Asian Standard Kirklees 16 Jan 2024

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KIRKLEES' MOST

INFLUENTIAL of

2023

Find out who are our most influential South Asian's of 2023

Read the full story on pages 6 - 9

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TRENDING NEWS STORIES

Archaeologists discover 3000-year-old hidden city in Amazon forest

Happy 2024 to all! I trust the year has commenced on a positive note for many of you. As we embark on the journey ahead, our collective hopes and prayers extend towards a year of peace, particularly in the troubled region of Gaza. It is essential for us to persistently call upon our leaders, urging them to end the ongoing conflicts and implement an immediate ceasefire.

In the spirit of the new year, Asian Standard proudly presents its annual Most Influential list. Each passing year, the task of selecting the top 20 becomes increasingly challenging, a testament to the incredible individuals contributing to positive change across the region. The nominations for this year's list were nothing short of thunderous, showcasing the remarkable impact of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

Our selection criteria remain steadfast, and the list is presented in no particular order. The focus is primarily on those who wielded influence in 2023. We invite you to join us in celebrating these 20 influential figures who have left an indelible mark on their respective fields.

It's important to note that our list isn't exhaustive. We encourage you to contribute to the conversation by using the hashtag #AsianStandardInfluential and adding the names of individuals you believe deserve recognition. Your contributions will only enhance the positivity and impact that our list aims to create.

As we navigate through the weeks ahead, we invite you to continue supporting us by following Asian Standard on our social media platforms and engaging with our content. Your involvement is crucial in amplifying the voices of those making a difference in our diverse and dynamic region.

Until next week, let us remain united in our pursuit of positive change and a brighter, more harmonious future.

Fatim

l e t a aP

Amazon hidden city

Hidden within the lush greenery of the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, a vast city has been unearthed, as reported by the BBC. Situated in the Upano valley, the ancient city features interconnected houses and plazas linked by a sophisticated network of roads and canals. The discovery made possible through LiDAR technology—a remote sensing method utilizing light to measure distances—revealed more than 6,000 raised earthen platforms within a 300-square-kilometer area, indicating the presence of wooden structures that once stood there.

The city, estimated to be between 3,000 and 1,500 years old, challenges Eurocentric views of civilization, highlighting the existence of complex urban societies in the heart of the

Amazon.

According to Professor Stephen Rostain, director of investigation at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, who led the research, this finding alters our perception of Amazonian cultures, showcasing that ancient people lived in intricate urban settings rather than the commonly depicted small, primitive groups.

Co-author Antoine Dorison emphasized that the city's longevity, with inhabitants residing there for up to 1,000 years, signifies a remarkable chapter in Amazonian history. The detailed LiDAR survey, conducted in 2015, underscores the significance of this ancient city and its role in reshaping our understanding of pre-Columbian civilizations in the Amazon rainforest.

Is Aloo Bengan the worse Indian dish?

Aloo bengan, a popular dish in the subcontinent made with potatoes and eggplants/ aubergines, has unexpectedly found itself on Taste Atlas's list of the world's 100 worst-rated foods, ranking 60th.

This has sparked debate among food enthusiasts, questioning the inclusion of this beloved dish.

TasteAtlas compiles its list based on user ratings and reviews, and aloo baingan received a 2.7 out of 5-star rating.

Many argue that personal preferences play a significant role in food choices, and aloo bengan has been served for centuries as a warming and comfort food across mainly northern parts of India and across Pakistan.

TasteAtlas is considered an encyclopedia of traditional dishes, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants worldwide.

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Apple V Smart Phone, who has triumphed in 2023?

Apple enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that in the war of smartphones, Apple has surpassed Samsung as the bestselling phone of 2023.

Apple's iPhone shipments accounted for a fifth of the global market with nearly 235 million units, while Samsung came in second with shipments dropping to 226.6 million.

Despite a slowdown in

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iPhone demand in some countries due to cheaper alternatives, Apple's overall sales were strong throughout the year. This shift in leadership suggests that Apple is handling the industrywide slump better than its competitors, including Samsung and Chinese device makers like Xiaomi.

Apple faced challenges in China, its biggest

market, where Huawei gained popularity. However, aggressive offers and rising demand for premium smartphones helped Apple expand its market share.

Research firm IDC noted that Apple's success is due to the growing trend of premium devices, representing over 20% of the market.

Apple's strategy included driving up sales by offering attractive trade-in deals and interest-free financing, especially as it faced increased competition from Huawei in China. Despite global growth of 3.7%, Apple is not immune to the wider decline in demand for smartphones. Apple's ability to outpace Samsung is also attributed to its more controlled pricing strategy for premium smartphones, while Samsung's prices have been on the rise.

Although facing challenges, Apple's resilience in the market continues, marking a significant achievement in the smartphone industry.

World’s first Hydrogen Powered VTOL aircraft could hit skies in 2025 Swiss aviation startup Sirius Aviation has introduced the world's first Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft powered by hydrogen, named the Sirius Jet. In collaboration with BMW's Designworks and Sauber Group, The Sirius Millennium Jet is designed to carry up to five this hydrogen-electric passengers VTOL aircraft combines more energy per unit of mass than the aerodynamics of a jet with the conventional jet fuel, and more than versatility of a helicopter. a hundred times that of lithium-ion The Sirius Aviation project includes batteries. It is worthwhile pointing two models: the Sirius Business out that there are several companies Jet, offering a flight range of 1,150 already testing hydrogen on planes, miles, and the Sirius Millennium Jet, but none have gotten the fuel certified designed for commercial aviation or greenlit for commercial use. with a range of 650 miles. Both This groundbreaking initiative aircraft are scheduled to launch in involves key partnerships with BMW 2025.

Group's DesignWorks, Sauber Group, It is reported that the Sirius jet Alfleth Engineering AG, and ALD will be the first hybrid VTOL to run Group, with the goal of pioneering on hydrogen rather than jet fuel or sustainable and high-performance a battery. Hydrogen has three times solutions in aviation.

Girl aged 3 becomes youngest author in the world In a remarkable feat, AlMaha Rashed AlMheiri, a three-year-old prodigy from the United Arab Emirates, has etched her name in the Guinness World Records as the youngest girl globally to author and publish books.

Her literary creations, 'The Flower' and 'Honeybee,' resonated so profoundly that she effortlessly sold over 1,000 copies of each in just a single day!

This pint-sized dynamo has an innate passion for Image: Youtube storytelling and adorning AlMaha Rashed AlMheiri pages with vibrant illustrations, all selfpower of reading and urges parents to identify taught. AlMaha's narrative extends beyond and nurture their children's talents. mere creativity; her books carry an essential Intriguingly, AlMaha isn't the only luminary message about environmental stewardship. in her family; her siblings also secured their Her mother shares, "AlMaha's intention is to places in the records by authoring books at a enlighten fellow youngsters on the significance remarkably young age. The family's philosophy of preserving nature." revolves around healthy competition as a The genesis of AlMaha's writing journey catalyst for personal growth, fostering a spirit traces back to a conference on environmental of continuous improvement in pursuing their conservation, where she found inspiration passions. to pen her compelling tales. Remarkably, Through the extraordinary journey of while most children are just embarking on the AlMaha and her family, a resounding message journey of literacy at the age of 6 or 7, AlMaha emerges: parents play a pivotal role in accomplished this milestone at a tender age helping their children discover their talents, of 3. building confidence, and instilling a sense of What truly captivates those around her is not responsibility towards society. In essence, they just her ability to create enchanting stories but are a beacon of inspiration for nurturing young her capacity for articulate conversations that minds and shaping the visionaries of tomorrow. defy her age. AlMaha's mother underscores the

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Try Another Day: Authorities Find Illegal Tobacco in Spy Film Style Hiding Places, Huddersfield Illegal tobacco worth thousands of pounds had been found stored in spy film style hidden hatches in Huddersfield.

Enquires remain ongoing by the Huddersfield Town Centre Team and West Yorkshire Trading Standards after officers found hundreds of packets of illegal cigarettes and vapes stored behind a false wall in a Huddersfield retailers yesterday (January 11).

The seizure followed on from the discovery of more than £100,000 of carefully concealed illegal and potentially dangerous tobacco in Dewsbury last October.

Contraband from those raids was founds stored in locations including a hinged wall hidden behind a bathroom mirror and a concealed cupboard hidden behind a false fuse board.

In the latest seizure in Huddersfield officers found illegal materials concealed within a false wall, with access gained via a disguised electrically controlled hatch.

A total of 144 packets of cigarettes were found in Thursday’s operation as well as 231 illegal vapes and a number of large packets of rolling tobacco.

Police and trading standards officers have now recovered significant quantities of recovered illegal tobacco and vape goods in a series of operations over the last 12

months.

It known that proceeds from the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes can be used to fund organised criminal enterprise.

Inspector Mark Pattinson of Kirklees Police said: “People may see the sale of illegal cigarettes as not as harmful as other types of criminality, but it is well proven that money raised from illegal tobacco sales can be used to directly fund organised crime.

“These illegal products can also be more harmful to public health due to lack of regulation and testing and it is important we act to restrict their sales.

“In this latest operation officers discovered a significant quantity

of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes inside the premises which the owners had attempted to conceal within a false wall, with access gained via a disguised electrically controlled hatch.

He added: “All of the illegal items were seized by trading standards and will be destroyed. None of us want to see organised crime in our neighbourhoods and I encourage residents to keep contacting us with any information which can help us disrupt criminal activity and the sale of illegal goods.”

Reports can be given to the Trading Standards Confidential reporting system at www.keep-itout.co.uk or via independent crime prevention charity Crime Stoppers on 0800555111

Arrests Made Following Huddersfield Stabbing Police investigating the stabbing of a teenager in Huddersfield have made more arrests as enquiries continue.

Kirklees District CID is continuing to appeal for witnesses to the stabbing of a 17-year-old male on Town Avenue on the evening of Tuesday 2 January, in an incident which left the victim with a serious chest injury.

On 5 January police arrested a 17-year-old male in connection with the stabbing

in an operation at a hotel on Gower Street, Leeds.

hospital and is in a stable condition.

He remains in custody for questioning and is the fourth person arrested as part of the investigation.

Anyone with information or footage that may assist is asked to contact the team on 101, or by using the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.

A male aged 16 and two males aged 17 and 19 arrested since last Tuesday have now been released on police bail.

The victim of the offence, who was found injured outside a house on Town Avenue at about 8.37 on 2 January continues to be treated in

The crime reference is 13240003013.

Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online

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KIRKLEES’ MOST INFLUENTIAL LIST 2023 In the vibrant tapestry of Kirklees, we embark on our annual journey fuelled by the invaluable support of our readers – a journey that unveils the trailblazers shaping the very essence of our community. This year, our quest was singularly focused on those exceptional influencers who, against all odds, have not just weathered storms but emerged as beacons of change. We sought the champions of diversity, the advocates for justice amidst austerity, and those who fearlessly stood up for noble causes.

In a world where the pursuit of wealth and success demands relentless dedication, the ability to wield influence is a rare and extraordinary gift possessed by only a select few. These influencers, more than mere trendsetters, hold the power to shape decisions, moulding the future while actively contributing to the betterment of their industries and communities.

Our lens was firmly set on Kirklees’ South Asian community, where this year’s nominations poured in abundantly – a testament to the spirit of appreciation and recognition within our diverse and dynamic society. To every individual who took a moment to nominate, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Beyond the nominations, we engaged in thoughtful conversations with community members and leaders, endeavouring to identify those who epitomise our criteria for influence in 2023.

The journey was challenging, yet the result is a testament to the resilience and impact of these remarkable individuals.

Without further ado, in no particular order, we proudly present the most influential men and women of Kirklees for the year 2023.

TAJINDER KAUR BANWAIT Tajinder Kaur Banwait, the founder of Urban Apothecary London in Huddersfield, was honoured with an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List for her outstanding contributions to business and the beauty industry. Over the past decade, her business has garnered acclaim for its positive impact. What began at Tajinder's kitchen table has now evolved into a global enterprise, shipping candles and body scents worldwide.

Tajinder's unwavering passion and commitment have propelled her business from its humble beginnings to owning dedicated premises and manufacturing the majority of its products in-house. This remarkable achievement serves as a testament to the idea that, with determination and willpower, women can excel in business. Tajinder's story exemplifies how the seed of success can sprout right from one's own home.

HANIF MAYET Hanif Mayet, a seasoned politician and former councillor in Kirklees from 2004 to 2016, recently made a triumphant return to the political arena. In a bold move, he stood as a Conservative candidate for Batley East in the May 2023 elections, despite a considerable hiatus of over 7 years from local politics.

In a surprising turn of events, Hanif faced the challenge of contesting a traditionally secure Labour seat. Undeterred, he managed to ignite a competitive flame, securing an impressive 44% of the votes. The margin of defeat was razor-thin, with Hanif narrowly trailing the Labour candidate by a mere 14 votes. His tenacity and ability to rally support showcased his enduring commitment to public service.

Beyond the realm of politics, Hanif Mayet is a dynamic force in nurturing grassroots cricket. As the visionary founder of the highly successful Mount Pleasant Cricket Club, he actively promotes inclusivity by encouraging both boys and girls to participate in the sport. His dedication to fostering a love for cricket within the community underscores his broader commitment to the well-being and development of the youth.

Hanif's impact extends beyond the realms of politics and sports. His philanthropic endeavours are evident in his sponsorship of a severely disabled child and their family in Kashmir last year. This act of compassion highlights Hanif's genuine concern for the well-being of those less fortunate, showcasing his commitment to making a positive difference in people's lives.

As a true advocate for the local area he calls home, Hanif Mayet has played a significant role in empowering and mobilising residents. His influence goes beyond the political spectrum, encouraging active civic participation and amplifying the voices of the community. Through his profile and achievements, Hanif continues to be a formidable force for positive change, leaving an indelible mark on both local politics and community development.

AZIZ DAJI Aziz Daji has been a community activist for over 4 decades. He has much influence and networks within the Batley community.

In May he came close as an Independent candidate for the Batley East, taking in a third of the votes, with more than 1600 people putting their trust in him.

He is also the founder and Chair of Milen Care, a high-quality day-care service for the elderly South Asian community. Aziz also worked as a Manager of Kirklees Children’s Services Care.

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RIZWANA MAHMOOD MBE Rizwana, a distinguished headteacher with over 22 years of experience, has been a transformative force at Carlton Junior and Infant School since 2008.

Beginning as the deputy head, she swiftly ascended to the role of headteacher six years later, leaving an indelible mark on the institution. Recognized by an MBE for her outstanding contributions, Rizwana's leadership has been nothing short of exceptional.

Under her visionary guidance, Carlton Junior and Infant School soared to new heights, earning the coveted title of the top primary school in Kirklees and ranking among the top 1% of high-performing schools nationwide. Ofsted reports have hailed her leadership as "exceptional and inspirational," praising the rapid improvement in standards, the positive attitude of pupils, and heightened parental engagement.

Rizwana's motto, "Dream, Aspire, and Achieve," encapsulates her commitment to fostering a culture of ambition and accomplishment. Her strategic leadership, emotional intelligence, and unwavering dedication have not only turned around a previously failing school but also garnered glowing reports from OFSTED inspectors.

Beyond academic excellence, Rizwana has spearheaded pioneering initiatives, securing prestigious awards for Carlton Junior and Infant School, including the SMSC Gold Standard and the Engaging Families Award in Kirklees. The school's commitment to diversity and equality is exemplified by its impressive tenth-place ranking in the top 100 schools in the nation.

In the realm of education, Rizwana stands as a beacon of inspiration, a leader who has not only transformed a school but has left an enduring legacy of excellence and inclusivity, which has rightly seen her being honoured with an MBE in the first Kings’ Honours list.

HARPREET KAUR Harpreet stands as the accomplished co-founder and proud proprietor of Oh So Yum, a culinary sensation that emerged victorious on Lord Sugar's The Apprentice in 2022.

Since claiming the coveted title, Harpreet's entrepreneurial journey has evolved into a national phenomenon, capturing the hearts and taste buds of dessert enthusiasts across the country.

Beyond the delectable treats that define her brand, Harpreet's strategic prowess has forged impactful partnerships, propelling her homemade delicacies to unprecedented heights. In an impressive feat, she secured transformative deals within a year of receiving Lord Sugar's investment, ultimately leading to the acquisition of his shares.

Harpreet's unwavering commitment and visionary leadership have been instrumental in steering her business to ongoing success, a journey that continues to dominate headlines. Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Harpreet has emerged as a soughtafter speaker on esteemed business forums, sharing her insights and experiences. Actively involved in projects dedicated to nurturing, supporting, and guiding fellow business owners and startups, Harpreet is a beacon of inspiration in the entrepreneurial landscape and continues to cement her position for a second year in our influential list.

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KIRKLEES

YUNUS LUNAT

FAZILA ASWAT

Yunus is a solicitor with more than 25 years’ post qualification experience specialising in Employment and Discrimination Law. Yunus is frequently approached by the media to comment upon workplace discrimination, and especially in relation to maternity discrimination. He has recently been featured on BBC Radio 5 Live, bbc.co.uk; Look North and Sky News and has also been featured in the written press.

Yunus is an experienced tribunal advocate and has Higher Rights of Audience as a Solicitor Advocate. Yunus has been influential to sit on a number of boards and panels advising on equality in the workplace, which includes the Football Associations discriminatory hearings panel.

Yunus continues to make it to our influential list, with due to his powerful understanding of discrimination in the workplace and most significantly looking at discrimination in sport.

He is the go to person who the media see as a credible and trusted voice who can articulate on matters that are not only complex, but often distressing.

Fazila, a proud native of Batley, embodies the spirit of community engagement and has dedicated countless hours to making a positive impact on the lives of those around her.

As an enthusiastic contributor, Fazila has actively volunteered with various projects and organisations, including the Batley & Birstall Community Trust, Batley & Spen Youth Theatre, Batley Food Bank, Sisters of MPIT, and RVS Batley & Spen Community Companions. Her unwavering passion for helping others shines through in every endeavour.

With over a decade of experience as a governor for the Batley Multi Academy Trust, Fazila possesses a profound understanding of the challenges faced by the education sector. She is driven by a genuine desire to support the younger generation, ensuring they receive the guidance and opportunities they deserve.

Fazila's extensive involvement in the charity sector, progressing from Project Management to Locality Manager and serving as a Trustee for a local charity, reflects her commitment to creating positive change. She has also actively participated in volunteer roles with initiatives such as Reading Friends, Scouts, and various parents' forums.

Having worked in political offices for MPs and briefly for the West Yorkshire Mayoral campaign, Fazila brings a unique perspective that blends community dedication with political insight.

Fazila's unyielding commitment to the local community is exemplified by her continuous advocacy for young people, striving to ensure no child is left behind. Her enduring influence, demonstrated through years of championing causes close to the community's heart, has established her as a trusted leader and advocate for the people she proudly serves.

SIDDIQUE AMIN Siddique Amin, affectionately known as Sid, boasts an extensive background in the bed and mattress manufacturing industry. His journey commenced before he joined the familyrun enterprise, La Romantica Beds, in 2008. Here, Sid seamlessly integrated his wealth of experience and profound expertise in sleep and mattress design.

Prior to his role at La Romantica Beds, Sid managed a bed showroom for a remarkable three years and engaged in the wholesale distribution of raw materials to the bed manufacturing industry. Drawing upon this invaluable experience, Sid played a pivotal role in crafting the immensely successful Sensory range for La Romantica Beds – a testament to his dedication and insight.

The development of the Sensory range was no small feat, demanding years of meticulous testing and unwavering patience. However, the final products that emerged were nothing short of fantastic, securing their place as the company's best-selling mattress range.

Sid passionately believes in the profound impact of how one spends their time on sleep quality.

Over the years, he has dedicated himself to not only building the La Romantica brand but also ensuring the company embraces its corporate social responsibility. Sid has sponsored various charitable events, including the Bradford Bulls Sleep Out for homeless initiatives.

His commitment to social causes extends beyond sponsorships, as Sid has personally undertaken challenges like the push-up challenge, a walk across London, and participated in numerous charity golf tournaments, rugby, and football matches. In 2023, one of his crowning achievements was bringing the regional business community together for a round table with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at La Romantica Beds' Heckmondwike factory.

Sid's overarching goal is to deliver a good night's sleep to the nation, and he actively pursues this mission through extensive business networking, charitable donations, and strategic lobbying efforts. His vision is not only about selling mattresses but about influencing the very fabric of society by promoting the importance of quality sleep and well-being.

AHMAD LUNAT OBE Ahmad, an author and founder member of Batley’s Gujarati Writers’ Forum. He has a lifelong commitment to strengthening community services in the locality. Ahmad has worked extensively with education projects across the Batley and Dewsbury areas. Ahmad Lunat began to write creatively at the age of 15 when he was a student in his native village of Alipore. To date, he has published five collections of poems and has presented his poetry at Gujarati conferences in the USA, Canada and Belgium, among other places, of which he is very proud. In addition, Ahmad has been actively involved in community work and his contribution to community services was recognised by Her Majesty’s government in 1999 when he was awarded an OBE. Ahmad continues to impact the community with his written works and has built a network of supporters and fans of his published work.

Ahmad is also a long term trustee of the influential and powerful charity Indian Muslim Welfare Society (IMWS) in Batley.

HARPREET BANWAIT Meet Harpreet, a visionary businessman and philanthropist with a vast property portfolio. In the face of formidable challenges posed by the UK's economic landscape – including the repercussions of Brexit, the soaring cost of living, fuel crises, and the ever-shifting political dynamics – Harpreet has not only weathered the storms but has propelled his array of businesses to new heights, consistently making noteworthy acquisitions.

Beyond his business acumen, Harpreet is defined by his unwavering commitment to philanthropy. A lifelong supporter of charitable causes, he actively engages in the spirit of 'seva' by championing the work of the local gurdwara. Harpreet's dedication to making a positive impact extends beyond boardrooms, reflecting his belief in the transformative power of business and service to the community.

WASEEM NAZIR Waseem, the visionary founder and Managing Partner of Batley Law, is a dynamic solicitor with a proven track record spanning 12 years in the intricate realms of asylum and immigration law.

Renowned for his pragmatism, forwardthinking approach, and proactive stance, Waseem has earned a solid reputation in his field.

Recently appointed as a fee-paid judge of the First Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), Waseem's legal prowess is further underscored by his role as a visiting lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, where he imparts his knowledge on the intricacies of law to aspiring professionals.

At the heart of Waseem's success is the diverse and credible team he has nurtured at Batley Law. Beyond their unwavering professionalism, this team is united by a commitment to philanthropic activities, embodying Waseem's vision of making a positive impact on the community. Under his leadership, Batley Law has not only provided exceptional legal services but has also played a significant role in supporting local causes and advocating for issues in asylum and immigration.

Waseem's leadership style goes beyond the legal arena; it's about fostering a culture of giving back and making a difference. Through Batley Law, he has created a legacy of excellence, compassion, and community engagement that extends far beyond the courtroom.

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JAMILA KAROLIA Jamila Karolia, from West Yorkshire, launched She Walks - a female-only rambling group almost three years ago. Now numbering around 30, the group of women - mostly of Asian heritage - go on monthly hikes around the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District.

Before becoming a personal trainer in 2017, Ms Karolia worked a typical 9-to-5 in recruitment. For many years, she would spend hours in the gym on the exercise bike but not gaining the results that she wanted.

After, being passed up for a promotion, Ms Karolia decided to exit the corporate world for good to become her own boss working in female fitness and taking on clients in Batley.

Her influence on fitness, and mental wellbeing has been significant particularly for women of South Asian heritage. So much so that walking groups for ethnic minority groups in the UK are flourishing.

SURESH HANDA Meet Suresh Handa, a trailblazing entrepreneur, and the CEO and co-founder of the dynamic Lassic Group, comprised of Lassic Ltd, Lassic Properties Ltd, and Home Discount Ltd. With a bold vision and unwavering determination, Suresh embarked on the journey of entrepreneurship less than 12 years ago, and today, the Lassic Group stands as a testament to his visionary leadership.

Under Suresh's strategic guidance, the Lassic Group has become a powerhouse, employing over 120 dedicated staff members in the thriving communities of Cleckheaton and Bradford. Impressively, the group boasts an approximate turnover of £50 million, showcasing not only business acumen but a commitment to sustained growth and excellence.

Beyond the boardroom, Suresh Handa is distinguished by his heartfelt commitment to community betterment. Leveraging his business success, he has become a driving force behind local philanthropy, actively supporting charities and engaging in meaningful dialogues with local councillors. Suresh's passion for community development goes beyond financial contributions, as he actively participates in shaping and supporting his community, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Join us in exploring the inspiring journey of Suresh Handa, where entrepreneurial brilliance converges with a profound sense of community responsibility, creating a narrative of success that extends far beyond business metrics.

FATIMA KHAN SHAH Fatima Khan Shah, is an award winning advocate for inclusivity and diversity.

She wears many hats which include working with West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnerships, and the West Yorkshire Mayor’s inclusivity and diversity champion.

Fatima is also a podcaster and blogger focusing on authentic leadership, EDI, and Public Carer Involvement. She also has several roles nationally, as a member on the NHS Assembly, the King’s Fund General Council. Fatima is also a Non Executive Director at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. She has previously held roles with NHS England, Kirklees CCGs, Kirklees Council, Health Education England and Healthwatch.

Among her many accolades, she was recently named in as HSJ top 50 most influential Health leaders from an Ethnic Minority and has used her powerful community connections to influence and encourage diversity and inclusivity across West Yorkshire.

DR MUHIBUL HAQ Muhibul has over 20 years of managerial experience in different organisations in multiple countries. He has been an active contributor to societal wellbeing in West Yorkshire since he became an academic in 2018. This contribution came from teaching and research in entrepreneurship and microbusiness management. An example is the use of his research with regards to contribution of South Asians in the UK economic regeneration. A lecturer from the University of Huddersfield, Dr Muhibul Haq, has researched why South Asian people are more likely to own their own businesses than seek employment elsewhere, which has made significant impact on nurturing growth and business. Dr Haq also has his own radio show, which features prominent business people, profiling their journeys in industry

CLLR MUSSARAT PERVAIZ Cllr Mussarat Pervaiz is the only woman of colour who has been given a role in the Kirklees Council cabinet. Her portfolio is communities.

She also sits on the board for the South West Yorkshire Partnership and is playing a significant role in ensuring health inequalities are tackled.

NOUSHIN RAJA Noushin Raja is the founder of the global charity Moonlight Trust, which was established following the murder of her brother during a hate crime.

A Leeds University graduate, over the years Noushin has tirelessly campaigned for a more equal and just society, improving the lives of refugees by providing, food, shelter and educational opportunities.

Noushin won the Noor Inayat Khan Muslim Woman of the Year Award at the Professional Muslim Awards twice in a year and has influence and inspired others to join her cause by volunteering to help those most in need.

Most recently Noushin has used her energy and influence to help reach much needed aid into war torn Gaza. Noushin is one of few Muslim women who are leading their own charities and influencing the landscape of improving the world we live in.

CLLR MASOOD AHMED Masood Ahmed was the Mayor of Kirklees for the year 2022, During his tenure as Mayor, the Labour councillor, raised a record amount of money for his chosen charity Forget Me Not. The funds significantly helped the charity during a challenging time battling the cost-of-living crisis.

Masood made such an impact that he will now be working for the charity to continue building relationships, raising awareness and seeking financial support across the diverse communities the charity serves, as a member of the team.

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FARKHANDA HUSSAIN BUTT

USTADAH MAYSOON SHAFIQ

Farkhanda Hussain-butt (Fara Butt) started her career as a teacher of English and in 2016 went full time to join her family run business Shire Beds. Shire Beds which started in 1997, has now become a multi-awardwinning bed making business of West Yorkshire, employing more than 70 people. .Most significantly Farkhanda is the only Muslim woman to sit on the board for the National Bed federation and is chair of the Manufacturing Advisory Board and sits on the Business Economy and Innovation Committee of WYCA. Fara is respectfully known by the community and leading figures as ‘Baji’ (elder sister) and is using her business skills to help shape and nurture the next business talent.

Maysoon Shafiq is the Founder of Al Mu’Minun (The Believers), an award-winning non-profit organisation dedicated to serving the community through open spaces of spirituality, dialogue and empowerment. She inspires and mentors other women to better themselves who are from a BAME background and works with the youth at grass root level to reduce the level of violence in Kirklees.

She works closely with the West Yorkshire Police, Kirklees Council and has recently partnered with Huddersfield Town to deliver social action clubs for the youth.

Recently she was appointed the first female Muslim Chaplaincy Team Lead for NHS England. She has also authored her own book.

Her work has been recognised with a plethora of awards, which includes the British Muslim Religious Advocate of the Year Award 2023.

She has been selected as an inspirational woman to be featured in a book titled, "Inspiring Women" which is available to purchase from Amazon from Women's Day 2023. All funds raised will go to the Malala Fund.

In conclusion, our journey through this inspiring list has been nothing short of remarkable. The individuals mentioned have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also left an indelible mark on their communities. From trailblazers like Mohammed Quadafi, who has made significant impact in ensuring West Yorkshire Fire Service has a more inclusive and diverse work force, Aafaq Butt, who has been

9

KIRKLEES

an inspiration to his constituents and is making significant impact as a local councillor by joining the Executive committee of Culture and Greener Kirklees.

As we reflect on the myriad accomplishments and impactful campaigns, it becomes evident that the journey doesn't end with recognition alone. The individuals on our long list have not only achieved greatness but have also paved

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the way for future generations. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the profound impact one can have on both personal and communal levels. As we celebrate these remarkable individuals, we are reminded that their legacies will continue to inspire and shape the narrative for years to come.

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KIRKLEES

Pioneering business luminary ushers in a new era for Huddersfield Giants as the first South Asian addition to the Board

By IQRA AZAM

In a groundbreaking move, Huddersfield Giants have significantly bolstered their board of directors with the addition of the esteemed businessman, Jas Singh Athwal DL. At 61 years old, Athwal brings a wealth of experience from both the Rugby League arena and the vibrant business community of West Yorkshire.

Currently serving as a Deputy Lieutenant, he has been at the helm of the Huddersfield Giants Community Trust for the past two years, showcasing his commitment to both the club and the wider community.

Stepping into a new role on the main board, Athwal's appointment holds historical significance as he becomes the first board member with an Asian background. Chairman Keith Hellawell expressed the strategic thinking behind the selection, emphasising the need to broaden the club's business sector interactions, and Athwal's extensive West Yorkshire contacts bring a fresh perspective to the Giants.

Image: Huddersfield Giants

It’s a great honour to join the clubs main board ahead of what am sure will be a superb Betfred Super League in 2024.

The landscape of Rugby League in general is a tricky one with reduced broadcast incomes so it’s become even more important that clubs strengthen links with their local community and businesses.

Jas Singh Athwal DL

Jaz Athwal DL

Commenting on the addition Chairman Keith Hellawell said: “In looking for new board members we are conscious that one for the factors is that we need to widen our pool of interactions in the business sector in particular and Jaz has a depth of contacts in West Yorkshire who will be new to the club and in many instances the sport of Rugby league.

"In addition, he becomes the first board member of this club with an Asian background so in that sense is quite a historic appointment for us and the wider game. His passion for Rugby League is well known and he’s done a sterling job with the trust based at the Zone in recent years, so the timing just felt right for us all with the RFL heavily focused on governance to meet Sport England’s best practice guidance to have him

come on board with the club itself.”

Jas Singh Athwal DL expressed his honour at joining the club's main board, especially in anticipation of the upcoming Betfred Super League in 2024. With over 50 years of involvement in Rugby League as a player and supporter, Athwal brings a unique perspective to the role of non-executive director. He highlighted the challenges facing Rugby League in the current landscape, emphasising the importance of strengthening links with the local community and businesses.

Jas Singh Athwal DL said: “It’s a great honour to join the clubs main board ahead of what am sure will be a superb Betfred Super League in 2024.

"The landscape of Rugby League in general is a tricky

one with reduced broadcast incomes so it’s become even more important that clubs strengthen links with their local community and businesses.

I hope to be able to bring my energy and enthusiasm to the role of non-executive director having been in the sport for over 50 years now as a player and supporter and now in widening our base particularly in the areas where the club, like many in rugby league are underrepresented, and most importantly to enjoy the games and the various interactions that we all have as Giants Supporters.

"It's been my great pleasure over the last few years to get to know the owner Ken Davy well and I hope to be able to play my part in helping him achieve his dreams for the club.”

Beyond his contributions

to Huddersfield Giants, Jas Singh Athwal DL is actively involved in various community and charitable organisations.

As Chairman of the Kala Sangam South Asian arts organisation, a trustee of the Children's Air Ambulance, and an honorary member of the All-Parliamentary Rugby League Group, Athwal's commitment extends far beyond the rugby field. Fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, he also serves as a Non-Exec Director of Enable 2 (CIC) Translation Company.

The appointment of Jas Singh Athwal DL is not only a strategic move for Huddersfield Giants but also a testament to the club's commitment to diversity and community engagement, setting the stage for an exciting and transformative chapter in its history.

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KIRKLEES

OPINION

From rotis to bagels: Navigating the generation gap

He is forthright, upfront, can be rude and he most certainly doesn’t hold back.

We welcome our brand NEW resident columnist – THE ‘SASTA’ SHEIKH.Every week The ‘sasta’ Sheikh will share his views on issues surrounding the South Asian community living in the UK.You might not like what he has to say, but it’s HIS view and he couldn’t give a monkey’s……so read with care.

BY SASTA SHEIKH

The generational gap, a delightful abyss, evokes a chuckle, stretching from fashion choices to modes of communication. My parents, adorned in resplendent kurta pyjama exuding regality, stand in stark contrast to our generation, where ripped jeans and streetwear assume the mantle of royal attire.

Amid the vibrant mosaic of the South Asian diaspora in England, a captivating dance unfolds between generations, each weaving its own tapestry of tales and perspectives. Imagine this: my parents, pioneers from the homeland, stepped onto foreign soil with suitcases brimming with nostalgia, spices, and an implicit dedication to upholding our traditions. Now, envision my contemporaries—the secondgeneration ensemble—skillfully juggling rotis and bagels, scripting a narrative uniquely ours.

The generational gap, a delightful abyss, evokes a chuckle, stretching from fashion choices to modes of communication. My parents, adorned in resplendent kurta pyjama exuding regality, stand in stark contrast to our generation, where ripped jeans and streetwear assume the mantle of royal attire.

The language, oh, the language! My parents seamlessly intermingle Urdu with English, a blend both charming and confounding. Meanwhile, my peers and I master the delicate dance between regional accents and the ever-elusive 'slang of the day.' It's a linguistic tango that unfolds at family gatherings, leaving both sides mildly bewildered yet thoroughly entertained.

And then, the cuisine—the great unifier and divider. The kitchen of my youth was an aromatic sanctuary of spices, housing recipes passed down through generations like closely

guarded secrets. Today, my culinary escapades involve a perplexing encounter with quinoa, kale, and the eternal debate over whether to call it 'paneer' or 'tofu.'

The kitchen, it appears, stands as the frontline of our generational skirmish—a battleground where tradition and innovation collide.

Weddings, those grand spectacles uniting families, have undergone a metamorphosis.

My parents reveled in a treasure of colours, cultural rituals, and silent competitions for the best dance moves. In contrast, my generation's weddings feature choreographed flash mobs, hashtags, and an Instagram feed rivaling a Bollywood blockbuster.

The dance floor may have evolved,

but the infectious spirit of celebration endures.

Then there are the expectations—the unspoken elephant in the room. My parents, harbouring dreams of engineers and doctors, found themselves flabbergasted when I chose the less conventional path, majoring in liberal arts and pursuing a career in stand-up comedy. It's a clash of aspirations, a tug-of-war between tradition and the brave new world.

Yet, amidst the laughter and clash of cultures, an undeniable bond persists—a bridge spanning two worlds, each generation learning from the other. My parents, with their

resilience and determination, laid the foundation. My generation, armed with humour and a penchant for innovation, is building upon it, creating a tapestry as rich and diverse as the spices in a well-stocked kitchen.

So, here's to the masala mix of generations, to the clashes that render family gatherings entertaining, and the unspoken understanding that binds two worlds. In this delectable blend of tradition and modernity, South Asians living in England, like me, aren't merely navigating the generational gap; we're waltzing through it with a playlist spanning two continents and a dance floor that welcomes all.

Image: Freepik

8-Page pull out supplement

16 - 21 JANUARY 2024

HRITHIK IS SO FLUID AS A DANCER YOU DO BUILD IT IN WHEN COMPOSING MUSIC –

VISHAL DADLANI

TWO KIT HARINGTON opens up

about his mental health struggles Speaking on the wellness podcast Hidden 20%, Harington said that he entered rehab in 2019 for alcoholism and was diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while there.

“I realised that my life was hinging on this,” he told host Ben Branson.

“Luckily, it was the right place at the right time. I managed to forge a new life from there.”

Harington claimed that he “entered rehab drunk, sobered up in there, and went, ‘F— this, not you guys in a circle. No, thank you.’”

Harington then went to a second rehab facility, where he was made aware of his ADHD, reports deadline.com.

“And I left that pretty quick and said, ‘I’ll try to deal with this by myself,’ which didn’t work after about four years,” he said.

Harington now says he’s “sober "and “present,” and is focused on his son, 2 years old, and daughter, 6 months. He shares his kids with Game of Thrones co-star and wife, Rose Leslie.

“My head wants to go to every other thing in the room at once,” he said, adding that he is sometimes “restless” when he plays with his young children.

'Game of Thrones', where he played Jon Snow from 2011 until 2019, saw instant fame, which was hard on him.

Harington “tried to project this image of utter sophistication and coolness about what I was doing, but genuinely being sort of terrified about everything.”

That led to a downward spiral when it was coming to an end.

“That is a dangerous rabbit hole to fall down, because you find all of the bad stuff that people are saying as well as the nice stuff,” he said.

When I used to come on set, my behaviour would change: SHILPA SHETTY on her upcoming web series 'Indian Police Force' Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra is all set to come up with the highlyanticipated series 'Indian Police Force.'

Speaking to ANI, Shilpa shared details about her role and said, "I am playing the character of a cop in Rohit Shetty's films. What could be bigger than this? This role is very different from all the characters I have played."

She added, "This is the work that has to be done selflessly and uncond itionally and it means a lot to come into such a field without caring for one's life. You have to be made up of a different kind of metal. When I used to come on the set, my behaviour would change and my way of speaking would become cloudy because there was also a responsibility on my shoulders to play this character well because it was odd to all the women in the police force."

"The work that they do, all our uniform wearers, be they in the Navy, Army, or Police Force, deserves my biggest salute because what they are doing is amazing . A woman who is responsible in the field fulfills her responsibility and also works at home.

So, it is double the work for her."

She also shared how her son, Viaan convinced her to do this series.

She said, "My son told me, 'Leave everything else and do this character. I want to thank Vikram, my producer, who made the entire unit sit in Chandigarh for four to five days. He allowed me to come back and shoot for the first schedule for Rohit. But this happened only because of Viaan."

She concluded, "Because I wanted to do this less as an artist. But I wanted to impress my son more by becoming a mother. And when he saw the trailer, for the first time, he said with so much excitement, 'That's my mom,' and I felt so proud; that was a different feeling." 'Indian Police Force' is directed by Rohit Shetty and Sushwanth Prakash.

The cop action-drama series stars Sidharth Malhotra, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Vivek Oberoi, Shweta Tiwari, Nikitin Dheer, Rituraj Singh, Mukesh Rishi, and Lalit Parimoo in key roles.

It pays tribute to the selfless devotion, commitment, and fiery patriotism of Indian police officers who are ready to give their lives for the safety of this nation.

Despite their strong motivation, the trio of Kabir, Anjali Shetty (Shilpa Shetty Kundra), and Vikram Bakshi (Vivek Oberoi) struggle to identify the perpetrators, adding to the Delhi Police's difficulties. Meanwhile, disagreements among team members exacerbate the problem. But don't worry; the resolute cops refuse to back down and are ready to face the obstacles straight on.

'Indian Police Force' will be out on Prime Video on 19 January.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra's '12th Fail' is benchmark for filmmakers like me: Anurag Kashyap Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has showered praise on actor Vikrant Massey's recently released film '12th Fail'.

Taking to Instagram, Anurag shared a poster of '12th Fail' and penned a long note.

He wrote, "Probably the best mainstream film I've seen in 2023 @ vidhuvinodchoprafilms at the age of 71, has crafted a masterpiece out of a simple story of an adamant man wanting to be more than what life gives him. He goes and takes what he wants and how."

He added, "What amazed me about the film is how he breaks all conventions of mainstream and has scenes done in simple long shots--the crowd scenes of Mukherji Nagar, which feel like the camera just happened to watch the story unfold without disturbing the atmosphere."

"It just felt like we were fly on the wall witnessing the film unfold. The sparse background score is something that mainstream cinema always shies from. The faith the filmmaker has in himself, his actors and his storytelling is that he doesn't use the BGM to manipulate the audience or the emotions. A filmmaker at the peak of his storytelling and at this age. It means I have hope too."

"A new benchmark has been set by VVC for filmmakers like me who have been feeling a bit lost. Kudos to the whole team, who I don't know, and all the actors. Especially @vikrantmassey @medhashankr @anshumaan_pushkar @anantvjoshi and the cinematographer Ranga, the production designer, and the music directors and writers. I have met Manoj and I've read the book, but I never could have seen it how VVC saw it."

He concluded, "It's on Hotstar and a must-watch. I was unlucky to find time to see it in cinemas but saw it on my screen but do give this film a shot. I love you, VVC for inspiring me.

May you never really grow up and always be the troublesome brat that you are even at 71. Just big hug and love to you. And I am ready to #restart."

'12th Fail' revolves around UPSC aspirants and is based on real-life experiences. It draws

from the gritty struggles of millions of students who attempt the UPSC entrance exam.

On working on the film, Vikrant told ANI, "The movie is very typical Vidhu Vinod Chopra movie which is based on hard reality and is a very hard-hitting film. The role was very challenging. I had to lose weight and darken my skin."

The film has received appreciation from Kamal Haasan, Rishabh Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Farhan Akhtar, and Anil Kapoor, among others.

'12th Fail,' helmed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, was released in theatres on 27 October and faced a clash with Kangana Ranaut's 'Tejas'.

THREE

SELENA GOMEZ-starrer Linda Ronstadt biopic to be directed by David O. Russell Filmmaker David O. Russell is set to helm the upcoming Linda Ronstadt biopic, starring Selena Gomez.

The music biopic is currently in preproduction, with producers including James Keach, who produced the 2019 documentary ‘Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice’, and Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan.

Gomez cryptically shared her involvement in the biopic earlier this week by posting a picture of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir 'Simple Dreams' on her Instagram story. No other casting has been announced, reports variety.com.

Ronstadt is a country, rock ‘n’ roll and Latin music legend known for her 1970s albums 'Heart Like a Wheel' and 'Simple Dreams'. Throughout her career she has released 29 studio albums, won 11 Grammys, and was honoured by both the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy with Lifetime Achievement Awards. In 2014, Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and

Roll Hall of Fame.

Russell is an Oscar-nominated director and writer known for critically acclaimed films such as 'Three Kings' (1999), 'The Fighter' (2010), 'Silver Linings Playbook' (2011) and 'American Hustle' (2013). His most recent feature, the 2022 mystery comedy 'Amsterdam', starred Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington.

In addition to the Ronstadt biopic, Russell is working on 'Super Toys', with Keke Palmer and Sacha Baron Cohen attached to star.

From Ambanis, Sachin & Shinde to the whole of Bollywood, Ira's nuptials see an A-List crush The reception of the Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan's daughter Ira Khan and her husband Nupur Shikhare was a starry affair.

The event organised at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in the BKC area of Mumbai, saw not just the entire Bollywood reuniting but also witnessed celebrities from different walks of life.

The whole of Bollywood, including Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, actress Katrina Kaif, Oscar-winning music composer A.R. Rahman, veteran actress Rekha.

SRK exuded elegance in a refined ensemble featuring white shirt, black waistcoat, matching jacket, and trousers.

He was accompanied by his wife, Gauri, who looked stunning in a maroon and golden suit.

Other members of the fraternity like Jaya Bachchan, Shweta Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Naga Chaitanya, Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, Jaaved Jaffrey, Dilip Joshi, Hema Malini, Rekha, Saira Banu, Sonali Bendre, Dharmendra, and Esha Deol, Kangana Ranaut, Sushmita Sen attended the event.

Actor Tiger Shroff was seen wearing a black suit as he walked in style into the venue. His contemporary Kartik Aaryan too suited up for Ira Khan’s wedding party.

Riteish Deshmukh and his wife Genelia joined Aamir Khan’s family to celebrate Ira and Nupur’s wedding.

Director Rajkumar Hirani, who directed Aamir in ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘PK’ attended the event in a black ensemble.

Industrialist Mukesh Ambani too was seen attending the event with his wife Nita Ambani.

The God of cricket Sachin Tendulkar also joined the celebrations and gave blessings to the newlywed couple.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde too attended the event and posed with the couple.

Professor of Taylor Swift class at Harvard reveals why singer's work is worthy of study A class being offered at Harvard on Taylor Swift next semester is officially titled "English 183ts. Taylor Swift and Her World.” A critic who will teach the course has revealed why it is worthy of study.

But when her class was announced last month, many began to wonder out loud if a "millennial pop star deserves this kind of treatment at a world-class university."

Stephanie Burt, a literary critic who will teach the course at Harvard, penned a convincing argument in The Atlantic and deftly argued that students "benefit from studying art that they love, art new and old, art in many genres," reports etonline.com.

It's not the first time a Swift class is available at an institution of higher learning. Stanford, NYU and the University of Texas at Austin are just some of the universities offering similar courses.

The hour-long class at Harvard will aim to explore Swift's many genres and the economic impact she's had in cities across the world when she arrives to perform her Eras Tour. The class will also examine her catalogue (Taylor's Version).

"We will learn how to think about illicit affairs, and hoaxes, champagne problems and incomplete closure. We will look at her precursors, from Dolly Parton to the Border Ballads, and at work about her (such as the

documentary Miss Americana)," the class synopsis continues.

"And we will read literary works important to her and works about song and performance, with novels, memoirs and poems by (among others) Willa Cather, James Weldon Johnson, Tracey Thorn, and William Wordsworth."

Burt says her students "will analyse Swift's work, think in detail about it, maybe create footnotes to it, in order to see how the verbal skills and musical elements that move us are not just all in our head, they are choices Swift makes to communicate a particular message or feeling."

Touting the Midnights singer's writing as "witty" and "insightful," Burt says it's incumbent upon her to also help her students better understand Swift and her "oeuvre" with the help of novels

by Willa Cather and James Weldon Johnson. The class will also dive into three centuries of "pagebased poetry ... on other topics central to Swift."

In doing so, Burt hopes to "take advantage ... of a room full of Swifties to introduce hundreds of students to these poems."

If all goes well, "you might notice how many students will come for the Taylor and stay for the other writers involved," Burt argues.

Famed author James Patterson also weighed in on the Harvard course, and he says the class is a no-brainer.

FOUR

RECIPE

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

PANEER PITA PIZZA In the hustle and bustle of daily life, Supreme Ingredients Paneer Pitta Pizza emerges as the hero – a quick, wholesome, and utterly delectable solution for families on the go. Say goodbye to compromise and hello to a dining experience that effortlessly fits your busy lifestyle.

Unravel the secrets behind this culinary marvel, with this delicious recipe. Get ready to embark on a flavour-packed adventure that harmonises the best of Indian and Arabic cuisines. The Supreme spice delight awaits you!

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

¼ cup oil

Heat the oil over medium heat, add paneer and fry until

¾ cup mix coloured pepper chopped into

the edges turn golden. Add ginger garlic paste, tomato

small pieces ¾ cup red onion, chopped into small pieces

paste, tandoori powder, Kashmiri chilli powder, garam masala and salt to taste. Stir well and cook for 3-4 minutes, then add onions and peppers. Turn the heat

250g paneer cut into small chunks 1 tsp Supreme Garlic Ginger Paste 2 tbsp Supreme Tandoori Masala 1 tbsp Supreme Kashmiri Chilli Powder 1 tsp Supreme Garam Masala 2 tbsp tomato paste ¹/₃ cup ketchup

down to low and cook until onions and peppers soften slightly. Lastly stir in ketchup, cook for 3-4 minutes then remove from heat and set a cool slightly. Preheat the oven at 180°c.

Place the pitta bread on a baking tray and top with a handful of grated mozzarella. Then spoon over some of

Salt to taste

the paneer mixture on top of the cheese. Sprinkle over

4 pitta bread

a little more mozzarella and lastly a pinch of oregano.

Grated mozzarella cheese

Bake in a preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until the

Pinch of oregano

pita is slightly crisp and the cheese has melted.

Recipe in partnership with Supreme ingredients.

For more recipes visit www.supreme-ingredients.com

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

FIVE

FILMS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2024

Bollywood made an incredible come back in 2024, with people flocking to watch movie, helping stars Shahrukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan enjoy 100’s of crore’s worth of business.

Well, 2024 promises to be another exciting year for B-Town film fans and cinegoers. We list films we believe will be the most highly anticipated movies, promising to achieve success both commercially and artistically.

EMERGENCY Emergency is actor Kangana Ranaut's first directorial project, a political drama where she plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. As reported

by India Today, Ranaut views the film not as a biopic, but a showcase of a controversial period in India's democracy. Originally scheduled for a November 2023 release, Emergency has faced delays with the premiere now moved to an unspecified 2024 date. Tracing the imposition of 1975's Emergency order, the movie promises a dramatized look at a tumultuous time. With Ranaut at the helm both in front of and behind the camera, Emergency has already generated hype as one of this year's most unique Bollywood offerings.

CHANDU CHAMPION Following his 2023 hit Satyaprem Ki Prem Kahani, actor Kartik Aaryan joins producer Sajid Nadiadwala for the 2024 film Chandu Champion.

Based on the true story of Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympic gold medalist, the movie spotlights the athletic triumph and resilience of this Indian Army legend. Branded with the tagline "The man who refused to surrender," Chandu Champion promises an uplifting underdog narrative.

Tracing Petkar’s journey from disability to championship victory, the film provides Aaryan a dramatic starring vehicle while continuing Nadiadwala's reputation for delivering inspirational stories. With its combination of human interest and national pride, Chandu Champion shapes up as one of next year's most crowd-pleasing movies.

YODHA Following multiple delays, the action-thriller Yodha is scheduled to release in 2024, marking Sidharth Malhotra’s first big screen outing since 2022’s Thank God. Malhotra stars as a fierce commando on a mission to rescue passengers aboard a hijacked plane. Yodha provides Malhotra with a massively mounted vehicle to showcase his action chops under the direction of debutante duo Pushkar and Omkar. After extended anticipation stemming from the originally planned 2022 and 2023 release dates, Yodha will deliver a robust heroic action and rescue adventure led by Malhotra's star presence that will make the long wait worthwhile.

THE CREW The Crew assembles an acclaimed all-female ensemble for one of 2024’s most enticing releases. Reuniting the duo behind 2018’s Veere Di Wedding, the aviation-set drama stars Sonam Kapoor Ahuja alongside several of Bollywood’s top actresses.

Backdropped against the airline industry, The Crew follows three driven women whose lives intertwine amidst a web of lies and deception that leads to chaos. With Kapoor and Kapoor bringing together both fresh and familiar faces, the movie promises an empowering story centered on complex female relationships and performances. On the heels of Veere Di Wedding's success, the production team and cast have set the stage for The Crew to deliver another celebration of sisterhood.

METRO… IN DINO Director Anurag Basu reteams with Pritam for one of 2024’s most eagerly awaited sequels, Metro... In Dino.

Serving as a follow-up to Basu’s 2007 hit Life In A... Metro, the film features an ensemble cast including Shilpa Shetty, Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kay Kay Menon and Kangana Ranaut. Taking its name from a song in the original movie, Metro... In Dino marks Basu’s second collaboration with producer Ritesh Sidhwani after their 2020 project Ludo. Billed as an anthology exploring human relationships in a metropolitan setting, the movie promises the director’s trademark blend of warmth and wit.

JIGRA Jigra is an upcoming Hindi thriller and action film that stars and is co-produced

by Alia Bhatt under her Eternal Sunshine Productions banner.

Backed by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions after their successful 2022 collaboration on Darlings, Jigra unites Bhatt with Johar in both acting and producing capacities. The film's announcement video tells the story of courage requiring carelessness towards life, setting up a story centered on two siblings. With Bhatt striking a grim figure in shadowy streets in the video's voiceover, this upcoming Bollywood movie will be a gritty dramatic tale that will showcase a more daring side of the acclaimed actress within a dangerous setting.

SINGHAM AGAIN Hitting theaters on Indian Independence Day, Singham Again serves as the third chapter in Bollywood's popular cop franchise.

With its release coinciding with the arrival of Pushpa 2: The Rise, this sequel faces stiff competition even as it remains one of 2024's most eagerly awaited titles. Given the commercial success of the previous two Singham films in 2011 and 2014, expectations are sky-high for the next installment.

Leading man Ajay Devgn returns as the righteous titular officer along with an ensemble cast for another action-packed confrontation with forces of corruption. As the cornerstone of Bollywood's cop universe, Singham Again will deliver thrilling heroic spectacles befitting India's celebration of independence.

SIX

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

Hrithik is so fluid as a dancer you do build it in when composing music

Vishal Dadlani

In the enchanting realm where melody meets emotion, Vishal Dadlani reigns supreme as a multifaceted maestro. An illustrious figure in the Indian music industry, he transcends the boundaries of singer, songwriter, and reality TV judge, carving a niche as a musical luminary and one half of the dynamic duo Vishal–Shekhar.

With an impressive repertoire of blockbuster hits that have left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions, Vishal Dadlani's artistry extends beyond mere composition—it's a symphony that resonates with the pulse of the nation. In an exclusive conversation, the virtuoso unveils the creative alchemy behind the chart-topping music destined for Hrithik Roshan's upcoming film, Fighter.

Venturing into the creative crucible, Vishal candidly shares insights into the harmonious fusion of notes that breathe life into cinematic spectacles. Beyond the glitz and glamour, he delves into the nuanced intricacies of composing music, shedding light on the delicate dance of creative differences that adds depth to every composition.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Sunday & Style, join us on an exhilarating journey as Vishal Dadlani unravels the secrets behind the magic that transforms mere sounds into timeless melodies. Get ready to be captivated by the rhythmic tales spun by a virtuoso whose music transcends boundaries, leaving an indelible imprint on the soul of the industry.

What was the brief for you to compose the music for Fighter?

It’s a simple question and a complicated question. Basically, the songs came from the story of the film. Sidharth was narrating the script, he normally just asks us to read it, but this time he was narrating it. By the time we got to the end of it we had tears in our eyes. It is a truly incredible script. The energy of the script was just so strong that that very day we started working on the songs – that very moment itself. And I think by the end of the week we had most of the tunes in place.

So that says a lot when a project has the energy that it just wants to go in a certain direction. It wants to be a certain way – everything comes from that.

The other side to this question, I think is Fighter has two very distinct types of music. One is the music camaraderie, the group of pilots. In the academy, in the air and initially while training.

The other is the songs related to the story, that have greater depth. That have elements of patriotism, of heartbreak of loss and beauty and courage. And the truth of a fighter pilots’ life.

So, what you have seen so far, Sher Khul Gaye – a party track

of a group of RAF pilots have gone and achieved a milestone or something, so they’ve gone celebrating. So, they feel that the world has opened, so they say Sher Khul Gaye about themselves. The other song, Ish Jaisa Koi, is a little bit of connection between Hrithik and Deepika. The first sort of flush of romance, a romance that is almost like a pop romance.

But what happens in love it deepens. It sort of grows. It becomes alive it becomes a character in itself. Sometimes it comes with heartbreak, sometimes it comes – I am not telling you anything about the story.

I thought I was going to get an exclusive here (laughs) No no, I can’t tell you anything about the film, because Sidharth (Director) will come to my home. It’s not about NDA’s you have to

Vishal with Shekhar

Vishal at a concer

t

Image: Facebook

SEVEN

FILM FASHION BEAUTY

Song

composed by Ishq Jaisa Kuch

Vishal Shehkhar

understand. NDA’s are for professionals.

Sidharth is my friend, he will come to my home and kick my butt, so I can’t do that.

It’s a really incredible film, it’s got a lot of energy, some great action and visuals like you’ve never seen before. All the conversations around it being like a Top Gun are completely invalid. This is an Indian story. We have our own stories to tell and we are proud to be telling this one. It’s written by an RAF pilot as well.

Do you ever get influenced while creating music, when you know you’re composing for a star like Hrithik who is an exceptional dancer?

I want to say no that’s not how it works, but the truth of the matter is you do think about how fluid he is and you try to build that into the music, there is no question. He really does justify it every time. When Hrithik is on screen he makes it flow. It’s amazing what he does.

Catch the full interview on the Asian Sunday & Style channel

You compose music alongside Shekhar and you have a great bond, but during the process of creating blockbuster music for Fighter do you ever have creative differences and if so, who gets the upper hand?

I just want to know why everyone interviewing us, is insisting we have differences? (laughs) We absolutely do. Like any two or four people working in a room on the same thing, everyone is going to have their own opinion, that’s the point, otherwise why are you there. Everyone’s got their own ideas. There is no upper hand. The song gets the upper hand. It sounds like a cliché to say, but that’s the truth.

So, we try every idea and we see how it works. And then whatever sounds the best to all of us. You have to understand the purpose of the music, the purpose of the film is to reach 1.5 billion people and more across the world. So the least you can do is please the six people that are in the room. That’s a good start.

khar

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from the film Fig

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13 PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH HM GOVERNMENT

Your mental wellbeing tool kit Small changes to our everyday routines that can brighten our mental wellbeing Engaging in even a simple positive daily activity can have a profound impact on your mental health.

When Mariam Habib escaped an abusive marriage while pregnant with her second child, she faced barriers that inhibited her.

As a single parent Mariam faced many pressures and she recognised the toll this was taking on her mental wellbeing

Mariam Habib

and the need to take action to help address her anxious feelings.

Mariam has found that creating a daily routine has helped her find her ‘happy place’ and supported her mental wellbeing.

She says: “Each day I make time to do some journaling for positive reinforcement – writing down how I’m feeling, for example, and what my thoughts are.

“I remind myself that I am

beautiful, I am strong, and that I am in control of my life.

During this time, I also listen to religious recitations – I find these incredibly soothing and calming.

“At bedtime I do some breathing exercises to help me relax, clear my mind, and have a peaceful night’s sleep. My children are my biggest inspiration and through building relaxation routines I am able to be the best mum I can.”

Now, not only is Mariam raising her young children as a single parent, but she has also returned

to her BSc (Honours) Health and Social Care degree studies and has been recognised and shortlisted for the prestigious YAYA Awards.

We explore the best practices from the NHS's Every Mind Matters programme for doable actions you can incorporate into your everyday life to improve your mental health.

Find your little big thing with Every Mind Matters. Search nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/

Find your ‘little big thing’ with these top tips: Help in a crisis • GET PHYSICALLY ACTIVE Being active is not just good for your physical health, it’s good for your mind too. It can help you burn off nervous energy, and, while it might not make feelings of distress disappear completely, it can make them less intense. You might choose gentle online yoga classes, boogieing around the home or short walks in the fresh air.

• MANAGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS Sometimes we develop unhelpful patterns of thought, and these can lead to unhelpful behaviour, so recognising them and thinking about them differently can improve our mental wellbeing.

Try the free, practical selfhelp tips inspired by cognitive behavioural therapy at nhs.uk/ every-mind-matters.

• TALK TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST Talking to someone we trust about how we’re feeling can improve our mental health and wellbeing and help stop us from feeling lonely. Sharing

counter boredom and lethargy and will boost your mood and energise you. It does not have to be anything complex to plan or costly; it could be fixing a time to meet with a friend or neighbour for a cuppa or a visit to a free local attraction.

Image: Freepik

how you are feeling will help them understand what you’re going through and together you can explore solutions.

• GET THE MOST FROM YOUR SLEEP Good-quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel mentally and physically. Every Mind Matters has lots of tips for improving your sleep and an email programme to help you develop good bedtime habits.

• GET CLOSER TO NATURE Spending time in nature – in green spaces like parks or gardens – can lift your mood and help you feel more relaxed. You can also bring nature into your life by tending to plants on a windowsill or balcony.

• PLAN SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO It’s important to have something to look forward to, especially when you’re finding things tough. It will help you

TALKING THERAPIES If you are struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression, NHS Talking Therapies can help. These services offer practical psychological therapies that can assist with various common mental health disorders and they are free and effective.

Talking Therapies are delivered by trained NHS mental health professionals, in one to one sessions, in person or over the phone, and can also be accessed online via interactive websites.

You can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies by visiting nhs.uk/talk to locate your local service and complete an online form, or contact them via email or phone. Eligibility only requires registration with a GP.

• If you are having thoughts of suicide, are harming yourself or have thought about self-harm it is important to tell someone.

• These thoughts and feelings can be complex, frightening, and confusing but you do not have to struggle alone.

• If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, contact one of the organisations below to get support right away: • Find your local 24/7 NHS crisis line at nhs.uk/ urgentmentalhealth or visit 111. nhs.uk • If you are under 35 and experiencing thoughts of suicide, or for anyone that is concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide, visit papyrus-uk.org, call 0800 068 4141 (9 am – midnight, 365 days a year), text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org • If your life or someone else’s life is at risk call 999.

14

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KIRKLEES

Councillors call for urgent dental reform as Kirklees residents struggle to access treatment

By ABIGAIL MARLOW Local Democracy Reporter

Kirklees councillors are calling for urgent reform of NHS dentistry so more people can access an NHS dentist.

A joint motion has been put forward by Kirklees’ Lib Dems and Labour groups for debate at Wednesday’s (17 January) Full Council meeting. The motion argues that the current NHS dental contact is not working and needs to be reformed.

A significant number of people in Kirklees are said to be struggling to find an NHS dentist for routine treatment. It is also pointed out that difficulties in accessing NHS dentistry in Kirklees may be contributing to the wider issue of health inequalities.

The motion states that access to NHS dental care is “enormously limited” and that people are being forced to travel miles, seek private treatment, or even perform “do-ityourself dentistry”.

The current dental contract is described as “unworkable” and “not fit for purpose”. The numbers of dentists nationally is falling, and

the system of funding is convoluted, meaning dental practices do not always get properly paid for the work they perform.

The Lib Dems say they have collaborated with Labour on the motion as the matter shouldn’t be a case of “political point scoring”

but is instead a major issue that has implications for all residents across the borough.

One of the councillors who is

leading on the motion, Cllr Paola Davies (Almondbury, Lib Dems), said: “The cross-party Health and Social Care Committee, which scrutinises the work of the Department of Health and Social Care and examines government policy, has concluded that the NHS dental contract is not fit-forpurpose and has pledged to hold an inquiry into the crisis in dental services.

“Unless radical and urgent action is taken and the contract is significantly reformed, I believe that NHS dentistry will not survive. We can all see that there is a problem. We need urgent intervention from the Government and Department of Health. They need to grasp the challenge of attracting new dentists to undertake NHS work and retain the ones we have.

“The joint council motion attempts to address this issue, which is affecting residents across Kirklees, many of whom are unable to access NHS dental services. It’s a national problem and it requires a national solution, so we are calling for the Government to take urgent action.”

Transformation of decrepit Huddersfield high-rise one step closer Huddersfield’s Buxton House is one step closer to its transformation as part of the council’s £57m plans to improve Kirklees high-rises.

This month, Kirklees Council submitted an application to remodel the building, and conversations are being held with tenants to help them find new homes.

Under the plans, the project will reuse the current building’s main structure but will see major improvements to fire safety, the layout of the flats and communal spaces, and the external appearance of the building, including a new entrance.

The council also intends to connect the building to the proposed district heating system, helping to reduce heating costs for tenants. In addition, solar power features are also included in the plans, which the local authority says demonstrate its commitment to both improving housing standards and reducing

The £57 million budget for improving high-rise blocks in Kirklees comes from rent payments and is only used to upgrade and maintain council housing. The council says that work on Buxton House is crucial for improving fire safety and keeping tenants safe.

The 11-storey high-rise dates back to the 1960s. After

a period of consultation was undertaken in 2021, it was decided that the flats would be remodelled to improve living conditions and fire safety.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) last reported that construction on the new-look flats is anticipated to begin at the beginning of 2025.

Image: Kirklees Council

Buxton House now in Huddersfield Town Centre

environmental impact.

Cllr Moses Crook, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways, said: “I am delighted we are now at the stage where we have submitted a planning application for the remodelling of Buxton House, as well as starting to have conversations with our tenants on their future housing options.”

“We know this might be a challenging time for our

tenants, but full support will be in place throughout the project.”

“The work is essential for meeting new building safety laws, improving tenant experience and also for reducing the building’s environmental impact. AHR has worked with us to include features that will save money for both the council and tenants.”

Image: Kirklees Council

How Buxton House could look

16

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KIRKLEES

Gaza war: how South Africa’s genocide case against Israel is shaping up be a second, a third, a fourth.”

This was offered as proof that, contrary to South Africa’s case, it was Hamas that harboured genocidal intent towards Israelis.

By PROFESSOR CARLO ALDROVANDI

Over the past few days, South Africa has made its case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusing the Israeli government of committing genocide with its 100-day assault on Gaza.

With the death toll approaching 24,000 in the Palestinian territory, South Africa’s lawyers laid out the grounds on which they are accusing Israel of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention, while Israel’s legal team have presented their counter- arguments.

South Africa’s case is essentially that Israel’s assault is “intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group, that being the part of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip”. Israel in turn has denied this, arguing that it has been exercising its fundamental right to self-defence under international law.

The UN’s genocide convention was adopted by the General Assembly on December 9 1948. It was the first human rights treaty to respond to the systematic atrocities committed by the Nazi regime during the second world war.

It was a Polish Jew, Raphael Lemkin, who first coined the term “genocide”. Lemkin was a lawyer who fled to the US in 1939 after Germany invaded his country. He combined two words: the Greek genos (race or tribe) and the Latin cide (from caedere, meaning: to kill).

According to Article 2 of the 1948 Convention, the main feature of the ultimate crime against humanity is twofold.

One, genocide victims are always “passive targets”. They have been singled out for their membership of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group rather than for anything they have done. And, two, the crime also establishes a “specific intent” to destroy, in whole or in part, that group.

The nexus between the two provisions is the Convention’s backbone. It marks legal boundaries that set genocide apart from other crimes against humanity. While high death tolls often rightly bring international condemnation, as a legal category, genocide is not contingent upon the number of civilian casualties that may ensue from a state’s disproportionate use of military force.

GENOCIDE IN GAZA? South Africa’s lawyers have gone to great lengths to prove genocidal intent. They backed this assertion by quoting some of the more incendiary statements by the far-right members of the Israeli government. On November

Image: ICJ

Proceedings have begun between South Africa and Israel for war crimes in the International Court of Justice

2023, Israel’s heritage minister, Amichai Eliyahu, claimed that there was no such thing as noncombatants in Gaza and that dropping a nuclear weapon there was an “option”.

Eliyahu is not a member of Israel’s three-person war cabinet.

But South Africa’s application reported other controversial statements from those senior leaders as well.

Soon after the October 7 attacks, the defence minister, Yoav Gallant, argued that a complete blockade on Gaza City – preventing water, food, gas or medical supplies from reaching civilians – was a legitimate tactic of warfare.

Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, said everyone in Gaza was complicit in Hamas’s terror attack on October 7: “It is an entire nation out there that is responsible.”

Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, dropped heavy hints with repeated references to Bible history when he invoked references to God’s exhortation to Israel to deal harshly with one of its enemies, to “blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven”.

ISRAEL’S DEFENCE The Israeli legal team presented a robust rebuttal.

They maintained that the Israel Defense Forces campaign in Gaza was justified by the inalienable right of self-defence. Because of this, it was within the stringent parameters of international humanitarian law.

It had been Hamas, they suggested, that had maliciously

endangered Palestinian lives by shielding its military wing inside residential areas while launching attacks from schools, mosques, hospitals and UN facilities.

Opening for Israel, Tal Becker, legal adviser of the ministry of

excerpts from a video compiled by the Israeli government describing some of the alleged atrocities committed during Hamas’s October 7 assault into Israel. He also showed an interview with senior Hamas

WHAT THE CASE MEANS Whatever the court’s final determinations might be, the accusation levelled against Israel constitutes a historical watershed with profound symbolic ramifications.

Palestinians have traditionally sought legitimacy and recognition by trying to embed their national aspirations and rights in the lexicon of international law. Now, they may feel some catharsis at the sight of Israeli representatives being compelled, for the first time, to defend their country’s conduct of war before a panel of UN judges.

Within Israel’s collective psyche, the recent ICJ proceedings represent an unsettling reversal of history. The crime of genocide has now been invoked against Israel – a state established in the same year as the UN Convention and with its same rationale: protecting the Jewish people from future persecution and destruction.

Without proven intent, the South African application may be, as the US secretary

Image: ICJ

foreign affairs, argued that South Africa was “asking the UN court to substitute the lens of an armed conflict between a state and a lawless terrorist organisation with the lens of a so-called ‘genocide’ of a state against a civilian population”. In so doing, South Africa was not providing the ICJ with a lens but a “blindfold”.

Becker read descriptive

leader Ghazi Hamad, speaking on Lebanese TV on October 24, in which he appeared to assert that Hamas aimed at the complete annihilation of Israel.

Hamad said: “We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do it twice and three times. The AlAqsa Deluge [the name Hamas gave its October 7 onslaught] is just the first time, and there will

of state Antony Blinken has insisted, “meritless” from a legal standpoint. But that reversal alone might retain enough symbolic clout to infer a decisive blow to Israel’s international status.

This article originally appeared in The Conversation contributed by Professor Carlo Aldrovandi who is and Assistant Professor in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin

4

BRADFORD

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18

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KIRKLEES

Post Office

scandal: why thousands

of victims are yet to see justice

BY KAREN NOKES, SALLY DAY AND RICHARD MOORHEAD Following the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which aired on January 1 2024, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak stated he intends to introduce legislation to ensure those convicted as a result of the Post Office scandal are “swiftly exonerated and compensated”.

Meanwhile, a petition calling for former Post Office boss Paula Vennells to be stripped of the CBE awarded in 2019 – for services to the Post Office – reached more than a million signatures in the days after the documentary aired.

Vennells has now handed back her CBE, saying that she “listened” to calls for her to do so. Many have questioned the decision to award the CBE at all, considering that Vennells had long been confronted with complaints and evidenced challenges to the Horizon system.

In what has been classed as one of the worst miscarriages of justice in UK history, the Post Office wrongly accused thousands of innocent people of theft, fraud, and false accounting, based on data from the flawed Horizon IT system. Hundreds were convicted, many more lost their businesses, livelihoods, and homes. The harms caused to those victimised, their families and others impacted, are vast and still ongoing.

The big question is why no one yet has been held to account and why victims are yet to be both vindicated and compensated.

Along with Dr Rebecca Helm, we are conducting a three-year research

study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, to examine what role lawyers have played in the scandal and to explore the subpostmasters’ experience of legal processes and the criminal justice system.

HOW HAS THE SCANDAL PLAYED OUT SO FAR? Problems emerged soon after the Post Office introduced the Horizon

IT system to modernise transactions across the business in 1999. Horizon flagged accounting “shortfalls”, which the Post Office used to take criminal proceedings and civil action against hundreds of people and terminated the contracts of thousands, of others. The “shortfalls” were in fact caused by bugs and errors in the IT system, a position which the Post Office vehemently denied for many years.

In 2012, under pressure from the campaign group Justice for

Subpostmasters Alliance, Conservative politician Lord Arbuthnot and others, the Post Office retained external investigators Second Sight to explore complaints of Horizon deficiencies.

But Second Sight was sacked in 2015, after it began to unearth problematic findings for the Post Office.

That same year, Vennells defended her company’s handling of the concerns raised by subpostmasters. She told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, that

Post Office the Post Office “was a business that genuinely cares about the people who work for us” and that there was no evidence of miscarriages of justice.

555 subpostmasters, led by Alan Bates, brought a civil case against the Post Office which exposed the failings in Horizon, and in 2019 the High Court ruled against the Post Office. This contributed to the Court of Appeal quashing the convictions of 39 former subpostmasters in April 2021.

In his judgement for the Court of Appeal, Lord Justice Holroyde found the Post Office’s behaviour in undertaking criminal prosecutions had been “an affront to the conscience of the court.”

More convictions have been overturned since 2021. The number now stands at 93. But many hundreds remain. Some victims have since passed away, several taking their own lives, without seeing their names cleared. And many subpostmasters are yet to come forward: around 100 more people have reportedly contacted lawyers since the drama aired.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES PAULA VENNELLS BEAR?

Image: Wikipedia

Royal Courts of Justice

Vennells has apologised but has not accepted responsibility. Indeed in 2020, she sought to shift the blame to her lawyers.

The ongoing public inquiry, which was established in September 2020 and gained statutory powers in June 2021, is likely to now ask what Vennells knew about the faults with the IT system and when. She might also be asked about the advice the Post Office received in

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19

KIRKLEES 2013 from an external lawyer, Simon Clarke. This criticised the reliability of a key witness the Post Office used in its prosecutions, though it did not come to light publicly until the Court of Appeal case in November 2020.

The evidence presented in court proceedings and to the inquiry suggests senior people in the Post Office knew of miscarriages of justice well before 2015. While the problems may have started with faulty IT, the failings in this scandal lie with the people who enabled it to happen and subsequently contained and covered it up.

WHY HAS IT TAKEN A TV DRAMA FOR THE OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO RAMP UP? For years, countless subpostmasters, journalists, MPs and academics have worked tirelessly to raise public awareness. The inquiry is now hearing evidence from Post Office investigators, auditors and lawyers. A further disclosure hearing is set for January 12 2024.

News coverage has included the heroic efforts of journalists Karl Flinders and Rebecca Thompson from Computer Weekly, who first broke the story in 2009. Since 2010, Nick Wallis has been reporting on the Post Office.

His book, The Great Post Office Scandal and the BBC Radio 4 series, The Great Post Office Trial, have been highly

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instrumental.

In a December 2023 letter to Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk, the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board called for all convictions to be overturned.

It further highlighted the trauma this scandal continues to inflict.

The Post Office’s failures with prompt and proper evidence sharing have been an ongoing issue. It has fought exposure of the truth with such approaches as non-disclosure agreements, threats of litigation against journalists, selective reporting of investigations and litigation methods that have elicited strong criticism from the judges involved.

In what is set to be a general election year, the impact of the ITV drama has now accelerated the government’s activity. To date, legal and political institutions have failed and been slow to act. But those weaknesses have also been exploited by the Post Office.

Whether this has been due to a state of denial or siege, an organisation plagued by hubris or a lack of integrity, or incompetence and impropriety by the Post Office and its legions of lawyers across 20-plus years, is an issue the inquiry will no doubt turn to.

This article originally appeared in The Conversation, contributed by Karen Nokes a lecturer in Law at UCL, Richard Moorhead a Professor of Law and Professional Ethics at the University of Exeter and Sally Day a postdoctoral Research Fellow in Law at University of Exeter

20

CROSSWORDS AND PUZZLES

Spot the

CROSSWORD Across

Down

1. Thailand, formerly (4)

1. Deficit (8)

3. Immaculate (8)

2. Upper room (5)

9. Autumn month (7)

4. Sea rover (6)

10. Edible fish (5)

5. Forbidden (5)

11. Not expressed directly (5)

6. End of the day (7)

12. Cancer or Capricorn (6)

7. Not all (4)

14. Game bird (6)

8. Dies down (6)

16. Bigger (6)

13. First showing of a film (8)

19. Stinging plant (6)

15. Alfresco (4-3)

21. Musical note (5)

17. Nearly (6)

24. Intended (5)

18. Male relative (6)

25. Antagonistic (7)

20. Carried (5)

26. Reject (4,4)

22. Whinny (5)

27. You (archaic) (4)

23. Fail to include (4)

5 differences

CODEWORD

ANSWERS CODEWORD ANSWERS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

MEDIA

SALES EXECUTIVE If you are looking for a job, then this isn't the position you should apply for, but if you are looking for a fulfilling career, with a media company that has high growth plans, then this might be the perfect job for you.

We are seeking ambitious people, who have a can do attitude. Who don't wait for things to happen but make them happen. If you are one of those and want a rewarding career, with potential to earn big, then apply now.

•

The ideal candidate must have experience of working in a B2B environment, must be self-motivated, have excellent communication and sales skills.

•

Marketing and media knowledge would be advantageous but not necessary as full training will be given.

•

The role involves selling our print and digital advertising services to business both existing and new companies. If you are ambitious and target driven, then this is the perfect role for you.

•

There are significant perks working in the industry, from free meals, to free beauty treatments, along side an excellent pay packet if proven to be successful.

So, if you think you have the skills and talent, then we have an excellent role and pay packet for you.

Hours of work: Mon - Fri 930am - 6pm Competitive basic salary plus uncapped commission. OTE in excess of £50k Car allowance

Company mobile

To apply send a covering letter, along with your CV to jobs@asianstandard.co.uk

FANCY WRITING FOR US?

Have you got an opinion?

Do you think you can write a compelling opinion piece?

If the answer is yes, then we want to hear from you.

Send in your column or topic to editor@asianstandard.co.uk for consideration.

SPORTS

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Premier League: Palmer's late penalty gives Chelsea their third league win in a row A late first-half penalty from Cole Palmer helped Chelsea secure a 1-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League and extended their unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge to eight matches in all competitions.

Palmer converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time, scoring his ninth goal of the season and taking

Chelsea up to eighth in the table, above Manchester United on goal difference.

The 21-year-old’s ninth goal of the season equalled the club record for the most strikes in a Premier League campaign by a player aged 21 or younger, after Christian Pulisic’s tally in 2019/20, Premier league reports.

Fulham’s defeat extends

Image: Twitter

their miserable record at Stamford Bridge, where they are winless in 19 league trips dating back to 1979, losing 12 of those visits.

Chelsea dominated possession in the opening exchanges and threatened the Fulham goal. Conor Gallagher had the first effort before Armando Broja guided a header narrowly wide from a well-delivered Enzo Fernandez cross.

Chelsea continued to struggle to create clear openings until first-half stoppage time. A clever disguised pass by Palmer found Raheem Sterling, who was brought down in the box by Issa Diop, and Palmer buried his penalty into the bottom-right corner.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Chelsea struggling to add to their lead and Fulham threatening sporadically at the other end. In the 53rd minute Robinson picked out Raul Jimenez, who was unable to direct his header towards goal.

Then in the 72nd minute

Andreas Pereira drove into the box and cut back the ball to Jimenez, whose low shot towards the bottomleft corner was well saved

by Petrovic.

Chelsea nearly got the breathing room they craved with eight minutes remaining as Gallagher’s excellent effort with the outside of his boot hit the left post. But instead, they had to survive a nervy finish.

A late free-kick from former Chelsea player Willian caused a scramble and the ball fell to Bobby De Cordova-Reid, whose goalbound shot was inadvertently blocked by team-mate Diop. That was followed by a game of head-tennis in Chelsea’s box in the fifth minute of stoppage minute, with the Blues eventually lashing the ball away with the final kick of the match.

Fulham, who are now winless in their last 10 away league matches, sit 13th on 24 points, eight points above the relegation zone.

Cole Palmer

Amir has made the impossible, possible: Sachin Tendulkar becomes fan of differently abled Indian cricketer The legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar became a fan of the 34-yearold differently-abled cricketer, Amir Hussain Lone, who hails from Waghama village in Bijbehara.

Master Blaster also expressed his wish to meet the cricketer and get a jersey with his name on it.

The 34-year-old is currently the captain of Jammu & Kashmir's Para cricket team.

The cricketer met with an accident when he was 8 years old. He has a unique playing style, and he is an inspiration for everyone. Amir has been playing cricket professionally since 2013 after a teacher discovered his cricketing talent and introduced him to Para Cricket. Amir lost both his arms in an accident at his father's mill when he was eight years old.

The former India batter

was amazed after watching the video, wished to meet Hussain Lone in the future and congratulated him for inspiring millions.

"And Amir has made the impossible possible. I am so touched watching this! Shows how much love and dedication he has for the game. Hope I get to meet him one day and get a jersey with his name. Well done for inspiring millions who are passionate about playing the sport," Sachin Tendulkar posted on X. Talking to ANI, Hussain Lone talked about his life after he met with an accident and said that the government at that time did not help him.

"After the accident, I didn't lose hope and worked hard. I can do everything by myself, and I am not dependent on anyone. No one helped me after my accident. Not even the government supported me

but my family was always there for me," Amir said to ANI. The 34-yearold further explained how Sachin Tendulkar everyone was shocked to see him play without hands.

"I played nationals in Delhi in 2013 and in 2018, I played an international match against Amir Hussain Lone Bangladesh. After that, I played cricket in Nepal, Sharjah and where he goes to play cricket.

Dubai. Everyone was shocked "I have been applauded for to see me playing with my legs my game everywhere and I (bowling) and batting with think it is because of God that my shoulder and neck. I thank my hard work paid off because God for giving me the strength bowling from the legs is really to play cricket," the Jammu difficult but I have learned all and Kashmir-born cricketer the skills and techniques. I do asserted. every task on my own and I He stated that he gets a am not dependent on anyone lot of praise from everywhere

Image: Twitter

except God," the cricketer asserted.

Amir Hussain Lone said that Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are his and his team's favourite players.

"Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are our favourite players and if God wishes, we will meet them soon," he concluded.

SPORTS

O'Sullivan eases into Snooker

Masters final Ronnie O’Sullivan remained on course for a record-extending eighth Snooker Masters crown, after brushing aside Shaun Murphy 6-2 in the semfinal at Alexandra Palace, reaching his 14th final at the Masters.

Last Saturday's (13 Jan) showdown was the first time O’Sullivan and Murphy have crossed cues in the Masters, having surprisingly avoided each other in snooker’s biggest invitational event during their storied careers.

O’Sullivan’s win enhanced his already dominant headto-head record against Murphy. He now leads his fellow Englishman 14-3 in meetings between the pair.

Despite his remarkable record in the Masters, 40time ranking event winner O’Sullivan hasn’t lifted the title in North London since 2017, when he defeated Joe Perry in then final. His last trip to the title match saw him suffer defeat at the hands of Judd Trump in 2019.

Either Mark Allen or Ali Carter will now be standing in the Rocket’s way, when the

Sunday's final takes place with a top prize of £250,000 and the Paul Hunter Trophy on the line.

However, the defeat ended Murphy’s quest for a second Masters crown, following his victory in 2015. However, the Magician can reflect on a good week, which included fine wins over debutant Zhang Anda and Jack Lisowski.

Both players had chances in an edgy opening frame this afternoon, but it was O’Sullivan who eventually took it, before claiming the second to move 2-0 ahead.

Murphy fired in a sublime 131 to take the third frame and gain a foothold in the match. However, O’Sullivan won a 27-minute third to edge further in front at 3-1 heading into the midsession.

After the interval, a break of exactly 100 pulled Murphy within a frame at 3-2, before O’Sullivan charged to the line. Runs of 90, 71 and 62 were enough to give him three on the bounce and wrap up a dominant 6-2 victory.

16 - 21 JANUARY 2024

SPORTS

PREMIER LEAGUE: PALMER'S LATE PENALTY GIVES CHELSEA THEIR THIRD LEAGUE WIN IN A ROW Page 22

O'SULLIVAN EASES INTO SNOOKER MASTERS FINAL Page 23

Azeem Rafiq speaks out against return of Colin Graves' to Yorkshire County Cricket Club: “the whole game is telling us loud and clear it doesn’t want people like us” Former Yorkshire player highlights deep-rooted issues and calls for genuine change in the sport

By FATIMA PATEL

In a scathing critique of the Yorkshire Cricket Club's recent decision to reappoint Colin Graves as chairman, former player Azeem Rafiq has unleashed a wave of criticism, highlighting systemic issues within the sport.

The Yorkshire Cricket Club faced severe consequences in 2020, including a £400,000 fine, suspension from hosting international cricket, and the loss of several sponsors, following Rafiq's allegations. However, the recent approval of Colin Graves' return by the Yorkshire Board has triggered deep-seated emotions for Rafiq, who described the situation as "incredibly triggering" and a setback to his efforts to move forward.

Rafiq, a whistleblower who previously exposed direct discrimination and harassment within the club in 2020, expressed profound disappointment at the lack of consideration and care from cricket authorities. He remarked, "These last few days have been triggering from a few different points of view. One, the lack of care from cricket people. The way this has been green-lighted from the ECB and the Professional Cricketers Association. The Yorkshire Board has a lot to answer for."

The Yorkshire Board's approval of Graves' return has reignited painful memories for Rafiq, who described the situation as "incredibly sad" and "triggering." He questioned the lack of alternative options for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and called for tangible support from the ECB, urging them to step in with financial aid to prevent the club from going into receivership.

Rafiq also questioned the timing of the decision, suggesting it was part of a calculated plan. "From

the information I have seen, this has been a plan all along. The fact that it dropped on Christmas Eve, that’s no coincidence to anyone who understands the PR and media landscape." Rafiq told Asian Standard.

In the meantime, while denying any takeover, Colin Graves claims he is looking to invest, to refinance and restructure the club.

The integrity of Graves is under scrutiny, especially given his previous comments equating racism to banter. Despite the controversies surrounding Graves, the Yorkshire Board has approved a loan offer that sets the stage for his return as chairman.

Graves has since put out a statement apologising "personally and unreservedly" to anyone who experienced racism at the club.

He said: "Discrimination or abuse based on race, ethnicity or any other protected characteristic is not and never will be acceptable.

"I profoundly regret some of the language I used when asked about the events that took place when I was chairman, at a time when I was no longer at the club. I understand and sympathise with those who regarded my comments as dismissive or uncaring.

"I am determined to do whatever is required to ensure Yorkshire County Cricket Club continues to reflect the communities it represents. The club cannot and will not succeed unless it is united in its commitment to meet the highest professional standards, on and off the field.

"I want to make it clear that we accept the findings of the report carried out by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) and its recommendations.

If I am confirmed as chairman, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work that has been carried out over the last two years will continue.

"I hope that new and older members, former players, commercial sponsors and broadcasters will work with us to ensure that everyone connected with Yorkshire cricket is proud to be associated with the club."

Rafiq, expressed his disappointment, stating Graves needs to make bigger commitments than just a sorry.

Rafiq’s words have been echoed

by Sporting Equals, a charity advocating for ethnic diversity in UK sport. In an open letter addressed to the sports minister Stuart Andrew, the ECB, professional County Cricket Clubs, and their sponsors the independent body expressed serious concerns. While acknowledging recent efforts to combat racism in cricket, particularly in response to Azeem Rafiq's revelations, the charity sees the potential reinstatement of Colin Graves as chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club as a threat to the progress made.

The letter emphasises that Graves' reinstatement would undermine the strides taken against racism, sending a message that trivialises the issue and disregards the findings of the ICEC Report.

The charity urges the ECB, County Cricket Clubs, and sponsors, with the support of the sports minister, to implement specific measures before the 2024 summer season. These measures include establishing an Independent Fit and Proper Persons Test for club ownership, implementing a robust disqualification process, providing mandatory inclusive behaviour training for club leadership, and ensuring the publication of annual reports on equality, diversity, and inclusion policies.

Expressing his frustration and disillusionment, Rafiq stated, "I don’t feel I have any attachment to

the club anymore - it’s not my club anymore. That cap of mine that I held so much pride with – it’s not something that has any importance in my life anymore." Rafiq highlighted the significant toll the controversies have taken on his family, recounting death threats, attacks on his home, and his decision to leave the country.

In a poignant moment, Rafiq emphasised the harsh reality for South Asians and people of colour in cricket, stating, "This is a clear message straight loud and clear – to me, to other South Asians, to people of colour that cricket is not a safe place for us."

Despite his efforts to bring about change, Rafiq expressed a sense of despair. "If after the ICC report we’re still trying to say listen to us listen to us – I think people are showing us that they don’t want to listen to us.

They don’t want us, apart from when it suits their agendas – then I think we have to decide whether we want them."

Addressing the toll on his mental health, Rafiq revealed, "It took me close to taking my own life – when I spoke about it, no stone has been left unturned to actually take me all the way there. That’s the reality of what cricket has done and continues to do – And it’s triggering."

As the Yorkshire County Cricket Club faces a crucial vote on the

proposed emergency funding offer, the broader cricketing community awaits the outcome. Rafiq remains resolute, stating, "I will continue to do what I feel is right and if that makes people uncomfortable, that’s not my problem. We don’t want the crumbs anymore.

He questions: “Are things changing? It’s all smokes and mirrors.

Not a lot has changed – that’s the reality. What happens is and this is a cycle. We’ve seen this before, we’ve seen it with the Met Police, we keep seeing it. There’s a reason why institutions don’t change, because you have this big outrage. Everyone has suddenly found their moral compass – we must do this. We must do that – action plan and then everyone’s forgotten.

“On the week of my DCMS, ECB all the County’s, everyone, all gathered at the Oval. I remember Tom Harrison did a press conference with Richard Thomson (who’s now the new chair) stood in the background I can’t remember what he said, but it was something like, this is a massive emergency for the game, blah blah blah. We’re going to do a dress room culture review. Where’s the dress room culture review?

“Where’s the report? The report is that bad, that it’s stuck in the ECB office – no one is putting them under pressure to get that out. Yorkshire whistleblowing hotline spent one point whatever million on it – where’s the report? The guy who is running the whistleblowing hotline is going to Diwali events at the club, when he hasn’t released the report yet.

If Eid events was going to sort out institutional racism, we would have sorted it out a long time ago?”

The controversy surrounding Yorkshire Cricket Club underscores the ongoing challenges in making cricket a game that truly welcomes and embraces diversity.