Asian Sunday Kirklees August Issue

FREE | AUGUST 2019 | KIRKLEES

EDUCATION WATCHDOG REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES IN KIRKLEES

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ON A MISSION WITH AKSHAY KUMAR

L-R LEADER OF KIRKLEES COUNCIL SHABIR PANDOR & DEVELOPER ZAID IQBAL

FULL STORY FROM PAGE 6 >>

FULL STORY FROM PAGE 6

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KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

New victim support hubs open in North Kirklees New victim support hubs have been opened in Dewsbury and Batley.

The two new hubs will help support victims and witnesses of crime. The new hubs are in addition to those already located at the Brian Jackson Centre, Huddersfield.

The new victim support hubs will offer support to victims of all ages and will provide a safe place for vulnerable victims and witnesses to obtain the information and the support they need.

The Dewsbury victim support hub is open every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm and is based in the Kirklees Council’s Customer Service Centre, Walsh Building, Town Hall Way, Dewsbury. The Batley hub is open every Monday between 10am and 4pm. This is based at Jo Cox House, Commercial Street, Batley.

Anyone affected by crime can access free confidential, emotional and practical support by dropping into these and speaking with one of our specially trained staff or volunteers.

Cllr Carole Pattison, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said: “Kirklees Council is committed to offering the best possible support to victims and witnesses when a crime has taken place. These new hubs will provide further support for victims

and witnesses of crime and a sign of the commitment the council has to help reduce crime.”

Supporting victims is a key priority for the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson who has continued his pledge to Victim Support to continue to provide core support to victims and witnesses of all ages for the next three years.

Mark Burns-Williamson said: “Many people affected by crime often feel unable to get the help they need, whether or not they wish to report it to the police, so the new victim hubs will ensure wider support and more options are available.”

The new hubs in Batley and Dewsbury will make accessing services much easier for those in the north of Kirklees.

Other supporting agencies are being encouraged to use the facility to enable victims and witnesses to experience all round support. If you would like further information or you are interested in finding out about volunteering in this area please email Safer@kirklees.gov.uk<mailto:Safer@ kirklees.gov.uk> The local Victim Support service is available from 8am - 8pm Monday to Saturday by calling 0300 303 1971 or go to the self-referral option on their website www.victimsupport.org. uk<http://www.victimsupport.org. uk>.

Ravensthorpe food business fined thousands for serious food hygiene offences A Ravensthorpe business has been fined over £7,000 after being found guilty of serious food hygiene offences.

Soha Enterprise Ltd failed to send representatives to attend court on three occasions, and were found guilty in their absence of seven offences on 11 July.

Raja’s at 676 Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury was found to have committed food hygiene offences following a routine inspection on 25 April 2018.

Environmental Health Officers visiting the premises found evidence of a rat infestation in the food storage and preparation areas. A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was issued and the premises was immediately closed.

Cllr Rob Walker, Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment said: “The fact that this company sent no representatives to attend court showed a blatant disregard for

the law. “They failed to keep the premises clean and maintained in a good repair and condition and failed to ensure that adequate procedures were in place to control pests, putting public health at risk.

of who the food business operator for the establishment was.

“This behaviour is unacceptable and we will not tolerate this.”

Following appropriate pest control treatment to eradicate the infestation and a full disinfection, the premises were permitted to re-open on 30 April 2018.

Soha Enterprise Ltd was also found guilty of failing to notify the council

The company was fined £7000 fine, £754.91 investigation costs, £400 legal costs and £100 surcharge.

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Plan to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping approved Kirklees councillors have agreed a plan to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough.

preventative approach to ensure people do not return to rough sleeping in the future.

The Kirklees Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy identifies the challenges and issues people in the borough face and sets out how the council can make a positive difference to people’s lives.

It will also tackle the underlying reasons some people chose to sleep rough, despite having accommodation available to them and identify and better support “hidden homeless” households such as people who are living in insecure and unsafe situations.

The strategy, approved by Full Council on 17 July, aims to prevent people from becoming homeless, including rough sleepers.

The council has worked with a number of partners to put the strategy in place, as well as those affected by homelessness and rough sleeping themselves.

It focuses on helping people to develop the skills, resilience and improvements to their health and wellbeing needed so they can live independent and more stable lives.

A key priority for the council in

IMAGE: RIAZ AHMED

reducing homelessness moving forward is to increase the amount and range of housing that is safe, secure, affordable, accessible and sustainable.

The council will also work to ensure the right level of tailored support is available to those who might be at risk of homelessness. Working with local partners to better identify those at risk and prevent their

homelessness will be key to this.

A number of solutions to end rough sleeping will be addressed through the strategy, such as improving and extending emergency responses, including dealing with the impacts of adverse weather conditions and getting people off the streets quicker.

This will also be supported by a more

Awards Sixer For Kirklees Parks and Green Spaces Kirklees Council is celebrating after winning six Green Flag Awards for parks and green spaces in the borough.

The Green Flag Awards scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces.

It sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Kirklees winners include Almondbury Fort at Castle Hill, Beaumont Park, Crow Nest Park, Greenhead Park, and Wilton Park. An extra win for the district came with Oakwell Hall Country Park (Green Heritage Site).

Councillor Rob Walker, Cabinet Member for

Culture and Environment, said: “Winning a Green Flag Award status visibly demonstrates to the local community that a clear improvement has been made to a site which we’re very proud of.

“This is recognition of the level of community involvement and input the council has put in to create such wonderful public spaces.

“This is a fantastic win for the council and recognises all the hard work we have put in, as well as the work from the local communities. It is an excellent attraction for tourism in the area.”

If you’ve never been to one of our sites, maybe it’s been a while – make a date to come along, for more information on any of our sites, visit www.kirklees.gov.uk

The newly-adopted strategy will build on the support the council already offers, such as housing and financial advice.

In addition to this, the council works closely with a number of organisations and charities which offer a range of support such as night shelters, foodbanks and dropin cafes.

Cllr Cathy Scott, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I’m delighted that Full Council has agreed and approved this strategy.

“This is a crucial step forward for us as a borough. We want Kirklees to be a place where no one has to sleep rough on our streets, where no one is excluded, and where the support to prevent and end homelessness is available for everyone.

“This strategy will help us to work on delivering a wide range of support to the many complex issues faced by the most vulnerable in our communities so we can make a real difference to their lives.

“However, this also needs to be supported by the right number of good-quality, available and affordable homes.

“Preventing homelessness and rough sleeping underpins everything we stand for at Kirklees Council and we’ll do everything we can to support those that need our help.”

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NEWS

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

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British Parliamentarians React to Kashmir Issue

By Raheema Khan

BY ANISAH ARIF

Raheema@asiansunday.co.uk anisah@asiansunday.co.uk

DISPUTED LAND - JAMMU KASHMIR

On Monday August 5, India's BJPled government decided to revoke Article 370 and 35a stripping the state of Jammu and Kashmir of autonomy after seven decades, characterising it as the correction of a “historical blunder”.

This has led to a furious debate over the legality and implications of the Indian government's decision to revoke Article 370, with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan already announcing to expel India's top diplomat, suspending trade with India and declaring that he will fight the move, which he said breaches international law.

In the days leading up to Monday's Indian parliamentary announcement, the disputed state was swiftly put under curfew, the Hindu pilgrimage of the Amarnath Yatra was suspended with tens of thousands of troops deployed in to the region and a spate of political arrests were made, including two of the state's former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah being placed under house arrest.

Several Parliamentarians have reacted against India’s decision to revoke Article 370 and have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Foreign Secretary to take action.

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain said in a statement: “In stripping Kashmiris of the little rights that they had left whilst under illegal armed occupation by Indian Armed Forces, this increasingly nationalist Indian Government are again acting in clear breach of international law, and instead of peace, they are pursuing further acts of division and aggression. I condemn these dangerous actions, and the British Government and the international community must urgently do the same.

“At the same time, they have moved thousands of troops into the already heavily militarised region, reportedly made use of banned cluster bombs, placed Kashmiri leaders under house arrest, banned public gatherings and stopped schools and colleges from opening, and in doing so, they have again demonstrated their complete disregard for the rights of Kashmiris.

“Taking these actions also demonstrates the Indian Government’s continued refusal to seek a peaceful end to the violence in the region. I am clear that the only solution to this crisis is through a peaceful resolution, not conflict, and the international community must condemn the illegal actions of the Indian Government and their rejection of UN Resolutions, as well as their years of ongoing human rights abuses, and they must come together to force them to return to the negotiating table. Only then can we have justice at long last for the Kashmiris.”

In a joint letter to British Prime Minister

MP’s Yasmin Qureshi, Rushanara Ali, Rosena Allin-Khan, James Frith, Kate Green, Andrew Gwynne, Afzal Khan, Tony Lloyd, , Shabana Mahmood, Khalid Mahmood, Lucy Powell, Faisal Rashid, Mohammed Yasin, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Lord Qurban Hussain, Baroness Northover and Baroness Shas Sheehan have also cited India’s move to revoke Article 370 as ‘an illegal and unconstitutional step that will serve only to inflame and escalate tensions, pushing away efforts of peace and resolution.’

However, some British parliamentarians are in favour of the scrapping of Article 370.

Chair of the APPG on British Hindus and Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman, described Article 370 as an “anomaly” which has held Kashmir back by starving it of investment through the prevention of external ownership of land.

“I strongly support the revocation of Article 370… Narendra Modi has again shown proper and strong leadership in honouring the manifesto of the BJP – now is the time to properly integrate Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Constitution,” said Blackman.

“Kashmiri Pandits must be guaranteed right of return after they

were the victims of ethnic cleansing and this move should prevent any other minority groups being forced to leave the Kashmir Valley.

“The Valley provides excellent opportunities for agricultural and cultural handicraft exports, the development of hydro-electric power and tourism. Most important, however, is clearing the area of terrorists – high security is paramount,” Blackman said.

The UK is home to a significant Kashmiri-origin population, with many of these groups similarly divided in their reaction to the Indian government's move.

“What happens in Kashmir resonates in the UK,” says Raffaello Pantucci of the UK-based think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

“Talk to any [British] MP who represents a constituency with a substantial South Asian population, and they will tell you about the degree to which issues in the subcontinent show up regularly in their surgeries,” he said.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesperson has said: “We are following developments closely and support calls for the situation to remain calm.”

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COVER STORY

Birkby Petrol Bomber Given Life Sentence

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

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By GRAHAME ANDERSON

BY ANISAH ARIF grahame@asiansunday.co.uk anisah@asiansunday.co.uk

Petrol Bomber Shahid Mohammed received a life sentence of 22 years and five days at Leeds Crown Court for the murder of five children and three adults.

Eight members of the the Chisti family died when their home in Birkby, Huddersfield was petrol-bombed in 2002.

They included Nafeesa Aziz, 35, and her daughters Tayyaba Bootall, three, Rabiah Bootall, 10, Ateeqa Nawaz, five, Aneesa Nawaz, two, and six-month-old Najeebah Nawaz.

The brother of Miss Aziz, 18-year-old Ateeq, also

perished in the blaze. Their mother, Zaib-un-Nisa, 54, died a week later in hospital after jumping from a window to escape the carnage.

The family were asleep in their home on Osborne Road, when petrol bombs were thrown inside the property, as petrol was also poured through the letterbox and ignited.

Waiting For Justice Mr Justice Robin Spencer QC, said on passing sentence, had Mohammed not fled to Pakistan, he would have given the family closure and prevented them from waiting more than a decade f o r

justice to be done.

He added: “Instead they have had to live for all these years with the knowledge that one of the men principally responsible for these wicked murders had not been brought to justice.

“Those left behind to grieve will never come to terms with their loss. Words cannot express the depth of their pain and distress.”

Clearly upset he went on to praise the survivors of the fire saying: “I know that they would have given their own lives to save the others.”

He thanked both the police and jurors.

Mohammed, 37, has already spent a total of 1,351 days remanded in custody, including the time spent awaiting extradition in Pakistan.

There was no reaction from the man in the blue shirt and tie as he was taken down, though he did look up at the public gallery a number of times.

All 12 members of the jury were

present alongside a packed public gallery as sentence was passed.

Fleeing To Pakistan Mohammed was investigated by police soon after the fire but prior to a 2003 scheduled trial skipped bail and fled to Pakistan. A number of other people were convicted for their involvement.

After more than a decade evading the authorities, he was extradited back to the UK last year. Police flew to Pakistan to identify Mohammed to

local detectives.

In a four-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, jurors were told the blaze had been the result of a grudge the defendant had been “pursuing vigorously”.

Prosecutors said Mohammed, of no fixed address, reacted angrily when his sister, Shahida, became involved in a relationship with a man named Saud Pervez, of whom he did not approve.

The court heard One member of the

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Chisti family, Mohammed AteeqUr-Rehman, known as Ateeq, had played an “active part” in the maintaining of their relationship, and was probably the target of the attack on May 12 2002.

Guilty Verdict A unanimous verdict of guilty was passed at the end of the trial after Mohammed was convicted of eight counts of murder and a single charge of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

West Yorkshire Police Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Wallen said: “All of us who have been on the investigation team are absolutely overjoyed at the guilty verdict.”

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager, Chris Kirby, explained: “This was a tragic incident which had a devastating impact on the family and the wider community, as well as being distressing for the firefighters and investigators who dealt with the aftermath.

In this case the speed and ferocity of the fire gave little chance of escape due to accelerants being used.

“We condemn deliberate fire setting in any circumstances however the details of this case are particularly abhorrent.”

Personal Statement In a personal statement survivor

Mohammed Shafique’s said: “This person is responsible for the murder of eight members of our family. We are all left with deep psychological scars.

“The survivors heard the sounds of

their ‘beautiful nieces perishing in the fire’ and saw their mother launch herself from the bedroom window.

The survivors did Mohammed or his

not know accomplices

before the fire.” He also praised the police,witnesses and court staff for their bravery, courage and compassion.

Mr Mohammed’s family of one son

and three daughters will continue to live in Pakistan.

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FEATURE

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

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Quickie Divorce Outlawed In India

By GRAHAME ANDERSON

BY ANISAH ARIF grahame@asiansunday.co.uk anisah@asiansunday.co.uk

Triple talaq ruling carries implications for UK Muslims The controversial Muslim practice of instant divorce has been made a criminal offence by the Indian parliament. Known as ‘triple talaq’, the verbal or written act enables a husband to divorce his wife, simply by repeating the word ‘talaq’, three times even in an email, letter or text message. In fact, both skype and whatsapp platforms have also been used in the process. Despite its widespread use for more than 1000 years, triple talaq divorce isn’t mentioned in Sharia Islamic law or the Koran.

Possible Prison Sentence Now, men who break this law could be face a prison sentence of up to three years, following the ruling passed by 99 votes to 84, despite some abstentions and walk-outs during a heated debate.

The Ruling The court ruled instant divorce, was unconstitutional, un-Islamic and “manifestly arbitrary”, allowing a man to leave a marriage “whimsically and capriciously”. The judges said: “What is sinful under religion cannot be valid under law.”

Indian Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad confirmed the practice was still going on despite the ban. He told the Rajya Sabha 574 cases had been reported after the Supreme Court verdict of 2017, saying: “The judgement has come, but no action on triple talaq has been taken. That is why we have brought this law, because the law is a deterrence.”

First tabled in the same year, but prevented from going through by the country’s upper house of parliament, the bill was heavily supported by the governing Bharatiya Janata Party , or BJP. It was opposed by the Congress Party who argued the potential punishment was too severe and open to misuse. Many other people say the passing of the bill gives Muslim women much needed protection.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited the historic vote as “a victory of gender justice”.

Opposition leader And Ghulam Nabi Azad said the law was inherently discriminatory because no other religion in the country was being threatened with jail terms for irregular divorce practices.

“Divorce is a very, very important part of a woman’s life”, added Maneka Gandhi, India’s minister for women and children. “This makes her as equal as she is entitled to be under the constitution.”

Islamic scholars maintain the Koran clearly spells out how to issue a divorce. It must be spread over three

months, allowing a couple time for reflection and reconciliation.

Outlawed In Other Countries The practice had already been outlawed in Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

It could also influence what happens here in the UK. In a recent landmark case involving Nasreen Akhter, who wanted to divorce Mohammed Shabaz Khan after 20 years, a high court judge blocked the process citing they were not married under English law. Akhter and Khan underwent a religious marriage ceremony, known as a nikah, conducted by an imam in 1998.

UK Implications Mr Justice Williams however, decreed under section 11 of English matrimonial law, the union was void, because it was “entered into in disregard of certain requirements as to the formation of marriage. It is therefore a void marriage and the wife is entitled to a decree of nullity.”

This ruling will almost certainly have implications for Muslim couples across the UK in the future Many

family

law

specialists

at

home believe this type of ruling will prevent Muslim women suffering discrimination. Recognising marriages as void and not non-marriages, would mean women would have rights to possible financial claims.

Previous cases involving nikah marriages concluded they were legally non-existent, meaning spouses had no redress to the courts for a division of matrimonial assets such as the family home and spouse’s pension, if a marriage broke down.

Independent Review An independent review of sharia councils instigated by former UK Prime minister Theresa May, recommended Muslim couples undergo a civil marriage as well as a religious ceremony to give women protection under the law.

A 2018 survey revealed almost all married Muslim women in the UK have gone through the nikah ceremony, and almost two-thirds had not undergone a separate civil ceremony.

Some Indian Muslim groups have said triple talaq is wrong, but believe the practice should be reviewed by community leaders rather than the government.

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FEATURE

The Top 7 Most Desi Drives Ever!

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

By SHAHZAD SHEIKH

Newsdesk@asiansunday.co.uk

AKA Brown Car Guy – is an automotive journalist with three decades of experience on various media titles.

This edition he shares with us his top seven most desi drives ever! Over to you Shahzad.

By ‘Desi’ I mean of course those

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of us with ancestry from the Indian subcontinent, where the approach to motoring has often been of a, shall we say, more pragmatic nature?

Pack a vehicle to ten times beyond what’s prescribed, coax it along at mediocre miles per hour so that it merely sniffs at rather than drinks fuel, expect it to never ever go wrong and in 20 years-time, on resale, recoup its entire value plus most of the running

MAHINDRA JEEP

costs. And if you don’t believe me, watch this, https://youtu.be/z6h0lkqSno, rare one-off episode of ‘Asian Top Gear’ presented by the hit late 90s BBC comedy show, Goodness Gracious Me. It’sso on-point it brings back memories of sitting atop some uncle’s knees, shoulder-to-shoulder with another cousin, both of us locked into place by a fat aunt holding a wailing baby

An absolute icon that is essentially an original Willys Jeep from the 1950s. Favoured by the armed forces and police, it’s familiar to Desis not just because of its fabled prowess in any kind of terrain India can throw at it, but also because every movie star that’s played a cop has been behind the wheel of one.

reeking of soiled nappy.

And that was last week!

If it were possible that a vehicle could conform to the stringent requirements set out above, it would be the Desi Driver’s Dream car. Manufacturers take note - for the ultimate in Masala Motoring has not yet been realised.

Not quite. But contenders have gotten close and some are now Asian Automotive Icons.

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As self-proclaimed #BrownCarGuy I do think it’s only proper that I should be the one to pronounce the Top 7 most Desi Drives ever - so here they are in reverse order. And if you don’t agree you can always offer me chai- paani (colloquialism for bribe) to change the listing, or leave your indignant yet humble contrary comments below.

HINDUSTAN AMBASSADOR

Witness here: https://youtu.be/ c66TBx73MUo megastar icon Amitabh Bachchan ricocheting over rocks in pursuit of Vinod Khanna in a Land Rover. Interesting fact – Mahindra & Mahindra was originally called Mahindra and Mohammed, but co-founder Malik Ghulam Mohammed emigrated to Pakistan after partition and it was renamed.

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DATSUN/NISSAN SUNNY

Since 1966 the Sunny has brought light to the lives of Desis everywhere. If this list were longer, it would probably also feature Nissans like the Micra, Primera, Almera, Bluebird and... do you remember the Prairie?

My newsagent had one – as did

Again a Bollywood movie staple, and indeed one of the most common cars on the roads in India for a good few decades from the 60s to the 80s until the number one car on this list started to dominate the Indian carscape.

Essentially this is a 1950s Morris Oxford Series III. The production rights and tooling were sold to Hindustan Motors and history was created.

Its semi-monocoque design made

many other Patels with cornershops - and he adored its boxy blandness because it fitted in all his family, was utterly dependable and doubled as a van to load up with at the Cash & Carry.

But distill down the Nissan love and

it quite spacious and so it won’t come as a surprise that it was also designed by the father of the original Mini and Morris Minor, Sir Alec Issigonis.

The guy was an auto hit maker with a knack for creating cars that were sold by and loved in the millions.]

Ambassadors were actually imported back into Britain in 1992 briefly as the Fullbore Mark 10 and some even served as taxis here known as ‘Karma Cabs’.

you’re left with the Sunny in almost all its forms as the car favoured by Asians everywhere.

In Pakistan, you’ll still find black and yellow 1970s Datsun 120Y models logging hyper-galactic mileage as Taxis.

FEATURE

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MITSUBISHI PAJERO

11 Yes I know we call it the Shogun here in Europe for reasons you should ask a Spaniard, but in Pakistan during the 80s and 90s, it was the car of politicians and feudal lords.

If you had a Pajero you really were a top notch Pajero of the highest order and other Pajeros wished they could be an utter Pajero like you! (Seriously, Google it).

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MERCEDES W123/W124/E-CLASS

Essentially it was a luxury 4x4 in a market where a Mercedes G-Wagon, Range Rover or even a Toyota Land Cruiser would be taxated beyond the means of even the rich.

But in a Pajero the landed aristocracy could lord it over their village, traverse over rutted roads and farm fields and there was room in the back for their Kalashnikovarmed guards – oh yeah, for real. Of course the new top-dog SUV boss in the subcontinent for these guys plus sports and entertainment celebs is now actually the Lexus LX.

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TOYOTA COROLLA

The Corolla is the world’s best-selling car with around 45 million built since 1966. A good proportion of those ended up in Desi homes I’llwager and there is no question that at one point or another almost every Asian on the planet either owned, drove or rode in a Toyota Corolla. It’s the ‘everyasian’ car, the global equivalent of Europe’s Volkswagen Golf. It’ll run forever, do

Every ‘Uncleji’ strives to one day have his own Mar-Se-Deez – and it has to be the middle one (As & Cs are not real Mercs and the S is overdoing it), plus it must be a saloon because that’s what their dads used to drive.

There is no more robust a statement of achievement, accumulated wealth, sheer class and utter motoring magnificence in the eyes of a generation of Desis than a Mercedes-Benz.

everything you need and never ever complain.

As a kid my uncle had a 1980 Liftback version of the E30 Corolla in white in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and had adorned the bonnet with stickers of three black birds. He drove the wheels off it - legend!

But ask a Desi which is the ultimate Corolla the answer is likely to be

1

SUZUKI/MARUTI ALTO/FX/800/MEHRAN

Built and distributed both in India (as a Maruti) and Pakistan in all its various guises and nameplates (let’s just call it the Suzuki Alto here) this is probably the most Desi-driven car on the planet.

It’s like the Mini Cooper of the East – extraordinarily practical, miserly to own and run, endearingly easy yet hilarious fun to drive (it even executes perfect handbrake turns – allegedly!) and dependable, despite less than average build quality.

It’s in our genes. My father, who had no interest in driving or cars whatsoever, only ever professed a desire for a Mercedes. And despite being a BMW guy myself, I must confess the pull of the threepointed star is strong and I could so rock a W123 coupe in matte grey with black wheels and dark chromed trim.

Sorry, found myself fantasising just then – well I have been called ‘Uncleji’ too you know.

the E70 1982 Corolla saloon. Solid to the point of indestructibility, it was reasonably affordable and perceived to be quite classy.

Interestingly these rear-drive saloons are now popular as entry-level Drift cars in some Middle East countries (if you can’t get a BMW 3-Series, you get one of these). By the way, if you’re an American Desi, replace Corolla with Camry!

A particular hero’s mention goes out to the all-conquering first generation early 80s version with its angular lines and distinctive black garnish at the base of the C-Pillar – well it wasn’t really a vent was it?

The Suzuki Alto is simple motoring at its most sublime and frankly is as Desi as biryani.

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EDITORS COLUMN

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

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FATIMA PATEL Fatima Patel, is editor and founder of Asian Sunday Newspaper.

Fatima Patel is Managing Director of publishing group, RF Publishing Ltd, who publish the country's leading Asian news titles Asian Sunday Newspaper, Asian Standard Newspaper and Asian Style Magazine.

Asian Sunday Newspaper, is a pioneering media title which has made history as the UK's first, free Sunday newspaper and also the first ever Asian

sunday newspaper. The newspaper launched in 2011 and went on to become one of the most read Asian newspaper's in Bradford.

Following on from the success, Fatima later launched a national weekly title Asian Standard and re-launched the glossy monthly lifestyle magazine Asian Style Magazine.

Among other professional credits, the media entrepreneur is also patron of Cancer Support Yorkshire and is founder and Chief Executive of the Inspirational Women's Foundation and on the Board of Directors for the UNESCO Bradford City of Film

Should women be allowed the same opportunities as men in Sport?

During the early years of my life, I was never good at sport and more so I was always told, due to my height and extremely fragile and skinny frame (yes hard to believe for those who never met me at school that I was very skinny in my younger years) that I would never amount to much in that area. So, I believed it and gave up.

I was the young child that was never selected to play in the team at school or if I was, I was always the last choice. Thus, my interest in sport was always at a very low level and I managed to keep away from not only writing about sport, but also enjoying watching or playing sport until last year.

Those who know me, know that the equality (and fairness) agenda is one that I am very passionate about, so last year when a photograph circulating on social media, proudly showing off a group of businessmen, who were being wooed to obtain potential sponsorship for the stadium became a fierce debate as to why the organiser felt that only men were capable to do business or to sponsor the stadium.

I mean come on, look around you, how many women in Bradford are achieving have successful careers, professions and of course businesses?

Much more than you can count on your ten fingers for sure. So why weren’t women invited to that table?

The debate escalated and resulted in a meeting where members of Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and the English and Wales Cricket Board had to admit that they were behind when it came to recognising female talent, but they also felt that the reason for this was

that women were hard to engage with. Naturally, I stepped up to the challenge to prove them wrong.

So off I went to prove that if given the resources women can raise money and play competitive cricket at any age. I was challenged to set up two teams of 11 ladies to play cricket and ended up with 4 teams of 11.

Fast forward and this month (Sunday 18 August to be precise) 44 ladies (many of whom who have never played cricket before) consisting of four teams of 11 will play cricket competitively to a live audience for charity.

deserved.

The ladies’tournament aptly titled Inspirational Women’s Charity Cricket (IWCC) will be creating history as having the largest audience since the famous Park Avenue cricket stadium closed down in 1996.

In fact, two of our IWCC ladies were recently asked to support a friendly match between local councilors and council staff and they proved to be players to watch out for and in many forms better than some of the men.

The bonus is that the IWCC ladies have also raised more than £10,000 for charity and let’s not forget the PR that’s hyped up women and cricket and brought about a new wave of women being inspired to take up sport.

The fact the for a couple of years now men have been holding cricket matches and cricket festivals at Park Avenue Cricket Stadium, since it re-opened, but they have never been able to garner the interest and audience that the IWCC ladies have been able to generate so that says something.

The scenario reminds me of the Women’s World Cup football in France. That was a pivotal moment for women’s football where the sport had broken into the mainstream and millions not only tuned in to watch on the tournament on TV, but also packed out the stadiums in France to watch the match live.

So many got behind the women’s world cup and gave the women’s tournament the support it richly

Coming back to Bradford, and the IWCC this seems to have also created its own fan base, from men to children to other women, everyone is talking about the IWCC tournament.

The initial apprehension of women can’t play as well as the men, has fast disappeared as these ladies have proven over a period of a few months that they can play as well as the men, if given the same training, the same opportunities and resources.

So, my argument is this if the female world cup football tournament was able to show great game and a great audience, our IWCC (even though at a local level) has been able to break records, then women most certainly should be allowed the same opportunities as men.

Financially, I know we have a very long road to climb in terms of getting equal pay, for example, last

year Forbes released its report on the top paid athletes in the world – and not one woman featured in the 100-strong list.

While top Premier League footballers like Kevin De Bruyne rake in a sickening £328,000 per week, top female players in the UK get about £30,000 a year for being in the England team but it’s not just about the pay. It’s also about the resources. Like the men we women need pitches, equipment, and of course the ability to wear modest clothing while playing sport.

We’ve proven with the IWCC that if these resources are available look at what can be achieved!

The ladies playing in the IWCC, now like their male counterparts (who would go play a spot of golf or football after work, with no other

responsibilities to worry about) now also go and play cricket after work, but continue with their other chores of tending to the children sorting out dinner among other things and so if they can you men can too.

However, it’s not just being able to show the work life balance and being able to juggle men things as women, but also the fact that the IWCC ladies have formed new friendships, learnt new skills, and by playing have helped improve not only their physical but emotional well being ,raised thousands for charity, and have inspired many.

For me however, the burning question is how long can we women sustain this and get the same opportunities our men get, or are we just another tick box exercise?

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TECH COLUMN WWW.ASIANSUNDAY.CO.UK

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

SABA HAROON Saba has a wealth of knowledge in the technology sector and has built up an enviable portfolio of work with various IT projects. She is a bright, creative and client focused professional who possesses, extensive experience of working within B2B, B2C and E-commerce sector.

Saba has been working in the corporate IT world for many years and as a result has gained a vast amount of practical

knowledge which in turn she will be passing onto readers of Asian Sunday every month.

She will review the latest gadgets, provide you with the most up to date technology news and of course is at hand to answer any technology queries you may have.

So if you have a burning IT question, need some assistance or simply want to write in about Saba's column then get in touch.

Please contact Saba Haroon by emailing her at Saba@asiansunday.co.uk

3D Printing The Future 3D printing was made popular years ago as a fast prototype production method.

However, more recently, different industries are benefitting from the ease and adaptability this technique introduces.

At its most basic, 3d printing is a fabrication method that uses digitally designed models that are built layer upon layer using a variety of materials. Where a standard printer would have toners or ink cartridges, 3d printers use heated filaments, lasers or resins that melt or bond as they print, each layer building a design from the base up.

The initial introduction and machines used to 3d print were prone to lots of teething issues, and more time was spent calibrating each mechanism before a successful print.

Time, however, in the technological sphere is always moving at a faster pace. With the availability of new printing materials such as plastics, resins, composites and metals such as carbon fibre, stainless steel and titanium the scope for product manufacturing is helping designers and engineers realise projects more quickly and at a fraction of the cost.

An excellent example of this would be in sustainable housing where simple structures can be 3d printed quickly and efficiently.

China is leading the way in trialling the new methods with a view to commercialising.

A Chinese company called Winsun successfully printed 10 houses in one day.

Each house measured 10 meters wide x 6 meters tall and costing approximately

$4800! The same company is also known for building one of the most advanced 3d printed buildings in the world, ideally located in the city that is famous for breaking world records â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dubai.

Europe is also not far behind with the likes of Netherlands 3d printing entire residential estates in Eindhoven, the first five homes available this year for prospective buyers.

The current generation of 3d printers and what they are capable of is truly impressive. We are even in the realms of printing

biological structures such as hearts, ears, noses, and connective tissues such as veins and arteries.

Advances such as presurgical visualisation using CT scan data to print accurate models of organs, bones and joints enable considerable leaps in patient care and treatment outcomes.

The final frontier is also no stranger and is leading the way in 3d printing technology and its many uses.

The International Space Station already has 3d printers in orbit to print components and tools for maintenance and experiments.

More recently, NASA and its partners are looking for innovative 3d printed sustainable habitats and have set up competitions offering millions of dollars in prizes to the winning concepts.

The latter is part of their centennial challenge and future possibilities for Mars missions and housing for Earth and beyond. To find out more about the centennial challenge check the NASA website or follow via twitter for regular update... @NASAPrize.

3D printing is an area to watch with more adventurous applications being customisable food!

Successful tests incorporating regular sugar and a modified printer have resulted in edible sculptures.

Although itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unclear at this stage if printed food could be more than a novelty, its undoubtedly exciting to imagine the future and perhaps be able to print food from the comfort of home.

NEWS

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New Conservative Party Leader gets keys to No. 10

By GRAHAME ANDERSON

BY ANISAH ARIF grahame@asiansunday.co.uk anisah@asiansunday.co.uk

Having been named as the new leader of the Conservative Party Boris Johnson became prime minister On Wednesday 24th July.

His rise to prominence followed a six-week long election campaign, and eventual victory over nearest rival Jeremy Hunt by 92,153 votes to 46,656, involving a high-turnout of 87.4 percent of the party’s 160,000 membership.

Anticipation The announcement was made by returning officers Dame Cheryl Gillan, and Charles Walker, at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in London on Tuesday morning. In an unusual choice of words, Mr Walker said: “Can we be kinder to the next prime minister than we’ve been to the current prime minister?”

Following his victory Mr Johnson said: “We are going to energise the country, we are going to get Brexit done on October 31st. We are going to take advantage of all the opportunities it will bring in a new spirit of ‘can do’ and we are once again going to believe in ourselves.”

Speaking after his defeat, Mr Hunt said he was “disappointed” but “incredibly proud” of the campaign he and his team ran.

Outgoing prime minister Theresa May tweeted her congratulations to Mr Johnson, adding the party must work together “to deliver a Brexit that works for the whole UK.” Opposition Reaction Labour leader Jeremy Corby said: “Boris Johnson has won the support of fewer than 100,000 unrepresentative Conservative Party members by promising tax cuts for the richest, presenting himself as the bankers’ friend, and pushing for a damaging No Deal Brexit. But he hasn’t won the support of our country.”

New Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson said her priority would be to stop both Boris Johnson and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Further Views US President Donald Trump sent his congratulations to Mr Johnson, tweeting: “He will be great!”

Meanwhile The EU Commission’s Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, made it known he was looking forward to working with Mr Johnson “to facilitate the ratification of the withdrawal agreement and achieve an orderly Brexit.”

On another developing point of interest, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Justice Secretary David Gauke have given notice they will resign rather than serve under Mr Johnson, along with International Development Secretary Rory Stewart.

The Islamophobia Problem But what does this all mean to the Asian Community in particular, and the subject of alleged Islamophoboa in the party?

Back in August of last year Mr Johnson wrote an article in the Telegraph, discussing the banning of a full face-veil in Denmark. In it, he described Muslim women as looking like “bank robbers”. He also found it “absolutely ridiculous people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes”. The party took no action against him even though his remarks weren’t well received. Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi, who has long campaigned against Islamophobia in the party, described things as being “business as usual.”

Following his comments anti-Islamophobia charity, Tell MAMA, revealed a sharp increase in reports of abuse from women wearing headscarves or the face veil. Reports were received of women having scarves ripped off, being spat at and verbally abused. In fact, last year it was shown Muslim women remained number one victims of street level abuse.

The Muslim Council of Britain called on the Equality and Human Rights Commission, to investigate Islamophobia in the party citing 150 recorded examples. They explained: “We have taken this step after an unprecedented number of cases have been brought to our attention, suggesting a culture within the Conservative Party where Islamophobia is not only widespread, but institutional.”

The All-Party Islamophobia

Parliamentary

definition

of

Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness Worrying Poll A recent poll revealed more than 43 percent of Conservative members would prefer not to have the country led by a Muslim. More controversial was the fact 67 percent of members believe the Islamophobic myth, areas of Britain operate under Sharia law.

It’s true some members, having posted Islamophobic content online were suspended, only to be quietly re-admitted to the party later.

Tough Road Ahead The new prime minister has a great deal of work ahead to win over support from the UK’s Asian communities across a wide range of areas, not least Islamophobia. Many believe his promise to hold an independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the Tory party if elected as leader, will now be just a ‘general investigation”.

New Beginnings?

He could start by accepting an invitation to Bradford to see how the district could become the “engine of the North” given the right investment. The last meeting of Bradford Council approved the motion brought about

by Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe, who also called for the new PM, to invest more in the city.

She told us: “We’ll be pleased to welcome the new PM to Bradford and broaden his horizons. It will do him well to meet the people of Bradford. We’ll give him a warm welcome.”

16

FINANCE COLUMN

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

WWW.ASIANSUNDAY.CO.UK

shabab gulfraz Shabab Gulfraz is our resident Finance expert.

Shabab is an experienced financial adviser and a business development consultant with a passion for working with businesses who are both ambitious, and responsive to changing market trends whilst specifically focusing on the needs of both new and existing clients.

Although he provides holistic financial planning advice to clients he also specialises in investment planning, pension planning, and inheritance tax planning strategies. He

has significant experience with all aspects of ethical, and Shariah compliant investments for the private and corporate client.

In addition to this he has sound understanding of commercial and business legal issues after completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, and later completing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). The MBA led to a greater interest in change management and financial management within the workplace.

Please contact Shabab Gulfraz by emailing him at Shabab@asiansunday.co.uk

A New Prime Minister – What Does It Mean For Our Finances So, Summer 2019 and we have a new Prime Minister, and touchwood finally a deadline to try and break free from the uncertainty that Brexit has caused us over the last three or so years.

Boris made some rather large promises in terms of what he wants to do going forward in terms of our personal savings.

In a positive light his promises are actually to easy the tax burden on some individuals and sorting out the issues with social care that have arisen.

He is also very likely to loosen the purse strings and start to spend more funds. Now this is good new and bad news. Good news because it means austerity is reduced or hampered for the time being, and bad new because borrowing will inevitably

increase, thus we as a country owe more.

reference to the EU and any deal we strike.

Now in my mind after reading Boris Johnson’s columns and I must admit I find them an enchanting read, I am guessing he will probably reduce stamp duty, get rid of the tapered personal allowance for those who earn £100,000, he has already set he is raising the higher rate allowance, and I think he will simply inheritance tax.

Boris has already been bold, and highlighted to the EU this morning that he is not willing to pay £39 billion pounds without terms being acceptable, and will walk away from the table.

There is also discussion about increasing the NI threshold to circa £12,500, which I think makes perfect sense as it will be aligned to the rate tax is due on income. This will also increase basic wage packets on low income/part time workers, which I advocate.

I have to say where I think Boris will make a major difference is with

HE is being entrepreneurial in his approach, and I honestly think it

will pay off. Overall, when it comes to agreeing a deal, this still means uncertainty in the UK until a deal happens. I guess when looking at statistical data, and charts relating to the economy my thoughts are that as a country uncertainty has had an impact when it comes growth and performance of funds etc. within the UK. I have said it before uncertainty is something that we as advisers need to focus on to a greater degree

because uncertainty makes markets nervous, and if markets are nervous then performance could also be impacted.

Whatever, happens going forward I have to be honest and say that politics with Boris will be interesting, and I think he will make changes for the betterment of people, so long as he is allowed to do so.

august 2019 www.asianstylemagazine.com

ON A MISSION WITH AKSHAY KUMAR YOUR REGULAR 8 PAGE PULL OUT SUPPLEMENT OF ASIAN STYLE

film

fashion

beauty

02 KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

SHOWBIZ

Tabu’s refreshing break with ‘Jawaani Jaaneman’ WWW.ASIANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

Actress Tabu says “Jawaani Jaaneman” is a refreshing break Jaaneman” from the dark roles that she has been playing lately.

“I have been playing dark roles lately, and the character I play in Jaaneman’ is absolutely ‘Jawaani Jaaneman’ refreshing. I loved the script when I read it and I definitely wanted to go,” added the do this at the first go,” actress, whose recent roles have “Andhadhun”, been in films such as “Andhadhun”, “Drishyam” and “Drishyam” and “De “De De De Pyaar Pyaar De”.

De”.

Jaaneman” sees Tabu “Jawaani Jaaneman” team up with Saif Ali Khan once again. The film also marks the debut Bedi’s daughter of actress Pooja Bedi’s Alaia F.

Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the film is a coming-of-age story of a father and a daughter, and co-produced

by Saif, Jackky Bhagnani and Jay Shewakramani.

“A fresh script, a fresh cast and the coming together of a fresh team. So, expect the unexpected.

Without giving away much about the film, the only thing I will say is that if you have laughed, cried or enjoyed with your family, that’s

RELEASE DATE

NOVEMBER 29TH 2019

Jennifer Lopez reveals she has never driven a car!

What do you gift someone who has everything? That was Alex Rodriguez’s dilemma when he was deciding what to give his fiancee Jennifer Lopez on her birthday.

The singer-actor turned 50 on July 24 so Rodriguez went all out and bought her a Porsche. Earlier today, Lopez took to YouTube and shared a brand-new video titled ‘Day in My Life MY BIRTHDAY’, reported E! News.

Before fans get to see footage from the lavish birthday party, they get a glimpse of the special surprise Rodriguez pulled off. When the former MLB player treated his lady love to a Porsche, Lopez may have revealed a surprising fact.

“What the hell? What is that?” she shared while looking visibly surprised. “I’ve never had a car like this. I’ve never driven a car before period,” she said.

“Oh my god. It’s perfect! It’s amazing,” she added before driving off out of the

driveway. “Can I get a double seatbelt?”

Alex joked while hopping in the passenger’s seat.

Although she hadn’t driven in 25 years, Lopez does have a driver’s license. In another video posted on Rodriguez’s YouTube channel, his daughter told him she saw Lopez’s license in her wallet.

“She does have a driver’s licence, I saw it. I was holding her phone and I saw it -- it was in my hands,” said Natasha as they were thinking of gift ideas.

Last week, Rodriguez threw his lady love an epic 50th birthday party at Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s mansion on Star Island, Fla. Rodriguez also posted a beyond adorable video montage for Lopez on Instagram for her birthday. On his Instagram story, Rodriguez also shared a video of the singer reading birthday wishes written on a card so large it towered over her.

Rodriguez and Lopez got engaged in

March after two years of being in a relationship, but it seems that they aren’t in any rush to tie the knot just yet. During a recent interaction, Rodriguez told People, “We’ve talked about plans but nothing too concrete.”

On the work front, Lopez will be next seen in ‘Hustlers’, starring alongside Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer,

exactly what you will do with our film. Nitin sir, with his unique talent to say the best of the stories in the most relatable manner, has truly made a film that we are proud of. I hope the audience loves this film as much as we do,” said Jackky.

“As the title suggests, the film has got a very young, fresh and energetic feel to it,” Shewakramani added.

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Tiger Shroff wields most powerful machine gun in‘War’ Actor Tiger Shroff will be seen wielding one of the most powerful machine guns -- the Gatling, in his forthcoming film “War”.

“For one scene, we got the world's most powerful machine gun -- Gatling -- and choreographed an action sequence featuring Tiger. It is a sight to see him tear down a city with this insanely powerful piece of military weapon,” director Siddharth Anand said in a statement.

The Gatling is one of the best-known early rapid-fire spring loaded, hand cranked weapons, and a forerunner of the modern machine gun and rotary cannon.

Calling Tiger an “incredible action hero”, Anand said he wanted to show people something that he had never done before.

In “War”, Tiger will be pitted against his

real-life idol Hrithik Roshan. The film also features actress Vaani Kapoor.

“While making ‘War', we constantly kept in mind one thing -- what will make thi s film the biggest action entertainer that India has seen.

All our effort has been to make this film a visual spectacle for audiences, especially action genre lovers. Both Hrithik and Tiger have already wowed people with their action avatars in their previous films, so we wanted to push the boundaries more,” Anand added.

“War” is set to be a visual spectacle for quintessential action cinema lovers who would witness Hrithik and Tiger pull off jaw-dropping sequences as they try to beat each other.

Produced by Yash Raj Films, the highoctane film is to release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu on October 2.

Suhana Khan is graceful, says her dance trainer After wooing audiences with her fashion statement, superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan is now being talked about for her dancing skills.

Suhana is currently taking dance lessons from Sanjana Muthreja, who is an international belly dancer.

Sanjana recently shared a photograph of herself

with Suhana from her dance session on Instagram.

Praising the star kid, the trainer wrote “Training Suhana. She is immensely graceful and dances beautifully.”

Apart from Suhana, Sanjana also trains actor Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya Kapoor, who has been learning with her for more than three years.

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KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

Shabana Azmi joins cast of LGBTQ+ film ‘Sheer Qorma’ Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has been roped in for Faraz Arif Ansari’s LGBTQ drama “Sheer Qorma”. She is looking forward to start working on it.

Shabana will be seen as a mother in the film, which also stars Swara Bhasker and Divya Dutta.

“Divya Dutta recommended the ‘Sheer Qorma’ script to me. I was moved by it and met Faraz who came across as sincere, honest and deeply committed to the story.

The bonus is working with Divya and Swara, so we reworked our dates and I said yes.

We had the first workshop yesterday, and everything came together organically. I am looking forward to the shoot,” Shabana said.

Ansari is elated to have Shabana on board “I had a wish list of actors I want to work with -- right from the time I was in school.

Shabanaji’s name was always among

the top three names of that list, so I have to keep pinching myself and cannot be grateful enough to have this opportunity of directing an absolute legend. The character Shabanaji essays in ‘Sheer Qorma’is going to resonate with mothers all across the world and also open up a much-needed dialogue about parenthood, with not just parents of queer children but a more universal dialogue that I hope will bring a lot of love back in our universe,” Ansari said, adding “Shabanaji’s character in ‘Sheer Qorma’ is the mother we all deserve -- the Mother India of the 21st Century.”

The film tries understanding the longing for love and acceptance that queer children often feel. It talks of belonging and acceptance, identity and family.

The cast starts shooting for the film in Mumbai later this month.

Helmed by Kabir Khan, the movie is slated to hit the theatres on April 10, 2020.

Govinda claims he was offered James Cameron’s Avatar, and suggested its title Actor Govinda has claimed that he was offered a part in James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’, though he turned down the role citing unwillingness to apply paint on his body all through the 410 days of shooting. The actor further claimed that it was he who suggested the title ‘Avatar’ to the filmmaker.

“I gave the title ‘Avatar’ and told Cameron that the movie would be a blockbuster. I also told him that it would take him seven years to complete the film. That infuriated him,” Govinda said in a popular talk show on a Hindi news channel.

“He wanted me to shoot for 410 days, and for someone like me, to get his body painted for so long was something that I could not do,” he added.

The dubiousness of the claims had the netizens tweeting out hilarious memes.

One user tweeted the video clip of

a 90s Bollywood movie that showed Govinda dressed as superman and wrote, “The real reason why #JamesCameron asked #Govinda for his movie “ One user photoshopped Govinda’s face on the Avatar poster and wrote, “#Govinda is not lying guys. Open for official poster James Cameron had asked ME to make.”

Another user pointed out that the actors in the movie were used merely as references for the performance and that the avatar creatures were entirely computer generated. “#Govinda was offered the role of Iron man but he rejected as he doesn’t fit in an iron suit,” wrote another user.

Govinda also claimed that he turned down a number of Bollywood blockbusters as well, including ‘Devdas’ and ‘Taal’.

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Actor Rebel Wilson isn’t too bothered by the mixed reactions to the ‘Cats’ trailer that released earlier this month The trailer of the upcoming movie adaptation of ‘Cats’ has seemingly puzzled and horrified millions on social media, but Wilson doesn’t have any issues with the backlash that it received, reported People.

The 39-year-old actor spoke to Cosmopolitan about the upcoming movie in which she stars as the Jellicle cat Jennyanydots.

“When the trailer came out, the response was pretty massive,” Wilson said.

“There are some people who were like, ‘Oh my God’ because it is brand-new technology that’s CGI. I think people get confused because it’s essentially a dance movie in a lot of ways,” she added.

The ‘Isn’t It Romantic’ star continued, “So it really is all our own bodies. And yes, they’re covered in fur. I think some people found it a bit creepy

‘cause we’re people but we look a bit like cats dancing around.”

As for the response the trailer got, Wilson said, “I loved the reaction.”

“I think it was a bit polarizing and people will be super curious to see the finished product,” she continued.

“What you got in that trailer was just some small samples of it, but it’s going to be such a big movie. And the cast is obviously incredible,” she added.

In the recently released trailer, Jennifer Hudson’s Grizabella sings ‘Memory’, which was originally sung by singer Elaine Paige when the musical debuted on the West End in 1981.

The trailer also features sneak peeks at the A-list cast, which also includes Ian McKellen, as Jellicle Cats who seek ascension to the Heaviside Layer to come back to a new Jellicle life.

Taylor Swift, who also features in the film, posted the trailer on Instagram, with the caption, “I am a cat now and

somehow that was everything #CatsMovie.”

Wilson, who described her character Jennyanydots as a “middle-aged lazy cat,” also had good things to say about Swift in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

“She’s incredible. She’s such a lovely girl, and I personally think her cat is the sexiest out of all the cats,” W ilson said.

‘Cats’ crawls into the theatres on December 20, with Wilson and Swift co-starring alongside James Corden, Judi Dench, Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba, Ian McKellen, and many others.

Directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper, the flick follows a tribe of Jellicle cats to decide which of them will ascend to the Heaviside layer to be reborn and return to a new life.

It is the first big-screen movie adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical.

The ‘Cats’ show debuted in London in 1981 and later became a hit on Broadway as well.

Kritis Sanon to Star with Akshay Kumar in Bachchan Pandey?

Kriti Sanon is having a great year. After signing Ashutosh Gowariker’s Panipat, Farhad Samji’s Housefull 4 and Rohit Jugraj’s Arjun Patiala, if rumours are true she has signed a big movie opposite Akshay Kumar. Apparently, earlier titled Land Of Lungi, the movie, now renamed Bachchan Pandey is being directed by Farhad Samji and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

A trade source revealed, “Kriti will play Akshay’s romantic interest – the girl whom his brothers find for him and he fights goons for. Kriti and Farhad share a good rapport after Housefull 4 and he, Akshay and

Sajid decided to sign her for Bachchan Pandey. Earlier called Land of Lungi (LOL), Bachchan Pandey is a remake of the Tamil movie Veeram (2014), starring Ajith Kumar and Tamannah Bhatia.

Like Ajith, Akshay will play a lungi-clad hero in the village-based drama, which is based in South India. His fans will get to see Akshay in a new avatar, speaking Tamil, and doing some hard-core, hand-to-hand combat.

He is called Bachchan Pandey in the movie and the story revolves him and his

four young brothers. Bachchan Pandey is a fascinating character as his metamorphosis from a loving, caring, non-violent elder brother, a family man, to a raw, violent, angry man, intent on fighting for his lover’s family, takes place.

There is a scale and graph to Akshay’s character as he falls in love and it is Kriti’s character that brings about the change in Bachchan Pandey.

Right now, the makers are keeping it under wraps, that it is a remake of Veeram.”

Shilpa Shetty to return to the silverscreen Shilpa Shetty who was last seen on the silver screen in 2014 is making a comeback with Sabbir Khan’s ‘Nikamma.’ The actor, known for being fitness fanatic, will be seen starring against Abhimanyu Dasani and singer Shirley Setia, announced film critic Taran Adarsh in a tweet.

“Shilpa Shetty makes a comeback after a hiatus... Will enact a pivotal role in #Nikamma... Stars Abhimanyu Dassani and Shirley Setia... Directed

by Sabbir Khan... Produced by Sony Pictures Intl Prod and Sabbir Khan Films... 2020 release.

06

On a Mission with Superstar Akshay Kumar KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

INTERVIEW WWW.ASIANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

By FATIMA PATEL

editor@asianstylemagazine.com

It’s my second meeting with Akshay Kumar.

The first time I struck Gold, when he was promoting his film Gold (filmed extensively in my home-town I have to add) and now, I was on a Mission to get candid with the hot star on England’s hottest recorded day this year.

As Akshay walks towards me, I see a cool suave, super fit, friendly and ready for banter gentleman. As usual Akshay’s greeting is extremely warm and totally

Q

comforting. We immediately get chatting and he starts by asking me if I can speak to him in any other languages.

I reply gujarati, while admitting it’s my mother tongue, but I am perhaps not the greatest speaker of the language to which he instantly humours me and says don’t worry I can’t speak it very well either.

There is always a sense of ease when interviewing Akshay. He never lets you feel that

you’re sat with a superstar who has just made it into the Forbes list once again, recorded as one of the highest paid actors in the world with earnings of $65m for the last financial year.

Whatever he seems to touch turns to ‘gold’ ‘gold’ and it seems the man is on a ‘mission’ ‘mission’ to be different, and that’s that’s what makes his mangal (auspicious) for his producers.

Here’s Here’s our conversation on his latest experiment Mission Mangal.

India has just launched itself into space and you have Mission Mangal releasing, which is on the same subject. How do you manage to always get it so right with your films, when it comes to being timely with what’s happening in the real world? Eg Toilet Swach Bharat, Padman etc.

I don’t know I have been very lucky with this film also, that this happened. We didn’t even know that Chandrayan was going to happen.

It just happened and I am very grateful to God. I have been blessed with good luck and it’s a very timely thing.

I thought it would be very difficult because

this is India’s first science film. We’ve never made a film on space, rockets, science and it is going to be India’s first film. So, now because of Chandriyaan and ISRO it’s all on national news (in India) so a lot of people know about it.

It’s gone into the deep roots of India. So, I’m glad I am very happy more people will know about it.

A Q

When the first poster for Mission Mangal was released there was some criticism from a few corners about the fact that all the women were given significantly less space on the poster than you. How do you handle such feedback?

First of all, I don’t make these things. They’ve been made by the studios. Second of all people should watch the film, it should go more and more deeper and there is a scene where I am standing behind all the women.

A

That was my next question as the poster isn’t reflective of what we see in the trailer, there is a shot towards the end where all

the ladies are walking in front and you are behind, same as what you did at the trailer launch…

So basically, they do their job I have to do my job. As I told you, this is all done by the studio.

They put their money behind it, so they do what they feel. You should not argue with them and if people have to criticise they can.

INTERVIEW

07 FACEBOOK/@ASIANSTYLE.MAG/ TWITTER/@ASIANSTYLEMAG

I just want people to understand this film. People to see the power of women. How these female

scientists have taken the whole satellite to Mars. The best part of the film is it talks about how these females have taken home science and put on science and done this…And this is a true story!

Q

You’ve always been on a mission where fitness has been concerned, but lately you’ve taken a notch up, with making the bottle cap challenge go viral in India and more recently you hung out on a rod in London for a few minute. Should I even ask if you completed the mission and won your £100?

Of course you can ask…(at this point Akshay goes all coy on me and it’s so endearing watching him like this…trust me…I was melting and it wasn’t the heat) Akshay goes on to explain…

It was a very funny thing that happened…

(pause and huge smirk on his face) So basically I do a lot of fitness and my gym is made of all these rods and things like that…and.. er (he continues to smirk and smile sheepishly)…I don’t know whether I should say it or not…ther e was a little bit of mischief in that (Akshay gives a really coy look at this point).

A Q

We can see the story in your coyness. I can tell the story.

It’s not much but yes (laughs)

A Q

Har kaam yaab mard ke peeche ek aurat ka haath hain? Is that true in your case? Shall we credit Twinkle with your success?

In the film you have so many Kaam yaab ladies working with you, from Taapsee, to Vidya to Sonakshi, from all of them who

gave you the challenged you the most during the making of the film?

A Q

Challenged? (Akshay says in a sarcastic tone)

A Q

There was no challenge to it. It was lovely, it was friendly and a very very homely atmosphere. We used to all bring food from our own respected houses and we used to all share food. We have never had dinner or lunch without each other. We were

One of your lines in the film: “There’s no science without experiments”. What would you say has been the biggest experiment of your career till date?

My biggest experiment of my career is to think out of the box, to do things which nobody does, like making this film on science and making a film on sanitry pads.

Making a film on toilet, so my biggest experiment is to just keep on experimenting with different subjects, which not many people would like to touch because they don’t think it’s ‘commercial’. Like when I made toilet nobody thought it would

become such a big hit. When I made a movie on sanitary pad, everyone said not even Hollywood has attempted making a movie on that subject so don’t attempt it.

It’s not commercially feasible and viable.

But that’s not the point the fun is to do experiments and whether you succeed or not is beside the point, but you just keep on doing it.

Q

never in our vanity vans we would all come out and eat at the table together. So, it was fun making this film and we finished this film in 28 days, that’s like nothing. It normally takes that long to make one song sometimes.

Anything you would like to share about Mission Mangal?

I am really proud I have made this film. You have to come and watch these ladies, they are extraordinary and have really worked hard.

A

A

08

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON IN SEPTEMBER KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

WWW.ASIANSTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

Sonu Nigam is back in Concert Sonu Nigam is back in Concert. As one of India’s most revered playback singers, Sonu Nigam is responsible for the pitch-perfect vocals lip synced by numerous Bollywood superstars over the years.

His talents aren’t just confined to behind-thescenes roles, however -- an electrifying dancer and performer, Nigam has also had an eminent career as a solo artist, boasting more than two decades of beloved recordings. Nigam is set to dazzle on his 2019 tour dates.

2019 TOUR DATES Sept 13 First Direct Arena Leeds Sept 14 Morningside Arena Leicester Sept 15 SSE Arena Wembley

THE LONDON MELA The London Mela returns on Saturday 31 August & Sunday 1st September 2019, to Southall Park in the heart of Europe’s oldest Asian Community.

For more information visit: https://www.londonmela.org/

Sunidhi Chauhan in concert Delhi-born Sunidha Chauhan was the winner of the first Indian reality TV show Meri Aawaz Suno, and since then she has become one of the most beloved voices in Bollywood. Her hits include Dhoom Machale Dhoom and Beedi Jalaile.

Chauhan made her international singing debut with Enrique Iglesias in the song Heartbeat.

2019 TOUR DATE

Sep 07 Indigo At The O2, Greenwich

Among her recent songs are, “Hatt Ja Tau”;— V eerey Ki Wedding (2018) “Jawan Hai Mohabbat”;— Fanney Khan (2018) “Vaddi Sharaban”;— De De Pyaar De (2019)

LEGAL COLUMN

17 FACEBOOK/@ASIANSUNDAYNEWSKIRKLEES TWITTER/@AS_KIRKLEES

LUKE PATEl Luke Patel is a Partner at Leeds law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP specialising in commercial dispute resolution and heads up that team.

Luke was the winner of the Best Professional in Business award at the Asian English Business Awards 2013. Described in the Legal 500

as “exceptional” he primarily acts for individuals, owner managed businesses and SME's in a wide range of sectors.

At Blacks, they can prepare agreements for all types of businesses or in the event of a dispute they can assist you with the resolution of that dispute.

Please contact Luke Patel on 0113 227 9316 or at LPatel@LawBlacks.com

Estate Agent Is Entitled To His Commission Readers of this publication may recall the case of Wells v Devani a few years ago when the Court of Appeal refused to imply terms into an agreement to transform an incomplete bargain into a legally binding contract.

Briefly, that case concerned a property developer, Mr Wells, who instructed an estate agent, Mr Devani, to sell a number of flats and it was agreed that Mr Devani would receive a commission of 2% plus VAT for each sale.

However, Mr Devani failed to specify the circumstances in which his commission would become payable (for example, when a willing buyer was introduced or when the sale was actually completed). Mr Devani subsequently found a buyer for the flats and they were sold. He then sought payment of his commission from Mr Wells but Mr Wells refused to pay on grounds that no binding contact had been concluded between the parties. In particular, he argued that there was no specific trigger event giving rise to Mr Devani’s entitlement to commission.

At trial, Mr Devani was successful but that decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal which found that the agreement was incomplete because of the failure to agree an essential term, namely the circumstances in which the commission would become payable to Mr Devani.

The Court of Appeal held that such an omission was fatal as the Court could not imply such a term into the contract.

However, the Supreme Court has now reversed the Court of Appeal’s decision and has held that a binding agreement had been reached between Mr Wells and Mr Devani.

The Supreme Court found that the only sensible interpretation of the parties’ words and conduct was that the commission would be payable upon the completion of a sale to a buyer that had been introduced by Mr Devani and it was not necessary to imply such a term into the contract.

If that had been necessary, the Supreme Court said it would have done so. The Supreme Court also did not agree with the Court of Appeal that there is a general rule preventing the Court from implying a term into the contract which would render an agreement sufficiently certain or complete to constitute a binding contract.

This decision demonstrates that the Court will, where necessary, imply a term into a contract to give business efficacy to an agreement and it will prevent a party from relying upon the imprecise nature of words in an agreement to evade their contractual obligations. In this case, the Supreme Court looked at the conduct of the parties and concluded that a sufficiently certain and complete contract had been formed.

Blacks Solicitors can assist in all aspects of contractual matters from the preparation of contracts to dealing with any disputes arising from them. Please contact Luke Patel on 0113 227 9316 or by email at “LPatel@ LawBlacks.com”.

18

RECIPES

Mango Falooda

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

WWW.ASIANSUNDAY.CO.UK

Ingredients • Strawberry Jelly (cut in cubes) - as needed • Fresh Mango (cut into cubes) - 1 Mango • Mango pulp - ½ cup • Chia seeds (soaked and bloomed in water) - 1 Tblsp For Vermicelli Payasam/ Kheer • Falooda Sev or Roasted Vermicelli - 50 gms • Milk - 2 cups • Sugar - 3-4 tblsp (as preferred) • Cardamom powder - ½ tsp For Mango Custard • Milk - 2 cups • Mango pulp - 1/2 cup • Custard powder - 1 tblsp • Sugar - 3-4 tblsp (as preferred) • Cardamom powder - ½ tsp • Vanilla Ice cream - one scoop each

Me od

1. Soak the Chia seeds in water enough to immerse it and as it thickens slightly add more water to loosen it. Refrigerate until needed.

2. If making instant Strawberry jelly, follow the instructions from the pack and refrigerate to set for few hours. (I reduced the water by ½ cup to get a thicker jelly) 3. Make Falooda Sev/Vermicelli payasam.

Heat a pan and add falooda sev/roasted vermicelli with 2 cups milk. When it starts to boil, add the cardamom powder and sugar and stir and continue to cook until the sev is soft and the payasam/kheer becomes thick. Add more sugar as desired. Refrigerate until chilled.

4. Make Mango Custard Mix the custard powder with some milk without any lumps and keep aside. Start to boil 2 cups milk in a pan. When milk starts bubbling add the custard powder and sugar and mix well making sure no lumps form. Stir until it slightly thickens, turn off flame, add powdered cardamom powder. Once the custard cools, add the mango pulp and mix well. Refrigerate until needed.

Make sure the custard is of pourable consistency and not thick like pudding. Add more sugar as desired.

Assemble In a tall glass add 1 tsp each of...

• Vermicelli payasam • Strawberry jelly • Chia seeds • Mango cubes Add enough mango pulp to cover the fruit and then add a teaspoon of crushed almonds and pour enough Mango custard to fill.

Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and serve.

RECIPES

19

Tandoori Chicken Chaat

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Me od

To make the lemon dressing, add together...

• Lemon juice with salt • Chilli powder • Oil Keep this dressing aside.

Cut the raw mango into thin strips.

Mix the raw mango strips, onions, green chillies, coriander leaves, chaat masala, shredded chicken pieces and the lemon dressing well.

Serve immediately, garnished with chopped ginger.

Recipes sponsored by www.desikitchen.co.uk

Ingredients • 2 tandoori chickens, shredded • 1 tblsp lemon juice • Salt to taste • 1/2 tsp chilli powder • 1 tblsp oil • 1/2 cup raw green mango (kachha aam) • 1/2 cup onions, sliced fine • 2 tsp green chillies, chopped • 40 gms coriander leaves, chopped • 2 tsp chaat masala • 1 tsp ginger (adrak),

JOBS

20

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KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

ARE YOU AWESOME? BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Hours of Work: Flexible Salary: £25k OTE (basic, plus car and expenses) Location: Bradford

Yorkshire so will require a driving license.

You must have the hunger and desire to win business and to hit targets.

Your work ethic needs to be flexible and you should be able to Are you a self starter, ambitious, self motivator, have the hunger to achieve and increase earning potential? Then our Managers at Asian work over your contracted hours in order to achieve sales targets. Training will be given.

Sunday want to hear from you. Two positions have become available for Business development Manager to help sell our services to Business clients. You must have a minimum of one year’s experience To apply or for more information email a covering letter with selling to B2B customers. You must possess excellent communication your CV to jobs@asiansunday.co.uk with BDM in the subject field skills and be educated to a minimum of 5 GCSE’s at grade C or above or post to Asian Sunday Newspaper 5 Green Street, Bradford BD1 5HG and have a can do attitude. You will be required to travel across

REPORTER /JOURNALISTS

Asian Sunday is expanding and therefore is looking for a reporters/journalists We are launching 4 more regional titles by 2022 and are We are an equal opportunities employer and therefore accept applicatherefore looking for journalists, reporters and contributors tions from individuals of all backgrounds. to join our team.

Flexible working hours. Pay scale according to NUJ guidelines and based We want enthusiastic reporters who will get out and about on experience. bringing in exclusive stories and getting into the heart of To apply send your our communities.

CV with a sample article on any subject Journalists will have all your preliminary qualifications, in no more than 600 including 100 wpm shorthand and preferably with NCTJ words to editor@ qualifications. asiansunday.co.uk Reporters must possess excellent command of the English or post to Asian Sunday Newspaper language and be felixable.

5 Green Street, Little The ideal candidates will have knowledge of Asian Commu- Germany, Bradford BD1 5HG nities living in the UK along with business and lifestyle.

LOOKING TO RECRUIT?? ADVERTISE YOUR JOB WITH US FOR FREE!!

SIMPLY EMAIL US THE FULL JOB SPECIFICATION AND CONTACT DETAILS (subject to space availability) TO SALES@ASIANSUNDAY.CO.UK

NEWS

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Should Restaurants Provide Tap Water for Free if You Ask? Not necessarily. It's a common misconception that you're automatically entitled to free drinking water - but actually only licensed establishments (those that serve alcohol) in England, Wales and Scotland must provide it.

According to the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010, which came into force in April 2010 and was updated in 2014, all restaurants in England and Wales that serve alcohol are legally required to give customers free tap water (the legislation for Scotland is the same, but it's a different act).

Those that don't are under no obligation to do so.

In practice, of course, most restaurants do serve alcohol, so you'll usually be able to get free tap water - but it's not guaranteed. Also, bear in mind these rules apply to paying customers, so the chances are you

could be refused buy something.

if

you

don't

In Northern Ireland, there's no equivalent provision.

Restaurant owners don't have to provide anything free, though tap water is conventionally free in many restaurants.

Can they charge for service use of a glass instead?

Unfortunately, it's a bit of a grey area as to whether they can charge for service or filtering there's nothing in the legislation which says definitively one way or the other if they can, but we've heard in the past of some sneaky restaurants that do.

The Consumer Council for Water, however, believes that free tap water means customers should not be charged anything at all.

It says it's very rare to hear of a restaurant trying to charge, but if it does happen a customer should refuse to pay any specific charge for a glass of bog-standard tap water.

Have you been refused free tap water recently? Tell us about it by dropping us an email to newsdesk@asiansunday.co.uk

SPORTS

22

Meet the Batley Ninjas

KIRKLEES | AUGUST 2019

Fatima Patel editor@asiansunday.co.uk

is the reason why many women in Batley are active.”

Women and sport seem to be on the rise and one particular group of women seem to have broken down all barriers in shaping a successful rounders team.

Safia Makda of Batley officially set up a rounders group, which initially started as four teams in 2015 and has now grown to an impressive six teams.

As part of a small community programme Rashida would gather women like Safia and encourage them to play a community game of rounders. Safia’s, group did that for two years and eventually became a group of sixty women. Rashida encouraged the women to split into three teams and made Safia’s daughter one of the captains which eventually formed the RSA league.

The all women rounders teams consist of mainly women who wear the niqab (veil) with the eldest being 50 years old.

Safia, who is a businesswoman, mother and grandmother told Asian Sunday that the rounders group came about following community sessions with community organisation Ready Steady Active managed by Rashida Saloo.

“If these opportunities weren’t created by Rashida, I don’t think we would have done anything. Rashida

“That was our first competitive experience” recalls Safia.

“We then went on to play our first official game in Morley, Leeds and to say we were terrified is an understatement. It was our first out of town match, so we weren’t sure what to expect and being women in niqabs, playing at a rugby club next door to a pub gave us more apprehensions.

“Thank goodness for the encouragement of Rashida, we played a good game that we thoroughly enjoyed. Even the Morley ladies later admitted they became terrified of us

as our game progressed.”

On asking what her family think about her playing rounders and how people react to women in niqab playing rounders, Safia said: “My husband first thought I was nuts. You know how men go on about football after a match, so when we (ladies) go home after a match we just talk and talk, and he says he is happier hearing that than shopping.

Being in a niqab and playing sport doesn’t hinder us, in fact it encourages us to do more. In the era of smartphones, it keeps us off our phones and keeping physically active” Since setting up Batley Ninjas it has been a life changing experience for many women. One Batley lady (who prefers not to be named) was encouraged to join by her husband.

The lady had a still born and as result suffered from anxiety and wouldn’t leave her home. So, by joining the rounders team, it helped her with her anxiety, and she has been able to deal with her struggles far better.

The ladies enjoy playing and also have a social gathering where someone will bring food for after the match or they will arrange nights out, which is helping build confidence among the women and changing lives.

However, along with the enjoyment there is also the issue of sustaining the funding and arranging childcare for those with young children or babies.

WWW.ASIANSUNDAY.CO.UK

“Childcare/creche services are not cheap and so managing the logistics and money can be a challenge sometimes, but we’re a determined bunch and we enjoy playing sport” Said Safia.

If anyone wishes to get involved or sponsor the Batley Ninjas you can find out more about them on their Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/ BatleyNinjasRoundersClub/

Image: Batley Ninjas Rounder Facebook Group

Batley Ninjas Rounders Team - A force to be reckoned with

SPORTS

23 FACEBOOK/@ASIANSUNDAYNEWSKIRKLEES TWITTER/@AS_KIRKLEES

ECB announce new 100 ball tournament for 2020 season It’s been announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made the “significant step” of confirming full detail of the format of the new 100-ball competition.

Eight new city-based teams will play in The Hundred over five weeks in the summer of 2020. Where players like Jos Buttler of Lancashire have declared their interest to play in this all-new format of cricket. There has also been interest from overseas players too, ex-South Africa captain AB de Villiers said he would love to be a part of the new competition.

There have been players such as Virat Kohli who has come out and said, he doesn’t “see a need, for this type of format”.

England Test bowler Stuart Broad believes the new format has a “unique selling point”, adding “a slightly shorter game is perfect for children and families”.

Former director of cricket Andrew Strauss also said the competition would be aimed at mums and families during the holidays. The 100 balls format is already being taken up in the Midlands, where Warwickshire sides will take part in a competition later this year.

The 100, will be a white-ball competition and will be 100 balls per innings, with a change of ends after 10 balls.

“This new competition will help us to meet the ambitions of our gamewide strategy for 2020-24.”

The new 100-ball format was confirmed in November and was voted 17-1 in its favour recently. It is understood Surrey voted against.

Ashes 2019: Will the Three Lions Roar Louder Come September?

By AYYAZ MALIK

ayyaz@asiansunday.co.uk

series that will add to the drama and even excitement, like the return of Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and Steve Smith to the test scene in England, after all three men were banned from cricket for their parts in a ball-tampering scandal.

For those cricket lovers who think they have been spoilt this summer with a cricket world cup that was one of the best in living memory, then it’s it’s fair to say you’re going to be spoilt even more with another helping of what’s what’s expected no doubt to be another example of high cricketing drama.

Their returns will add some much need quality and experience to a batting line up that will be up against some testing conditions in England, and against one of best fast bowling partnerships in world cricket in the form of Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

I am of course referring to the Ashes. The Ashes as it’s it’s called is a test series between England and Australia where the matches are either played in England or Australia.

England’s supporting cast isn’t isn’t bad England’s either, with Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran; as well as Durham speedster Mark Wood and more than likely Joffra Archer to be added to the well-stocked fast bowling department.

England’s bowling As impressive as England’s Australia’s pace attack line up is, Australia’s is just as fearsome if not more fearsome than their English counterparts. Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Peter Siddle, in the seam bowling department, both are arguably evenly matched in the fast bowling department, but in the spin department, this is where the visitors could have a potential advantage.

These series of matches will be played in England in this test series, with matches in Edgbaston

Australian Cricketer Steve Smith IMAGE: FACEBOOK

(Birmingham), Old Trafford (Manchester), The Oval, (London), Lords (London) and Headingly (Leeds).

Visitors Australia come into this series on the back of a semi-final defeat to their arch-rivals in this year’s world cup, revenge for that loss will be on the

Aussies minds, especially since it was their crown that new world champions England took away from them when they beat New Zealand in the final.

On top of that potential subplot if you like, there are other elements of this

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is seen as one of the very best in the world at his trade, underestimate Lyon at your peril. England arguably are weaker in this department with Moeen Ali still seen as the front-line spinner in this format.

Adil Rashid of Yorkshire, who starred in the world cup, for now, seems to be inexplicably overlooked in the Test arena this summer, especially after the saga that occurred last year with the Bradford born spinner’s contract situation, that’s frustrating for player and the team on the

whole, and of course Yorkshire had a very good world cup with the ball.

To his credit though, Moeen Ali has bowled nicely in English conditions in the past. Matches against India and South Africa come to mind when it comes to discussing the Worcestershire T20 skipper’s credentials.

There are many battles within battles in this Ashes series. Bowlers, the wicketkeepers the fieldsman, but one place where Australia potentially stand to have the biggest advantage is in there form of their ex-skipper Steven Smith.

Off the pitch, rightly or wrongly the Rajasthan Royals player is going to be cast as the pantomime villain, but on it, he’s undoubtedly on the test scene one of the best in the business. At time of print, Smith scored a magnificent century to rescue his side from an embracing first innings total.

Batsmen, Australia seem to be stronger, players like Warner, Smith, Bancroft and even Travis Head, gives Tim Paine’s side an edge in the batting department. Especially considering that Jason Roy is making debut, Rory Burns and Joe Denly are still relatively inexperienced at this level.

Should any of these batsmen fall cheaply, then the pressure will mount on England’s best batsmen Joe Root. The lower order in the form of Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler is impressive, but there’s only so much that you can rely on those players.

In some areas, on paper Paine’s Australia side seem like they pose the advantage, in other areas it seems like it’s Root’s England. One thing is for sure this all makes for a fascinating Ashes series.

The first Ashes test is underway, with the final test beginning on 12 September.

Amir Khant wait for Manny showdown!

By AYYAZ MALIK

ayyaz@asiansunday.co.uk

The British fighter outgunned an inferior opponent in every department at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

After quite comfortably sweeping aside Australian Billy Dib last time out, British boxer Amir Khan decided to use the opportunity to call out Philippino great Manny Pacquiao. Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao has been talked about as potential opponent for the 32year old Amir Khan in the past, but any fight has failed to materialise.

It was only a matter of time then when Dib’s corner threw in the towel after Khan showed his trademark hand speed to floor the Australian for the second time with a flurry of body shots.

This time though, Bolton fighter says his confident and claims an agreement for a fight is in place, but the Philippino legend has come out and denied this is the case.

Former world champion Khan comfortably eased past Billy Dib to claim the WBC international welterweight title in Saudi Arabia.

He was originally scheduled to meet Indian Neeraj Goyat, in what was dubbed a Pakistan vs India fight, but the Indian was forced to pull out after suffering serious injuries in a car accident in June, leaving Dib, a former IBO super-featherweight and IBF featherweight champion, to move up the weights and step in.

To his credit, Dib stepped in to face Khan at short notice and had to put on 17lbs to face the welterweight.

After the fight Amir Khan had this to say; “I felt very comfortable there. Obviously having a new trainer, Bones Adams we had to work on a strategy, I slowed myself down a little bit instead of rushing all the time.

I was seeing everything, making sure I was putting in the right shots, I felt very comfortable in there.”

Although arguably an inferior opponent, Amir Khan has got his career back on track after a disappointing loss to Terrence Crawford in April.

For 32-year old Amir Khan, bigger and better fights await no doubt.

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P.23 CRICKET

P.23 BOXING

WILL THE THREE LIONS ROAR LOUDER COME SEPTEMBER? OUR SPORTS REPORTER AYYAZ SHARES HIS THOUGHTS

AMIR KHANT WAIT FOR MANNY SHOWDOWN!

24

Muslim Jockey Wins

By GRAHAME ANDERSON

BY ANISAH ARIF

hard work – riding out two or three times a day, as well as time in the gym and on the equicisers so I feel like I have learnt the ropes. When you’re on a racehorse you feel absolutely everything.”

IMAGE: YOUTUBE

grahame@asiansunday.co.uk anisah@asiansunday.co.uk

Glorious At Goodwood

Breaking Down Barriers

A Peckham teenager has become the first ever British Muslim female jockey to both compete in and win a horse race at Glorious Goodwood.

Amid joyous scenes, 18-year-old Khadijah Mellah rode her mount Haverland, to victory against 12 other female riders in the Magnolia Cup in aid of the charity ‘Wellbeing of Women’. In doing so, she also became the first jockey to wear a hijab in front of 25,000 people, breaking new ground for Muslim women in sport.

The Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation has revealed numbers of female British Muslim Jockeys – past and present - remains in single digits. Indeed, Khadijah herself reported when riding out at the Headquarters of racing she spotted no more than one woman of colour in more than 200.

She added: “There’s quite a stereotype around Muslim girls and them ‘not being able to follow their sporting passions and dreams.

I’ve already started receiving other messages

All Female Race Her fellow competitors, all more experienced included Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton, Irish presenter Vogue Williams, and The Apprentice’s Luisa Zissman.

Soon after crossing the line looking stylish in a butterfly-patterned jacket, the youngster was hugging her mother in excitement. Sporting Icon Frankie Dettori, also made a point of hugging her in the winners enclosure saying she’d given the horse a brilliant ride in the five furlong 110 yard race, and there surely can’t be a bigger compliment than that.

A Dream Come True She told the waiting media: “It’s just mind blowing to think I was even in the same race as Victoria Pendleton, let alone to beat her and the rest of the women.

“Even in my wildest dreams I never imagined this could happen.

“I only sat on a racehorse a couple of months ago and I am just never going to forget this day. To be honest, I want to go back and do it all over again – what an incredible feeling!

“I passed the person next to me and I thought, ‘I can’t believe it’s happening. Then I saw all the family and friends come past and I started crying uncontrollably.”

with so much focus and determination.”

Love Of Horses Khadijah began riding horses from the age of 10, and following a wait of two years was invited to join Brixton’s Ebony Horse Club.

It was Ebony’s manager who convinced her to start training for Goodwood after her exams. She continues to mentor the younger riders at the club.

A still in the making documentary called ‘Riding A Dream’, is being made abut Khadijah, produced by ITV Racing presenter, Oli Bell who explained: “We’ve been documenting her journey for the last six months and what she’s accomplished is nothing short of remarkable – it’s hard to overstate the extent of her achievement.

Jockey and horse made their move in a tight final furlong before the result went to the judges.

“She’s been learning to race-ride at Newmarket whilst also having to take her A-levels and a large period of this process was during Ramadan but she has taken it all in her stride, as was the case today in front of a massive crowd.”

The trainer of her charge Charlie Fellowes said: “Khadijah’s just a legend. I’ve never known anyone

As for the race horse experience Khadijah added: “I know it sounds weird but you don’t understand how fast they are until you’ve sat on one! But I have put in a lot of ASIAN SUNDAY NEWSPAPER IS PUBLISHED BY RF PUBLISHING LTD. CO REG NO.9615401 HQ : 5 GREEN STREET | LITTLE GERMANY | BRADFORD | BD1 5HG T: 01274 725 657 PRINTED BY ARCHANT PRINT COPYRIGHT 2019

from Muslim girls, and it makes me really happy to hear from all these people that I’m affecting positively.

Real Inspiration ‘There are definitely a fair few guys out there who would struggle to do what I am doing and I am thrilled that I am part of shift in social understanding of what women can achieve and what they can be good at.

“Ambitious women can make it and that is what I want to represent,” Khadijah now hopes to obtain an amateur license.

The Wellbeing charity itself raises money for life-saving research into prevention, diagnosis and treatment across the breadth of female reproductive and gynaecological health.