73rd Republic Day Special Feature

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FACES OF INDIA

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head of India’s 73rd Republic Day, Asian Voice brings you the faces of India’s legacy in the UK-India partnership.

With messages for our readers from the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel and other MPs. Our special coverage includes an exclusive interview with the Indian High Commissioner in the UK, a special column on India’s heritage, the story of India’s pilot Laxmi Joshi who flew to Wuhan in the Vande Bharat Mission, community volunteers, experts, businessmen from the FinTech industry in the UK and more.

29 Jan - 4 Feb 2022

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‘High Commission of India in London is your second home’ In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, HE High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, Ms Gaitri Issar Kumar speaks about the UK-India partnership and the glory of India.

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ow instrumental is the UKIndia FTA going to be in strengthening the partnership between the two countries?

Hon’ble Prime Ministers of India and the UK are committed to strengthening the trade partnership between our two countries. They launched the Enhanced Trade Partnership in May 2021 during the India-UK Virtual Summit – which paved the way for the Free Trade Agreement negotiations which have started on January 17, 2022 – launched in New Delhi by Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Secretary of State for International Trade and her counterpart Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal. The first step taken by both governments before proceeding to actual negotiations was to carry out widespread public consultations. The response of stakeholders revealed a high level of interest and very useful inputs have been received on both sides. As we are aware, the Indian diaspora is a key contributor to the strong trade and investment linkages that make India one of the largest investors in the UK, a significant employment generator and a key trade partner. Our Prime Ministers have set a target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.

Removing trade barripriority destinations ers reducing tariffs, for our outreach boosting trade inflows include Leeds, have been lynchpins of Manchester, Sheffield, our relationship and Yorkshire, West FTA will take us further Midlands - and we on this trajectory. plan to build on previhat avenues does ous visits made to it open for the other regions. Our High Commission of Access India India in the UK to Programme facilitates explore further within UK's SMEs in estabthe UK to help both the HC Gaitri Issar Kumar lishing their operanations in smoother tions in India. transactions and trade? ow would you describe the evolution of India’s relationship As can be expected, our Free with its colonial past and a postTrade deal will seek to reduce tariffs modern approach to walking handand remove barriers on key items of in-hand with Britain, especially to imports/exports to make the moveproduce vaccines? ment of goods and services between our two countries more rewarding The UK’s desire for a free trade for both sides. High Commission has agreement with India after Brexit is been proactively engaging with busireciprocated by India as we see the nesses all over the UK to facilitate tremendous potential. In a globthem. I have engaged with business, alised world, India and the UK have industry and universities in Cardiff, realised the potential of our many Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, complementary strengths. Our Southampton and many other Prime Ministers have described us regions either in-person or virtually. as ‘natural partners’. An example is We look forward to further expanda collaboration on vaccines between ing our reaches to different parts of Oxford AstraZeneca and Serum the UK and promoting bilateral Institute of India, due to which a trade and investment by hand-holdtimely supply of life-saving ing businesses. This will keep our medicines to more than 150 counEconomic Wing busy – this year our tries. India supplied 115.4 million

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ambitions, people and economies together to prosper for the next 75 years and beyond.

- Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Celebrate the birth of the world’s largest democracy

It gives us great pleasure in extending our warmest congratulations to all Asian Voice readers on the occasion of India’s Republic Day. This is a timely opportunity to celebrate the birth of the world’s largest democracy. As Co-Chairs of Conservative Friends of India, we hope we can continue to play a key role in strengthening bilateral relations between the UK and India.

Despite the pandemic, we have exciting times ahead, particularly with the recent launch of negotiations on an ambitious Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi last week.

The 1.7 million-strong British Indian diaspora is key in nurturing this special

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Inspiring to see the rich diversity and ambition in our community

75 years and beyond The UK and India are tied by deep bonds that span through the generations and across some of the greatest modern-day challenges we have faced.

That is why I want to send my best wishes on behalf of the United Kingdom to the people of India, and to all the British Indians in the UK, on India’s Republic Day. As two diverse democracies, I am proud of our strong friendship, demonstrated by the launch of free trade negotiations this month and our partnership manufacturing the OxfordAstra Zeneca vaccine. I look forward to fortifying those bonds as we bring our

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doses to 79 countries under our Vaccine Maitri (Friendship) initiative. our message for our readers on India’s Republic Day. I would like to wish all your readers a very happy Republic Day. India has proven itself as a successful example of unity in diversity. We are stronger and more prosperous as a nation than when we started our journey 75 years ago.

I would also like to thank our diaspora in UK for their tremendous support in this journey and I look forward to receiving their cooperation in future as well. The High Commission has planned a series of events under the banner of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years of Indian independence. I request your readers and the Indian diaspora to take an active part in the events planned by the High Commission. These events not only provide opportunities to know India but also to win exciting prizes.

At last, I would like to assure all your readers and specifically those who are part of the Indian diaspora that the High Commission of India in London is your second home and we would be happy to serve them in the best of our capacity.

relationship and we hope that we can continue to play a crucial role in serving the diaspora. Post-Brexit and post Covid-19, we hope that we can work together in enhancing our economic recovery and maintaining our place in the changing world stage.

We hope and pray that the bond between our two great countries continues to grow in strength and prosperity.

Councillor Ameet Jogia and Councillor Reena Ranger OBE, Co-Chairs, Conservative Friends of India and Nayaz Qazi, Director of Conservative Friends of India

On this auspicious occasion where we honour the anniversary of the Constitution of India coming into effect, I would like to send my best wishes to all members of the Indian diaspora community living in the UK and celebrating this momentous date.

The signing of the Constitution on 26th January 1950 marked a very significant moment in both India and indeed the world’s history, sowing the seeds for what has developed into the largest democracy in the world. The UK and India enjoy a longstanding friendship that is anchored in our shared history, democratic values and common interests. It is a relationship that continues to grow from strength to strength, supported by the talented, vibrant and successful Indian diaspora community in the United Kingdom. The diaspora community here in the UK con-

tinue to make Indian culture a key part of our national identity and a cornerstone of British life. It is inspiring to see the rich diversity and ambition in our community flourishing across the country and in particular the response from the Indian community to the unprecedented challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic over the last two years. Republic Day is a hugely important occasion where we can all reflect on our hard work, success and achievements so far, as well as looking to a bright and prosperous future. It is a day to celebrate our vibrant culture, heritage and aspirations, and unite as one global Indian community.

- Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, Home Secretary

Hope this partnership will continue moving forward “Wishing all Asian Voice readers, everyone celebrating in India and Indians abroad a happy Republic Day, as they will all no doubt be using the day to connect with their national heritage.

Hope you all have a happy and healthy day. I know over the past two years, the pandemic has had a devastating impact in India, but I know the strong connection between the UK and India has helped both nations push through, sharing vaccines and lifesaving equipment. I hope this partnership will continue moving forward to

support the health and prosperity of both nations.”

-Tanmanjeet Singh "Tan" Dhesi, Member of Parliament for Slough and Shadow Minister for the Railways

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The League of Extraordinary Indians: The First Colonel

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That being the village of Mohna in Gurgaon district, present-day Haryana. This article further mentions how he protected the lives of thirty-two Europeans comprising of many women and children by providing them shelter in spite of receiving repeated threats. He also provided food and clothes and arranged for their safe passage to Agra. As an outcome of this endeavour, he was soon awarded the entire village of Mohna as a hereditary 'Jagir' and presented with a valuable sword.

The Pecking Order Abhiroop Sengupta He soon reached the rank of an Abhiroop Sengupta is a Kolkata based Honorary Captain and was awarded entrepreneur, fencer, amateur historian the first class of the Indian Order of and writer. Also a devoted Freemason and Merit in 1861 and further went on to Rotarian, he spends most of his free time serve in Sikkim, Sambalpur, Khasi researching about varied subjects, espe- and Jaintia hills. Around this time, cially those which he feels did not get their we also see him making a transition deserved due in the course of history. into many administrative roles alongside his military duties. He Self-made individuals have always served as the Commandant of the earned their share of respect in the Cooch Behar forces and also served in course of history and this life sketch the capacity of an Assistant deals with the life of someone similar.

Commissioner of the Western Dooars.

In nineteenth-century India when the He further went on to serve as the very history of the sub-continent was Assistant to the Commissioner of evolving because of the numerous wars Cooch Behar and also to the Chief and treaties taking place all around, Political Officer for Bhutan. Another there lived an army officer who went major appointment was being appointon to play a crucial role for the very ed to the judicial position of Honorary Magistrate for the same region. His service in the Anglo-Bhutan War of 1864-1865 was greatly praised and he eventually went on to lease thousands of acres of land in the Dooars region.

Milestones In the Lushai expedition of 18711872, we find an obviously aged Hedayat Ali as Captain, commanding the Coolie Corps. Around this time he was also serving as an aide-de-camp to the Commander in Chief of India. In those days it was not unusual for officers and soldiers to continue serving in their advanced age. Hedayat Ali was promoted to the rank of a Major sometime soon after, as, during the visit of the Prince of Wales to India in 1875Lieutenant Colonel Khan Bahadur Sheikh Hedayat Ali, Sirdar Bahadur, CIE, OBI, IOM 1876, there is a mention of him, as Major being appointed as an Extra forces which held an upper hand across aide-de-camp to the Prince. Hedayat these vast lands. His name was Ali was promoted to the honorary rank Lieutenant Colonel Khan Bahadur of a Lieutenant Colonel sometime Sheikh Hedayat Ali, Sirdar Bahadur, around 1880, thus becoming the first CIE, OBI, IOM. He was the first Indian Indian career officer in the British career army officer who reached the Indian army to reach that rank. "The rank of a Lieutenant Colonel in the Dictionary of Indian Biography" by British Indian army.

C.E. Buckland mentions his other honOrigin ours which included being appointed a The very origin of his life is a little Companion of the Indian Empire, uncertain. An article on his life pubbeing conferred the title of Khan lished in "The Illustrated London Bahadur and being awarded the Order News" dated September 4th, 1858 quotof British India(First Class) which fured one Major General Carmichael, ther allowed him to use the title of according to whom Hedayat Ali held Sirdar Bahadur. The immensely capathe rank of a Duffadar or Cavalry ble officer breathed his last at Dinapur, Sergeant in the 4th Regiment Irregular present-day Bihar on the 3rd of July Horse sometime around 1824.

1882 after a pretty long and adventurAssuming that Hedayat Ali started his ous life. Among his family and heirs, he career as a Sowar or Cavalry Trooper in had a son named Saikh Sakawat Ali his late teens, we can assume that he who had died sometime before 1903. was at least around thirty years old in Large tracts of his estates in Northern 1824, which puts his date of birth Bengal were resumed by the around 1794. The article among other Government by 1901 and with time he things further mentions that he was was forgotten in many corridors where the son of a popular Risaldar or Cavalry he was once seriously respected. But Captain who had died around 1832 in his legacy remained. The Dooars Sagar, present-day Madhya Pradesh region where Lieutenant Colonel Khan and that Hedayat Ali was appointed as Bahadur Hedayat Ali, Sirdar Bahadur the Native Adjutant to the Corps in once served in the military, adminis1839. Hedayat Ali was himself serving trative and judicial capacities is today as a Risaldar in the army in 1857 when known as the Alipurduar district. The the uprising took place. An article pubprefix of 'Ali' was added to the district lished in "The Friend of India" of May name as a tribute to the surname of the 6th, 1858 mentions his place of origin. legendary officer.

29 Jan - 4 Feb 2022

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Meet Captain Laxmi Joshi, the Indian pilot from Vande Bharat Mission Shefali Saxena

unprecedented challenges since the pandemic began. From facing job uncertainties to working under extreme stress to ensure that safety remains a no.1 priority at a high contact place like an airport. As working from home is not possible in this field, So many of the pilots, crew and airport staff gave their lives while being on duty.

- Give one piece of advice to parents of daughters who would want to pursue a career like yours.

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am the first one to become a Pilot from my family,” Captain Laxmi Joshi, who flew India’s Vande Bharat Mission flight to China, told Asian Voice.

Captain Laxmi Joshi hails from a family of five. Her father, Shailesh Joshi is a civil engineer and her mother Nayan Joshi is a homemaker. Laxmi also has a younger sister, Sejal and a younger brother, Deepak. In an exclusive chat with the newsweekly, the pilot shared

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Paris, USA and other counties during the Pandemic. We rescued stranded passengers under Vande Bharat Mission and also brought emergency medical supplies when there was an extreme shortage in the country. This whole experience made me appreciate our armed defence forces, medical personnel even more as they face challenges like these on a daily basis. The first wave in India was not as bad as in other countries but the situation in India was really bad when the second wave of Delta variant Captain Laxmi Joshi wearing a PPE kit in hit us. It took a joint concerted effort by everyone to overcome the cockpit that. her experience of flying the - What do we as normal Vande Bharat Mission flights citizens know about the around the world during the efforts that people in the aviapandemic, risking her life, but tion industry put during Covidbravely doing her duty.

19, which we may not know oth“I am born and raised in erwise?

Mumbai, India. After finishing high school I joined Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Matunga as a science student and after finishing 12th (A levels) I went to New Zealand to do my pilot training. I got my commercial pilot licence in 2012 and joined the National carrier of India Air India in 2016 on the Airbus A320 fleet later on in 2018 I was upgraded to the B777 fleet which is Captain Laxmi Joshi flying back with relief my current fleet,” she material added.

- How supportive Everybody in all the departhas your family been in ments of an airport has faced your career and your decision to be a part of the Vande Bharat Mission?

My family has been always my backbone and have been very supportive throughout. My dad is my hero and since childhood, he’s supported and moti“I'm full of huge admiravated me in everything. tion for how far India has I have done many rescue come in the over seven flights and we still are doing it decades since indepenas a part of the Vande Bharat dence. So it's an incredible mission. At first, my parents story of progress in a huge were a little worried since it was democracy. the peak time when Covid had I sense there is still so just hit the country and we had so much more that can be to fly to China to bring vaccinadone to build those built tions, masks, hazmat suits and on the natural bridges other medical supplies for our between the West country but it was my duty call Midlands and India, and I feel proud to be the part of whether it be in trade the mission. I did many rescue business, whether it be in the flights to bring back Indians academic sector, whether it stranded in USA, Paris, Canada be in the tourist sector, but in and many more countries. All the cultural sector, and this experience will be part of my memory. indeed, even in sport, dare I - Please tell us more about say?

I hope the your rescue flights.

Commonwealth Games will, I operated to Shanghai,

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Capt Laxmi Joshi with her father Shailesh Joshi

This is my message to everyone- “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

So all the lovely girls and boys out there no matter how many hurdles you have to face in life to achieve your goals never give up on your dreams as in the end all the effort and your hard work will be worth it and I give all the credit to My biggest inspiration in my life my dad who has taught me, you can achieve whatever you wish in your life with your positive approach, determination & hard work!

- How do you manage your mental health and physical health amid such exhausting schedules and uncertain times?

I do yoga, meditation and I work out 3-4 times a week. I try to eat clean and healthy as much as possible and I always make sure I get a good sleep.

Because body and mind that is rested well can perform the best is what I believe in.

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Incredible story of progress

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in a sense, be the moment where people just reflect on that because we will be in the world spotlight this summer.”

- West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street

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Sisters of the Moon ‘We don't disappear as we get older’ Shefali Saxena WaterAid and award-winning Indian transmedia artist and activist Poulomi Basu have launched a dynamic new dystopian photo series, Sisters of the Moon, to show how a lack of clean water and toilets limits the power and potential of women and girls.

Poulomi Basu is an Indian transmedia artist, photographer and activist whose work advocating for the rights of women has received wide attention. Born and raised in India, Poulomi spent her formative years in Kolkata, taking early inspiration from the city’s cinematic history.

In 2020 she was awarded the prestigious Hood Medal by the Royal Photographic Society for her transmedia work, Blood

WALKING INTO DARKNESS: This disturbing image is of a woman in a bridal veil without access to a toilet, walking into darkness across a challenging landscape. Credit: WaterAid/Poulomi Basu

Speaks, which put menstrual rights on the international agenda and resulted in a major policy change. She was shortlisted for the prestigious Deutsche Börse Prize in 2021 and has won multiple awards.

Poulomi has worked with WaterAid since 2014 on projects exploring the impact a lack of clean water and toilets has on girls.

She has covered issues such as violence against women, period taboos and sanitation work. Poulomi collaborated with the charity on its To Be A Girl campaign which raised £2 million to build toilets and provide 130,000 girls with re-useable sanitary kits.

In 2020, she was one of 10 visual artists commissioned by WaterAid to create work celebrating the 10th anniversary of water and sanitation being declared a human right by the UN. The ecofeminist work, commissioned by the international charity WaterAid,

girls have an equal chance to learn in dignity and safety. The UK Government will match public donations made by 15 February 2022 up to £2 million, helping bring these vital facilities to an additional 28,000 people and 30 schools in the Bardiya district of Nepal.

The 14 striking images include a bed submerged in water, inspired by women Poulomi met in Bangladesh who are living

Football, racism and national identity ENG-ER-LAND, is a play by South Asian Playwright Hannah Kumari. Hannah is a mega football fan and the writer of this exhilarating, timely and vital story exploring the connection between football, racism and national identity.

Next February, an exhilarating and vital new play exploring the connection between football and national identity written and performed by Hannah Kumari, directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair MBE, will tour the country to over 15 venues from 16 February to 2 April 2022.

Hannah is of Scottish (Father) and Indian (Mother) origin and speaks fluent Spanish.

Originally from Rugby, Warwickshire, she studied BA Hons.

Theatre at Bretton Hall in Leeds and learnt to speak Spanish whilst living and working in Valencia with a touring theatre company. Hannah now divides her time between Spain and the UK. We spoke to her about football, racism and national identity.

on the frontline of climate change and whose homes were lost and many flooded as a result of rising sea levels. Floating by the bed are water containers, highlighting how the climate crisis is a water crisis, with flooding contaminating water supplies and droughts drying them up.

Poulomi said, “Being a woman in a very exclusively male society, like India, I've always sort of looked for stories, where women are changing their roles in their own society when pushed to extreme situations, how they address those situations and break stereotypes, and I look for those underreported stories of women that not only highlight their struggles but also their resilience and their triumphs.”

One of the photos was inspired by a girl she met in the Himalayas while working in Nepal. She was barefoot, balancing three pots on her head and not going to school because she had to collect water so her brothers could go to school. Another photo was inspired by a blind woman Basu met in India with no access toilets, who had been gang-raped, and they'd use toilets, across the railway tracks in the darkness, besides wet and gone poor in a small slum.

Another artwork was inspired by a story of a girl who felt ashamed to leave the school chair where she was sitting because she didn't have enough sanitary pads, and she was still leaking and was terrified of staining and that there would be blood all over on the chair on the floor. “So that inspired the picture of me standing almost like a superhero drenched in blood and books,” Basu told us.

Basu’s idea was to make these women look powerful and magical, rather than victims of shame.

She also thinks that the problem with visual imagery is that if you constantly show poverty, it becomes poverty, tourism, and that is Slumdog Millionaire, you know, but the series here is not about poverty, tourism is showing women, it's showing women within a powerful way with an agency, but it's also highlighting the problems, in a way that is far more complex and nuanced than a simple picture of a girl standing near a broken pipe with water coming out know.

When asked about her opinion on what she’s observed over two decades of her work when it comes to changing status of women, Poulomi said, “I think it's very difficult because India is a deeply patriarchal and misogynistic society, and I think we're regressing given the current political scenario, we are in very dystopian times.

“I blame the patriarchy, which is a system that is not about men, you know, and even women are a part of it, where women cause as much harm to other women, the same way men help in gender equality movements. I feel until misogyny becomes a hate crime in India, this is going to go on, otherwise, it's very hard to see real changes.

“Don't be afraid not to be afraid to break ceilings. My advice is to raise your voices, because being silent has never helped anyone, and make art that crushes and breaks through those ceilings.”

twined with xenophobic views which sometimes present themselves at football games, often when alcohol is in the mix. I find it sad that the St George’s flag is a symbol of fear for many people of colour in this country. During the Euros last summer (2021) my own sense of patriotism and feeling like I finally had a right to fly the St George’s flag were heightened briefly by Gareth Southgate’s young England team, only to be subdued once more by scenes I saw of fan behaviour on the day of the final itself. s a playwright, how would you describe the current scenario in football, especially in the light of recent racist abuse that players of colour have faced?

I am a positive person but there’s no escaping that the landscape can feel a little bleak as if it’s two steps forward and one step back. That’s not just racism but all forms of discrimination. We have seen an increase in homophobic chants on

recent matchdays, as well as more racist incidents and booing of the taking of the knee. I think a lot of fantastic people are working hard to effect change, which gives me hope. Anwar Uddin, ex-pro footballer and campaign manager of The FSA’s Fans for Diversity campaign is someone who really inspires me and works tirelessly to make football more inclusive. hat would it take for more representation of Asians and other ethnic minorities to be a part of football?

Despite the ongoing challenges, I do think we saw a lot of progression in 2021.

Dev Trehan is someone I follow on Twitter, a journalist and producer, who is doing amazing things to raise the profile of South Asians in football and is the creator of South Asians in The Game. We had Zidane Iqbal making his debut for Man United in the Champions League and there are the three female football fans The Three Hijabis, lobbying to make going to football matches a safer experience for everyone. I hope ENG-ER-LAND will contribute to this landscape, vocalising experiences that others may identify with. I feel hopeful for the future, for representation of Asians and other Black and Global Majority communities both on and off the pitch.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND LOSS: This artwork addresses how the homes of women and girls are impacted by the multiple battles of the climate crisis, rising sea levels and the imminent threat of cyclones. Credit: WaterAid and Poulomi Basu

explores women’s energy and strength and the importance of water and sanitation in helping them fulfil their potential as a force for change. Sisters of the Moon is inspired by the women and girls Poulomi has met through more than a decade of her previous work, including collaborative assignments with WaterAid, as well as her own experience of being raised in a patriarchal home in Kolkata where both her mother and grandmother were child brides.

The series explores issues that affect women and girls all over the world such as gender-related violence, menstrual taboos, and climate change, so rather than focus on a specific country, Poulomi chose to create a fictional dystopian world in the beautiful and barren landscape of Iceland. She placed herself in the photographs as a way of connecting her own struggles with those of women and girls from across the global south, using her body as a canvas to confront the politics of race, representation and environmental justice.

Speaking exclusively to Asian Voice, she said, “It's not easy for me to put my body on the front line of this campaign as a woman who's nearing her 40s because not some young pretty girl who like putting myself out there. I'm doing it in my middle age, so it's also about countering my own inhibitions, shames and vulnerabilities and not being scared to put it out there. We don't disappear as we get older.”

Sisters of the Moon is being released to support WaterAid’s Thirst for Knowledge appeal, which will bring clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to homes and schools around the world, helping ensure

Hannah Kumari

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hat is the connection between football, racism and national identity?

Football was traditionally a sport watched by white, working-class men. As the UK has become more multicultural, women’s football has developed, and amid the changing political backdrop, I think some people have the misguided opinion that football is one of the few remaining places that ‘belong’ to them and represents what has been ‘lost’ about white English male identity. Obviously when the National team is playing, in any sport, that is going to encourage patriotism from fans of that country. Unfortunately, in England patriotism seems to have become inter-

Poulomi Basu, Credit: Maria Lax

THE BURDEN OF CARRYING WATER: This artwork shows the woman as a great cosmic mother with lack of access to clean water as the greatest burden that women and girls in the global south face.

Credit: WaterAid/Poulomi Basu

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FinTech and FTA: Mistakes and learnings With the recent Free Trade Agreement between India and UK, the two countries have a great chance at relooking at their economic policies, benefiting from this alliance and learning from their past mistakes. Asian Voice spoke to two British Indian businessmen in the FinTech world about the way forward and the past learnings.

Swastik Nigam, Founder & CEO, Winvesta. Winvesta is a fintech company building global financial solutions for individuals and businesses. Swastik studied in India and moved to the UK after completing his MBA at IIM-Ahmedabad. He started Winvesta, a cross-border neobank and investment platform to build a first of a kind set of products for India and the UK. Speaking to Asian Voice, Nigam shared an important observation regarding the UKIndia FTA. He said, “We are far from closure on the FTA. It is too early to mention if any

country has got a raw deal over the other. It is in both countries’ interest to treat this with priority and speed. An FTA will work when both countries give and take.

“The early harvest agreement that they’ve spoken of will be a key document to view. The UK needs to fill a labour shortage across sectors and India can help fill it.

Through services exported straight from India, or through migration. India can enjoy the expertise from the UK and upskill multiple sectors - especially service sectors.”

Saving in the pandemic Giving advice for an average individual in the post-pandemic world regarding savings and investments, Swastik Nigam told us, “The rules of savings stay unchanged. Start early. Start small. Be consistent. But while the pandemic may have brought hardships on many, it has also been a time to identify what matters. Many are starting up, many are recognising that they can work from

India is back to its pre-Covid growth

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iddhartha Bandyopadhyay is a globally, and that impinges on what were Professor of Economics at the once sacrosanct institutions as we saw with University of Birmingham, the UK the last election in the USA. In the UK, where he is also Director of the crossBrexit has polarised the UK population disciplinary Centre for Crime, Justice and though there is some hope that some of the Policing. He specialises in political economy scars from Brexit may be healing. India as a and public policy with methodological multi-lingual and multi-cultural society expertise in quantitative modelling. has thrived in its diversity in spite of forces that have sometimes He is an economist caused separatist by training, who was movements. Its current born in Kolkata with an sharp political polarisation undergraduate degree mirrors what is happening at Presidency College globally. But there is more (now a University) and unanimity on the need for a post-graduate degree public investment in at the Delhi School of infrastructure, reducing Economics before inequalities and revamping completing a PhD at education though serious Pennsylvania State differences remain on the University. His work in best way to do so. political economy has Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay - Do you think, India made him conscious of as an economy and a the political forces and democracy has taken advantage of its constraints that drive policy and to consider constitution to do right by the citizens in that explicitly in any policy framework. the past 72 years?

In an interview with Asian Voice, he spoke about the economic aftermath of Democracy and the constitutional Covid, the measures and policies. safeguards it usually comes with remains a - How have the UK and Indian work in progress across the world. India is a economies performed according to vibrant democracy, but it is not immune to your expert opinion amid the pandemic? the authoritarian creep that is affecting the The UK and India have, with the rest of world. As a relatively young democracy, it is the world taking a huge economic hitpotentially more fragile and needs more directly because of the loss in productivity work on strengthening independent due to ill health (and death) or caring duties institutions-be it the media, or the because of the pandemic as well as judiciary. But ultimately to realise the full (necessary) public health measures to set of rights guaranteed in the constitution, contain the disease. But there are we need a more politically engaged encouraging early signs that India is back to citizenry to hold politicians to account. its pre-Covid growth, though such aggerate And for more public-spirited people to data does not tell us how those with low enter politics.

- How would you describe the income or who have lost jobs are faring. evolution and your understanding of Similarly, the UK economy is bouncing the paradigm shift in the global economy? back, though slightly slowed by Omicron.

What can India learn from the west and Inequality remains a major concern.

- In the light of the UK-India FTA, do vice versa? you think both nations will be able to I think the main paradigm shift has benefit equally? been an understanding that the global economy has impacted people differently The basis of free trade agreements is for and too little has been done to help people both nations to benefit, the precise and sectors left behind by globalisation. distribution may not be equal and depends That has led to a backlash against on the quality and demand for different globalisation and in this rise of nationalism, products (including services). The we see a real danger of undoing the genuine agreement is in too nascent a state to benefits that come from an open world. We estimate the relative gains but India has need to, in particular address inequality boosted its trade and investment through and how to equip people with the skills FTAs with other countries and this will give needed in a fast-changing world. A it a competitive edge compared to other globalised world allows India and the West exporters to the UK and lead to better to learn from each other. In particular, diffusion of innovation from both countries.

India’s strong informal system of support Similarly, this will have enormous potential through family networks has much to benefits for the UK through the lifting of commend and one sees some of this (many) trade barriers.

- What is your opinion on policy beliefs intergenerational support system rein a polarised world in 2022 when emerging in the West. In turn, India can countries have their own socio-economic learn from the West in its civic-mindedness issues to deal with? and respect for the rule of law and contractual obligations.

Polarisation has not really gone down

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anywhere. They’ve had more time to manage their money as well.”

Dissecting the mistakes and learnings from the economic aftermath of the pandemic, the IIM graduate said, “I think the UK responded very quickly and deterministically. It has rebounded Swastik Nigam Ashesh Jani quickly. The furlough scheme it launched was unparalleled for a technology, and access to capital whereas nation of its size in terms of the speed it India needs clean energy, healthcare, launched it with. This was more specific education, infrastructure, technology, than many other countries. While the UK fintech, food safety, etc. In turn, it offers 250 did well to respond economically, it has, million middle-class consumers to monetise unfortunately, had a fair degree of such investments. Indian apparel, textiles, controversy in terms of how its leadership leather, and processed agri-products find a responded. large market in the UK,” he told Asian Voice.

“For India, it didn’t have the resources or Who takes the cake? use tools that western nations have When asked which country is taking the previously used for preservation. There were lion's share of benefits from the FTA, Jani few measures for job preservation, limited said, “These negotiations are between tax rebates. But India has emerged well from equals. India’s growth is not a matter of “if” the disastrous first wave. A rapid vaccine but “when”. The Indian economy will create rollout and the continued high vaccination demand for infrastructure, consumer rates are no small feat to have achieved for a goods/services, tourism, and overseas country its size. However, the true education. Pressures faced by the NHS and inspirations are those that have changed sails the transport industry during the pandemic through these trying times - the success that make great case studies for fast-tracking an India’s early-stage firms have enjoyed is FTA with India to tap its skilled labour exceptional.” force.”

Ashesh Jani, Co-Founder & CEO, Ribbon Rishi Sunak has done a remarkable job Plc, is a former Retail and Digital Banking Speaking of the UK’s economic recovery head of a large Indian bank. Born, raised and and the trust that one can place in educated in Mumbai, Jani has lived and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Ashesh told us, “The worked in the UK, Canada. Ashesh is economic recovery rates will be clearer as the working on launching a digital neo-bank in impact of relaxation in restrictions is the UK, Ribbon PLC. Ribbon is part of a UKmeasured. The British economy may remain India corridor focused financial services under pressure in 2022 given the energy group with industry experts and leaders as inflation. Rishi Sunak has done a remarkable co-founders and the board. job over these past two years. He is astute, FTA is a win-win deal for UK and India seems ambitious and has displayed a According to Jani, the FTA is focused on statesmanlike approach. Also a clear creating a win-win deal for both economies. favourite amongst his party for a higher role.

“The UK has advanced research, I wish him the best!”

18 SPECIAL

www.asian-voice.com

29 Jan - 4 Feb 2022

AsianVoiceNews

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India emerges as a global actor during the pandemic crisis Amb. Ashok Sajjanhar The world had been witnessing a rapid flux in geo-politics and international relations over the past few years. These trends became much more pronounced in 2020 with the advent of the corona virus. At the beginning of 2021 the world was looking at the coming year with some hope and optimism. However, last year witnessed the eruption of the most devastating Delta variant in March, 2021. Today the world is staring at the havoc being perpetrated by the new Omicron variant.

Under these demanding circumstances, India has taken several bold steps to emerge as a global leader in many significant areas. Not only has it been able to effectively handle the numerous challenges domestically but it has also resolutely moved to extend a helping hand to many foreign partners to ameliorate their suffering. This is in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion at his first Address to the UN General Assembly Session in September 2014, soon after assuming power, that India’s foreign policy is governed by India’s age-old maxim of ‘’Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’’ (The World is One Family).

Vaccine Maitri Initiative One year ago, on 16th January, 2022, India set out on the formidable journey of vaccinating its huge 1.38 billionstrong population against Covid-19. Over this period, more than 90% of the Indian eligible population has received the first dose and above 65% have received both the doses.

Additionally, precautionary doses, commonly known as booster shots, are now being given to frontline workers and vulnerable individuals above the age of 60 years. Youth between the ages of 15-18 years started receiving their first dose from 3rd January, 2022. Vaccination of children between 12-14 years is expected to start soon.

Following the vision of ‘'One Earth, One Health’' propounded by PM Modi, India started sharing its vaccines with the outside world within 4 days of the commencement of its own vaccination drive. In accordance with the ‘’Neighbourhood First’’ Policy enunciated by PM Modi at the beginning of his first term, Bhutan and Maldives became the first countries to receive 150,000 and 100,000 vaccines respectively on 20th January, 2021. Bangladesh and Nepal came next on 21st January, 2021. Myanmar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan followed soon thereafter. Although India has not recognized the Taliban dispensation in Kabul since it took over power by force on 15th August, 2021, as has no other country in the world, it has not hesitated to provide, essential medicines including additional one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines and about 4 tons of life-saving drugs and equipment as humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. All these items were supplied to the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kabul by air via Dubai and Iran as Pakistan did not allow use of its territory for overland transit to Afghanistan, which would have been the shortest and quickest route.

Supplies of vaccines were welcomed with deep gratitude by the recipient countries. Bhutan's PM applauded “the gesture that signifies compassion and generosity of PM Modi, and people of India for wellbeing of humanity."

He added: “It is of unimaginable value when precious com-

modities are shared even before meeting your own needs."

Bangladesh Health Minister said that India had stood by Bangladesh during the Liberation War of 1971 as well as the pandemic. Nepalese PM thanked PM Modi and the Indian government for the “generous grant..at this critical time when India is rolling out vaccination for its own people.”

Brazilian President thanked PM Modi with a picture of Lord Hanuman bringing the holy “Sanjeevani”. Prime Minister of Dominica said after receiving the COVID19 vaccines: “I must confess that I did not imagine that the prayers of my country would be answered so swiftly."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres termed India’s vaccine production capacity as the “best asset”, the world has to fight the pandemic. US State Department; PM of Mauritius; DG, WHO; Bill Gates and several others spoke appreciatively of the selfless manner in which India helped several developing countries with the vaccines.

India had to temporarily curtail these supplies when the second wave of the virus struck India in April, 2021 but they were resumed as soon as the situation and supplies normalized.

This initiative significantly enhanced the influence and image of the country. The fact that India has been able to develop, manufacture and use several vaccines domestically has significantly enhanced India’s status as a rising scientific and technological power.

India’s Presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) India assumed the two-year non-permanent membership of the UNSC on 1st January, 2021. It took over as President of UNSC for August, 2021. This provided India with an invaluable opportunity to enhance its credibility as a responsible stake-holder and a rightful claimant to the permanent membership of UNSC. India identified maritime security, peace-keeping and counter-terrorism as key issues for special debates during its presidency. Discussions on Maritime Security in different UN fora had been scheduled earlier but could not be conducted due to the high sensitivity of the issue. PM Modi decided to chair the Session on 9th August, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to conduct a UNSC meeting. Russian President Putin attended the deliberations. The last time Putin attended such a discussion was in 2005! The month of August also witnessed the forcible assumption of power in Kabul by the Taliban. This put a huge onus on the Indian Presidency. India proved equal to the challenge. It presided over several discussions on the evolving situation and crafted Resolution 2593 which has come to represent the consensus view of the global community on actions that Taliban must take in the governance of Afghanistan.

The competent and deft manner in which India built consensus even amongst opposing parties during its Presidency significantly added to its prestige and influence.

Climate Change India took several initiatives during this period to ensure that its growth in the coming years would be green, clean, sustainable and reliable. At the COP 26 Summit in Glasgow in Oct/Nov, 2021, India committed to the target of net zero by 2070. India, with 17% of the world's population

Resilience and determination Jatin Patel is a second-generation British man with an Indian heritage. His ancestral family hails from Gujarat and settled in the East Midlands of England. Speaking to Asian Voice, Patel said, “I grew up with a complete combination and amalgamation of cultures, the East and the West-leading to my unique perspectives, understandings and expression with lived experiences of the diversities of the various communities.” He pursued a career in the arts and his education includes a BA Hons Degree and a 1st class masters in Fashion.

Patel has 20 plus years of experience in the fashion industry, including showcasing RTW collections at the Royal Academy for London Fashion Week and Pret a Porter Paris and more recently at Fashion Scout at LFW. Patel is a Creative Director and fashion designer of Kalikas Armour, a slow fashion brand and creative consultancy offering

direct to client bespoke made to measure commissions for special occasions Jatin Patel with collaborations and unique projects with international charities and social organisations utilising creativity, culture and artistic expression to open dialogue for impactful change.

Helping the booster drive During the first lockdown, Jatin Patel had to pivot and change in the pandemic and is currently helping the vaccine booster drive through the creative and cultural sectors. Patel became part of a small cohort of creatives who came together virtually to create a 10-year cultural strategy and construct the new Creative Medway ( Kent, England) cultural compact agency and he was elected as Spaces and Places champion.

He also joined Medway's Bid to become UK City of Culture 2025 and become a Trustee and Co-Chair of the Board. He believes that

contributes merely 5% to the global greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of efforts over past years, 40% of India’s energy generation is being contributed by non-fossil fuel sources. This emphasizes India’s commitment to sustainable development as it achieved the target under the Paris Accord, 9 years before the due date of 2030. India is the only G20 member which is meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement. This has enabled it to emerge as a world leader in this critical area where earlier it used to be on the defensive.

“Vande Bharat’’ Mission India launched the most ambitious evacuation plan undertaken thus far in May 2020 under the “Vande Bharat’’ Mission to transport back Indian nationals stranded in different countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This was necessitated on account of lock downs and cessation of international flights by India and other countries due to the rapid spread of corona virus. So far about 50,000 flights have been operated which repatriated 6.7 million people to India and foreigners to their home countries abroad. In addition, the initiative “Samudra Setu’’ by Indian navy was launched to bring back around four thousand Indians from the Gulf and neighbouring countries. Such a mammoth operation conducted in a remarkably seamless way significantly enhanced the image of India.

India registered significant progress in several other domains, both domestic and external, during the pandemic period. More than 10 thousand start-ups were registered in the last 6 months. India is promoting Ease of Doing Business, minimizing government interference. Last year alone, more than 25 thousand compliances were implemented. The number of startups which was a few hundred some years ago has crossed 60,000 today. It also has more than 80 unicorns, the third largest in the world, of which more than 40 were formed in 2021. During the Corona period, when the world was focusing on interventions like Quantitative Easing Program, India paved the way for reforms. The biggest projects to modernize digital and physical infrastructure got unprecedented momentum during the corona period. The US$10 billion incentive plan to roll out the fab, chip and display industry is a testament to India’s commitment to making the global supply chain seamless. India is marching forward with the spirit of Make in India, Make for the world. India today presents limitless opportunities in the fields of aerospace, telecom, insurance, defence and semiconductors.

In addition to the above, several other major initiatives were taken by India during this arduous period through launch of the Western Quad comprising of India, Israel, UAE and USA; strengthening of India’s ties with its neighbours, USA, Russia and other strategic partners; reinforcing the Quad partnership; hosting the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue and theThird India-Central Asia Dialogue which brought India center-stageto developments in Afghanistan, and many more. All these have enhanced India’s global influence and power and imbued it with hope, confidence and determination to promote peace, security and prosperity in the region and the world.

(The views expressed in the article are personal to the author.)

the power of transformation through creativity and culture, outreach into the community, focusing on diversity and inclusion are a real step, a real change.

Patel believes that utilising fashion as a force for good in partnership with charities and social organisations to open dialogue instigates impactful change for people our climate and Earth.

Creating sustainable fashion Addressing the paradigm shifts in fashion post the pandemic, Patel said, “With shows and events, all cancelled but as expected ingenious ways to showcase and sell-emerged from big brands to small independents. The move to digital and online challenged new ways to express and connect with the well-informed audience.

Personally, sustainability, ethics, responsibility and accountability are the major shifts in the industry highlighted for a fairer system, more inclusive and diverse and positive

impact on the earth and our environments. My own slow fashion brand in investigating and implementing sustainable materials and processes.”

Importance of Asian culture and heritage Patel explained, “The richness of the diverse history of a place and people, the epic mythology of legends and stories of traditions and customs and rituals of culture with the strong foundations of community, a real sense of “family” relationships and bonds of belonging and togetherness cultivated through faith, belief and vibrant celebrations of festivals and occasions. The resilience and determination for continuous betterment. Ultimately it’s the concept of learning and bettering oneself constantly, For me it’s the beauty and tensions of having various cultures come together to create something truly unique.”