti Patel
The group also met with Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West
The delegation along with members of Conservative party at the Conservative Headquarters
The All-Party delegation met Minister for Citizenship and Migration, and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra at the Parliament
The delegation members paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square in central London
India’s soft power on display at I N D I A W E E K 2025
This marked the first major India-focused global gathering after Pahalgam attack and UK-India FTA signing
India Week 20 25, a land-
mark international celebration of Ind ia’s g lobal engagem ent, conclud ed this w eek in London as the first m aj or I ndi a-fo cu sed ev ent f
sig ning of the UK-India Free T rade Agreement
O
advisory firm EPG and the non-profit think tank Bridge I
gates from countries as far
Kong and Canada, underlining growing global interest in India's expanding role on the world stage
The series opened with the UK’s first official UK-
decades since the ABA’s formation The event, led by h o t e l i e r T o n y M a t h a r u ,
m India, Mauritius and the UK
b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y
Pradyot Manikya, head of Tripura’s royal family and f o u n d e r o f t h e T I P R A Motha party, addressed the p o t e n t i a l o f I n d i a ' s
from documentaries to narrative features across a variety of budgets and stages The event welcomed lumi-
Chadha OBE and Raul Niño
Z a m
DocFest The accompanying
film sector drew more than 200 guests, including representatives from Netflix, BBC
a
B a d u s s h a , R i c h i e M e h t a ,
Purab Kohli, Kulvinder Ghir and casting director Mukesh Chhabra
In Westminster, a special joint reception with the
L o n d o n C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c
Asian Business Association (ABA) marked nearly three
Northeast and encouraged g r e a t e r i n v e s t m e n t i n underexplored regions
B r i d g e I n d i a ’ s f l a g s h i p Ideas for India conference e m e r g e d a s a d e f i n i n g moment in the week, gath-
awards honouring individuals and institutions building meaningful bridges between the UK and India Harshad K
Community Service Award f
work connecting global East African Asian communities Soumik Datta was honoured w
Music Award for his genres
, while State Bank of India (UK) was recognised for its
Bar Council Chair Barbara
Mills KC and Jupiter Asset
Vazarani; a comparative discussion on religious invest-
Rishi Das; and political con-
Chandel
Celebration Dinner, hosted
Council, offered
vivid
ering high-profile political, b u s i n e s s a n d t e c h n o l o g y voices from both the UK and India Telangana’s KT Rama Rao, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav
C h a d h a , a n d L o r d S i m o n MacDonald, former head of the UK’s Diplomatic Service, were among the prominent speakers The event’s timi n g j u s t w e e k s a f t e r t h e Pahalgam attack and UK-
I n d i a F T A s i g n i n g g a v e urgency to discussions on India’s evolving diplomatic p o s t u r e , r e g i o n a l s t a b i l i t y , and economic partnerships
Other sessions explored UKIndia business ties, featuring
tural showcase Traditional
Hojagiri, Mamita and Garia
adding
conversation between BBC
Union Minister Sachin Pilot, covering governance, leadership and the implications of the Pahalgam incident T
presentation of three special
UK unveils most radical military overhaul in 150 years
Brit ain is preparing t o confront a new age of gl obal insecurity w it h its most sweeping military overhaul in over 150 years
Unveiled by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Scotland, the Strategic Defence Review titled Making Britain Safer: Secure at Home, Strong Abroad charts a bold course to transform the UK into a modern, battle-ready nation equipped to face
autonomous drones capable of targeting individuals once hypothetical technologies that are becoming increasingly accessible
To rebuild a force eroded by years of underinvestment, the government plans to expand the army, boost reserves, and reinstate Cold War-era annual training for veterans
Cadet numbers will increase by 30% by 2030, and measures such as
a n k
n g innovation, including major improvements to the YONO SBI UK app India Week closed with the London edition of the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival, where authors and s c r e e n w r i t e r s s u c h a s Farrukh Dhondy, Francesca Kay, Imtiaz Dharker OBE and Keshava Guha led conversations on literature, politics and identity The next edition of the festival will return to its flagship home i
h a l Pradesh, later this year I n d i a W
2 0 2 5 w a s made possible through coll a b o r a t i o n w i t h p a r t n e r s including the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, the LCCI, Integrity International Group, ReelN, P A C T , O x f o r d C e n t r e f o r Hindu Studies, the UK-India Business Council, Maharaja D r i n k s a n d I n d r i Organisers said the success of the series reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, cultural exchange and economic cooperation in a complex and rapidly shifting global landscape
future threats, from nuclear confrontation to cyberattacks and AIdriven warfare
This 140-page, 48,000-word document, crafted over a year with input from key allies including the US, France, and Germany, is the first defence review since the Cold War to avoid cuts to the armed forces Instead, the government has endorsed all 62 of its proposed reforms Defence spending is projected to rise to 3% of GDP by 2034 an increase that analysts, including the Institute for Fiscal Studies, warn will likely require major tax hikes or cuts in areas such as welfare
The review presents a stark outlook, describing a “ new era of threat” in which Britain risks being outpaced by adversaries with rapidly advancing capabilities in nuclear, cyber, and space-based warfare China is flagged as a “sophisticated and persistent challenge,” expected to double its nuclear arsenal by 2030, while Russia remains an “immediate and pressing threat,” despite its losses in Ukraine Both states are modernising their military reach in areas such as undersea warfare, chemical weapons, and space systems The report also highlights growing concerns around bioweapons and
improved military housing and offering “ gap years ” in the armed forces aim to attract and retain younger recruits Meanwhile, 20% of backoffice roles will be automated to free personnel for frontline duties
In terms of equipment, Britain is moving ahead with its next-generation Tempest fighter jet, expanding its F-35 fleet, and exploring the reintroduction of airlaunched nuclear weapons The country will also invest heavily in long-range missiles, submarines through the AUKUS partnership, and sovereign nuclear warheads
A dramatic shift in battlefield doctrine, dubbed the “ 20-40-40 ” model, will divide British military power between heavy equipment, expendable kamikaze drones, and reusable autonomous systems By 2035, ministers say, this model will make the British Army “ten times more lethal ”
A new UK cybercommand will take the fight to hostile states in the digital domain, while £5 billion in technology investments including drones, robotics, AI systems, and directed-energy weapons like the DragonFire laser will redefine Britain’s military edge
BBC news presenter Rajini Vaidyanathan with Sachin Pilot, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan
Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Shaunaka Rishi Das and Founder and Chairman of Wahed Inc Junaid Wahedna discuss sharia-compliant versus dharma-compliant inves
KT Rama Rao, Working President of the BRS party from Telangana
Pradyot Manikya, Founder of the TIPRA Motha party in Tripura and head of the Royal Family
Pratik Dattani Founder of Bridge India addressing the audience at Ideas for India Conference Raghav Chadha Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha spoke on the Pahalgam attack and India s place in a multi-polar world
Prime Minister Keir Starmer gives a press conference as he and the Defence Secretary John Healey visits HMS Glasgow as the government unveils its defence spending plans
T H E A L C H E M I S T O F A M B I T I O N
The many shapes of fatherhood
Fathers come in many forms: the steadfast, the softspoken, the long-distance, the learning-as-they-go. On Father’s Day, we pause to honour them all not just the dads who raised us, but the grandfathers, stepfathers, uncles, and mentors who stood in when it mattered most
Their roles are often evolving, shifting quietly between provider, protector, playmate, and teacher, sometimes all in a single day From bedtime routines to life lessons passed down in car rides and awkward silences, the essence of fatherhood is found in both the big gestures and the unnoticed ones
As author Mitch Albom once wrote in ‘For One More Day’, "When you're looking at your mother, you're looking at the purest love you will ever know But when you're looking at your father, you're looking at the most quiet strength you will ever know "
This Father’s Day, we pay tribute to that quiet strength and the countless ways it shows up in everyday life
A father reaching peaks and hearts
Swathi Anil
Asimple man with a beautiful family, sitting in his o ffice o ne day tho ugh t - th is is not wh at I want my life to be, I want to make my kids believe in thems elves that th ey can do anyth ing- from th ere began the story of to il, Arduou s yet up lifting o dyssey
Aklakur Rahman, better known as Akke Rahman, a British Bangladeshi mountaineer who broke the record of climbing Mount Elbrus and reaching its summit within 24 hours in 2020 More than mere self-satisfaction, his expeditions forge an inspirational legacy for his children They stand as a testament to the idea that with pure passion, anything is achievable for anyone, irrespective of their background, offering them a potent message of hope
He not only conquered earth’s highest elevations, but also wrote a story of motivation, encouragement and conquest of challenges for his three precious children
Beyond the summit: How a father's mountain dreams became his children's guiding light
It was not a childhood dream, but a gradual, profound longing to leave an indelible mark not only on the world, but also on his cherished children For over a decade, his world had shrunk to the confines of a single office chair He felt himself wilting, like a forgotten houseplant, and a stark question echoed in the quiet hum of the fluorescent lights: "Is this truly all there is? Is this the life I want
New campaign to redefine men’s mental health this Father’s Day
A new initiativ e focused on m en ’ s mental health, The Dad Project, has launched in th e lead-up to Father’ s Day, aim ing to spark deeper conversatio ns across com munities
Described as “ a call to action, a platform for healing, and a powerful reminder that strength lies in vulnerability,” the campaign was founded by award-winning creative director, entrepreneur and storyteller Naroop Jhooti
Through podcasts, multimedia storytelling, and upcoming in-person meetups, The Dad Project seeks to confront the longstanding silence surrounding men ’ s emotional wellbeing “We want to change the narrative around what it means to be a man, ” said Naroop
The project is deeply personal as Naroop draws on his own life journey
In that moment of existential fatigue, a spark ignited – the audacious idea to embark on something grand enough to truly inspire them He mentioned “I wanted them to see that with the right attitude and determination, anything is possible I also wanted to leave a legacy and be seen as someone who chased success, so they’d feel motivated to succeed in whatever path they choose” That’s the origin of the impeccable journey of Akke From legacy's echo to living map
His ideologies align with his father’s, which was equally supportive throughout his life As a father himself, Akke still carries many of his father’s values and beliefs even though they both belonged from different periods of time
“Life stopped being just about me and became about them,” he says, mentioning how his view towards life has changed after being a father and now
whatever he does is for the benefit of his children and family He is extremely grateful to his wife and her unwavering support as she takes care of the kids during his expeditions It is because of her he can still pursue this, he says
He happily admits how his kids are extremely inspired and proud of his achievements, but also confessed that his daughter sometimes gets worried over the
matter of his safety As a father who had the pure intention of influencing his kids, he excelled The children are aware of how big the hikes are although they are not yet conscious about the technicalities behind it or even technical challenges of highaltitude mountaineering, when he is away from home for months
He talks about an incident that happened with his son after returning from Kanchenjunga in 2023 which made him really proud, where his son said “You’re getting old, Dad I’ll take over when I’m older,” over which
Akke says that even if he doesn’t still follow, his words meant that Akke did something meaningful with his life
From peak to purpose
On this Father’s Day, a day for celebrating the unspoken pillars of a family who builds the future of kids and carries a family with their sweaty palms and a beautiful smile, Akke has a message for all of those who are celebrating Akke says “I hope they take away some real-life values, how to treat people with respect, how to behave with integrity, and how to carry themselves with humility These are the lessons I want them to remember, even more than the idea that nothing is impossible”
He also mentions how he raised close to a million pounds through his climbs He wants the kids to see the impact of it which is not just money, but the intention backing it Ultimately, he wants them to cultivate kindness and generosity, always looking beyond their own needs If they become ambassadors for humanity in their unique ways, he'll know he's fulfilled his role as a father
On this Father’s Day let’s celebrate fathers like Akke who’s story not only inspired his three kids, but millions of other kids and made them believe that nothing is impossible in this world Just like Paulo Coelho said in Alchemist “when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true” Believe in yourself and there will always be a father behind you with his weakened hands and tired legs still on their way to support you
Sentimental gifts and gestures that speak to your dad's heart
bullying as a child due to an eye condition, the painful end of a 26-year relationship, and adjusting to life as a single father
These experiences, he says, shaped his mission to build a “safe, empowering space where men can be seen, heard, and healed ” To mark Father’s Day on June 15, The Dad Project is launching a special campaign encouraging men to share their stories and connect over shared struggles and experiences as fathers, sons, brothers, or friends
“Whether dealing with emotional hardship, the stress of work, or the demands of fatherhood, men need spaces where they feel supported and understood,” Naroop said “This campaign is about fostering that space and showing that vulnerability is not weakness it’s strength ”
Father’s Day is often accompanied by the fam iliar hunt for a “useful” gift, another wallet, a sm art g ad get, o r that classic fallback: a tie But m ore and more people are realising that the
Personalised gifts with sentimental value are maki n g a c o m
ost
always come in glossy boxes or with price tags
and cheered them on, the most powerful gestures are proving to be the simplest: those that carry emotional weight
Letters that last a lifetim e
One of the most touching gifts you can give your
reflects on childhood
even just an expression of
more than anything bought off a shelf
Some children have even recorded audio messages or video compilations, including messages from grand-
, allowing dads to hear and see just how loved they are Rev iving old m emo ries
stones whether it’s a longf o r g o t t e n f i s h i n g t r i p , a graduation day, or a family h o l i d a y c a n r e i g n i t e s t or i e s a n d l a u g h t e r S o m e families are even turning old shirts or ties into memory quilts, a tactile reminder of the everyday moments that define fatherhood
Others have chosen to d
, giving fathers a time capsule of their parenting journey Acts of service and time tog ether
For many dads, the most
v a l u a b l e g i f t i s t i m e Organising a “day off” where t h e f a m i l y t a k e s o v e r h i s u s u a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , o r
p l a n n i n g a s i m p l e o u t i n g
like a walk in the park or a backyard barbecue, can create new memories and foster closeness
Passing d own traditions
Some families are marking the occasion by starting new traditions or passing down old ones This could mean gifting a family heir-
loom, such as a watch or book, along with a personal note explaining its history
O t h e r s a r e c o o k i n g favourite childhood recipes together or planting trees in their dad’s name, symbolising growth, strength, and legacy
When w ord s are hard
For those who struggle to express their feelings verbally, curated memory jars filled with little notes about t h i n g s t h e y a d m i r e o r remember can do the talki n g E a c h s l i p o f p a p e r becomes a reminder that a father's efforts haven't gone unnoticed
F a t h e r ’ s D a y d o e s n ’ t need to be extravagant At its heart, it’s about connection, recognition, and love Whether through a heartfelt g e s t u r e o r a s m a l l b u t thoughtful gift, the message is clear: You mattered You still do
After all, the best gifts aren’t the ones that gather dust they’re the ones that leave a mark
And for those missing a f a t h e r t h i s y e a r , a c t s o f remembrance like lighting a c a n d l e , r e v i s i t i n g a favourite shared place, or w r i t i n g a l e t t e r t h a t w i l l n e v e r b e s e n t c a n o f f e r quiet comfort and connection
my children to witness?
Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel
The UK's pension landscape reveals significant disparities among ethnic groups, with South Asian communities particularly Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations fac-
Despite the implementation of automatic enrolment into workplace pensions, which has increased overall participation, these communities exhibit higher opt-out rates and lower pension savings
Persistent Disparities in Pension Participation
Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) indicates that while automatic enrolment has boosted pension
Approximately 10% of eligible White employees opt out of workplace pensions, compared to 16% of Pakistani and 24% of Bangladeshi employees These differences remain significant even after accounting for factors like earnings, age, education, and job characteristics Notably, religious beliefs, particularly within Islamic communities, influence higher opt-out rates due to concerns over interest-bearing investments and ethical considerations
Economic Challenges and Wealth Inequality
Economic factors further exacerbate pension disparities Data from the UK government's Ethnicity Facts and Figures highlights that 24% of individuals in Asian households live in persistent low income after housing costs, compared to 11% in White households Such financial constraints limit the ability to contribute to pension schemes, leading to reduced retirement savings
Gender Disparities in Retirement Preparedness
G
Widows reports that 66% of Asian women are concerned about running out of money in retirement Factors such as lower earnings, part-time work, and career breaks for caregiving responsibilities contribute to smaller pension pots among women
Policy Reco mmendations and Co mmunity Engagement
Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach:
• Cultu ral Sensitivity in P ension S ch em es: Develop Sharia-compliant pension options to accommodate religious considerations But don’t ramp up the fees on this
• Financial Ed ucation: Implement targeted financial literacy programs within South Asian communities to raise awareness about the importance of pension savings
• P olicy Refo rm s: Consider reducing the earnings threshold for automatic enrolment and increasing minimum contribution rates to enhance retirement preparedness
• Comm unity Outreach: Engage community leaders and organizations to promote pension participation and address cultural barriers
Conclusion
The pension disparities faced by South Asian communities in the UK underscore the need for culturally sensitive policies and targeted interventions By addressing economic challenges, religious considerations, and gender d
retirement outcomes for all
Nationwide to award £100 bonus to members
M illions of Natio nwid e customers are set to receive a £ 1 0 0 ca sh b o nu s f o r th e third year running, as the U K’s larg est build ing society re po rts a s tron g fi nanc ial p erfo rm ance boosted by its V irgin Money takeover and a mortg ag e surge N a t i o n w i d e ’ s “ F
S h a r e ” s c h e m e w i l l d i stribute about £410 million to over four million eligible members those holding a current account along with either a mortgage or savings
a c c o u n t T h e a n n o u n c ement came as the mutual revealed a £2 3 billion profit for the year to March, up from £1 8 billion the previous year
Chief executive Debbie Crosbie described the year as “outstanding,” crediting
t h e £ 2 9 b i l
M o n
a c q u i s i t
Zuber Issa invests in 126-year-old British oil brand Duckhams
Asia n billion aire Zuber Issa has m ade a st rat egic in vestment in Duckha ms, the historic Br it ish oil and lubr ica nts bra nd foun ded in 1 899
The move reportedly values the Bolton-based company at around £50 million Duckhams, which employs 100 people, operates from its
Manchester Issa, who co-led the £6 8 billion acquisition
scale Duckhams across new markets and invest in R&D t
demands of modern engines and industrial machinery
with an extraordinary legacy and immense growth poten-
more efficient vehicles, the need for premium-grade oils
investing in innovation, sustainability, and expansion, we can position Duckhams as a leader in the lubricant sector
2
% stake in Asda last year to focus on his forecourt business, EG On The Move, Issa is redirecting his attention
Mohsin, he built a petrol station empire from a single site in Bury, and the pair now have an estimated net worth of £6 billion
and
The investment follows EG On The Move’s
Builder.ai founder Sachin Dev Duggal steps
Sachin Dev Dugg al, founder of U K-based tech start-up
Builder ai, has step ped do wn as chief executiv e, concluding a turbulent tenure at the h elm o f o n e o f Br i tai n ’ s most heav ily funded AI ventures T h e c o
i c h claims to use artificial intelligence to build apps and websites, is backed by major i n v e s t
u d i n g Microsoft, SoftBank, Qatar Investment Authority, and I
s raised around $450 million
Announcing the leaders h i p c h a n g e l a s t w e e k ,
Builder ai said Duggal would remain on the board and retain the honorary title of “chief wizard ” In a statem
T
strategic shift aligned with its global growth and evolving focus on serving small, m e d i u m , a n d e n t e r p r i s e clients
Duggal’s leadership has f a c e d c r i t i c i s m o v e r t h e
y e a r s , i n c l u d i n g c o n c e r n s over high staff turnover and
c l i e n t d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n with product delivery timelines In response t o p a s t
c u s t o m e r i s s u e s t o technical challenges or c l i e n t - d r i v e n p r o j e c t p a u s e s , a n d c h a r a cterised its work culture as “fast-paced ” L e g a l c h a l l e n g e s have also surfaced In 2 0 2 3 , I n d i a ’ s D i r e c t o r a t e o f E n f o r c e m e n t n a m e d D u g g a l a s a s u s p e c t i n a m o n e y - l
gation tied to Videocon, a now-bankrupt Indian applia n c e c o m p a n y H e h a d failed to appear after being summoned as a witness in 2022, leading to a change in status and the issuance of a
down
warrant by a Delhi court Duggal is currently appealing the warrant and denies any wrongdoing, with his legal team asserting that he w a s i n i t i a l l y s u m m o n e d improperly and remains a witness
Builder ai’s new CEO is Manpreet Ratia, formerly a managing partner at Asiaf o c u s e d J u n g l e V e n t u r e s Ratia stated that his priority would be scaling the business efficiently while delive r i n g v a l u e t o c u s t o m e r s , employees, and investors In a statement, Duggal said, “This evolution marks an exciting new chapter for Builder ai After eight years of growth, bringing in fresh perspective and operational excellence is crucial for our next phase ”
Government sells final NatWest stake
N atWes t, marki ng the end
B
tish ban king his tory but
c ry stallisin g a £10 5 billion loss for tax pay ers T h e T r e
s u r y announced the sale of its r e
bank, formerly Royal Bank
o f S c
book on a decade-long pro-
s
Chancellor Rachel Reeves
some criticism for not con-
Virgin deal In response, it
totalling £615 million
This followed previous Fairer Share payouts of £385 million last year and £344 million the year before
V
g
o n a n d booming mortgage lending, which jumped to £15 9 billion from £2 6 billion A late rush by homebuyers before a s t a m p d
Virgin Money is currently operating as a standalone brand, but Crosbie said significant cost savings were expected once integration begins, especially across IT, funding, and supplier contracts N a t i o
Confidence among UK services fi rms has plunged to its lowest level in over two years, with rising employment costs wei ghing heavily o n
us i n
s s en t i me n t , a c c or d i ng t o t he C on f e de r at i on of B r i ti s h Industry ( CBI)
The CBI’s latest survey, p u b l i s h e d
, revealed that business confidence in the business and professional services sector dropped sharply to -43% in M
February its weakest level
c
nsumer-facing services firms also deteriorated, reflecting broader concerns across the industry
d e s c r i b e d t h e m o v e a s “turning the page on a sign i f i c a n t c h a p t e r i n t h i s country’s history ” T h e s t a t e o r i g i n a l l y injected £45 5 billion into NatWest during the 2008 financial crisis to avert a systemic collapse This rescue, at an average price of 5 0 2 p p e r s h a r e , g a v e t h e government an 84% holding However, for most of the period since, NatWest shares have traded below that breakeven price T
u n d e r t h e n - C h a n c e l l
G e o r g e O s b
l y rose above the 502p threshold, the government’s stake h
less than 1%, limiting any potential gain
In total, share sales have g e
lion returned via dividends and fees Despite the £35 billion recouped, taxpayers are still £10 5 billion short of breaking even, excluding
One of the main drags o n c o n f i d e n c e i s s u r g i n g cost pressures Employers a r e g r a p p l i n g w i t h t h e impact of a £25 billion hike in National Insurance contributions and a nearly 7%
rise in the minimum wage both of which c a m e i n t o e
whammy of
Alpesh Paleja, deputy chief economist at the CBI “Higher employ-
Zuber Issa CBE
Alpesh Paleja
Sachin Dev Duggal
uncertainty and geopolitical tensions India remained the
M
c h quarter of 2025, followed by China at 5 4% and Indonesia at 4 9%
T h e f u l l - y e
o w t h estimate was in line with
expectations and the second a d v a n c
lowest in four years, on the back of 9 2% expansion in the previous year
Chief economic adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said robust domestic demand has supported GDP growth and private consumption share has risen to the highest level since FY04
“Govt retains its outlook on FY26 growth at 6 3-6 8%, with private consumption, especially the rural rebound, and resilient services exports a
Nageswaran said in a presentation after the
project India’s growth to be in the range of 6 3-6 7% this year, he
10 8% in the same period
The services sector remained steady at 7 3% in the March quarter compared with an
The 6 5% growth for 2024-25 was attributed to a pickup in
acceleration in investment
h a r p jump in the fourth quarter performance
DGCA asks IndiGo to terminate Turkish airlines deal
The Dir ector ate Ge ner al of C ivil Av ia tion g ave
m onth e xt ension” t o IndiGo fo r t wo w ide -body Boei ng 777s it ha s wet le ased (h ir ed wit h oper atin g cr ew) from Tur kish Airlines an d ask ed it
t o te rmina te the dea l by Aug The air line ca n use t hem till A ug 31, inste ad of N ov 30, 2025, as it had a pplied for The regulator gave this final extension “in order to a v o i d p a s s e n g e r i n c o n v e n i e n c e d u e t o immediate flight disruption”
a f
G o od s and se rv i c
(GST) collections rose 16 4% to £ 2
f as tes t p ac e o
ex p ans i o n since Oct 20 22, on the back o f a j u m p i n ta xe s o n imp orts
L a t e s t d a t a e s t i m a t e d
t h a t d u r i n g M a y ( f o r transactions in April), GST
c o l l e c t i o n s f r o m i m p o r t s rose 25 2% to £5 12bn, while the mop-up from domestic s o u r c e s , w h i c h i s a l m o s t three-fourths of the overall kitty, was 13 7% higher at just under £15bn
I m p o r t s d u r i n g A p r i l had shot up 19% to nearly $65 billion due to a spike in c r u d e o i l a n d f e r t i l i s e r
r
s h i p m e n t s , a m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s “ A 1 6 % g r o w t h i n G S T c o l l e c t i o n s s h o w s a
t h s o f
h i n t h e range of 11% to 12% If the g r o w t h
consulting firm PwC Last week, govt sources indicated that the finance ministry is working with the
Air India joins partnerships with 4 airlines to enhance connectivity
Eu r o p e, particul arly the Bal ti c regi on and parts of Eastern Europ e and C entral Asi a T h e p a r t n e r s h i p s w i l l p r o v i d e A i r I n d i a g u e s t s seamless travel options to 16 more destinations across 6 countries in these regions, while providing easier access to India to the passengers of t h e r e s p e c t i v e p a r t n e r airlines
A i r I n d i a s i g n e d a g r e e m e n t s w i t h a i r B a l t i c , B u l g a r i a A i r , C y p r u s A i r w a y s , a n d U z b e k i s t a n Airways, on the sidelines of the ongoing 81st IATA AGM i n N e w D e l h i T h e n e w p a r t n e r s h i p s f u r t h e r s t r e n g t h e n A i r I n d i a ’ s p o s i t i o n a s a g l o b a l c o n n e c t o r , e n a b l i n g a p a s s e n g e r t o t r a v e l a c r o s s c o n t i n e n t s w i t h a s i n g l et i c k e t i t i n e r a r y t h a t combines Air India flights w i t h
“These
h
P a ta n j a li A yu rv e d, t he c ompany founded by yoga g ur u R am d ev , ha s c o me under fresh scrutiny from the Ministry of Corporate A ff air s ( MCA ), whi ch has i ssued a notice s eeking an explanation over a series of f i n a n c i al t ra n s ac t i on s f l a gg e d a s s u s pi c i ou s by f e d er a l e c on om i
t ha t t he g ov e rn m e n t i s p r ob i n g possible fund divers ion and v i ol a ti o n s of c or po ra te g overn an ce n orms wit hin the company
A c c o r d i n g t o s o u r c e s , t h e f l a g g e d t r a n s a c t i o n s w e r e d e e m e d “ a b n o r m a l and dubious” by agencies, although specific financial d e t a i l s h a v e n o t b e e n d i s c l o s e d a s t h e investigation is still in its early stages Patanjali has been given approximately two months to respond to the government’s notice
This development adds
T u r k e y ’ s s t e a d f a s t support to Pakistan during O p e r a
from Pakistan using Turkish d r o n
c i t i e s n e a r t h e w e s t e r n border, led to a rethink in
Turkish Airline within this extension period, and not seek any further extension for these operations,” said a senior aviation official
fortnight back revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground handling company
e l
backdrop
t o t h e l i s t o f r e g u l a t o r y challenges facing Patanjali
A y u r v e d a n d i t s v a r i o u s subsidiaries The company has previously come under the scanner for alleged tax v i o l a t i o n s a n d w r o n g f u l G S T r e f u n d c l a i m
authorities
Patanjali has also faced
for serious diseases such as cancer The Supreme Court
company from making such
under the Drugs and Magic R
Advertisements) Act, 1954
Ayurved remains
subsidiary, Patanjali Foods Ltd, has not escaped the
shares have
pressure
Gujarat registers over 10mn equity investers
T he nu mber o f reg istered equity investors in Gujarat cro ssed the 10 million mark th i s M ay, a f iv e- fo l d ri se ov er the past decade, market s o u rc es s ai d O ff i ci al inv es to r d ata com piled by th e Nat io n al S t o ck
E xc h an g e ( NS E ) su g g es ts th a t i nv es to r n u m be rs in Gujarat touched 99,90 ,00 0 on April 3 0 this year
In FY2015, Gujarat was h o m e t o m e r e l y a r o u n d 20,00,000 equity investors
T h e n u m b e r r o s e t o 38,00,000 by FY2020, a 90% rise - and as of May 2025, it increased 163% to reach 10
million, signalling the rapid rise in retail participation in the stock market
“According to NSE data, G u j a r a t h a d 9 9 , 9 0 , 0 0 0 unique investors by the end of April We estimate that
t h e 1 0 m i l l i o n m a r k w a s crossed in May,” said Viral Mehta, West Zone head at a leading stock broking firm
“The state has always had a strong equity culture, and p o s t - C o v i d , w e ’ v e s e e n a new wave of retail investors
- e s p e c i a l l y y o u n g e r professionals - entering the market in large numbers ”
The boom in IPOs, the
ease of digital onboarding, a n d i n c
e a s e d a w a r e n e s s around wealth creation have all contributed to this rise, s a y m a r k e t o b s e r v e r s A c c o
Gujarat added some 49,000 new investors in April alone W
slowed in early 2025 due to
index performance in May helped push the state over the 10 million threshold “ I
uptrend,” said Gunjan Choksi, director of a city-based brokerage
India, US on course for bilateral trade pact: Goyal
A s I nd i a s tu d i es th e imp act of the U S co urt order on Donald Trump ’ s tari ff th reat, co m m erce an d i nd u s tr y m i ni s ter P i yu s h Go y al in d i ca ted that th e two sid es are on c o u rs e fo r a bi la ter al trade agreement He also stated that neg oti ations for a trade d eal with the European Union ( EU) are p ro g res s i ng a t a fa s ter pace
“We are well on track in o u r b i l a t e r a l t r a d e agreement with the US and making fast progress with EU,” Goyal said at the CII’s
A n n u a l B u s i n e s s S u m m i t , 2025 The court ruling has put a question mark over Trump’s ability to impose r e c i p r o c a l a n d b a s e l i n e tariffs, although the order will be challenged A team of officials from the US is scheduled to be in t h e C a p i t a l n e x t
Piyush
Bangladesh tribunal begins Hasina’s trial
Mamun
“We do hereby take into cognisance the charges,” the threejudge ICT bench led by Justice
Golam Mortuza Majumdar said
i o n t e a m accused them of attempting to tame the protests using brutal f o
investigators to present all three accused before the court on June 16
Former IGP Mamun is in
absentia nearly 10 months after the ouster of her govt following protests Under the ICT law, if convicted, Hasina and the coaccused could face the death
penalty The proceedings were broadcast live on television for the first time in Bangladesh’s history
The complaint, submitted by c
outlined five counts of alleged
attempted murder, torture and other inhumane acts
The accused are also charged with abetting, inciting, facilitating and being complicit in, as well as failing to prevent, a series of crimes reportedly committed against civilians by law enforcement agencies and armed affiliates of the Awami League
Political parties reject Yunus’ time frame, demand election by Dec
b e t w e e n D e c 2 0 2 5 a n d J u n e 2026
d
ch
ef ad v i s er M u ham mad Yu nus ’ s extended
t i m e fr am e f o r c o nd u c ti ng national election, demand ing it be held by Dec
Sources, however, said three political parties, including the r a d i c a l J a m a a t - e - I s l a m i a n d NCP launched by Nahid Islam who led the anti-Sheikh Hasina movement last year, are reporte d l y s u p p o r t i n g Y u n u s
BNP stuck to its demand for early election “There is not a single valid reason to push the national election after Dec and B N P e x p
from Muhammad Yunus in taking a final decision,” BNP stand-
logue with Yunus
This was the second round of talks between political parties
Nepal bans demonstrations in Kathmandu amid pro-monarchy protests
K A T H M A N D U : Th e N ep al i government announced restrictions on protests i n most parts of Kathmandu, given the c ontinued protes ts by pro-monarc hy s upporters
S i t - i n s , h u n g e r s t r i k e s , protests, public gatherings and demonstrations are prohibited w i t h i n t h e K a t h m a n d u r i n g road area except three places -
K o t e s h w o r , B a l k h u a n d S i f a l g r o u n d , a n o t i c e f r o m
K a t h m a n d u D i s t r i c t Administrative Office said
The restriction will be effective from June 2 for the next two months, the notice said
T h e r e s t r i c t i o n h a s b e e n imposed to avoid possible disruption of business activities and transportation services by protesters, the notice said
H o w e v e r , t h e n o t i c e w i l l not affect other programmes
organised in coordination with t h e d i s t r i c t a d m i n i s t r a t i v e office
Meanwhile, the police have r e l e a s e d s e v e n p r o - m o n a r c h y s u p p
m
home minister Kamal Thapa, who were detained for trying to e n t e r a r e s t r i c t e d a r e a i n Kathmandu
The pro-monarchy supporters demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and the establishment of a Hindu state have been organising indefinite protest programmes since last week
They carried photographs of former king Gyanendra Shah and chanted slogans against the Prime Minister KP Oli-led government The protesters said t h e y w
h e protest until the monarchy was restored
and the Yunus-headed interim govt on the election - pending since last year following the fall of the Hasina-led Awami League govt In the meeting, all but t
Nurul Haque Nur said Yunus expressed optimism
n agreement built through collective understanding among par-
engage with this process, and together we can deliver an excellent ‘July Charter’,” Yunus said S a l a h u d d i n h o p e d Y u n u s will consider Dec for conducting the election He also argued that t h e c o m m i s s i o n h a s a l r e a d y taken significant time and an e l e c t i o n b e f o r e y e a r - e n d remains feasible
The BNP member emphasised the need for swift, elect i o n - f o c u s e d r e f o r m s , s a y i n g t h a t m a n y p r o p o s e d c h a n g e s could be implemented within a month
Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission postponed till June 10
Ax i o m S p ac e' s mi s s i o n t o th e
Intern ation al Space S tation, carrying In dian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been pushed to J un e 10, a report said citin g an Axi om Space spokesp erson
The space flight was earlier s c h e d u
SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 8 The mission, however, has been postponed by two days
Besides Shukla, the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the
from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking both European
International Space Station in history and the second governmentsponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years Veteran US astronaut Peggy Whitson will be the commander of the Axiom-4 mission The Axe-4 mission, mana
n d launched via SpaceX Falcon 9, is a landmark for India's first astron
experiments onboard the ISS
Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard
Shubhanshu Shukla
the orbiting laboratory, conducting science, outreach, and commercial activities The Ax-4 astronauts will perform around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries during their 14-day stay at the ISS
Shukla is set to conduct exclus
experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian S
e n t o f Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA
About his role in the mission, Captain Shukla said he planned to take certain items from different parts of the country with him to the ISS during the 14-day mission and even expressed hope to serve Indian food to astronauts in the orbital laboratory
in brief INDIAN YOUTUBER DETAINED IN TURKEY
An Indian content creator has reportedly been detained after massive outrage over his alleged derogatory remarks targeting Turkish women YouTuber Malik SD Khan, who is known among his followers as 'Malik Swashbuckler , came under fire after a series of videos appeared on his channel, where he was seen making sexually explicit remarks on Turkish women Though Malik has taken down his YouTube and Instagram accounts amid the row, some of the clippings are still circulating on social media, where the YouTuber can be seen using offensive language in Hindibelieving locals wouldn't be able to understand him- as he made rape threats and sexually explicit comments against women
AMI BERA FLAYS US COVID-19 VACCINE POLICY
Representative Ami Bera has strongly criticized US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new policy that restricts updated Covid19 vaccine approvals largely to older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions As a doctor and your Member of Congress my number one priority is keeping Sacramento County families safe and healthy Bera said I understand the health and economic concerns many families continue to face We cannot afford to weaken our pandemic response when so many are still vulnerable Bera emphasized the lingering impact of Covid on working families and urged constituents to stay informed and access available health and economic support
INDIAN AMERICAN ELECTED TO HARVARD CORPORATION
Kannon K Shanmugam, a leading appellate attorney and Harvard alumnus has been elected to the Harvard Corporation, the university’s senior governing board He will assume the role on July 1 succeeding Theodore V Wells Jr who is stepping down after 12 years of service Harvard President Alan Garber and Senior Fellow Penny Pritzker announced the appointment praising Shanmugam for his commitment to academic values and freedom They also commended his intellect, integrity, and dedication to excellence
RUSHDIE FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM ADDRESS
Muslim groups and students pressured Sir Salman Rushdie to withdraw from delivering a commencement address at Claremont McKenna College The renowned novelist and atheist, who has been repeatedly attacked by Muslims, canceled his appearance just days before the May 17 ceremony, following growing backlash over his remarks comparing proPalestinian campus protests to support for a “fascist terrorist group ” Rushdie’s decision was confirmed in a campus-wide email by Claremont McKenna President Hiram Chodosh, who stated that the choice to withdraw was “his alone and completely beyond our control ”
I S L A M A B A D : A c co r d i ng to m ed ia rep o r ts , C h i na h a s assured Pakistan of re-lend ing $3 7 billion in comm ercial loans, d enom i nated in C h inese cu rrency, before the end of June, in a mov e that w ill help keep the f or ei g n exc h a ng e res er v es i n dou ble d igits
U n l i k e i n t h e p a s t , w h e n
Beijing has given loans in nonChinese currency too, this time
P a k i s t a n ’ s s t r a t e g i c a l l y h a s decided not to give loans in the US currency as part of its drive to decouple the economy from the dollar, govt sources said They said China gave these assurances during recent meet-
ings, aimed at securing the refin a n c i n g o f l o a n s m a t u r i n g between March and June 2025 Pakistan has returned a $1 3 bill i o n l o a n o f I n d u s t r i a l a n d C o m m e r c i a l B a n k
between March and April this year, officials said Subject to some clarifications that ICBC has sought from Pakistan, it is expected ICBC would re-lend the money in next few days The central bank’s reserves remained around $11 4 billion after a $1 billion injection by IMF this month After the next
C h i n e s e
increase to $12 7 billion
M O S C
d “fake reports" claiming that it was enhanc ing eco nom ic ties wi th P akistan, p arti cularly by jointly setting up steel mills in Karach i A Russian g overnment official called it an attempt to derail stro ng relatio ns between Ind ia and Russia
Moscow are seeking to revive Cold War-era cooperation by
mills to boost industrial collabo-
Pakistan Steel Mills Sources in Moscow said that negotiations had indeed taken place on the issue, but slammed reports claiming that a “multib i l l i
INDIAN WANTED FOR CHILD SOLICITATION ARRESTED
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Champlain apprehended Gurdev Singh, a 42-year-old Indian citizen, who was found to have an active felony warrant for child solicitation from Indiana Singh was stopped after being denied entry into Canada During routine primary inspection, a check through the National Crime Information Center revealed his outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Plainfield Police Department for solicitation of sexual intercourse with a minor classified as a level 4 felony Further investigation in secondary inspection confirmed Singh s identity and status as an illegal
Sheikh Hasina
INDIAN ORIGIN BLAMED FOR WALMART LAYOFFS
Walmart’s recent decision to lay off over 1,500 employees has sparked online backlash, particularly among supporters of President Donald Trump whose economic policies are among reasons the company has made the move The criticism has included unfounded claims that the company is replacing American workers with foreign employees on H-1B visas Some of the ire has been directed at Suresh Kumar Walmart s Global Chief Technology Officer and Chief Development Officer due to his Indian background - despite no evidence linking him to the staffing changes
PAK PUNJAB SPEAKER BACKS PAHALGAM TERRORIST
Malik Ahmed Khan, the Speaker of Pakistan's Punjab assembly, has now come out in defence of Lashkar-eTaiba deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri, by attending a rally alongside the USdesignated terrorist, and Talha Saeed, son of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed When asked by reporters, Khan said by saying that Kasuri, one of the masterminds of the Pahalgam terror attack, should not be seen as an accused without an investigation He also cited a personal connection to Kasur the town where the rally was organised Footage from the rally showed Kasuri was being serenaded as the conqueror” of India
BHARAT DESAI AND NEERJA SETHI TO JOIN GIVING PLEDGE
Entrepreneurs and philanthropists Bharat Desai and Neerja Sethi have joined the Giving Pledge, committing to give away the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes The announcement coincides with the 15th anniversary of the global initiative founded by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett in 2010 Desai and Sethi are among 11 new signatories who have pledged over the past year The Giving Pledge now includes more than 250 of the world’s wealthiest individuals and families from 30 countries
BANGLADESH SC RESTORES JAMAAT’S REGISTRATION
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court ordered the Election Commission to restore the right-wing Jamaate-Islami s party registration nearly eight months after the interim govt lifted a ban on it, clearing the way for its participation in future elections Court officials said the SC s appellate division led by chief justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, directed the commission to restore the party s registration The apex court said it was up to EC to decide if Jamaat could contest polls using its traditional “scale” symbol EC scrapped the registration of Jamaat, which was opposed to Bangladesh’s 1971 independence from Pakistan, in Dec 2018 in line with an HC ruling
NO MUJIB PICTURE IN NEW BANGLADESH NOTES
Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, Bangladesh central bank introduced new currency notes of Taka 1,000, Taka 50 and Taka 20, dropping the image of the country’s founding father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman The new notes will have images of various nationally important establishments and scenic places The bank’s Motijheel office started distributing the new notes on a limited scale from Sunday Last week Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur had said the newly designed notes will not feature any human portraits but showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks
Indian origin Texas teen Faizan Zaki wins US spelling bee
O X O N HI L L: T hi
ye a rold Fai zan Zaki , a seventh grader at Ric e Mi ddle Sc hool, has w on th e pr
Quadri, a doctor specializing in
S c r i p ps
National Spelli ng Bee, c appi ng of
determinati on , family support, a
effort He c linched the vi ctory with the word éc lairci ssem entwhich means “ a clearin g up of something obs cure ”
Faizan, the son of immigrants from South India, has long been known in spelling circles for his focus and dedica-
watched from the audience at
twin sister, Zara Jabeen For Arshia, the moment was especially emotional Recalling her move to the United States years ago, she told the Dallas Morning News: “Now I know
come here This really is the
best place on earth in terms of the ideals and the ability to do best in every area I absolutely believe the American dream ” That dream came true for Faizan in spectacular fashion When faced with the final w
didn’t hesitate - skipping the usual questions about definition and origin, he spelled it confidently and correctly As the final letter echoed through the ballroom, Faizan pumped his fists and collapsed to the
The university confirmed the disciplinary action in a statement,
Megha Vemuri
Degree Ceremony, she was notified that she would not be permitted at today’s events," said MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen "MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading Commencement organisers and leading a protest from the stage, disrupting an i
spokesperson added T h
viral online and was shared by
MIT's research collaborations with the Israeli military She accused the university of "aid-
actions against Palestinians and called for a "free Palestine "
"The students of MIT will not tolerate genocide," she said, praising campus activism in support of Palestinian rights MIT officials said Vemuri's remarks differed from the speech approved in advance and that her actions amounted to staging a protest during a
American student leader, had been expected to speak again but was informed she would no longer be allowed to participate
Indians to benefit as Canada eases job transitions for foreign workers
O TT A WA : In a sig nifican t move aime d at be tte r ut ilising t he skills of te mpora ry foreign work er s in t he count ry, Ca nad ian govt has in troduce d a policy that a llow s for eign na tiona ls t o chang e jobs ev en be for e t heir ne w work pe rmit a pplicat ion is fully pr ocesse d The policy tha t was sign ed on Mar ch 4 came int o effe ct on May 27
Previously, foreign workers seeking to switch employers or occupations often faced lengthy delays, sometimes several weeks, while awaiting a new work permit This waiting period led to financial instability for w o r k e r s a n d f r u s t r a t i o
n employers keen to fill urgent labour and skills gaps Now, temporary foreign workers, who have a job offer either through the T
(
F W ) Programme or the International Mobility Programme, can begin their new roles more quickly
The Canadian govt acknowledges that temporary foreign workers play a vital role in
the country’s economy However, circumstances can arise where an existing employment contract is no longer viable This could be due to various reasons, such as a new role with the same employer, layoffs, workplace conflict, or simply the pursuit of better compensation or professional growth opportunities with a different company
“It is imperative to better utilise the skills and training of the temporary foreign workers already here,” read a recently updated post on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) “This policy offers workers a viable and timely alternative to change employers if they need to do so ”
Kubeir Kamal, an immigration consultant, said, “The policy allows temporary for-
without needing a new work permit while their application is processed This would specifically apply to the closed work permit holders in Canada ”
Indians in Paris hold Operation Sindoor Tiranga Rally
i an Armed Forces and g ratitude for th eir courag e and service
P a r t i c i p a n t s d r a p e d i n t h e I n d i a n t r i c o l o u r marched through the streets w i t h p
n s a n d singing nationalistic songs The rally became a striking display of unity and national p r i d e , r e f l e c t i n g t h e d e e p emotional bond the diaspora continues to share with India
Community leaders also used the occasion to thank P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a Modi for his firm leadership and commitment to national security They praised the g o v
lence
D u r i n g t h e e v e n t , Joginder Kumar, member of the Indian diaspora and the P r e s i d e n t o f t h e F r a n c oI n d i a n A s s o c i a t i o n , s a i d , "We have gathered here to pay our tributes to the martyrs and celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor We have taught a lesson to Pakistan and we hope they will not dare to do something like this again "
Indian American physicians body joins global medical regulatory body
O AKBR OOK: The A mer ica n A ssociation of P hysicia ns of India n Or
in (AAPI) has be
R egulat ory Author ities (IA MRA), ma rkin g a sign ifican t st ep in e xpa ndin g its global r ea ch
With this inclusion, AAPI becomes part of a powerful international network that connects 116 organizations across 44 countries - including major US medical boards and India’s top regulatory bodies like the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences IAMRA works to ensure public safety and improve global healthcare quality through effective medical regulation, collaboration, and shared standards
Dr Satheesh Kathula, AAPI President, called the membership “ a major milestone” in elevating the role of Indian medical professionals worldwide He emphasized that AAPI’s new global platform will help bridge professional gaps between Indian and international healthcare systems, enhance recognition of Indian qualifications, and foster cross-border collaboration in regulation
AAPI’s membership efforts, said the move aligns with AAPI’s broader goal to improve the quality of Indian medical graduates and increase their global competitiveness With Indian-origin physicians serving one in every seven patients in the US, AAPI’s inclusion in IAMRA strengthens its role in shaping international medical norms and advancing the interests of its growing diaspora, a press release said
Congressman Raja slams Trump’s ‘reckless’ visa freeze
W A S H I N G T O N : C on g r es s m a n Ra j a Krishnamoorthi has s trongl y c rit ic iz ed the Trump adm inist ration’s move to freez e new stude nt visa interviews , call ing it “ a reckl ess dec is ion,” am id reports of a pot ential c rackdown on interna tiona l appl icant s through en h an c e d s o c ia l m e d ia v e t t in g Krishnamoorthi unders cored the c ruc ia l rol e in t er n a t io na l s t ud e n ts p l a y i n s u s t a in in g Am erica’s innovation and gl obal leaders hip, stating t hey are ess ential to “driving cuttingedge r esearc h, fueling our univers it ies , and building the industries of tom or row ” “These young people are not only scholars and innovators - they are vital to America’s economic strength and national security,” he said “By developing the next generation of technologies and the good-paying jobs that come with them, they help ensure the United States remains a global leader ” He warned that freezing student visa interviews and imposing vague new vetting requirements is “not only discriminatory - it’s a strategic blunder,” adding that such measures weaken the US’s competitive edge and “risk surrendering our leadership in innovation to countries that welcome global talent ”
India and Pakistan in race to produce drones
The
India's Rafales With fewer
(around 20 Chinese J-10s), drones offer a cost-effective
o n s t r a t i o n s a n d t r i a l s
This increased spending will prioritize both surveillance
a n d c o m b a t d r o n e s , according to Indian defense officials
Pakistan is also rapidly
e x p a n d i n g i
y and China to boost domestic d r o
National Aerospace Science
Turkish defense firm Baykar
drones locally, sometimes in just two to three days, as
Oishee Majumdar of Janes
drones were intercepted
systems These systems utilized modern sensors
anti-aircraft guns from the Cold War era Despite their age, these retrofitted
y performed surprisingly well against modern UAVs While Pakistan disputes significant drone losses, India maintains
damage In response, India launched its own offensive drone operations, deploying
indigenous UAVs to strike
targeted both military and militant infrastructure
Active Covid cases in India cross 4,000 mark
India's acti ve Co vid-19 cases
h av e cr o s s ed t h e 4, 0 00
m ar k , wi th K er al a remaining the most affected s t at e f o ll o we d b y
Mah aras htra, Guj arat, and
D e lh i , a c c o rd i ng t o t h e
Union Health Ministry data released o n T uesday, J une 3
There are 4,026 active cases in India and five fresh deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours Since January this year, 37 deaths have been reported in the c o u n t r
a c t i v e p a t i e n t s i n t h e
c o u n t r y o n M a y 2 2 T h e figure rose to 3,395 by May 31 and subsequently to 4,026 cases
P r e s e n t l y , K e r a l a h a s 1 , 4 1 6 a c t i v e c a s e s , t h e
h i g h e s t i n t h e c o u n t r y
f o l l o w e d b y M a h a r a s h t r a with 494, Gujarat with 397 and Delhi with 393 cases
Five deaths - one each in
K e r a l a , T a m i l N a d u a n d West Bengal and two deaths in Maharashtra - have been
r e p o r t e d i n t h e l a s t 2 4 h o u r s , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e data Official sources stated that the Covid situation in
I n d i a i s b e i n g c l o s e l y monitored while stressing t h a t t h e s e v e r i t y o f infections is low, with most of the patients being under home care and that there was no cause for worry
D i r e c t o r G e n e r a l o f
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv B e h l s t a t e d t h a t g e n o m e
s e q u e n c i n g o f s a m p l e s i n West and South have shown that the variants leading to the current rise in cases are n o t s e v e r e a n d a r e s u b variants of Omicron only
The four variants that w e h a v e f o u n d a r e subvariants of OmicronL F 7 , X F G , J N 1 a n d N B 1 8 1 The first three have been found in more number of cases, he said We have been closely monitoring the situation At this moment overall, we should monitor, be vigilant but there is no cause to worry," Dr Behl had said
Two deaths in Ahmedabad in two days
Ahmedabad on Sunday recorded the second death of a Covid patient within
73 died during 1st month of Char Dham
yatra
U t t a
a n d g o v t so
ce s said t hat 65 pilg rims on the Cha r Dham yat ra died due t
illed in a cciden
pilgrims who died due to
complications, most were on t h e K e d a r n a t h y a t r a ( 3 0 ) followed by Badrinath (15), Yamunotri (12) and Gangotri (8) Last year, 246 people had passed away during the 6month-long yatra due to a c o m b i n a t i o n o f h e a l t h reasons as well as accidents
U t t a r a k h a n d h e a l t h
s e c r e t a r y R R a j e s h K u m a r s a i d , “ A l a r g e n u m b e r o f pilgrims were brought dead to health facilities This year, there are 10 fewer casualties as compared to the previous year in the corresponding d u r a t i o n ” H e a d d e d t h a t
two days An 18-year-old girl from Vinzol area, who was a d m i
infection on Sunday night
Meanwhile, Gujarat added 95 fresh Covid cases taking the total active cases to 397, according to data released b
department on Monday Of these, 22 are hospitalized Dr
a r o u n d 4 3 0 , 0 0 0 p i
centres and medical relief posts within the first month “ A r o b u s t h e a l t h infrastructure is in place on the route This includes 69 m
nurses, 26 pharmacists, 309
6 ICU beds, 13 departmental ambulances, one blood bank
units,” Kumar said
M
, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar P r a d e s h , R a j a
fatalities took place among
classified under the
issues
On Saturday, a 47-year-
cases, the authorities were silent on the cause of death Experts, however, pointed
p u l m o n a r y i n f e c t i o n s a s possible reasons for their demise
Death of another Gujarati child confirmed in California boat capsize
More th an a fortni ght after a smuggli ng boat capsized off Cali forni a ’ s coast, the body of 10-year- old Mahi Patel from G u ja r at w a s r ec o v er ed at Torrey Pines State Beach on May 21 The chi ld' s i denti ty w as c o nf i r m ed vi a DN A testing Mahi 's remains were d iscovered by a passerby H er 14 - year - ol d bro th er d i ed i n the May 5 i nci dent, while her p arents rema in ho sp i tali s ed and are sti ll i n a coma
T h e P a t e l f a m i l y , w h o hailed from Mehsana district in North Gujarat, had paid o v e r £ 2 6 0 , 0 0 0 t o h u m a n traffickers
Official documents from the investigating agency state:
“ T h e d e c e d e n t w a s o n e o f multiple passengers upon a panga (small fishing vessel) that capsized on May 5 at Del
M a r B e a c h A p a s s e r b y o n
May 21 found human remains on Torrey Pines State Beach a n d c o n t a c t e d l a w
e n f o r c e m e n t H e r p a r e n t s were notified of DNA testing confirming that the remains b e l o n g e d t o t h e d e c e d e n t ”
T h e c a u s e a n d m a n n e r o f death are currently pending further investigation
T h e b o a t h a d c a p s i z e d d u e t o r o u g h o c e a n
c o n d i t i o n s , a n d e m e r g e n c y responders were immediately
d i s p a t c h e d f o l l o w i n g a 9 1 1 call At the time, Mahi was reported missing, while the bodies of Prince and at least t w o o t h e r m i g r a n t s w e r e r e c o v e r e d f r o m t h e s c e n e Mahi’s father, Brijesh Patel, was found unconscious and remains in a coma, while her mother, Sangita, is critically injured and hospitalised
This tragedy is part of a broader case involving human s m u g g l i n g o p e r a t i o n s t a r g e t i n g m i g r a n t s f r o m I n d i a , p a r t i c u l a r l y f r o m Gujarat The Patel family had r e p
were part of
larger human
spanned Mexico, the US, and India The Patels were part of
including four others from
remain unconfirmed US federal agencies have
Americans
IAF chief's wake - up call on delayed defence modernisation projects
Persist ent dela ys in mil it ary modernisation proje cts and u n a ch ie v a b l e p r om is e s adve rsely impact opera tion al re adiness of the armed force s in t he l on g run, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh sa id
Speaking at the annual CII business summit, the IAF chief also described the deep p r e c i s i o n s t r i k e s a g a i n s t terror hubs and military bases in Pakistan from May 7 to 10 under Operation Sindoor as a “ n a t i o n a l v i c t o r y ” a n d a testament to the collective efforts of the armed forces, d i f f e r e n t a g e n c i e s a n d a l l citizens in a “whole-of-nation a p p r o a c h ” a g a i n s t c r o s sborder terrorism “This was an operation e x e c u t e d i n a v e r y p r o f e s s i o n a l m a n n e r b y everybody When truth is on your side, things happen a u t o m a t i c a l l y , ” h e s a i d , speaking publicly for the first t i m e a b o u t O p e r a t i o n
Sindoor
“It has given us clarity on t h e e v o l v i n g n a t u r e o f w a r f a r e I t h a s g i v e n t h e armed forces a clear idea of where we are headed and what we need in the future
N e w t e c h n o l o g i e s a r e c o n s t a n t l y e m e r g i n g W e need to realign our thinking accordingly, and it is already underway,” he added
T h e I A F c h i e f ’ s d e e p a n g u i s h a t t h e h u g e t i m e o v e r r u n s i n d o m e s t i c d e f e n c e p r o j e c t s , h o w e v e r , c a m e t h r o u g h i n t h e backdrop of massive delays
i n p r o d u c t i o n o f t h e i n d i g e n o u s T e j a s M a r k - 1 A j e t s b y d e f e n c e P S U H i n d u s t a n A e r o n a u t i c s Limited, which has left his force grappling with just 30 fighter squadrons when it is authorised to have 42 5, and several other projects
cannot be achieved?” ACM Singh asked “While signing the contract itself, some of the times we are sure that it is not going to come up But
Obviously, then the process gets vitiated,” he added With the private sector
fighter called the advanced
“ T i m e l i n e s a r e a b i g issue Not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time So, this is something that we have to l o o k a t W h y s h o u l d w e p r o m i s e s o m
Dr Gauri Trivedi
India again rejects US claim in court of trade offer to halt conflict
trade to mediate a ceasefire has been well articulated
“I hope you have seen
referred to the court order and said that I n
that was made clear on 13th
menced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action o
Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation,’’
Randhir Jaiswal
“The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any
External affairs minister has also made clear that the cessation of firing was decided
tacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan,’’ he a
n May 13 that there was no mention of trade in the con-
versation that Vice President
Marco Rubio had with his c
u n t e r p a r t S J a i s h a n k a r and NSA Ajit Doval – to stop the conflict
U S s e c r e t a r y o f c o mmerce Howard Lutnick had said in a declaration in the US Court of International Trade that the ceasefire was only achieved after Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war This followed repeated denials by India of such claims, including one by Jaishankar
India's first light tank Zorawar set to roll out from Gujarat
I n d i a i s o n t h e c u s p o f launching its first indigenous AI-enabled light tank
Z o r a w a r T h i s a d v a n c e d tank is being produced at L a r s e n & T o u b r o ' s ( L & T ) facility at Hazira, Gujarat
Developed as a collaborative
e f f o r t w i t h t h e D e f e n c e Research and Development
O r g a n i s a t i o n ( D R D O ) , Zorawar signifies a major
a d v a n c e m e n t i n I n d i a s
d e f e n s e m a n u f a c t u r i n g capabilities Initially, nearly 400 Zorawar tanks will be p r o d u c e d
c h c o s t i n g approximately £7mn Many of Zorawar's components are locally sourced, with MSMEs in Vadodara, Rajkot, and Surat contributing parts like its domestically developed cooling system, r
80gm armored plating, optimizing it for rapid
for high-altitude combat, particularly for regions like Ladakh along the IndoChina border Named after the 19th-century Dogra general Zorawar Singh, famed for his campaigns in Ladakh and western Tibet, the tank
n warfare legacy and boasts advanced features for modern battlefields
Defense officials stated that its AI-enabled fire control system allows targets to be automatically identified and locked onto, requiring o
A k e y a d d i t i o n i s i t s i n t e g r a t e d anti-drone defense system, w h i c h c a n a u t o n o m o u s l y detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats
India's food grain output to touch record 354 MT
In dia 's food gra in prod uct ion is proje ct ed t o touch a
r e c or d 3 54 m il lion t o n n e s ( MT) in 2024-25, mark ing a r obust 6 6% in crea se and the fast est growt h in e ig ht yea rs
T h i s r e c o r d - b r e a k i n g output spans across major
c r o p s l i k e p a d d y , w h e a t , maize, groundnuts, and soy-
b e a n U n i o n A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r S h i v r a j S i n g h
C h o u h a n c r e d i t e d t h i s achievement to the central
g o v e r n m e n t ' s f a r m e r - c e ntric policies, including initiatives such as fair pricing,
c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r l o s s e s , and accessible low-interest loans He also highlighted the crucial role of state gov-
e r n m e n t s i n e f f e c t i v e l y i m p l e m e n t i n g t h e s e m e asures Wheat production estimates for 2024-25 have been revised upwards to 117 MT, exceeding the earlier projection of 115 MT This also marks an increase from the previous year's production of 113 MT Paddy production is forecasted to reach a new high of 149 MT in 2024-25, a
significant rise from the 138
M T r e c o r d e d i n 2 0 2 3 - 2 4
Maize output is projected at 42 MT Coarse cereals production for 2024-25 is estimated at 6 MT, which is higher than the output of the preceding year
P u l s e ’ s p r o d u c t i o n i s e s t i m a t e d a t 2 5 M T , a n increase from 24 MT last year Oil seed’s production is projected to reach 43 MT, up from nearly 40 MT in the p
l seeds, soybean production is estimated at 15 1 MT, which
is 2 1 MT more than last y e a r ' s o u t p u t G r o u n d n u t production is estimated at 11 2 MT, an increase of 1 7 MT compared to last year S i m i l a r l y , s u g a r c a n e p r oduction is estimated at 450 MT The agriculture ministry stated that there are e f f o r t s b e i n g m a d e t o increase the production of pulses and oil seeds This p o s i t i v e d e v e l o p m e n t a l s o s i g n i f i c a n t l y b e n e f i t s t h e rural economy, arriving at a time of considerable global uncertainty
Lavrov pushes for revival of Russia-India-China trilateral initiative
With India h aving resolved
i t s 2 02 0 b o rd er s ta n do f f w i th C h i n a i n La da kh , Ru ssia is p ushi ng India to r es t ar t t h e Ru s s i a- I n di aCh ina (RIC) tri lateral mech -
a n is m F o re ig n m i ni s t er S er ge y Lav ro v s a i d a n u nd er st an d in g h a d b ee n reached between India and Ch ina on h ow to ease the si tuation on the bo rder and i t’s ti me now fo r th e revival o f th e RIC tro ika “I would like to confirm our genuine interest in earl i e s t r e s u m p t i o n o f t h e work within the format of troika - Russia, India, China - w h i c h w a s e s
h e d many years ago on the initiative of Yevgeny Primakov (former Russian PM), and which has organised meet-
ings over 20 times at the ministerial level since then, not only at level of foreign policy chiefs, but also heads o f o t h e r e c o n o m i c , t r a d e a n d f i
Lavrov, speaking at a con-
TASS agency Lavrov is likely to take
u
Indian authorities during his upcoming visit to India He is likely to travel to India in June to finalise the agenda f
that will see President Vladimir Putin visiting India for the first time s i
Ukraine war started in Feb 2022
The Russian agency also q
e d L a v r o v a s s a y i n g that Nato is blatantly trying t o l u r e I n d i a i n t o a n t iChina intrigues “I have no doubts whatsoever that our Indian friends, and I say this based on confidential conversations with them, obviously see this trend that can
Ind ia did lo se som e fighter jets du ring th e strikes on nine terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK and the consequent retaliati on on M ay 7, b ut th e n ch ang e d tac ti c s t o inflict major dam ag e on airbases d eep across the bord er bef or e th e c ease fi re th ree days later, C hief of Defence Staff General A nil Ch auh an said The CDS did not specify t h e e x a c t n u m b e r o f j e t s India lost but asserted that Pakistan’s claim of having shot down six IAF aircraft, including three French-origin Rafales, was “absolutely incorrect” in separate interviews on the sidelines of the S h a n g r i - L a D i a l o g u e i n Singapore
T h e c o u n t r y ’ s s e n i o r m o s t m i l i t a r y o f f i c e r a l s o said the conflict from May 7 to May 10, which saw reciprocal air, missile, drone and artillery strikes, never came anywhere close to the point o f n u c l e a r c o n f l a g r a t i o n , with both sides “displaying a l o t o f r a t i o n a l i t y i n t h e i r thoughts as well as actions”
Gen Chauhan’s admission of India’s initial setb a c k s d u r i n g O p e r a t i o n Sindoor is the most direct since director general of air operations Air Marshal A K Bharti on May 11 said losses were part of any combat situation but “all our pilots are back home”, implying they had ejected safely after their jets were hit by enemy fire
“What I can say is that
o n M a y 7 , i n t h e i n i t i a l s t a g e s , t h e r e w e r e l o s s e s What was important is why
did these losses occur, and what we will do after that So, we rectified tactics and t h e n w e n t b a c k , ” G e n Chauhan said “The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range," Gen Chauhan said
that India had successfully
deep inside Pakistani territory- up to 300 kms - on airfields protected by dense air
G
Chauhan dismissed suggestions that the conflict came close to triggering a nuclear war He said, “I personally feel that there is a lot of space between the conduct of conventional operations and the nuclear threshold " C
remained open throughout the crisis The CDS concluded that the current ceasefire is holding, but its durability depends on future Pakistani actions “We have laid clear red lines," he warned
J&K to build memorial for 26 killed in Pahalgam attack
J&K go vt will build a memorial to 26 men killed in th e A pril 22 terrorist attack in Baisaran meadow of Pahalg am , C M Omar Abdullah announced during an ou treach to tourism stakeho ld ers from across Ind ia in the resort to wn, where h e also chaired a cabinet meeting earlier in the day to bolster to urist co nfidence
m e d a s a large provocation,” Lavrov said India last hosted a meeting of RIC foreign ministers in a virtual mode in Nov 2021 The minister had then pledged to strengthen cooperation under the Shanghai C o o p e r a t i o n O r g a n i s a t i o n ( S C O ) s a y i n g t h e g r o u p played a constructive role in securing peace and sustainable development, advanci
g o o d - n e i g h b o u r l i n e s s a n d mutual trust While India hasn’t taken any decision yet on participation in the S C O s u m m i t t h a t C h i n a will host this year, Russia is hoping PM Modi will attend the event
“What took place on April 22 was a heinous act of terror that besmirched everything Kashmir stands for While nothing we do will compensate for that, the J&K govt will build a memorial to our guests who were killed that day,” Omar said The cabinet meeting cleared the memorial in Baisaranabout 7km from Pahalgam and reachable either on foot or by horse - and Omar said he instructed PWD to start work
Tourism - long considered J&K’s economic backbone - has seen strong revival since Article 370 ’ s abrogation in 2019, with record-breaking footfall “We were having a great seasonpeople were complaining about high airfares and traffic snarls in Srinagar Nazar lag gayi!,” Omar said He expressed his longstanding frustration over international travel advisories that discourage visits to the region
“My hair has gone grey fighting against these advisories Before April 22 happened, I had several discussions with Union govt on how we could mount a global campaign against these biased advisories,” he said Omar called tourism a “conflict-neutral activity” and said his govt had consistently worked to shield it from politics “Tourism is a means for people to earn their livelihood It must be seen as an economic engine,” he told reporters after the cabinet meeting Omar said Centre was showing seriousness in reviving tourism, with PM Modi recently holding a high-level review “We are hopeful all necessary assistance will be provided,” he added CM said 48 destinations shuttered post-attack had undergone security audits and should reopen
“If you shut down Tulip Garden (in Srinagar), then close all of Kashmir,” he said
Randhir Jaiswal
CDS General Anil Chauhan
Sergey Lavrov
Karnataka refuses screening Haasan film, seeks his apology
C h a mb e r o f C o m m er c e ( K F C C ) h a s dou bled down o n its s tance, saying no th eatre in the state will screen th
High Co urt s eeking protection
“Let him go to court None of our theatres will screen it,” KFCC president M N a r a s i m h a
d ,
e s p
n d i n g t o news that Haasan’s production house, Raaj Kamal International, had sought legal protection The controversy stems from Haasan’s recent remark suggesting K a n n a d a e v o l v e d f r o m T a m i l , a statement that triggered protests from pro-Kannada groups and demands for a public apology Though Haasan later clarified that his words came “out of l o v e ” a n d t h a t “ l o v e w i l l n e v e r apologise,” the backlash has continued
Narasimhalu said the KFCC learned of the court petition through media reports “This is not just a film industry issue anymore, it’s become a state and language issue We’ve received a letter from the government Everyone, proKannada organisations, politicians, and the people, is demanding an apology,”
he said Distributors of the film are expected to speak to Haasan, who is currently in Dubai promoting the film, and inform KFCC of their next steps “We’ll take a decision after that and also consult our legal team,” Narasimhalu added, noting that the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce had also attempted to reach out to the actor
comment on Haasan’s statement “Let
everyone to remain calm and patient,”
he said
Rift surfaces in BRS as siblings fight over ‘merger’ with BJP
HY DE RA BA D: In a d ramatic escalation of intra-party squabbling in T elangana, Bharat Rashtra S am ithi M LC and former MP Kalv akuntla Kav ith a, daugh ter of party su premo K Chandrasekhar Rao, accu sed senior netas within her own party of attem pting to m erge BRS w ith BJP - a m ove sh e says she v ehemently opp osed even while incarcerated in the Delhi liquo r po licy scam case last year
In an informal interaction with the media at her
indirectly targeting working president and her brother KT Rama Rao for failing to act against ‘internal coverts,’ not responding to attacks from the Congress, and remaining silent during a coordinated smear campaign against her
“When I was in jail, there was talk of merging BRS with BJP I told my father KCR clearly: Let the party remain independent, even if it meant I stayed in jail for six months or another year, ” Kavitha said The MLC said her actions were aimed only at strengthening the party, and backstabbing was not in her DNA
Kavitha said there was an internal conspiracy to
Referring to the leak of a private feedback letter she had written to her father earlier this month, she accused party insiders“coverts,” as she put it - of attempting to discredit her and questioned why the party leadership failed to identify or act against those responsible
BJP's Jiwan Gupta files nomination for Ludhiana West by-poll
LU DH I A NA : O n the final day for filing nomination s for the Ludhiana West bye l e c ti on , s c he du le d fo r J u ne 19 , th e B haratiya Janata Party (BJP) demonstrated a strong show of unity and strength as its c a n d i da t e J i w an G up ta s ub m i tt e d h i s nomination papers
From Union minister Ravneet Singh
B i t t u t o P u n j a b B J P p r e s i d e n t S u n i l
Jakhar, Vijay Rupani, Ashwani Sharma, Manpreet Singh Badal, Shwait Malik, and S o m P a r k a s h , t h e p a r t y ’ s l e a d e r s h i p turned up to back Gupta’s candidature
A l t h o u g h t h e B J P a n n o u n c e d G u p t a ’ s candidature late, the impressive turnout of senior leaders made the occasion a memorable one
Addressing locals and party workers, Jakhar took a jibe at the opposition He revealed that while in Europe recently, he w a s s e n t a v i d e o i n w h i c h C o n g r e s s
c a n d i d a t e B h a r a t B h u s h a n A s h u w a s “missing” the Punjab BJP president “Ashu ji, here I am Tumne pukara aur hum
chale aaye, ” said Jakhar, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd
Jakhar accused both the Congress and AAP of fostering internal sabotage, saying, “They don’t need external oppositionthey are feeding ‘aasteen ke saanp ’ (snakes in the sleeve) who will destroy them from within ”
He urged BJP workers to stay focused on the party’s development agenda rather than worrying about rivals
In a sharp critique of AAP, Jakhar a l l e g e d t h a t P u
Secretariat, who checks the CM’s kothi, or when to open the fridge to serve drinks,” he said satirically Meanwhile, Ravneet Singh Bittu invoked his own electoral
similar support for Jiwan Gupta “He is a dedicated worker of both the RSS and BJP, and truly deserves your vote,” Bittu said
A L I P U R D U A R ( B E N G A L ) : Prime M iniste r Narendra Modi r epeate dly ca ll ed out Bengal ’ s “nirmam s arkar (c ruel govt)” at a publ ic meet ing in Alipur duar , s igna lling BJP’s s trategy f or 2 02 6 a s s e m b l y e l e c t io ns M od i devoted over half his 35-minut e s peech to a ttacking Trinamool g ov t on is s ue s r a ng i ng f
he
s ’ r ecruitm ent sc am to recent violent anti-Waqf l aw protes ts in M ur shidabad
But the loudest cheers came when he shifted focus to Operation Sindoor “I have come to the land that celebrates sindoor khela,” Modi said, referencing a Durga Puja ritual “Every terrorist strike comes at a cost We entered their homes thrice and struck We worship Shakti and Mahishasurmardini,” he said
“People in Bengal were angry after the terrorist attack and I could understand your
a n g e r T e r r o r i s t s w i p e d o u t o u r s i s t e r s ’ s i n d o o r ,
sindoor’s power, ” Modi said “They (Pakistan)
women and terrorised people
soldiers are experts in genocide and spreading terror but fail in real battles That’s why they rely on terror,” he said
Murshidabad and Malda was
Goons ruled in the name of appeasement
M L A s m
burned as police stood by The administration is cruel and indifferent We don’t want this cruel govt,” he said BJP eye s TM C’s f emal e vote bank
While addressing a meeting at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium, union home minister Amit Shah said that the era of “appeasement politics” in Bengal is over as BJP primes itself to form the next govt in 2026 with the support of its core Hindu constituency and women voters moving away from Mamata’s party He was echoing a sentiment ignited by PM Modi in north Bengal earlier “Bengal’s women won’t tolerate any insult to sindoor,” Shah declared
Punjab approves land pooling policy amid tiff with farmers
CH AND IG ARH : Amid ongo ing tensions with f
O p p o s i ti o n p
et ap proved the land p oo ling po li cy, ai med at cu rbing illegal colonisation
Under the policy, farmers can voluntarily offer their land for development and, in return, receive a residential plot and a commercial site in lieu of one acre of land Punjab renewable energy minister Aman Arora clarified that the policy is entirely voluntary, with no element of
launched in 27 cities across the state,” he said Farmers will have the choice to develop the land themselves or hand it over to private developers or government agencies
If a person contributes nine acres of land, three acres will be returned to the owner for developing a group housing society - meaning one-third of the pooled land is returned to the owner It is learnt that under the land pooling scheme, for every one acre of land contributed to the developer, the owner will receive a 1,000square-yard residential plot and a 200-squareyard commercial plot
EC plans full CCTV cover for Kaliganj by-poll
K OL K A TA : The Election Com mission of India (EC) is set to introduce a series of measures for the by-election to th e Kalig anj A ssembly segm ent schedu led o n Ju ne 19 in a bid to ensure th at no co mplaint comes u p ov er the election process
The initiatives include the installation of CCTV cameras in all the booths, getting live feed from outside the booths where voters queue up, installing CCTV cameras on the v e h i c l e s o f s e c t o r o f f i c e s a n d d e p l o y i n g quick response teams In addition, the EC has decided to send a list of booths and areas where central forces must be deployed
“The EC is very serious about the byp o l l s i n f i v e A s s e m b l y s e a t s a c r o s s t h e country, including Kaliganj, on June 19 The steps are being initiated only because the p o l l p a n e l d o e s n o t w a n t a n y b o d y t o question the outcome of the polls If the steps yield results, these would be adopted in next year ’ s Assembly polls,” said a poll panel official Five by-polls will be held on June 19 Kaliganj apart, the others will be in Gujarat (two seats) and one each in Kerala and Punjab
NORTH-EAST
34 killed, 19,000 displaced as heavy rains batter Northeast
At least 34 died in th e N orth eas t as the region rec eived h eavy rainfall, triggering f loo ds and l
rep orted from Assam , taking
rem ains tense as of ficial s warned of more f loo ds , with al l th e seven major rivers in the region breaching danger levels Troo ps of the I ndian Army and Assam Rifl es carry o ut f loo d rel ief op erations
Manipur, rescuing over 100 civilians from inundated areas, in coordination with civil
state, Manipur, more than 19,000 people have been affected and over 3,300 houses damaged over the last four days Several places in Manipur's capital, Imphal, and its surrounding areas have been submerged underwater after spells of heavy downpour sent the Imphal river in spate In Arunachal Pradesh, at least
reportedly killed after their car was struck by
landslide on National Highway 13 in the East
including road, railway and ferry services, took a hit in Assamunion home minister Shah assured all possible assistance to the locals Troops of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles carry out flood relief operations The army carried out relief works in Tripura, south Assam, and Jiribam in Manipur, rescuing over
coordination with civil administration
44 MLAS READY TO FORM MANIPUR GOVT; MEET GOVERNOR
A group of 10 MLAs led by BJP s Thokchom Radheshyam met Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to convey their readiness to form a govt in the state which is under President’s Rule The group claimed support of 44 NDA legislators Independent MLA Sapam Nishikant Singh spoke in the same vein The 44 MLAs mentioned by Radheyshyam include 30 of 37 BJP legislators, including former CM N Biren Singh; six NPP MLAs all five NPF MLAs the lone JD(U) MLA and two of three Independents The seven remaining BJP legislators, two Kuki People s Alliance members and one Independent all belonging to the Kuki-Zo community are not part of this group The 60-member Manipur assembly currently has 59 MLAs, with one seat vacant Opposition Congress has five members While BJP refrained from commenting on the development, there were indications that the group of 10 could not have acted unilaterally Manipur has been under President’s Rule since Feb after Biren Singh resigned as CM amid criticism about his govt’s handling of the ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos
ARMS LICENCE TO CITIZENS IN VULNERABLE ASSAM BORDER AREAS
Assam cabinet approved a special scheme to grant arms licences to original inhabitants and indigenous citizens living in vulnerable remote areas near the Bangladesh border, where Bangladesh-origin immigrant Muslims form a majority CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the move aims to deter unlawful threats and enhance personal security and confidence among indigenous communities The scheme targets areas such as Dhubri Nagaon Morigaon, Barpeta, South Salmara-Mankachar, and Goalpara, where indigenous people have long expressed concerns over safety, he said “This is an important and sensitive decision said Sarma Indigenous people in these districts face insecurity especially with recent developments in Bangladesh They are at risk of attacks either from across the border or within their own villages ” Calling it a long-standing demand since 1985 Sarma said previous govts lacked the courage to act “Had this decision been made earlier, many indigenous families would not have sold their land or been forced to migrate he said
WEST BENGAL
Kamal Haasan
Narendra Modi
Pakistan had to beg for ceasefire during Op Sindoor: PM Modi
P r i m e M i ni s ter N are nd r a M o d i
s aid Pakis tan had to ‘beg fo r a c ea s ef ir e ’ d u ri ng Op e ra ti o n S ind oor, in yet another assertio n by India th at contradicts Donald
T r u m p ’ s c lai m th at th e U S
P r es i d en t h ad bro k er ed p e ac e between the two neig hbours
“We penetrated hundreds of miles into Pakistan and destroyed the hideouts of terrorists,” the PM said at a rally in Kanpur
“ D u e t o t h e b r a v e r y o f o u r army, Pakistan had to plead and beg for a ceasefire,” he said, adding: “The one who was begging during Operation Sindoor must not forget - it is not over yet ” A day after a video of Pakistani
viral in which he is heard admitting that India’s pre-emptive BrahMos
missile strikes at military sites impeded Islamabad’s a
Modi underlined the use of swadeshi weapons dur-
enemy sleep has a new address - Uttar Pradesh,” he said, referring to the production of the indigenous missile in Lucknow which started last month
Modi asserted at the Kanpur rally, and at another one in Bihar’s Bikramganj, that terrorists would be traced wherever they are,
Gujarati man gets 10-year jail in US for Dingucha deaths
T w o m e n ha v e be e n se n -
t en ce d to ja il in the U S for t heir r ole s in a huma n tr afficking r acke t tha t resulted in the de at h of a Ding ucha couple an d their two child r e n i n Ja n 20 2 2 Har shkumar Ram anlal Pat el, 29, a nd his co-con spir a tor S t e v e A n t h on y S h a n d , 5 0, we re pa rt of a huma n-smugg ling opera tion t hat brought In dian n at ion als t o Can ada on fraudulen t stude nt visa s a n d t h e n s m u g g le d t he m in to the US across the nort he rn borde r R a m a n l a l P a t e l , a n
I n d i a n n a t i o n a l f r o m Florida, was sentenced to 10 y e a r s a n d o n e m o n t h i n prison for his role in the c o n s p i r a c y H e w i l l b e deported from the US following his sentence Shand was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, f o l l o w e d b y t w o y e a r s o f supervised release, the US Department of Justice said in a statement
In Jan 2022, four family members - Jagdish Patel, 39, V a i s h a l i b e n P a t e l , 3 7 ,
V i
found frozen to death near Emerson, Manitoba, approximately 12 metres from the C
n a d a - U S
, w h i l e attempting to enter America illegally Ramanlal Patel was arrested by authorities from C h i c a g o ' s O ' H a r e I n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t i n 2024 for his involvement in the human smuggling conspiracy
“Every time I think about this case, I think about this family - including two beautiful little children - who the defendants left to freeze to death in a blizzard,” acting US attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota said
As we ’ ve seen time and time again, human traffickers care nothing for humanity I am proud of the work of our law enforcement partners in holding these defendants accountable for their u n s p e a k a b l e c r i m e s , ” s h e said The justice department s t a t e m e n t s a i d R a m a n l a l Patel organized the logistics o f s m u g g l i n g i n d i v i d u
into the US, with other coc o n s p i r a t o r s , a n d S h a n d picked them up just south of the Canadian border in the U
Chicago
Both men were paid for their roles in the conspiracy a
posed to the persons by the cold weather at the northern
dence at trial, the going rate to be smuggled from India t
United States was $100,000
“Patel and Shand endangered thousands of lives for t h
i c h m e n t and are responsible for the deaths of two small children who froze to death on their w a t c h , ” s a i d M
t t h e w R Galeotti, head of the justice department’s criminal division On Jan 18 and 19, 2022, Ramanlal Patel and Shand, d e s p i t
s about the dangers, organized the smuggling of 11 people, including the Patel family of four
Former Bollywood star Mumtaz's brave battle against cancer
A ctres s Mumtaz was once a big Bollywood star Today, she i s known as M umtaz M ayur
M ad hvani She fought a toug h battle with cancer and won D uri ng that time, she had 6 chemotherapy session s and 35 r ad i o t he ra py tre at men t s S peaki ng about her struggle, M umtaz summed it up in one e mot i on a l s en te n ce: "I f my husband (Mayur) hadn’t been by my si de, I mi ght n ot have s urv ived "
In an interview, Mumtaz spoke about her career, love, marriage and the courageous battle she fought against cancer with the unwavering support of her husband Mumtaz married Mayur, a renowned businessman from Uganda, in 1974 However, the marriage did not happen immediately She requested time from Mayur to bid farewell to the film industry properly Mayur waited patiently for nearly two years for her to complete her commitments Mumtaz has no regrets
making the most important decision of her life As she f
happy married life, Mumtaz expresses a desire to spend as much time as possible with him However, Mayur who
schedule due to his profess
ments
A l ong battle against canc er In a previous interview,
Modi likened terror to a serpent, saying, “If it raises its hood again, it would be dragged out of its hole and trampled ” He asserted that Indian armed forces had reduced to rubble the hideouts of those who had master-
sitting in Pakistan and “destroyed the sindoor of our sisters
recalled that at his first public rally just a day after the Pahalgam massacre on April 22, he had made the solemn pledge to the nation from Madhubani that masterminds of
punishment beyond their imagination
Modi said those who once felt secure under the protection of the P a k i s t a n i m
brought to their knees by India’s forces in a single decisive action and added that Operation Sindoor w
quiver
The PM hailed
courage displayed by BSF during Operation Sindoor, while paying
Imtiaz, who was martyred on May 10 at the border
Modi also launched development projects worth more than £4 85bn in Bihar In Kanpur, he inaugurated and laid foundation of 15 projects worth over £4 76bn
No invitation for PM Modi to attend G7 meet hosted by Canada
F o r th e f i rs t ti m e i n s i x
years, PM Narend ra M odi is unlikely to be a p art of the G7 summ it being h osted by C anad a th is year from June 1 5 - 1 7 T h ere ’ s no o ff i c ia l invitation yet from C anad a for the meeting in A lberta but Mod i in all likelih ood wo uld not h av e trav elled to the North Am erican country in any case, esp ecially when India still isn’t sure th e new go vt in Ottawa w ill be more re ce p ti v e to i t s co n ce rns ab o u t t h e ac ti v it ie s o f Khalistani sep aratists
Any eleventh-hour invitation is unlikely to be considered by India because of logistical constraints, likely efforts by the separatists to d i s r u p t t h e v i s i t a n d t h e strained bilateral ties that
both Modi and his Canadian c o u n t e r p a r t M a r k C a r n e y have committed to improve A bilateral meeting on the margins could have provided an opportunity for the h e a d s t o j o i n t l y r e a f f i r m t h e i r c o m m i t m e n t t o rebuilding ties
Canada hasn’t officially a n n o u n c e d t h e n a m e s o f guest leaders for the summit, which will see the heads o f g o v t o f m a j o r w o r l d e c o n o m i e s i n a t t e n d a n c e , but reports in the Canadian m e d i a s a i d O t t a w a h a d i n v i t e d t h e l e a d e r s o f
A u s t r a l i a , U k r a i n e , S o u t h Africa and Brazil
T h i s w i l l b e t h e f i r s t time that Modi won’t be at the meeting of the economically most advanced group
More than 45,000 people across 100 cities participated in the BAPS Charities WalkRun - an inspiring demonstration of community spirit and service - on May 31 and June 1 Each city supported causes meaningful to its residents, ranging from local fire departments and schools to mental health and cancer care initiatives This movement reminded us that compassion is not just a s
Charities, along with the thousands who walked, showed that when we come together, we can make a real difference
cancer and the crucial role h
support played in helping her overcome it It was Mayur’s insistence on thorough med-
that gave Mumtaz the emotional strength to endure her treatment He also encouraged her to undergo surgery to maintain her health With love and humour, he kept the atmosphere light and often joked that Mumtaz looked like a popular bald doll
o f n a t i o n s s i n c e F r a n c e invited him for the summit in 2019 His presence at the summit of what is also an informal grouping of likem i n
c r a c
h
s been seen as a sign of India’s growing role in shaping the global agenda and addressing transnational issues S i k h s e p a
Carney govt to not invite the
alleged reluctance to cooperate in investigations into
Carney’s predecessor Justin Trudeau blamed the Indian govt for the murder without
with any evidence
F oundation laid for
in
More than 950 devotees and dignitaries from across Malawi and abroad gathered for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new BAPS Hindu Mandir in Lilongwe, the
Priyavrat Swami and other BAPS swamis;
pPresident of Hindu Seva Samaj Malawi; and senior representatives of 11 Indian community organizations from across Malawi
The ceremony included the mahapuja of Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, followed by placing of the foundation stones and kumbhs s
Mahant Swami Maharaj
NDA makes history as first batch of 17 female cadets graduates
Defence Ac ademy ( NDA) in P une wh ich prepares cadets for th e Ar my, Navy, and Air Fo rc e, h osted the 1 48th course graduati on ce remony, in which around 339 cade ts, including the first ba tch of 17 fe male cadetes, r eceived their de gree s The reviewing officer for the Passing out Parade (POP) was Gen V K Singh, the current governor of Mizoram and a former Army Chief Udayveer Negi, the academy cadet captain, led the 148th course's parade
At the Khetrpal Parade Ground of the tri-service training academy in Khadakwasla, which is referred to as the "cradle of leader-
ship," the cadets passed the "Antim Pag” After a Supreme Court order in 2021, the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) permitted women to apply to the defence academy, and the first group of female cadets enrolled in the NDA's 148th course in 2022 J a w a h a r l a l N e h r u U n
(
N U
, located in Delhi, awarded degrees to 339 cadets in total Eighty four of the cadets received a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, 85 received a Computer Science degree, 59 received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, and 111 received a BTech degree
Narendra Modi
Mumtaz Mayur Madhvani
weekend the BAPSCharities Walk
Run
participants Pictured here is the ribbon-cutting ceremony inLos Angeles, symbolizing the spirit of service, unity and community support
Swamis and devotees place
into the gart
Museums leading the way in reparations
Museums are increasingly repatriating artefacts and culturally significant items to address historical injustices, with Manchester Museum and Harvard leading efforts
In a growing movement to address historical injustices and foster healing, museums are taking pioneering steps to repatriate artefacts and culturally significant materials to their communities of origin Manchester Museum has emerged as a leader in this effort, recently being
confronting its complex colonial history and
values relationships with communities as much as its collections A
reopening in 2023, it embraced community
co-curation, including a South Asia gallery
Museum returned 174 artefacts, such as baskets, fishing spears, and boomerangs, to t h e A n i n d i l y a k w a p e o p l e o f A u s t r a l i a ’ s
G r o o t e A r c h i p e l a g o i n a c e
acknowledging past harms and encouraging healing In gratitude, the community gifted t h e m u s e u m 1 2 t r a d i t i o n a l l y m a d e s h e l l dolls
D i r e c t o r E s
v i v e d without museum care while emphasising the importance of seeing cultural heritage as l i v i n g a n d r e l a t i o n a l W i t h a h i s t o r y o f repatriations dating back to the early 2000s and being the first in Europe to return s a c r e d m a t e r i a l s i n 2 0 1 9 , M a n c h e s t e r Museum plans to establish a restitution research hub and hopes to inspire others
W a r d p r e d i c t s t h a t w
, repatriation will become common practice
across the sector
In a parallel development in the United States, Harvard University has agreed to t
daguerreotypes among the earliest known
American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina This move follows a prolonged
claims descent from two of the individuals pictured, including Renty and his daughter Delia
The images, taken in 1850 by Swiss-born Harvard professor Louis Agassiz, were part
polygenism, a theory that falsely argued
Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the photographs have been
universities’ historic ties to slavery
Though Lanier’s claim of ownership was legally dismissed, the court acknowledged Harvard’s complicity in the creation of the images The university, eager to place the daguerreotypes in a more fitting context, agreed to transfer all the images not just those of Renty and Delia to the museum near where the individuals were enslaved L
“homecoming,” expressing relief that the photographs would be cared for in a place deeply connected to their history Tonya Matthews, president of the International A
empathy,” recognising the painful legacy they represent T h e s e d
steps in shifting museum practices toward g r e a t
y engagement, and healing
Nancy Astor’s rare Cartier tiara set for landmark auction
A C a r ti e r t u r qu o i s e an d d iamond tiara, once owned by N ancy As to r, the first woman to take a seat in the Briti sh H o us e o f C o m mo n s , i s e xp e c te d to s e ll f o r o v er £ 250,00 0 at auc ti on Astor, an American-born politician, was elected in 1919 to represent Plymouth Sutton and served until 1945 The
t i a r a , p u r c h a s e d
h e r husband Lord Waldorf Astor in 1930, is being offered at a u c t i o
g
since then
J e a n G h i
London’s creative peak The design features single, rosec
fluted turquoise plumes with diamond stems Notably, Lady Astor wore the tiara to the 1931 premiere
of City Lights at London’s Dominion Theatre Bonhams
Langhorne in Virginia in 1879, she moved to England in 1905 and married Waldorf Astor in 1906 After her husband gave up his Commons seat, Nancy Astor won the 1919 election, becoming the first woman to actually sit in Parliament preceded only by Constance Markievicz, who was elected in 1918 but did not take her seat
1923, which raised the legal drinking age, and supporting the reduction of the female voting age from 30 to 21 in 1928
Despite criticism for alleged anti-Semitic and
Michigan couple win $2mn lottery on their anniversary
A Michigan couple celebrated their wedding anniversary by sitting down together to scratch off a lottery ticket - uncovering a $2 million win The 44-year-old Oakland County woman told Michigan Lottery officials the romantic day began with the purchase of a Diamonds & Gold scratch-off ticket from Opdyke Featherstone Mobil in Auburn Hills "My husband and I like playing different scratch off tickets, especially the Diamonds & Gold game," the winner said "We scratched this ticket off together on our wedding anniversary and my husband noticed the $2 million prize first He thought something wasn't right, so we took it to the store to scan it " "A message came up to file a claim at the lottery office, so we asked a friend to scan it on her lottery app I started shaking and was in total shock when $2 million came up on the screen It was so exciting and the best surprise on our anniversary," she said The winning couple said they are planning to buy a house, make investments and set some money aside for their children's college funds Top psychics reveal shocking predictions for 2025
Four renowned psychics - Baba Vanga, Nostradamus, Athos Salome, and Nicolas Aujula - have all predicted troubling events in 2025, warning of global chaos Baba Vanga foresaw devastating earthquakes linked to climate change and a war in Europe marking the start of "humanity's downfall" Nostradamus, in Les Propheties, predicted a cruel war involving the UK, with internal and external threats, and the return of a deadly Covid-like pandemic Athos Salome and Nicolas Aujula have echoed similar concerns, suggesting major unrest ahead These shared prophecies have raised global concern and intense discussion about what the rest of the year might hold According to a report, Brazilian psychic Athos Salome, 38, who has been known as a living Nostradamus for predicting momentous events like Queen Elizabeth's death, also believes that WWIII is on our doorstep and that "the worst is yet to come" This conflict will be perhaps scarier than in years past, as tech and cyber warfare will become the modus operandi for 21st-century combatants "This is not just a war of men but of machines, and in this aspect, what comes n
hypnotherapist Nicolas Aujula, 38, believes that war could break out by the middle of this year due to a "lack of compassion in the world"
How a techie's dream turned into nightmare
Recently, one young Indian developer took to Reddit to share how his dream turned into a nightmare after a job offer from a US startup was withdrawn just as he was set to join, leaving him unemployed In a post, the techie revealed that he saw his salary increase from Rs 600,000 to a promised Rs 18,00,000 per annum, only to crash back down to zero "I was a full-stack dev at an Indian startup, grinding at 6 LPA Learned a ton, and after a lot of effort, landed a contract offer from a very early-stage US-based startup that looked like a dream - promising around 18 LPA, the developer shared Everything seemed set I put in my papers at my old job, went through all the onboarding formalities with the new US startup, and served my notice period But just as I was ready to officially start, they hit me with the news: due to sudden internal restructuring and unforeseen changes in their needs (which I very much suspect translates to they found some other candidate as I could see a new person join their slack before I was hit with the mail but again I'm not entirely sure), they had to revoke my offer," he continued The Redditor shared that the company did offer to pay him for 15 days as a goodwill gesture "But it doesn't change the fact that I'm now unexpectedly unemployed," he said
Man jailed after pet bites neighbour
A 40-year-old man from Mumbai has been sentenced to four months rigorous imprisonment after his pet dog bit his neighbour in an apartment lift The man was convicted on charges of voluntarily causing hurt and negligent conduct with an animal After scrutinising CCTV footage, judicial first class magistrate said he would not grant the accused, Rishab Patel, “too much leniency The way in which the accused dragged his pet inside the lift shows that he is not compassionate towards his own pet The victim, Ramik Shah was on his way down from the fourth floor with his son and domestic help When the lift stopped on the third floor, the accused, was standing with his pet Shah requested him to wait, explaining his son was afraid of dogs However, Patel allegedly ignored the request and did not even allow them to exit the lift He dragged his dog in, and it ended up biting Shah on his left forearm The court concluded that the accused's actions were voluntarily as he knew or had reason to believe his actions could cause harm
Horse becomes a beast of burden for police
A horse has unexpectedly become a beast of burden for the Nautan police station in West Champaran district after it was caught ferrying around 50 litres of smuggled liquor With the liquor smuggler still at large, the police now find themselves responsible for the daily care of the animal The horse was seized during a raid by the police and was being used by a local smuggler, identified as Akash Yadav, to transport liquor in violation of Bihar’s prohibition laws While efforts are on to nab Yadav, the immediate concern for the police is to ensure the wellbeing of the animal According to Rajesh Kumar, SHO of Nautan police station, the horse is currently being housed on the station premises “We are feeding it green grass, chickpeas, and jaggery at the police station’s expense Until an appropriate caretaker is found, the responsibility of its care falls on us, ” he said The police station has appealed for help locate an animal lover with the knowledge and ability to properly care for a horse Once such a person is found, the horse will be handed over to him through an official process
Man caught tossing bundles of cash on neighbour’s terrace
A day before his retirement after 34 years in govt service, a chief engineer with Odisha’s rural development department, Baikuntha Nath Sarangi (60), was detained after he was caught on camera tossing bundles of cash onto his neighbour’s terrace during a vigilance raid at his apartment in Bhubaneswar Vigilance officers seized around £250,000 in cash
d
rights,
During her tenure, Astor championed women
argue she faced misogyny and opposed Nazism She retired in 1945 and passed away in 1964 at age 84 The tiara auction will take place at Bonhams, New Bond
neighbour’s rooftop, and another property in Angul Sleuths said the moment he saw them, he closed the door and started throwing bundles of cash onto his neighbour’s terrace “We
Nancy Astor
Cartier’s
turquoise and diamond tiara
Manchester Museum
Daguerreotypes depicting Renty with his daughter Delia returned by Havard University
New immunotherapy doubles cancer-free survival
A new imm unotherapy treatment has d oubled th e leng th of cancer-free surv ival in patients w ith head and neck cancers, according to a m ajor international clinical trial
P a t i e n t s g i v e n t h e i m
brolizumab alongside standard treatment lived cancer-free for an average of five years compared to just 30 months for those who did not receive the drug The findings, described as “dramatic,” were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago
The trial involved 714 patients across 24 countries, including participants treated by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust Half the patients received pembrolizumab before undergoing the standard treatment of surgery followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy The other half received standard treatment alone
Researchers believe pembrolizumab, which is already approved for treating recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers, primes the immune system to better recognise and attack tumours when combined with surgery
P r e v i o u s t r i a l s u s i n g t h e d r u g f o r n e w l y d i a g n o s e d advanced cancers had mixed results, but the new approach has yielded “excellent” outcomes
Three years after treatment, patients who received pembrolizumab had a 10% lower risk of their cancer returning elsewhere in the body The Keynote-689 trial was funded by MSD, the healthcare company behind pembrolizumab
Experts say the results could pave the way for a new treatment standard, offering hope of significantly longer survival to patients with one of the more aggressive forms of cancer
Can dark chocolate really help with weight loss?
A s mall stud y from Italy su ggests th at a speci al ly formulated d ark cho colate bi scui t could help wi th weight manage me nt by p r o m o ti n g a fe el i ng o f f u l l nes s Research ers at the Uni versi ty of Eastern Pied mo nt created th e bis cuit usi ng dark ch ocolate and a bitter extract f ro m th e w o r mw o o d p l an t
(Artemisi a absinthiu m)
When eaten at breakfast, the biscuit led to increased satiety and reduced calorie intake at dinner, compared to a glucose drink with the same carbohydrate content Blood tests revealed a spike in hormones associated with fullness, including GLP-1 the same hormone targeted by popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro
T h e e f f e c t w a s s t r o n g e r when the wormwood extract was added
L e a d r e s e a r c h e r D r Flavia Prodam said the bisc
chocolate treat and could be easily adapted for commerc i a l u s e T h e i n
adults, but researchers plan to test the biscuit in people with obesity to see if it can help curb overeating, particularly comfort eating
The findings, presented at the European Congress on
research on the appetite-reg-
chocolate However, experts advise moderation
more effective for appetite control She recommended s
wholemeal toast with peanut
options that promote full-
gence
Hot drinks beat the heat
Drinking hot beverages on a hot day might seem counterintuitive, but it can actually help cool your body under certain conditions. When you consume a hot drink, your body responds by increasing sweat production As this sweat evaporates from your skin, it dissipates heat, leading to a net cooling effect This mechanism is particularly effective in dry environments where sweat can evaporate efficiently However, in humid conditions, where evaporation is limited, the cooling benefit diminishes
Parents’ intuition can be crucial when children
Doctors should pla
trust in a pa rent’ s instinct when it comes to a child’s he
research which revea ls that pa rent al concern can be
more r eliab le warning sign than some cl inical tests
A large study analysing nearly 190,000 emergency visits by children to hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, found a strong link between
your child is getting worse?”
proved remarkably telling Children were found to be four times more likely to
intensive care unit (ICU) if their parents had expressed worry The researchers concluded that caregiver con-
fall ill
cern was a stronger predictor of serious illness than abnormal vital signs, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, or blood pressure
Published in The Lancet
C h i l d a n d A
c e n t
Health, the study calls for a shift in hospital culture, one that recognises parents as key members of the care team
Dr Erin Mills of Monash
U
study, said, “Parents are the
stories where their concerns were dismissed, with tragic
see if listening to parents c o u l d h e l p u s s p o t e a r l y signs of deterioration and it can A parent’s worry isn’t just emotional; it’s clinical information we can’t afford
to ignore ” She added, “Parents are not visitors, they are part of the healthcare team Every
Martha Mills, a 13-year-old girl who died from sepsis at King’s College Hospital in London in 2021 after repeated concerns from her parents were not acted upon Martha’s case led to the cre-
currently being piloted in NHS hospitals, which gives families the right to request a second medical opinion if they believe their loved one is deteriorating
The new research reinforces the principle behind
insight is not just valuable, but potentially life-saving
Depression in midlife and old age linked to increased dementia risk
Dep ressio n in m id dle and later life may be an early in d
accord ing to a m ajor new study involving mo re than three million people
Adelaide found that individ-
depression in their forties or fifties were 56% more likely t
those who became depressed in their sixties or seventies, the risk nearly doubled
The researchers suggest that depression may serve as
both a symptom and a risk
B i o l o g i c a l e x p l a n a t i o n s include chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, b l o o d v e s s e l d a m a g e , a n d disrupted brain chemistry Lifestyle factors like physical inactivity and genetic predisposition may also play a role
D r J a c o b B r a i n , l e a d author from the University of Nottingham, said the findings highlight the need to treat depression as part of a
b r o a d e r e f f o r t t o p r o t e c t
b r a i n h e a l t h “ R
i o n throughout life is vital not
just for mental wellb e i n g b u t a l s o f o r reducing the risk of dementia,” he said
T h e s t u d y reviewed data from 2 5 i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t u d i e s s e v e n focusing on midlife depression (2 5 million patients) and 18 on late-life depression (901,762 patients) It is the first to clearly show that later-onset depression carries a higher dementia risk t h a n e a r l i e r o n s e t W i t h nearly one million people in the UK living with demen-
tia a number expected to reach 1 4 million by 2040 the findings underscore the importance of early mental h e a l t h i n t e r v e n t i o n a s a potential tool for dementia prevention
Childhood obesity linked to increased adult bowel cancer risk
Research p oints th at overweight ch ild ren have h igh ch a nc e fo r b o w el c an ce r
Research p ublish ed i n th e
In ter nat i on al Jo u r nal o f
Cancer indicates a correlation between being heavier in c h i ld h o o d an d a n increased risk of d ev eloping bow el cancer in adulth ood
i m
t
y 44,000 individuals annually in the UK, with a noted rise in cases among adults under 50 The study revealed that
for every 5-point increase in BMI, as 30 being obese in young adults aged 18 to 25, the risk of bowel cancer later in life rose by 12 percent
For youngsters between 10 and 19, a higher BMI was associated with a 5 to 18 per-
developing the disease
In children aged two to nine, a high BMI was linked to a greater risk of colon cancer
Since the 1990s, obesity rates in the UK have
n four adults and one in five children now classified as obese Obesity is the second leading cause of cancer after smoking, and it is confirmed to cause 13 different types of the disease This new analysis is part of the W
“Cancer is
complex disease that develops over several
standing of its early origins is critical for more effective
understanding the research
study show that raised body mass index across childhood through young adulthood is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer ”
h Fund International s Global Cancer Update Programme Dr Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer R
Two-hour genetic test revolutionises brain tumour diagnosis
Ajay Devgn reacts to working moms’ 8-hour shift demand amid VangaPadukone feud
Now, actors Ajay Devgn and Kajol h a v e w e i g h e d i n w i t h t h e i r perspectives At the trailer launch of Kajol's upcoming film ‘Maa’, Devgn w a s a s k e d w h e t h e r t h e e i g h t - h o u r shift demand is being accepted by Hindi filmmakers He responded, “It’s not that people have an issue with it ” He went on to add, “Most sincere filmmakers won’t have a problem with it Plus, when it comes to working mothers and eight-hour shifts, many people have already started following eight to nine-hour workdays ”
A c c o r d i n g t o r e p o r t s , D e e p i k a Padukone had requested to limit her working hours to no more than eight per day on ‘Spirit’, taking into account her new responsibilities as a mother a condition that reportedly didn’t sit well with Sandeep Reddy Vanga Kajol, who is also a mother, offered a witty response, saying, “I love the fact that you can work less ” While neither she nor Ajay mentioned any names, Ajay concluded by saying, “It varies from person to person, and I believe m o s t o f t h e i n d u s t r y u n d e r s t a n d s that ” T h e
a Padukone was dropped from ‘Spirit’
d u e t o a l l e g e d u n p r o f e s s i o n a l demands such as refusing to work beyond eight hours a day and asking for additional payment if the shoot extended beyond 100 days Following
t h i s , S a n d e e p
announced Tripti Dimri as the film’s f
Deepika
JANHVI KAPOOR
hits like on reel critiquing
Madhuri Dixit’s ‘Dhak Dhak’ dance
Janhvi Kapoor has become the latest target of the algorithm frenzy, as her ‘like’ on a fan-made reel has taken netizens by surprise.
Janhvi has yet to issue an official statement regarding her ‘like’ on the viral video However, given the nature of the r e e l a n d t h e l o n g
d
i v a l r y between her mother Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit, many netizens believe she might s o o n f o l l o w t h e p a t h o f p u b l i c clarifications
The reel opens with a clip of Madhuri Dixit performing her iconic dance to Dhak Dhak Karne Laga from the 1992 film Beta Superimposed on the video are the words: “Did vulgar step song and did nothing in the movie and won Filmfare Best Actress award ” This is followed by a contrasting clip of Sridevi from Khuda Gawah, also released in 1992, with a caption that reads: “Did double role with landmark acting that carried whole movie on her shoulder still Filmfare ignored her for Best Actress ” There are mixed reactions for the event whereas some people calling out algorithm for causing such drama, many Madhuri fans seems upset with Jahnvi’s actions
Ishaan Khatter opens up about his bold scenes with Tabu in A suitable boy
a recent
In
talks about sharing one
He has been gradually establishing himself as a standout among the new generation of actors in Indian cinema H o w e v e r , i t w a s h i
Paresh Rawal’s departure from ‘Hera Pheri 3’ has escalated into a complicated legal dispute, and now Johnny Lever has weighed in on the matter
Rawal surprised many when news broke that he was exiting Hera Pheri 3 It later emerged that Akshay Kumar, the film’s co-lead and producer, planned to take legal action against the veteran actor for breach of trust Now, comedian and actor Johnny Lever has weighed in on the controversy, urging Paresh to reconsider
project During the conversation, Lever expressed, “I believe he should do the f
emotionally rich performance in ‘A Suitable Boy’, particularly alongside
before his role in ‘The Royals’ There was a large number questions raised during the primary announcement of f i l
Ishaan mentioned that the connection between them was incredibly natural and purely authentic I s
a discussion, and resolve the issue because fans will really miss Paresh ji in the movie, and it won’t have the same charm without him So, they should talk and work things out ” T h
h
Rawal exited Hera Pheri 3 due to creative differences, but he denied those claims
On May 25, Paresh himself tweeted an update on the situation, stating, "My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has submitted an
rightful termination and departure "
saying, “I believe a lot of it comes down to the writing If Tabu and I were cast in a different story where the age gap wasn’t acknowledged or addressed, it might have felt unnatural or out of place But in this case, it was an intentional part of the narrative, and the script fully supported what we were portraying ” The characters they
Kapoor and the mysterious courtesan Saeeda Bai are bound by a delicate, forbidden bond
uncomfortable; it was rooted in a deep sense of trust He explained that the intimacy wasn’t solely driven by the script it emerged from
developed organically during filming
interview Ishaan Khattar
of his first intimate scenes with Tabu in the Vikram Seth’s adaptation film
The ongoing controversy over Deepika Padukone’s rumoured exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film ‘Spirit’, reportedly due to her alleged demands has ignited a major debate in the film industry
Javed Akhtar responds to criticism over Bollywood’s silence on Operation Sindoor
Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed
A khtar has addressed gro wing criticism d irected at the Hindi film industry
tar
ffered
anced persp ectiv e, sugg esting
at no t every public figure is obliged to respond to national issues
Akhtar, known for his outspoken v
s
m
h e personally chose to speak out, silence from others should not automatically be taken as indifference “I spoke about it Sometimes people agree with what I say, sometimes they don’t But I speak what I believe is true As for those who
e n t , m a n y a r e s i m p l y apolitical,” he said
H e e x p l a i n e d t h a t a r t i s t s , l i k e anyone else, can be deeply engrossed in their personal or professional lives and may not always be aware of ongoing political events Recalling his younger years, Akhtar said, “Even though I came from a politically aware family, when my films were becoming successful, I barely had time to follow the news I m i g h t n o t h a v e e v e n r e a d t h e newspaper ”
Akhtar questioned the expectation placed on celebrities to comment on every national issue, noting that people in other professions are rarely held to the same standard “Some are chasing m o n e y o r f a m e l e t t h e m I t ’ s n o t essential that everyone speak out Why should we question their silence if we don’t question our own?” he asked
He also recounted a conversation with a businessman who questioned w h y B o l l y w o o d , w h i c h o f t e n m a k e s nationalist films, had been largely silent during Operation Sindoor Akhtar used the opportunity to critique the term " B o l l y w o o d " i t s e l f , c a l l i n g i t “ a n t in a t i o n a l ” a n d r e d u c t i v e “ N o o t h e r industry is referred to by mimicking another’s name Indian cinema has a global reach, with films releasing in over 130 countries We should not diminish it by calling it Bollywood,” he said
In a pointed remark on the risks of public dissent, Akhtar called out the d o u b l e s t a n d a r d s o f t e n a p p l i e d t o artists “If you think everyone should speak on issues, then you must lead by example When was the last time you, as a b u s i n e s s m a n , p u b l i c l y o p p o s e d a government policy or tax? Don’t expect courage from others if you can’t show it yourself,” he said
A k h t a r c o n c l u d e d b y r e i t e r a t i n g t h a t g e n u i n e a c c o
consistency, not selective outrage
Aamir Khan hints Mahabharat could be his final film
Acclaimed
actor and producer Aamir Khan
is set to return to the silver screen with Sitaare Zameen Par, scheduled for release in UK cinemas on 20 June 2025. The film, described as a spiritual successor to his 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par, shifts its focus from education to sports while continuing to highlight the lives of children with special needs Alongside Khan, the cast features Genelia Deshmukh and ten specially abled young performers in prominent roles
entrepreneur Raj Shamani’s podcast, Khan also offered insight into what may be his
retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharat Referring to it as his “dream project,” the 59year-old said the scale and depth of the tale may leave him artistically complete
Mahabharat, I may not have anything more
Lagaan continues to captivate with a nostalgic nod from The Academy
More than two decades after its release, the Indian film Lagaan has once again captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, thanks to a nostalgic tribute from The Academy
On its official Instagram page, The Academy shared a beloved clip from the film’s iconic song Radha Kaise Na Jale, featuring Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh
e
The post, accompanied by the caption, “Love, longing and a little bit of fire in her
A
performing Radha Kaise Na Jale (vocals by Asha Bhosale and Udit Narayan) from Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan The film
emotional wave of memories
Lagaan’s extraordinary journey from a rural Indian village under colonial rule to the global stage of the Academy Awards
The film’s nomination for Best Foreign
significant milestone for Indian cinema, introducing international audiences to
storytelling
F
responded with praise and emotion One comment that resonated widely said, “A H
Muslim, written by a Muslim, composed by a Muslim Welcome to India, folks ” T h i
inclusive spirit and its ability to unite people through art, music and national pride
Others hailed Lagaan as a “cinematic masterpiece” and a “true classic of Hindi
c
storyline, memorable dialogues, striking cinematography and soul-stirring music
More than twenty years on, Lagaan remains a beloved classic, cherished for i t s a r
s message of unity and resilience
to say, ” Khan explained “It is an emotionally
Everything that exists in the world, from love and loyalty to conflict and philosophy, can be found within it ” While he clarified that he has not made any firm decisions, Khan acknowledged that the mythological project may mark a natural conclusion to his career However, he also expressed the desire to keep working for as long as possible, referencing veteran actor A K Hangal “I hope I die with my shoes on Like Hangal sahib used to say, ‘I want to die while working’ That is something I deeply relate to,” Khan shared
Sitaare Zameen Par is directed by R S
screenplay is penned by Divy Nidhi Sharma, while music is composed by the well known trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya
The film blends humour and emotion with a sports-based storyline, celebrating the
specially abled children Alongside Khan and Deshmukh, the young ensemble includes
Zameen Par, attention
turning
Khan’s vision for Mahabharat, a project that may serve as
swansong
TV Listing
17:30Rasoi Show
18:30 Rashi Rikshawali
19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re
19:30 Loveyatri
20:00 Rashi Rikshawali
20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu
21:00 United States Of Gujarat
21:30 Mayashakti
MON 08 JUN - FRI 13 JUN 2025
09:00 Deshi Beats
16:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam
17:30 Rasoi Show
18:30 Rashi Rikshawali
19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re
19:30 Loveyatri
20:00 Rashi Rikshawali
20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu
21:00 United States Of Gujarat
21:30 Mayashakti
22:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma
23:00 Rashi Rikshawali
SATURDAY 14 JUN 2025
09:00 Deshi Beats
16:30 Laxmi Sadaiv Mangalam
MON 08 JUN - FRI 13 JUN 2025
17:00 Anmol Bandhan
17:30 Shrukra Mangal
18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1
19:30 RAMACHARI
20:00 Anmol Bandhan
20:30 Udaariyan
21:00 Choti Sardarni
22:00 Anmol Bandhan
22:30 Shrukra Mangal
23:00 Ramachari
SATURDAY 14 MAY 2025
17:00 Anmol Bandhan
22:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma
23:00 Rashi Rikshawali
SUNDAY 15 JUN 2025
09:00 Deshi Beats
11:00 Rashi Rikshawali
11:30 Kutumb
14:30 Mayashakti
15:30 Loveyatri
16:30 Lakshya
17:30 Best of Rasoi Show
18:30 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re
19:30 Loveyatri
20:30 Lakshya
21:30 Mayashakti
22:30 United States Of Gujarat
17:30 Shrukra Mangal
18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1
19:30 RAMACHARI
20:00 Anmol Bandhan
20:30 Udaariyan
21:00 Choti Sardarni
22:00 Anmol Bandhan
22:30 Shrukra Mangal
23:00 Ramachari
SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2025
17:00 Anmol Bandhan
17:30 Shrukra Mangal
18:00 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1
19:30 RAMACHARI
20:00 Anmol Bandhan
20:30 Udaariyan
21:00 Choti Sardarni
22:00 Anmol Bandhan
22:30 Shrukra Mangal
23:00 Ramachari
Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit
Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra and Simran Mangeshkar
Mani Ratnam responds to Anurag Kashyap’s criticism of excess use of English
in Tamil songs
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap recently stirred debate by criticising the growing use of English lyrics in Tamil songs, saying the trend “didn’t make sense at all ” His comments sparked conversations across the industry, especially with the rise of bilingual and English-infused tracks in South Indian cinema.
has delivered some of Tamil cinema’s most iconic songs has responded In a
o d Reporter India, Ratnam addressed the criticism thoughtfully, referencing his u p c o m i n g f i l m ‘ T h u g L
, w h i c h includes English lyrics in the muchtalked-about track ‘Sugar Baby ’
“See, Tamil titles have been used for most of my films But it’s never been treated as a restriction,” Ratnam said “Rules like ‘only this will be done’ are not set in advance The medium is allowed to open itself up If something feels right, that step is taken There’s no need to be confined by false grammar ” His deep respect for the Tamil language and poetry was also emphasised, as he added, “If Tamil is truly appreciated which it is by me then its use is prioritised Much of the work Rehman and I have done has involved drawing from Tamil literature to create songs
“That way, the richness of Tamil, its ideas and essence, is elevated when such sources are tapped into A bridge is created between the two So that can be done on one side And if something like ‘Sugar Baby’ is needed and it feels appropriate, then it is embraced There isn’t just one right way as long as both are respected and valued ”
Suriya and Jyotika beam with pride as daughter Diya graduates from high school
Actorcouple Suriya and Jyotika are celebrating a proud moment as their daughter Diya graduates from high school.
Jyotika shared several photos from the graduation ceremony, expressing the family’s pride in Diya for reaching this important milestone One of the photos Jyotika shared features her with Diya, who is seen wearing a blue graduation gown and cap Alongside the picture, she wrote, “Tassel worth the hassle! Proud of you, girl!”
Another snapshot shows Suriya joining them, beaming with pride as they pose
heart-warming images of Diya with her
Lakshmi, Chander Sadanah, and Seema She took a moment to express gratitude to Diya’s teachers for their guidance and
support throughout her journey
A fan pointed out that Jyotika had shared another photo with Suriya, which she later deleted Posting on X, the fan wrote, “GUYS! Jyotika shared both these stories from her daughter’s graduation,
though they seem to be from the same day She deleted the second one right away What is HAPPENING!!!” They went on to speculate, “Did she accidentally reveal a Singham 4 look or something ”
banned in Karnataka amid Kannada-Tamil remarks controversy
and his film
Kamal
Veteran Tamil actor Rajesh dies at 75
Veteran
actor Rajesh, who featured in over 150 film across Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu cinema during a career spanning five decades, passed away in Chennai at the age of 75
The actor died following a sudden heart attack
R
notable performances in films like Kanni
Mudivadhillai He later transitioned into supporting roles, acting alongside leading stars from various generations In addition to his film work, he appeared in several television shows and was also known for his work as a writer and dubbing artist Outside of cinema, Rajesh was involved in politics and the real estate business For the past two years, he served as the chairman of the M G R Film and Television Institute, which is supported by the Tamil
N du government
Several celebrities took to social media to express their g r i
g o f actor Rajesh Rajinikanth shared on X , “ T h e n e w s o f t h e untimely death of my close f r i e n d , a c t o r R a j e s h , i s deeply shocking and saddenn g H e w a s a w o n d e r f u l man being May his soul rest in peace My heartfelt condolences to his f a m i l y a n d f r i e n d s “ A c t r e s s R a d i k a a
Sarathkumar wrote, “Deeply shocked and saddened by the unexpected demise of #Rajesh We worked together in many films, and I had great respect for his vast knowledge of cinema and life He will be missed by his family, friends, and the entire film fraternity #RIP ” P r o d u c e r G D h a n a n j e y a n a l s o mourned the loss, posting, “Very saddened to hear about the passing of actor #Rajesh sir He was a fine actor and a respected figure in the film industry My sincere condolences to his family Rest in peace, sir ”
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has imposed a ban on the release of Kamal Haasan’s film Thug Life in response to the actorpolitician’s recent controversial statement Although the movie release got banned, the actor still refused to apologise During a media interaction in Bengaluru on Friday, KFCC representative Sa Ra Govindu announced that they have decided to ban the release of Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka
The decision was made in solidarity with Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other Kannada organisations, who are demanding the film’s release be halted until the actor issues a public apology After a meeting with industry stakeholders, KFCC president M Narasimhalu told reporters that the chamber’s officebearers are attempting to meet Kamal Haasan, emphasising that an apology is necessary if he wants his film to be released
“Several Kannada groups have called for a ban on his movie We discussed the issue and agreed that he must apologise We acknowledge that his remarks were wrong, and we are making efforts to meet and speak with him,” Narasimhalu stated
Haasan
‘Thug Life’ sparked controversy in Karnataka after the actor reportedly claimed at a Chennai event that "Kannada originated from Tamil "
Nani’s HIT 3 turns OTT blockbuster and tops Netflix India charts
Nani’s latest film, HIT 3, has become a massive success on OTT platforms, quickly rising to the top of Netflix India’s streaming charts. Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, the crime thriller features Nani in his first role as a cop and marks the Telugu debut of actress Srinidhi Shetty. Prateik Babbar plays the film’s main antagonist.
HIT 3 is considered one of the biggest hits in Nani’s career, showcasing the actor in top form after a series of back-to-back successes Originally made primarily for Telugu-speaking audiences, the film has gained widespread recognition since its release on Netflix Despite a lukewarm response to its Hindi dubbed version in theatres, the OTT release has amplified its popularity, drawing in viewers across language barriers
Netflix reportedly paid a substantial 54 crore for the digital rights to HIT 3, an investment that has already paid off The film has amassed over 150 million streaming minutes since its release, signalling its huge demand among viewers The success highlights Nani’s strong pull on digital platforms, where his films regularly perform well, prompting major streaming services to acquire his titles at premium rates
Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda debut in Mohit Suri’s love story ‘Saiyaara’
Yash Raj Films unveiled the much-awaited teaser of Saiyaara on May 30, marking the debut of Ahaan Panday alongside Aneet Padda Directed by Mohit Suri, the film promises an intense love story filled with passion, heartbreak, joy, and sorrow Saiyaara is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 18, 2025
The teaser gives audiences a g l i m p s e o f t h
rollercoaster the lead couple will e
chemistry and the film’s poignant narrative Described by Yash Raj Films as “ an intense love story that will break your heart and heal it too,” Saiyaara introduces Ahaan
Sailesh Kolanu, who previously directed Saindhav, helmed HIT 3 on a large scale, while Nani also took on production duties under his banner Wall Poster Cinema, earning handsome profits from the project The film’s gripping storyline, tense action sequences, and strong performances have won praise from both critics and fans alike
installment in the HIT series, with the fourth part already in the works For the next film, Nani has brought in actor Karthi as the new lead
In a notable development, Netflix has also secured the digital rights for Nani’s upcoming film
The Paradise, continuing their association with the star Additionally, HIT 3 is the third
Nani has expressed ambitions to develop the HIT franchise into an Avengers-style universe, bringing together all the lead characters from the series in a grand finale For now, HIT 3 shows no signs of losing momentum and remains a dominant force on OTT platforms Fans eagerly await further updates on the franchise’s future
Prabhas’ ‘Salaar’ tops Nielsen mobile streaming charts as JioHotstar dominates; multilingual content surges in India
Prabhas’ pan-India action
blockbuster Salaar: Part 1 –
Ceasefire has emerged as the mostwatched movie on mobile streaming platforms in India for March 2025, according to the latest report by Nielsen Mobile Audience
Measurement. The film, directed by Prashanth Neel and currently streaming on JioHotstar, led the mobile viewership charts alongside Netflix’s Tamil language comedy drama Dragon, highlighting the growing demand for multilingual content across the country
N i e l s
monitors viewing habits on major p
Netflix, Prime Video, MX Player, S
series The data is based on passive
aged 18 to 45 in urban centres with
reflecting the core demographic driving India’s OTT consumption
J i o H o t s t a r e m e r g e d a s t h e dominant player, securing seven out of the top 10 movie spots in the mobile streaming charts Its strong presence in both original and nono r i g i n a l s e r i e s u n d e r s c o r e s t h e platform’s broad content strategy
a n d c o m p e t i t i v e e d g e i n t h e crowded Indian streaming market
I n t h e o r i g i n a l s e r i e s , M X
P l a y e r ’ s A a s h r a m r e t a i n e d t h e n u m b e r o n e s p o t , f o l l o w
P y a a r N e t f
i x ’ s K o r e a n d r a m a When Life Gives You Tangerines r
platform’s successful foray
Netflix’s global hit Stranger Things r
fourth position
JioHotstar’s MTV Roadies led, with iconic Indian soaps like Yeh Rishta
K y a K e
following closely HBO’s Game of
content among Indian audiences
streaming from
and 2 cities, focusing on users from
the New Consumer Classification System’s A, B, and C segments u
backbone of India’s OTT audience
As a mobile-first market, India continues to see significant growth in streaming, with research from PwC noting that Indians spend 78 per cent of their entertainment time on mobile apps This trend
Nielsen’s in understanding viewer preferences in the world’s secondlargest internet market
Salaar’s top position on mobile devices further cements Prabhas’ pan-India appeal and highlights JioHotstar’s dominance amid the
Don’t Cry, plays the female lead F
e r s have shown enthusiastic support since the teaser’s release Actor Tara Sutaria expressed excitement for Ahaan’s debut, commenting, “AHAANIE! It’s finally happening :) So proud of you You both are j u s t w o n d e
p r a i s e d A
e t ’ s p e r f o r m a n c e , sharing, “It’s unexplainable how happy I am Aneet ” Social media buzz also praised director Mohit Suri’s return, with some fans comparing Saiyaara to his previous hits like Aashiqui 2 a n
“Aashiqui 3 looks very different f r o m
admiration such as, “Malang aur Aashiqui 2 ko mila ke Mohit Suri n
, ” indicating high hopes for the film’s storytelling and direction
The film’s title Saiyaara means a wandering celestial body or a dazzling, otherworldly figure in poetry a “wandering star” who guides but remains out of reach, h
depth
Produced by Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani, Saiyaara aims to make a strong impact with i
l i n g when it hits theatres in July
Fans reimagine Pankaj Tripathi as Baburao in Hera Pheri 3 after
Paresh Rawal’s exit
The fate of the much-anticipated Hera P heri 3 has been thro wn into d o u bt f o ll o w i ng v e ter an a ct o r Paresh Raw al’s su dden departure fr om t h e p ro j ec t T h i s m o v e rep o r ted ly p ro m p t ed A ks h ay Kumar to send a legal notice to Rawal, escalating tensions around th e b el o v ed c o m e d y f ran ch i s e ’ s continuatio n As fans aw ai t c la ri ty o n th e film ’ s fu tu re, a v i ral AI-generated image of actor Pankaj T ripath i p o rtr ayi n g Ra w al ’ s ic o ni c c h ara ct er
Ba bu ra o Ga np at rao
A p te h as s p ark ed widespread discussion on social m ed ia In the viral image, P a n k a j T r i p a t h i i s d e p i c t e d s p o r t i n g B a b u r a o ’ s signature hairstyle, thick glasses, a n d t r a d i t i o n a l a t t i r e , a w h i t e
s i t u a t i o n t o
casting as Batman, suggesting the challenge of living up to an iconic predecessor
Others supported the idea of Tripathi taking on the role, albeit w i t h
suggesting the film might benefit from a fresh take or even a new
d h o t i a n d v e s t , a l o n g w i t h t h e character’s distinctive gold chain and bracelet The post questioned whether Tripathi could step into Baburao’s shoes, stirring a wave of mixed reactions online
O n R e d d i t a n d o t h e r platforms, opinions varied widely Some viewers expressed that while Pankaj Tripathi is a talented actor who could bring fresh energy to the role, directly replacing Paresh Rawal might not work One fan wrote, “He’d make a good ‘Babu Bhaiya’ type character in a spin-off or reboot, but stepping into Paresh Rawal’s shoes directly would feel o f f ” A n o t h e r c o m p a r e d t h e
Comments included, “He can pull it off,” and “Not 100% but next best choice after Paresh Rawal ” Meanwhile, Suniel Shetty, who co-stars in the franchise, expressed
Speaking to ANI, he insisted that Hera Pheri cannot move forward
irreplaceable nature of the original trio’s chemistry “A film becomes i
remembers the characters This is not Suniel, Akshay, and Paresh; it was Raju, Shyam, and Babu Rao,” Shetty said Fans remain hopeful
allowing the franchise to continue with its original magic
RCB crowned IPL champions for the first time
(R CB) defeated Punjab
si x runs in the Indi
Lea gue ( IPL) 20
was the first time that B engaluru c
league's history, wrappi
the 18- year-long wai
endured a topsy-turvy innings
upfront Virat Kohli top-scored with 43 runs, but they came at a steady pace since he consumed
handy contributions
However, none of them were able to convert their starts into massive scores, resulting in PBKS
Azmatullah Omarzai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yuzvendra Chahal notched in a wicket too each
P h i l S a l t h a d p r o v i d e d Bengaluru a solid start, bringing a couple of boundaries under his belt to expedite to 16 off nine, before getting outfoxed through a slower delivery by Jamieson Arshdeep picked all three scalps
F
Rishi Sunak was present at the N
Ahmedabad on Tuesday with
against Punjab Kings Sunak has been an avid supporter of R C
posted a selfie with his wife and captioned the post, "Let's g o @ R C B
seated near Jay Shah, chairman of the International Cricket Council
in the final over of the innings PBKS were handed a major blow through the dismissal of skipper Shreyas Iyer for a partly
score of one in the 10th over Romario Shepherd got the better
which Iyer nicked behind the
wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma K r u n a l
star of the show for RCB, conceding merely 17 runs in four overs at the expense of
Kumar, too, bagged the key
and Marcus Stoinis in his all-
Prabhsimran Singh and Josh I n
a c k i n t o t h e h u t though both of them had gotten decent starts to their innings
Grandmaster Gukesh beats world's greatest chess player Magnus Carlsen
Wo rld Ch amp ion D Gukesh h ad h is revenge against Magnus Carlsen as h e defeated the 34-year-old No rwegian from a lo sing p osition at the Norway Ch ess 2025 World No 1 Carlsen had beaten Gukesh in the firs t round o f t h e to u r n am en t a nd we nt o n to celebrate with a social medi a p ost declaring h ims elf th e king of ch ess
The king Carlsen, however, was soon brought to the ground by the 19y e a r - o l d I n d i a n G r a n d m a s t e r Gukesh This is Gukesh’s first classical win over Carlsen and it came after a thrilling
e n d g a m e i n w h i c h t h e I n d i a n t o o k advantage of a mistake from his opponent to script a sensational comeback
S o o n a f t e r , C a r l s e n r e s i g n e d a n d slammed the table in anger as a visibly shaking Gukesh turned emotional, almost unable to believe what he had pulled off
D Gukesh and Magnus Carlsen
“I don’t know what happened,” Gukesh said after beating Carlsen “ 99 out of 100 times I would lose It was just a lucky day “I mean, [it was] not the way I wanted it to be, but okay, I’ll take it ” Carlsen continues to be the lead at Norway Chess, but he has been forced to share it with Caruana for now, on 9 5 points, while Gukesh is second on 8 5
India-England unofficial 'test' ends in a draw
India A ba tte rs en joye d the ir time on a pla cid ba ttin g t ra ck , wit h a ll t he top four bat ter s helping th emselves to ha lf-ce ntur ies as the fir st un officia l ‘t est’ aga inst Englan d Lion s en ded in a draw a t Can ter bur y on Mond ay
After England Lions ended their first essay on 587, 30 runs more than India A’s first innings score of 557, Yashasvi Jaiswal (64 off 60 balls), skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (68 off 87 balls), Dhruv Jurel (53 not out off 60 balls) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (52 not out off 4 7 b a l l s ) g o t s o m e r u n s a n d c o n f i d e n c e before the second ‘Test’ in Northampton, starting June 6
The match was called off after India A raced to 241/2 in 41 overs with 25 overs remaining on the final day
India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar rightly promoted Reddy to No 4 and allowed him to belt a few blows as he is almost certain to play at Leeds in the first Test against England
Similarly, Jurel, who scored 94 in the first
innings did his cause no harm by scoring his second half-century of the match Jurel has the technique to play purely as a batter if the team management thinks on those lines
The second innings started with Jaiswal hooking left-arm seamer Josh Hull for a six and in the post lunch session, Jaiswal and Easwaran matched each other stroke for stroke with both hitting eight boundaries
The pitch had nothing in it and the Lions bowling looked as ordinary as the Indian attack with none looking to put the batters in any sort of trouble It was important for the Test squad members to get a decent hit in the middle and hence the team management would feel satisfied with the outcome
Brief scores: India A 557 and 241/2 in 41
o v e r s ( Y a s h a s v i J a i s w a l 6 4 , A
Before the start of the game, the Ex-UK Prime Minister had backed RCB to end their 18-year wait for an IPL trophy
pronunciation has improved since I proposed to Akshata 16 years ago in Kannada where, truth be told, I’m not entirely sure she knew what I was talking about!," said Sunak
"But obviously, I’m married into a Bangalore family, so RCB is my team We went to matches together a long time ago, and actually, Akshata's mother and father got me this shirt when we got married, which is great," he added
"Now, in terms of my favourite players obviously, I’m a massive Virat Kohli fan He's a total legend One of my prized possessions is a signed bat of his that (India’s External Affairs) Minister S Jaishankar brought me when I was Prime Minister, as a Diwali gift, to Downing Streetwhich is amazing," he said Sunak also spoke about the return of cricket to the Olympics after a century-long hiatus Notably, cricket has been added to the list of competitions of the Los Angeles Games 2028, a first for the sport since 1900
"It's a sign of the influence India now has in the 21st century India’s passions, India’s tastes - they now have a global impact Why is cricket back in the Olympics for the first time in 100 years? Because of India," said Sunak
Strong performance by India at Asian Athletics
I nd i a w r a p pe d u p a memorabl e campaign at the Asian Athletics Championships , securing over all se cond place with a total of 24 medals in G u mi , S
u th Ko
ea P
mi si n
jav
h ro we
S ach i n Yad av , s teep l ech ase r P ar ul C h au d h ary an d t h e women ’ s 4x100m relay team provi ded a ‘si lver’ lin ing wi th strong performan ces on the fi nal day of the con ti nental meet
most, was the sprint medal won by 21-year-old Animesh K
j u r C o n s i d
r e d t o b e India’s fastest man, Kujur r a n a s e n s a t i o n a l r a c e t o b r e a k h i s o w n n a t i o n a l record of 20 40s to take the bronze medal in the men ’ s 200m event He clocked an impressive 20 32s Asian Games medallist Vithya Ramraj claimed the third spot in the women ’ s 4 0 0 m h u r d l e s I n d i a finished with eight gold, 10 s i l v e r a n d s i x b r o n z e medals China led the medal standings with a total of 32 medals, including 19 gold India bettered its gold tally, moving up from six at the previous edition in 2023 and w a s o n e g o l d b e h i n d i t s b e s t - e v e r – n i n e g o l d medals in the 2017 edition Animesh creates history Kujur became only the second Indian man to win a 200m medal at the level
Dharambir Singh had won India’s first medal in men ’ s 200m, a bronze (20 45s) at t h e 2 0 1 5 A s i a n championships “I’ll always cherish this medal To win even a bronze at the Asian level is huge, so I am very happy Good curve running e n a b l e d m e t o e a r n a medal,” Kujur said S ach in shines on debut Standing at 6’ 5 ” , Uttar P r a d e s h ’ s S a c h i n Y a d a v made an impressive senior debut at the international level, winning a sensational silver with a personal best t h r o w o f 8 5 1 6 m i n t h e men ’ s javelin throw final Hailing from Khekra village in Baghpat, Sachin had a previous PB of 84 39m As expected, reigning Olympic c h a m p i o n , P a k i s t a n ’ s Arshad Nadeem won gold with a best effort of 86 40m Nadeem had won gold at the Paris Games last year with an Olympic record of 92 97m Another Indian in t h e f r a y , Y a s h v i r S i n g h , impressed with a personal b e s t t h r o w o f 8 2 5 7 m t o
finish fifth
Back-to -back silver for Paru l In the women ’ s 5,000m, P a
u
C h
y w o n a silver in a national record timing of 15:15 33s She had previously finished second in the 3,000m steeplechase
Easwaran 68, Dhruv Jurel 53*, Nitish Reddy 52*) vs England Lions 587 (Tom Haines 171, Max Holden 101, Dan Mousley 113; Mukesh Kumar 3/92)
Rishi Sunak cheers for RCB
Rishi Sunak at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with his wife Akshata Murty to cheer for team RCB in the IPL final against Punjab Kings
