The Asian Today Issue 243 – February 2019 by The Asian Today

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Drake coming to Resorts World Arena Birmingham ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

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Canadian superstar Drake has publicised a main new European tour – with three of his 11 British dates in Birmingham. Drake to announce three gigs of his Assassination Vacation tour at the NEC's Resorts World Arena, Birmingham. The Assassination Vacation tour will open with two dates in Manchester and after three consecutive nights at Birmingham's

Resorts World Arena will later feature six shows in London. As part of his sixth headlining tour, the 32-year-old Candian rapper will also play three more dates in each city of Dublin, Amsterdam and Paris with two more in Antwerp. The three shows at Birmingham will be at the freshly rebranded Resorts World Arena at the NEC from March 26th -28th.

In something of a break from modern convention, this means fans will only have to wait 61 days to see their hero from the moment tickets go on sale. Tickets for The Assassination Vacation tour dates at the Resorts World Arena will go on-sale general public from 9am on to the Friday 25th January 2019. The venue was previously as The Genting Arena until known December, 2018.

Foji Gill Back On The Music Scene Black Panther Nominated at The Oscars

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MUSIC EXEC NINDER JOHAL BECOMES DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

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Pupils from city school caught the bus into Birmingham to help the homeless PG 4

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Former President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and current Board member of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership Ninder Johal has been made a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

The appointment was announced on Friday the 1st Feb by John Crabtree, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, who is the Queens personal representation in the region. continued on page 2

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‘Having lived and worked in the area all my life, being appointed as Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands is a great honour' continued from front page

Mr Johal who was born in the region and who has been running his music and event production company in the Black Country for over 20 years spoke on the day he was hosting the Signature Awards at the ICC in Birmingham for business professionals and entrepreneurs. He said ‘Having lived and worked in the area all my life, being appointed as Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands is a great honour for myself, my family and all those who have supported me along my journey thus far. I have always said that our region has some fantastic businesses and a real ‘can do ‘ attitude and if I can assist these organisations and individuals who do a great job for their community – then I will have done my job’. Mr Johal has spent over 20 years in the music industry and was responsible for a number of music hits including the global hit track ‘Munde to Bachke’ which reached no.5 in the UK charts, no.7 in the US charts

and a further 9 number 1’s globally. He still performs regularly with his bhangra band – Achanak. He has also diversified into event production and include brands such as the Nachural Business Awards which take place in Wolverhampton every year and the Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards in Leicester. During his time at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Mr Johal was a runner up as Non Executive Director of the year at the Sunday Times/Peel Hunt Non Executive Director of the year awards in recognition of his work at the Chamber and took up the post of Board member of the Black Country LEP. Mr Johal’s other positions include Board member of the West Midlands Growth Company, Vice Chair of Sandwell College, Trustee of Victoria Academy, Board Governor of Wolverhampton University, Non Executive Director of Accord Housing and Trustee at Albion Foundation.

First Tracks Laid For The Extension of Midlands Metro The first tracks for the extension of the Midlands metro was laid by leading figures. Mayor Andy Street, Cllr Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport with Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) transport lead Cllr Roger Lawrence were joined by Minister of State for Transport Jesse Norman MP gathered in Victoria Square The extension runs for some 650 metres between Grand Central and a temporary terminus on Broad Street in Centenary Square and this is due to open by the end of 2019. The second phase will take passengers along Broad Street to Edgbaston Five Ways and will be operational by the end of 2021. Speaking at the event Mr Street said that extension of the metro is important for a whole host of reasons.

"The metro programme is important to Birmingham and the West Midlands, and we’re really gathering momentum now," he said. "We’re seeing ridership numbers grow on the metro, and now the next extension will be here, from New Street up to Five Ways and onto Edgbaston. Also of course extending out from Wednesdbury up to Brierley Hill, and the extension in Wolverhampton city centre to the rail station there. "So what this is all about is actually giving people a network, giving them much more choice, and of course an alternative choice to their car. It’s a quick, easy and of course pollution-free method of transport around the conurbation and busting congestion as well. "So it’s important in all sorts of ways. Congestion, health, pollution, all of those things, so it’s great that we’re actually getting on with this now."

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Pupils from city school caught the bus into Birmingham to help the homeless 4

The team of 12 children, aged from five to 11 from Oasis Academy Short Heath wanted to talk to rough sleepers and give them food and warm clothes. When Rigberta Nimoh saw a homeless man in a doorway in Birmingham city centre, she was shocked and immediately knew she had to take action. They had made sandwiches and packed bags and carried them on the bus into the city centre with their teachers. They hit the streets in the rain, walking from Birmingham Cathedral down New Street to Bullring and across to the markets, giving aid bags to every homeless person they spotted they stopped and chatted with them too. As part of the Pupil Leadership Team at Oasis Academy Short Heath near Erdington, she asked the group to form a plan to help rough sleepers in the city. The group, helped by deputy principal Joe Darnley, sent letters to parents asking them to donate toiletries,

hats, gloves, scarfs and food. “Rigberta was shocked, saying she’d heard about homelessness but didn’t realise that it really happened in Birmingham,” said Pam Atwal, who is Safeguarding / Community Leader at the Streetly Road school. “She asked ‘why is nothing happening for them?’ and said we needed to do something about it. "The children were very emotional about giving the bags out, and seeing their reactions was incredible. "One Year 6 pupil said to a homeless man 'you've got to have hope because you don't know what tomorrow will bring.' "He started to cry and said he would never forget that. "It was really touching." Deputy Principal Joe Darnley said: "Article 27 on the list is about basic right to shelter. "That's one of the reasons why the children chose to do this, they wanted something that would have an immediate impact, rather

than raising money for a charity. "One of our ethos statements is about hope and that things can change and be transformed. It was good to see this message being passed on by the children. "It wasn't just a case of dropping off the bags, the children engaged in conversations. "We explained to them that these people were likely to have had jobs, families and children and that things can change and that being homeless is something that can happen to any one of us at any point in our lives." "The majority were really excited about the opportunity. "But there are risks associated with the behaviour of some rough sleepers and we did have quite a few parents approach us as they were anxious about what the children were doing. "However, the next morning, lots of parents said their children felt really

proud of what they'd done and that they'd been really inspired by what they saw." Two parent volunteers from the Friends of Oasis team - Helen Jim and Daisy Coughlan - helped out with the trip into town. Pam added: "There was no aggressive behaviour at all, all the people we approached were just so thankful. "Watching the children's reaction as the homeless people opened their bags was amazing. "We visited one woman who had just had a baby. She was overwhelmed when the children talked to her and gave her a bag." Now, lots of other children - and parents - are asking if they can go and deliver aid parcels to Brum's homeless people. "Lots of people have asked if we can make it a regular thing," said Pam. "Parents have said they'd prefer to donate their money this way rather than to a charity as here they can see straight away that it's making a difference."

Police Appeal – Gang who Dragged Woman To The Floor Three thugs dragged an innocent woman to the ground in a terrifying robbery as their victim was walking along a pavement has been caught on camera. The woman in her 70s, was walking when the vicious gang attacked and pulled her to the ground in broad daylight near Haverlock Road in Saltley. CCTV caught the trio clearly seen robbing the pensioner as the robbers run towards her - before another grabs and bundles her to the floor. Helpless and left lying on the ground, another youth then snatches a tablet out from her hands. The three youths flee and cut across a car park onto Alum Rock Road. The woman was not injured in

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the robbery, which took place at 2.40pm on Friday, December 28. Police investigating have released a desperate appeal and are urging anyone who recognises their faces to get in touch immediately. The appeal from Birmingham Police read: "Do you recognise these men? "We want to talk to them in connection with a robbery on a woman in her early 70s that happened in Saltley on Friday 28 December at around 2.40pm. "The woman was walking along the road when a group of three men approached her. One of the men ran at her, grabbed her and pulled her to the ground. "Another one of the other men then helped her assailant to pull a tablet out of her hand, before

A young boy rings the hospital bell after battling cancer

10-year-old Mohammed Daniyal from Walsall boy has rung the ‘treatment bell’ at Birmingham Children’s Hospital after months of battling cancer. Mohammed Daniyal, from Walsall, was diagnosed with Burkitt Leukaemia just weeks before his 10th Birthday early last year. Sana Mahmood, his older sister said the youngster was in and out of hospital for weeks with a temperature and he was only diagnosed when he could o longer walk and was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Sana, a 23-year-old student, said: "In April last year he was taken to hospital because he had a temperature that just wouldn't go away. "He kept getting discharged and it got to the point where he couldn't walk and was in pain all

the time. "He was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital and on the same day we found out it was leukaemia and they put in a Hickman line to start chemo. "He had chemo in his veins and in a shot in his spine because they found out the cancer was in his spine too. "I want people to know that it's not that rare and it does happen. When you're sat in a hospital full of children with cancer it doesn't feel rare at all. "He was really brave, for the first month we didn't tell him it was cancer, we just said he had bad cells, but we told him later on and he was really brave. Sana said her brother was told he was in remission in October and rang the end of treatment bell.

Community Development Coordinator Vacancy Background

The Gangs and Violence Commission was set up during March 2016 by the Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson in response to the ongoing violence in Birmingham. The focus is to develop a community-led response to the problem and to establish robust recommendations that tackle key issues affecting local communities and stakeholders. Community development plays a crucial role in: * Helping to develop practical ways to prevent and reduce violence * Responding to communities where gangs are present and which experience the consequences of their behaviours and violence. We are currently recruiting for the following role to help deliver this initiative: Community Development Coordinator x 2 12 month Fixed Term Contract with view to extension pending funding £27,924 per annum 35 hours per week (part time will be considered) Community based in the Northfield/Longbridge and Aston/Perry Barr area Closing date for applications – Monday 4th February 2019 (by 10.00am) Interviews to take place – Tuesday 12th February 2019 For further information about the role and how to apply, please visit the job listing on the BVSC website:

the three ran off down the service road, across the car park and into Alum Rock Road. "If you know who they are, contact us via Live Chat at west-

midlands.police.uk between 8am to midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote 20BE/302394U/18."

https://www.bvsc.org/third-sector-jobs/community-development-coordi nator-x2 Please see our website for more information on the work we do. BVSC is an equal opportunities employer.

Petrol Station Attack with Baseball Bats and Machete

A vicious thug who attacked his victim with a baseball bat and machete on a petrol station forecourt has been jailed for almost eight years. The attack took place last year May as the victim walked along Park Lane East, in Tipton, when a gang in a red Audi A3 attempted to drive at him.

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The victim jumped into a passing Vauxhall Corsa and was chased onto a petrol station forecourt in Dudley Port, Tipton, where it was attacked with baseball bats. Two other people who were in the car got away, the man who was targeted was left needing surgery after taking a beating to his head and having his legs slashed with

the machete. After a police operation and a media appeal Mohammed Waqas, of College Road, Saltley, was identified. CCTV of the attack showed Waqas leaning on a car to steady himself and, once identified, a fingerprint match sealed his fate.

Tesco Shoppers Tussling over Discounted Foods

The 27-year-old was jailed for seven years and 10 months when he appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday 9 January after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, breaching an anti-social behaviour order and driving without a licence or insurance.

A video footage shows shoppers tussling over food that has been discounted at a Tesco in Leicestershire. Shoppers filmed men and women waiting for a trolley of discounted goods to be pushed onto the shop floor a store in Hamilton. A person can be heard saying to the eager crowd: "Everyone stand back." Soon as the trolley appears

through a set of double doors, the crowd pounce on the reduced food, snatching what they can and barging each other out of the way. Someone in the background can be heard saying, "Goodness me", as the shoppers tussle for the bargains. They also refer to the scene as "a joke". A member of staff and some people within the crowd get knocked over in the rush.

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Sikh man was detained at Gatwick airport over his Kirpan

Jagmeet Singh a Sikh man from Wolverhampton who was detained at Gatwick Airport for carrying a religious 'dagger' called a 'Kirpan' has called for more education on why it's important that Sikhs carry one. The Kirpan is carried by Sikhs as a symbol of faith. He was questioned by security staff while waiting for his family, who were on a flight, after a member of the public had reported a man carrying a knife. Mr Singh, from Wolverhampton, has called for more training for staff after he was detained by airport security staff. He said: "I can see if there was a concealed weapon of some sort. and someone was acting dodgy in any way, but I'm literally a family man picking up my young family." The airport have said that it is down to managers' discretion on decisions about carrying a Kirpan and blades

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up to 6cm (2.6in). Gatwick highlighted Department for Transport guidance which said airport managers had "the discretion to prohibit any article which, in their view might be used or adapted for causing injury or the incapacitation of a person". It also added: "The carriage of blades including kirpans and knives less than 6cm is at the discretion of the airport manager." Back in 2017, Drayton Manor Theme Park lifted its ban on knives following a Sikh family, from Coventry, being refused entry when a man refused to remove his Kirpan. Under current law, knives can be carried for religious reasons, A campaign has been launched to educate the public on the Basics of Sikhi and wants to see more specific legal protections for Sikhs carrying kirpans. The Home Office revised

Jagmeet Singh the Offensive Weapons bill, currently going through Parliament, "to ensure that the possession and

supply of large kirpans for religious reasons can continue," a spokesman said.

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New four-star hotel approved for Birmingham city centre

A new £40m four-star hotel is to be built in Birmingham city centre. The new hotel will provide 330 beds and a restaurant at Gough Street and Suffolk Street Queensway on land surrounding the Christadelphian Hall. Birmingham city council's planning committee granted permission for ES Suffolk Birmingham's scheme this week (Thursday, January 31). The building will vary in height from four to 12 storeys. There will be a drop-off zone outside the main entrance on Gough Street, however there will be no on-site parking for the new complex. The new hotel is expected to create over 100 jobs, which will be beneficial for the city. The committee had small issues with plans for the hotel, however have now been resolved and plans will go ahead. Cllr Peter Griffiths said: "Birmingham is short of hotels and having one in this area will not only be helpful to future sports events but also for businesses. "It does seem to wrap itself around the Christadelphian Hall in that it is staggered. "But I think it showcases the

Christadelphian Hall and I think it's okay." A council report said: "The building would be a masonry framed brick built building, which would step from four to seven to 12 storeys. It would feature a double height glazed façade set within a masonry frame to lower ground and ground floor and include a colonnade to Gough Street. "Specific materials would be conditioned but the main building is expected to be constructed in a dark grey brick with the taller element being constructed in a white brick. "The building would include business centre and staff facilities at lower ground floor, reception, bar/restaurant, kitchen, stores, admin stores and large meeting room at ground floor, plant, bin, laundry, delivery and collection area and hotel rooms at first floor and a mix of double, twin and accessible hotel rooms on the rest of the upper floors. "No on-site parking would be provided, although a drop off zone outside the main entrance on Gough Street is proposed. Ten secure, covered cycle parking spaces for staff would be provided on level 1."

Al-Hijrah School Continues to Segregate Boys and Girls An Islamic school in Birmingham is still not allowing girls to eat their lunch until boys have finished, an Ofsted boss has told MPs. The school Al-Hijrah , in Bordseley Green, has been told in strong terms that its continued practice of segregating older boys and girls on faith grounds is against the law. A letter was sent to the school from Ofsted in October stating that it was operating an "unlawful discriminatory policy” among secondary students. Ofsted rated the school as

inadequate in 2016. In the letter, Ofsted said: "We noted that the school continues to operate an unlawful discriminatory policy of strict segregation by sex in the secondary phase. Plans for the school’s future and current practice take some account of the need to address this practice. A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “The IEB [Interim Executive Board] is proposing that from September 2019 Al-Hijrah will offer mixed gender primary education only, on a new site, converting to an

academy following a directive academy order from the Department for Education. “Secondary provision would close and those pupils integrated into local provision. “While parents will be able to apply to any school through normal admission arrangements, we understand that most if not all will want their children to attend a school with an Islamic ethos. Department for Education guidance states that education providers should not generally separate pupils along lines such as sex, race or faith while at school.

Counterfeit Cigarettes Worth ÂŁ8,000 Seized in Handsworth Mini Market TO ADVERTISE CALL NOW ON 0121 667 8719

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A mini market in Handsworth has been supplying fake cigarettes, an investigation reveals ÂŁ8,000 worth of smuggled and counterfeit goods were seized from the back of a white Transit. Trading Standards confirmed the van, found behind Kani Mini Market on Grove Lane, is not the first they have seized. The owner of Kani was due to stand before a Birmingham City Council sub committee earlier this

week (Monday, January 28) for a review of the premises licence. But the hearing was cancelled with the authority later confirming the store had surrendered it voluntarily meaning they can no longer sell alcohol. A tip-off off was received by the Trading Standards in April last year that fake cigarettes were being sold from the back of a van at the mini market. When inspectors visited nothing was found and

the shop owner was given a warning about selling counterfeit goods. On November 28, West Midlands Police attended the premise following a report. This time a man in a white van, who was a failed asylum seeker, tried to flee the area but was arrested. Inside the vehicle officers found 1,626 packs of illegal cigarettes and 123 pouches of illicit tobacco. They recovered a walkietalkie on the seat along with utility bills linking the van directly to Kani Mini Market. The seized goods included foreign brands smuggled into the country without the health warnings required by UK law, as well as counterfeit brands. Police tried to seize CCTV from the premises but stated the hard drive had been formatted two days after the raid 'presumably in an attempt to remove the evidence'. PC Abdool Rohomon,

licensing officer, said: "Such activities are driven by greed and are used by organised crime groups to fund activities and as such is a serious problem. "As well as the criminal elements it also means tax revenues are reduced to the HM treasury, as the sale would not be accounted for maximising profits for the shop." Trading Standards officer Martin Williams said: "Selling and dealing such illegal items is part of an underground criminal network who sell and exchange all kinds of illegal products, fund more serious criminal enterprises and cheat revenue as well as undermining legitimate businesses. "The provenance and safety of the products are also unknown." He added: "Evading duty and dealing in counterfeit goods is deemed very serious under the Licensing Act, the area the premises is situated is known for supplying illicit tobacco. Investigations are ongoing."

FEBRUARY 2019

Britons Can Travel Without A Visa After No Deal Brexit

It has been confirmed that Britons heading abroad across Europe will be able to travel WITHOUT a visa - even in the event of a No Deal Brexit. European Union leaders have agreed to allow Brit tourists visafree travel across Europe. Holidaymakers heading to Europe for up to three months won't need a visa. Britain has already made a similar commitment for EU

travellers wishing to visit the UK after Brexit happens on March 29. EU visa exemptions cover short trips of up to three months. The visa waiver is designed for business and tourism. It does not grant the right to work in the EU. A European Parliament committee backed visa free travel and the decision was signed off by EU ambassadors.

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After a two-vehicle collision a man had to be cut out of his car on High Street in Lye. West Midlands Fire and Rescue and paramedics were called to the scene on High Street Lye. West Midlands Fire and Rescue and paramedics were

called to the scene after two cars, including a BMW, were tangled in the crash. Firefighters had to use Holmatro cutting equipment to help remove one man from the car. He is understood to be suffering from lower back pain.

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treated at the scene by ambulance staff before being taken to Russells Hall Hospital. "The other driver was discharged at the scene. An ambulance and a paramedic officer went to the RTC."

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A fly-tipper was caught dumping a pile of used nappies, food and rubbish in a West Bromwich street before fleeing the scene on CCTV footage. The man who has not been named was seen pulling up in a silver car on Barlow Drive, West Bromwich, and throwing bags onto a grass verge on Boxing Day. The dumped bags contained nappies, food, bottles and other household rubbish. Sandwell Council’s Environmental Protection Team racked down the man from his vehicle registration and issued him with a £400 fixed penalty notice. Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for public health and protection, said: “This was a disgraceful incident of fly-tipping that was caught on camera in

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broad daylight. “We’re grateful to the individual who reported this incident and helpfully uploaded the video footage to our MySandwell portal – where people can report fly-tipping and provide any evidence they have on who may be responsible. “Every penny that we have to spend cleaning up after people who dump rubbish could be spent on other services. “There’s no excuse for it – the tip is open every day, we have weekly bin collections in Sandwell and we provide an excellent bulky waste collection service. “We’ve now issued 115 £400 fines for fly-tipping in Sandwell over the past 18 months or so. We won’t tolerate this and if we catch you, expect a big fine in the post.”

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Tributes Paid To Leicester’s Sikh Community Leader A dedicated and respected Sikh community leader and volunteer who spent most of his life to the people of Leicester. Tributes from the community poured in after the passing of Sewa Singh Paldi’s who is a great loss for the Sikh community of Leicester and the city as a whole. A former president of two of the largest Sikh temples in the city, died in Leicester Royal Infirmary last Thursday 17 January, aged 84. Parminder Thandi, 26, said she “couldn’t be prouder” of her grandfather, who lived in Groby Road. She said: “He was a prominent Sikh leader within Leicester and well known throughout the whole community through his involvement in multi-faith groups. “My grandfather arrived in Leicester from The Punjab, India, in 1963 and was president of Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, in East Park Road, Evington, for many years. “In 1992 he became president at Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, in Clarendon Park Road, and, last year, was appointed it chairman. Mr Singh Paldi was a volunteer at the city’s LOROS Hospice for more than 15 years and was

awarded the city’s Honoured Citizen Award in 2008 and was also invited to the Queens Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his community work. Parminder said: “He regularly travelled to Punjab to provide the elderly and needy with eye cataract operations. “He also helped poor schoolchildren with their education by providing them with learning materials.” She added: “I was really close to my grandfather, who was a very strong and proud man. “He was very caring and a leader who was trustworthy and respected as a man of his word. “All his life he was dedicated to the service of others – his name ‘Sewa’ means selfless service, and he certainly lived up to his name.” She added: “He’s going to be dearly missed by all his family and friends and the wider Sikh community.” Councillor Piara Singh Clair MBE, Deputy City Mayor of Leicester, was a close friend. He said: “I was really shocked to learn of Sewa’s death. It is a great loss for the Sikh community of Leicester and the city as a whole. “He lived three doors down

Mr Sewa Singh Paldi from me for nearly 21 years and was a great example and role model. “Sewa was the person everyone would turn to for sound advice and he will be sadly missed.” Resham Singh Sandhu, chairman of the Sikh Welfare

and Cultural Society and former High Sheriff of Leicestershire, added: “I met Sewa when he was at the Gurdwara in East Park Road. “He was a very honest in his approach to community service and became a guide and valued advisor very

much to so many people. “He was a stalwart of the community for more than 50 years. He was superb and earned respect across the community and city. He added: “It is a sad loss and it will be very difficult to fill the gap

he’s left. We will miss him greatly.” Mr Singh Paldi’s funeral was held on Friday 25 January, where, in Sikh tradition, his body will lay on show at the Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, in Clarendon Park Road.

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An old Sikh Gurdwara is to be sold in Leicester to help pay for a new Gurdwara. Worshipers are to leave the former industrial building in Meynall Road, Spinney Hills, for a new purpose built £4.2 million complex near the police station in Hamilton. The congregation of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara has outgrown the building that has been used for the past 50 years. Committee members have pushed the plans for the new Gurdwara which is currently being built and the move across is planned for October 2019. The trustees of the temple have now applied for planning permission from the City Council to for eight three-bedroom terraced houses on in Meynells Road and it is hoped the site could raise around £800,000. Trustee John Matharu said: “We aren’t going to build the homes ourselves but if we have planning permission for the site it will make it more attractive to developers and raise the value. “It has always been part of the plan that the sale of the old

site would help fund the new gurdwara.” He added: “Things are going well with the new building. “The entire steel structure is up now and we are sorting out the landscaping. “We are looking forward to getting in there.” The trustees are planning 500

trees both on the site and in other locations around the city and wider county as part of the project. The new Gurdwara will have a large ‘langar’ hall for dining, which will be big enough for 500 people, a ‘diwan’ hall for 600 worshippers to pray, a library, classrooms, an IT suite and a

bridal suite. There will also be coach parking, 118 car parking spaces and cycle racks. The trustees have borrowed £2.1 million to part-fund the development. It has committed £800,000 of its own money and is seeking donations from Sikhs.

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Diversity and Inclusion is key for a business’s future success 12

NEWS NEWS

FEBRUARY 2019

‘In uncertain times, a business that has a diverse workforce is one that will have a greater probability to succeed in the future’. This was the cry from the keynote speaker Piers Linney and host Ninder Johal at the Signature Awards held at the ICC on the 1st Feb in front of an audience in excess of 560 people. BBC’s Dragons Den – Piers Linney outlined the changing economic landscape as a result of technological changes and the impact of AI (Artificial Intelligence). He spoke about his journey transitioning from working as a lawyer to becoming a highly successful entrepreneur. He asserted that the increasing use of robotization would change the employment landscape but would not replace humans as they (humans) had a greater propensity to be ‘creative’. The recently appointed Deputy Lieutenant Ninder Johal who is a board member of the Black Country LEP and the West Midlands Growth Company observed that despite the uncertainty around Brexit, the region had several positives including being a test bed for 5G, the greatest number of start up’s outside London and despite the problems around JLR, the automotive and aerospace sectors continue to remain strong. He also pointed to collaborative

partnership working amongst the political parties in the region who are aligned to the benefit of the region rather than based on political ideology. Winners on the night included : Paul Kalinauckas and Damon Walford ( Excellence in Finance ), Kulraj Dassaur ( Excellence in Law ), Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank PLC ( Excellence in Financial Services ), Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP ( excellence in Legal Services ), Probuild 360 ( Excellence in Real Estate ), JM Wilson Solicitors (Excellence in the Owner Practice for the Professions), Microfresh ( International/ Innovation/Enterprise), KMB Shipping Group (Small Business of the Year) , Manjeet Rai (Business Person of the Year), Turner and Townsend (Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion), James Tark (Entrepreneur of the year), Total Training Company (Excellence in Promoting Apprenticeships) and the overall Business of the year was won by Black Country based ‘The Staffing Group’. Based in Walsall The Staffing Group (TSG) is the twenty ninth largest Recruitment Agency in the country. With a turnover of £350,000,000, they source clients with the same vision and values as themselves, supplying temporary

and permanent workers, locally, regionally and on a national based. With growth exceeding 20% percent they are recognised as one of the top ten growing companies in 2018, and positively contributes to the regions GVA. Established in 1992 they service some of the largest employers in the country providing flexible and reliable staff, meeting gaps where employment needs are greatest. Specialising in Logistics and Distribution, Food Production, E-Commerce and Automotive Manufacturing their strategic focus has until recently been to provide individuals with a work assignment where gaps in skills or production have arisen. The sponsors on the night were : FBC Manby Bowdler, Porsche ( Wolverhampton ), Rational FX, NFU Mutual, Oxbridge Home Learning, Metatron, BJS Distribution, Birmingham City University, Love your Postcode, Pathway Group, University of Wolverhampton, Bootcamp Media, East End foods, Hollywood Monster. 8 Outdoor media and Vision Printers. The charity Acorns raised £6500 and the event was hosted by ex BBC’s Tommy Sandhu.

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Excellence in Finance - Damon Walford (Thin Cats) and Paul Kalinauckas (BCRS Loans)

Excellence in the Owner Practice for the Professions JM Wilson Solicitors

Entrepreneur of the Year James Tark

Excellence in Promoting Apprenticeships Total Training Company

Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Turner Townsend

International Innovation Enterprise Byron Dixon (Microfresh)

Excellence in Law Kulraj Dassaur

Excellence in Legal Services Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP

Small Business of the Year KMB Shipping Group

Business Person of the Year Manjeet Rai

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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

WITH A SOCIAL

AND FINANCIAL RETURN Individuals and businesses can invest up to £100,000 in ART Business Loans’ Community Share Offer until 24th March 2019 and earn Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) - at 5% per annum of the sum invested for five years - whilst at the same time helping to protect and create jobs in the West Midlands. ART, which is already lending over £2.5m a year, is looking to raise an additional £500,000 to lend to businesses and social enterprises that are unable to access any or all of the finance they need from the banks.

MyEd is a web portal that aims to offer parents and students faced with the challenges of finding the right nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, universities and courses, a better experience in terms of researching and comparing the options. It is a family business, which used a loan from ART to invest in additional expert assistance to speed up the process of bringing the portal to market.

Steve Walker, Chief Executive of ART, explains: “We lend mostly to micro enterprises - with up to nine employees - enabling them to grow, diversify and survive short term challenges. Micro enterprises comprise over 95% of all businesses and need access to appropriate, responsible, finance of the kind ART provides, to support them in reaching their full potential. “Although we receive money to lend from a variety of sources, the generosity and vision of individual and corporate investors, who are interested in the social as well as the financial return we offer, has always been key to how much we are able to achieve.” ART lends between £10,000 and £150,000 to businesses operating in any sector, targeting in particular underserved areas and groups. Local businesses which have benefited from an ART loan include MyEd and Reynolds Technology.

Reynolds Technology produces the specialist tube that is used to make some of the best bicycles in the world. The company has taken out loans at different times over the years, helping it to keep trading through a variety of challenging conditions.

More information about ART and its borrowers can be found at www.artbusinessloans.co.uk To be eligible for CITR, the shares must be held for the full five years. At the end of that period they can either be withdrawn or the investor can choose to reinvest in ART. To find out more about the investment opportunity, or to buy shares in ART visit www.ethex.org.uk/ART2019. Investors are encouraged to read the full information document and should be aware that their capital is at risk.

The net benefit of CITR to an investor is 5%. For example, if an individual invests £10,000 they should receive a £500 per annum reduction against their income tax liability (a total of £2,500 over the five year period of the investment). The gross benefit to an investor depends on the investor’s tax rate as outlined below:

FEBRUARY 2019

Chinese

New Year

2019 Chinese New Year is all to do with Chinese Zodiac sign and originally had something to do with the worship of animals. This zodiac system has existed in Chinese culture since the Qin dynasty, more than 2,000 years ago. Over time the zodiacs became more and more integrated into everyday life, with different meanings and characteristics assigned to each animal. This in turn gave rise to various compatibilities between each zodiac and plays a major role in marriage and career decisions, fortune-telling and more. The zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years as there is 12 zodiac animals which Chinese people worship. This Chinese New Year is the twelfth zodiac animal

which for 2019 is the year of the Pig. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived at his party. Pig was late because he overslept. In terms of Yin and Yang, the Pig is yin. In Chinese culture, pigs are the symbol of wealth. Personalities of a Pig they might not stand out in a crowd, but they are very realistic. Though not wasteful spenders, they will let themselves enjoy life. They are a bit materialistic, but this is motivation for

The history of Valentine’s day! FEATURE

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them to work hard. Each year within the zodiac animal sign they are split into ‘Five Elements’ which are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth. This is known as a 60-year calendrical cycle which is associated with the earth and this is where the five elements originate from.

Every February 14th across the world people exchange gifts with loved ones all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is the mysterious saint and where did these traditions come from? One legend suggests therefore Valentines is celebrated. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death for fighting for love. Another story suggests, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance.

In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange

small tokens of affection or handwritten notes and gifts. The tradition continues today with loved ones exchanging gifts and taking each other out on February 14th to celebrate the occasion.

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o t g n i m o c e k a Dr d l r o W s t r o Res m a h g n i m r i B a Aren ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Sonakshi Sinha Shoots New Film In Punjab

Foji Gill Back On The Music Scene Canadian superstar Drake has publicised a main new European tour â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with three of his 11 British dates in Birmingham. Drake to announce three gigs of his Assassination Vacation tour at the NEC's Resorts World Arena, Birmingham. The Assassination Vacation tour will open with two dates in Manchester and after three consecutive nights at Birmingham's

In something of a break from modern convention, this means fans will only have to wait 61 days to see their hero from the moment tickets go on sale. Tickets for The Assassination Vacation tour dates at the Resorts World Arena will go on-sale to the general public from 9am on Friday 25th January 2019. The venue was previously known as The Genting Arena until December, 2018.

Black Panther Nominated at The Oscars

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Man Like Mobeen Series 2

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja New Movie Role Sonam Kapoor Ahuja plays a closeted lesbian in her new movie, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. The film, set in Punjab, tells a love story that transcends gender, caste

Guz Khan fans can watch the new series of BBC Three’s Man Like Mobeen on February 7. Man Like Mobeen, written and created by Guz Khan and Andy Milligan, the series follows a 29-year-old man from Small Heath, spends

his personal time parenting his best friends Eight and Nate and most importantly his little sister and love of his family life, Aqsa. He does this alone, acting as a very hairy mother, father and brother figure in the hood. Man Like Mobeen

Sonakshi Sinha Shoots New Film In Punjab Sonakshi Sinha has started shooting for her next film in Amritsar, Punjab. Sonakshi posted a video of herself: 'Ready to begin film #23. Wish me luck.' 'Naya din, nayi film... naya kaam... but no naam yet (new day, new film but no name yet) First day of shoot today,

will tell you the name as soon as we know! Wish us luck," the actress wrote. More updates to come!

and creed. For the first time Sonam stars alongside her father, Anil Kapoor to play her onscreen father. Wanting his daughter to tie the knot, he

feels very upset after hearing her secret. Rajkummar Rao features as Sonam good friend and starts to develop feelings for her. The movie released 1 February.

addresses real issues whilst maintaining the comedic palatability of Guz Khan’s unique voice. The whole second series of Man Like Mobeen February 7th from 10am on BBC Three.

Foji Gill Back On The Music Scen Singer Foji Gill is now making a return to the British Asian music scene with a new single ‘Sher Di Poosh’ Gill, who was sentenced to five years and released

early after being imprisoned in April 2015 for being a part of a money laundering racket, has been signed up by Birmingham based record label, Revere Records.

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BY: HUSNA

BOLLYWOOD BOLLYWOOD

EATEN BY LIONS A hilarious and contemporary comedy starring some of Britain’s best-loved comedians alongside bright new British acting talent including Screen International’s 2018 ‘Star of Tomorrow’ Jack Carroll (Trollied), Antonio Aakeel (Tomb Raider), Johnny Vegas (Still Open All Hours), Asim Chaudhry (Black Mirror), Kevin Eldon (Hot Fuzz), Vicki Pepperdine (Getting On), Nitin Ganatra (Bride & Prejudice), Hayley Tamaddon (Coronation Street). EATEN BY LIONS tells

the heart-warming story of half-brothers Omar (Antonio Aakeel) and Pete (Jack Carroll), who were raised by their Grandma after their parents were tragically killed by lions in a bizarre accident. When their beloved Gran passes away, they embark on a life-changing journey to find Omar's birth father. What follows is a funny and touching journey of selfdiscovery for both boys...in Blackpool. EATEN BY LIONS will be released in UK cinemas 29th March 2019 www.eatenbylions.com #EatenbyLions

Black Panther Nominated at The Oscars Marvel movie "Black Panther" is the first superhero film to be nominated for the best picture at the Oscars and hit all the right notes to

Ant and Dec Win 18 Times In A Row At The NTA Ant and Dec were named as best presenters for the 18th time in a row at the National Television Awards. Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were not at the ceremony and accepted their prize via a live feed from the Britain's Got Talent auditions.

He thanked fans for the award, saying: "Thank you, this is a genuine shock, especially this year - I'm shaking. "I really don't feel like I can accept this award this year - it has to go to this guy [pointing to Dec] for his hard work, dedication, wit and

break down barriers. The movie was the biggest movie at the domestic box office in 2018. It was the first superhero movie to feature a

predominantly black cast, in an African setting never seen in the genre. The 91st Academy Awards air February 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC

01. 01. 02. 02. 03. 03. 04. 04. 05. 05. 06. 06. 07. 07. 08. 08. 09. 09. 10. 10.

Kala Chashma Sanu Ik Pail Chain Kala Chashma Baar Baar Dekho RAIDRahat Fateh Ali Khan Baar Baar Dekho

Theher Tere Sang Ja Yaare Tere Sang YaareMalik Rustom OCTOBER - Armaan Rustom

O Saathi Gani GaniSandhu Mani BAAGHI 2 - Atif& Aslam Akhil Mani Sandhu & Akhil

Swag Jag Ghoomeya Se Swagat Jag Ghoomeya Sultan TIGER ZINDA HAI - Vishal Dadlani Sultan

Mundiyan Tu Rendhe BAAGHI 2 - Navraj Hans Kumari Tu Rendhe Tindy & Rixx and Sudesh Tindy & Rixx and Sudesh Kumari

Ghar Se Nikalte Hi Woman Woman Armaan Malik Shide Boss ft Zack Knight Shide Boss ft Zack Knight

Ae Watan Peat Pe Booty Peat Booty A RAAZI Flying -Pe Arjit Jatt Sing A Flying Jatt

Aashiq Banaya Apne Suit Suit Randhawa Guru HATE STORY 4 - Himesh & N. Kakkar Guru Randhawa

Patola Tu Hai Tu Hai Daro Mohenjo BLACKMAIL - Guru Randhawa Mohenjo Daro

Aaj Se Teri Dishoom Dishoom PADMAN Arjit Singh Sau Tarah- Ke Sau Tarah Ke

BHANGRA/POP BHANGRA BHANGRA

01. 01. 02. 02. 03. 03. 04. 04. 05. 05. 06. 06. 07. 07. 08. 08. 09. 09. 10. 10.

Knightridah Gabbroo Gabbroo Jassie Imran Gill Khan ft. Preet Hundal Jassie Gill ft. Preet Hundal

Sip Sip Akhil Akhil Teri Jasmine KamiSandlas Teri Kami

Akh Lad Jaave Tru-Skool Ashok Prince, Badshah, Asees & Jubin Ashok Tru-Skool Time 4 YaPrince, Mind Kaur Nautiyal Time 4 Ya Mind

Laung PBN & Laachi Raj Bains Mannat PBNAkh & Noor Raj Bains Billi Billi Akh

Dil Diyan Manni Sandhu Gallan Manni Sandhu Welcome Atif Aslam To The Future Welcome To The Future

Diﬀerence Tere Bina Tere Maan Bina Monty Amrit & Waris, Ginni Kapoor Monty & Waris, Ginni Kapoor

Patt Lai Geya Skoda SkodaBawa Ranjit Jasmine Sandlas ft. Bhinda Aujla Ranjit Bawa ft. Bhinda Aujla

Thumka Ikk Vaari Hor Soch Lae Ikk Vaari Hor Soch Lae Harish Zack Knight Verma Harish Verma

Tareefan Billa Kulwinder Kulwinder Billa Kulwinder Qaran & Badshah Billa Kulwinder Billa

Chogada Selﬁ e Boliyan SelﬁeSingh Boliyan Malkit Darshan Raval ft. Dj Vix Malkit Singh ft. Dj Vix

UK UKARTISTS CHART UK ARTISTS

funniness and for being the best mate out there - I love you, man." Dec also thanked voters, saying: "Thank you to everybody for their kind and thoughtful messages, they've kept us going over the last year - this year probably more than ever."

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10.

Youngblood One Dance One Dance 5Drake Seconds feat OfWizkid Summer and Kyla Drake feat Wizkid and Kyla

2002 Cold Water Anne-Marie Cold Water Major Lazer and Justin Beiber Major Lazer and Justin Beiber

God Good Too Is A Woman Too DrakeGood Ariana feat Grande Rihanna Drake feat Rihanna

No Tears This is what Leftyou To came Cry for This isHarris what you came for Calvin Ariana Grande feat Rihanna Calvin Harris feat Rihanna Answerphone Heathens Banx & Ranx & Ella Eyre feat. Heathens Twenty One Pilots Yxng Bane Twenty One Pilots

Closer Beautiful Closer Chainsmokers featCabello Halsey Bazzi feat. Camila Chainsmokers feat Halsey

Eastside Perfect Strangers Benny Blanco, & Khalid Perfect Strangers Jonas Blue featHalsey JP Cooper Jonas Blue feat JP Cooper

Tears Love (Paddington) Spread TearsBandit Clean featDVNO Louisa Johnson Boston Bun feat. Clean Bandit feat Louisa Johnson

This Girl One Kiss This Girl Kungs Vs Cooking 3 Burners Calvin Harris feat.on Dua Lipa Kungs Vs Cooking on 3 Burners

Don't IWe Like It Talk Anymore We Don't Anymore Charlie feat Selena Gomez Cardi B Puth , BadTalk Bunny & J Balvin Charlie Puth feat Selena Gomez

FEBRUARY 2019

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Anil Kapoor & Juhi Chawla reunite for Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga After more than 10 years, co-stars Juhi Chawla and Ani l Kapoor are set to be on screen together in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga – out in cinemas. We spoke with actress Juhi Chawla about all things Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga. The last film you did a film with Anil Kapoor was in 2007. How does i t feel to be working with him again? It was absolutely wonderful. We have done a number of films earlier in my career with him and our last was Salaam-E-Ishq. He has always been very committed and a very hard-working person. He was then and he is today as well. I was familiar with him and his style of working and he likes to rehearse and he likes to get the shot right. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with him and more so I think it was more exciting working with him and Sonam together. I have seen her on our sets when she was a very young teenager. In Deewana Mastana we had done a 30-day schedule in Switzerland and Anilji brought his family along so they would visit us on set and hang out. To be working with Sonam and Anilji was a double pleasure. What was it about the story that made you take it up? When I got the call from

VCP Films, Vinod (Chopra) had been producing some of my favourite films of recent times. Whether it was the Munna Bhai series, PK or 3 Idiots, he has made fantastic films. So when you get a call from a producer like that you just know that they’ve got something. Here is a story worth telling otherwise they would not be telling it. I went to the office to meet the director, Shelly Chopra Dhar, she sat me down and she read me the script. By the end I had enjoyed the whole script so much that I was like “I’m definitely doing this”, because this is a script, which tells you an unfamiliar story in a very familiar way. It’s full of surprises, full of friendship, family bonding and values. It’s that lovely territory that you know, that you can identify with completely. This film surprises you, it’s got fun, it’s got warmth, it’s got emotion and I think it’s the most beautiful package. And I think you should see this film to know what I’m saying. What are the best memories you have from being on set for this film? My first day of shooting was in Mumbai and then after that we went off to Patiala to shoot the home scenes as

the whole film is set in North India in a small town. After that we were shooting in Chandigarh. In Patiala it was winter, very cold and we had night shoots. We were shooting in a big house and all of us would huddle up and chat, passing time in between shots. It was real fun. In the daytime, even though we shoot in the night, you can’t sleep the whole day, so in the afternoon I would go for a walk. Anilji would be cycling, lifting weights, skipping rope in the garden with his trainer. He really works hard at his fitness, works hard to look good, and works hard on the sets. He’s so much fun. I also found Sonam to be a warm chatty person. She always wanted to know how things used to be when I used to shoot with Anilji earlier and how we used to do things earlier. Very often she would be on the phone browsing, looking for gifts for Sunitaji (her mother) and she would tell me what the latest trends were and what’s going on. She was really fun and it was great working with her. Sonam also told me how she had been an assistant to Sanjay Leela Bhansaliji for about 2-3 years and that’s how she knew film making so well. I was amazed at how much she knew about film making, editing, lenses and cameras and

shots and how it ought to be taken or should be taken. I was amazed at her, really Sonam surprised me very pleasantly. What can we expect from your character? Let me put it this way, Vinod Chopra called me up for this film and when I returned his call he said “Juhi when we wrote the film and I was writing this character, I thought you were going to play this role. This role has either been written with you in mind or once we’ve written it there is only you can play it the way it has been written”. I was so thrilled; it’s a wonderful compliment to an actor. This role is warm, fun, cute, and sensitive. It’s what a lot of people have seen me doing and have liked me doing over the years Out of al l the actors who forgot their l ines the most? In this film we’ve had a

wonderful star cast. Actors who are really solid whether its Rajkummar Rao, Anilji, Madhumaltiji who plays Anilji’s mother, Sonam Kapoor and a host of other character artists, one better than the other who are either theatre artists, each one was wonderful. So forgetting lines there is no chance. In

fact a lot of them have improvised on their role and made it even more believable and even more real which have brought their characters alive. I am so happy, it’s a great feeling when you have worked in a good film, your role is nice but even more than that the film is fantastic. I think this is one of those films I will always be happy and proud about that I was a part of this team.

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THE ASIAN TODAY Our very own Graphic Designer and on the side Journalist - Anil Singh Gill brings his Food Reviews to The Asian Today, bringing all the news from hot restaurants to cool bars and everything in between. www.theasiantoday.com

Independent and Sustainable Coﬀee

in Harborne

The leafy suburb of Harborne in South Birmingham is quiet a trendy, hipster kind of area, where you are not short on a decent cup of coffee from the mainstream coffee shops such as Costa, Café Nero and Café Rouge the small chain coffee shops like Boston Tea Party and the many Independent Artisanal ones. I came across a very interesting shop at the bottom of Harborne High Street not too far from the Green Man Junction and close to The Plough Harborne. The outside décor was very appealing and the name in bold outside the shop read Scott’s of Harborne. Upon entering the establishment it was a small shop but very cosy with exposed brickwork and greenery. There are a few tables, a bar and a clipboard with drinks and food. They do an array of Breakfast items, Lunch and Snack items Vegetarian and Vegan options available, also a selection of hot drinks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Would recommend the loose leaf teas The service was great would definitely recommend this place for a catch up or if you’re out shopping on the High Street to pop in for a coffee and a snack. These independent pop ups are a great addition to our High Streets and they are always full of surprises.

Get more food news on twitter @theasiantoday and on the web : www.theasiantoday.com

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YOUR L

Top 5 Tradit Chinese Dish Family is the basis of the Chinese society, which is seen through the significance placed on the New Year’s

Eve dinner or Reunion dinner. The feast is extremely important to the Chinese and here are 5 top traditional dishes.

Dumplings

Another well-known dish, dumplings are the northern equivalent of spring rolls. They are eaten during every special occasion but are the most significant

during Chinese New Year. All dumplings should be wrapped at this time. By eating dumplings, you are sending away the old and welcoming the new.

Rice Cakes

Nian gao, also known as ‘rice cake’ or ‘New Year Cake’ in English, are a must for Chinese New Year. In ancient times, Nian gao were used only as offerings to the ancestors and Gods. Gradually, they became a traditional dish during the Spring Festival. Now they

are available every day of the year but are still a special treat for the festival. It’s a wish to be successful and “higher” each year. Every year will be better than the last. Some humorous parents like to tell their children that eating this will help them grow taller too.

Fish is a must for the Chinese New Year, as fish symbolises surplus wealth. Half of the fish is eaten

for dinner, and the second half the next day. This is to prolong the surplus and make the future prosperous.

Spring Rolls Steamed Fish

Spring rolls are the most well-known Chinese cuisine and they are eaten during the Spring festive in southern China to celebrate the coming of spring. They can appear on the table as a dinner dish, appetizer or

snack. Most are familiar with the deep fried version of spring rolls. Throughout China, they can also be steamed or baked. Size and shape vary from small rectangles to large flat circles.

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LIFESTYLE

IFESTYLE

tional Valentine’s Day! hes

Top 5 places to go this

Noodles

In some places, its custom to cook dumplings and noodles together. This is called gold silk and gold ingots. Its yet another dish to express peoples wishes for

prosperity. In the beginning, they were called ‘soup pancakes’, it wasn’t until the Tang Dynasty when people began rolling them into the noodle shape we know today.

Stuck what to do this valentine’s day here’s 5 unusual but fun date ideas in Birmingham that would be a great hit with loved ones. 1. Ghetto Golf (Mini Golf) Are you looking for something quirky and fun to do, Ghetto Golf is the venue that offers a combination of seriously twisted 18-hole mini golf experience, with a great cocktail bar and DJ’s located in the Custard Factory. It’s a great place for date with incredible graffiti artwork everywhere which glows in the dark! 2. Lane 7 (Bowling) Lane 7 is not just your average bowling place, its bowling like you have never seen before! They offer much more than just bowling with beer pong, retro arcade, shuffleboard and the best bar you’ve been to. If you love bowling but are thinking of an upper market bowling alley

with great vibes this place and is defiantly not to be missed for a date. 3. Rush UK (Trampolining Park) Make your date Jump for joy at Rush UK featuring over 30,000 square feet of exciting and unique activities. Their main court includes trampolines, tumble lanes, flat dodgeball court, extreme dodgeball court, giant foam pits and trampoline-sprung basketball lanes. So, you wouldn’t risk the chances of being bored on this date as there is a lot of fun and memorable things to do. 4. Escape Live (Escape Rooms) See how you and your date free when locked in a room faced with a series of puzzles, with the aim of breaking out within 60 minutes. This is a brilliantly innovative game which really puts the heat on working together and would certainly make it a memorable valentine’s day!

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5. Sea Life Centre (Aquarium) Fall in love again watching the aquatic animals in their natural habits with their penguin ice adventure, interactive tanks, ethereal jellyfish exhibit and

their famous walk-through shark tank. Also, maybe consider the premium experiences which include shark, penguin and turtle feeding experiences and even the opportunity for a Sea Life sleepover.

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Little Kaiya Patel Battling Leukaemia Passes Away

Young six-year-old Kaiya Patel who diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in March 2018 after her parents spotted some bruising to her legs and bleeding gums died on Sunday January 13 following a long and hard battle. Parents Ruchit and Anu Patel, launched a huge fundraising appeal and a painstaking search for a stem cell donor. Her treatment required finding a stem cell donor, which is complicated by the lack of Asian donors available in the UK and worked with

stem cell donation charities DKMS and Anthony Nolan to find someone who could donate. Then in August after it was announced a match had been found, and Kaiya went under the knife just weeks later, but sadly, she never fully recovered from the transplant. Just days after the operation she picked up an infection and was told she had graft versus host disease (GVHD), a condition which involves the donor's blood cells attacking the recipient’s organs because they see

them as foreign. Her recovery proved to be slow and Kaiya and her family spent Christmas at Great Ormond Street Hospital. In an emotional statement, Kaiya's heartbroken parents posted the news on the Be Kaiya's Donor Facebook page on Monday 15 January. "We are heartbroken to inform you that our angel Kaiya passed away late last night," the statement reads. "She had fought an incredible battle against the adenovirus she contracted post -transplant and lasted longer than any other child treated for that affliction at GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital). That reflects determination, willpower, and strength that we cannot describe in words. "But Kaiya was more than just those things. She was kind, diplomatic, thoughtful, compassionate, and considerate. She was loved by all. And she has taught us what it is to bring light and life and love to people." But her parents are proud of what their daughter achieved in her relatively short life.

On Tuesday 15 January at the House of Commons it was announced that Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal has been rejected by 230 votes. This was the largest defeat for a sitting government in history. MPs rejected the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, voted by 432 votes to 202, which sets out the terms of Britain's exit from the EU on 29 March. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a vote of no confidence in the government, which could trigger a general election. The confidence vote is expected to be held at about 1900 GMT on Wednesday 15 January. Theresa May has spent more than two years hammering out a deal with the EU. The vote was originally due to take place in December, but Mrs May delayed it to try and win the support of more MPs. Jeremy Corbyn, spoke just before the vote, said May had “treated Brexit as a matter for the

Conservative party, rather than the good of the whole country”. He called the government’s efforts to steer Brexit through parliament “one of the most chaotic and extraordinary parliamentary processes” he had experienced in 35 years as an MP. The attorney general, Geoffrey Cox, told his colleagues that if they did not accept the prime minister’s deal, they risked condemning the UK to the chaos of a no-deal

Brexit. “It would be the height of irresponsibility for any legislator to contemplate with equanimity such a situation,” he said. Corbyn will come under intense pressure to throw his weight behind a second Brexit referendum; but his spokesman said Labour did not rule out tabling another no-confidence motion at a later stage.

Theresa May’s Brexit Defeat

Politician Wife To Become Mayoress After A Murderous Past

Labour politician Varinder Singh Bola’s wife Mundil Mahil who was jailed for luring a Sikh TV executive to his grisly death is set to become a mayoress. Mahil was a medical student who lured a Sikh TV executive Gagandip Singh to his grisly death is set to become a mayoress just four years after leaving prison. Mundill Mahil was jailed to six years for causing grievous bodily harm in 2012 but was released on licence in 2014 after she invited Gagandip Singh, 21, to her student flat where he was beaten savagely. Mr Singh was beaten by 20-year-old Harvinder Shoker and Darren Peters, aged 20 and knocked unconscious then tied up with electrical cord and trapped in the boot of his Mercedes car which was then set on fire. Mahil served half her sentence and has rebuilt her life by becoming a personal trainer and marrying Varinder Singh Bola. Mr Bola this week announced he is mayor-elect of one of London's fastest growing boroughs. It means Mahil will be free to enjoy all of the perks as well as the pomp and ceremony that her husband's position brings. Gagandip’s family today told

MailOnline how Mahil's social climbing is an insult, especially as she only served half her sentence behind bars. His sister Amandip Kaur Singh, 26, said: 'That woman lured my brother to a horrible death and yet served just three years in prison for it. 'She has only been out for four years and is now going to be a mayoress, through her husband, but will be afforded as much respect as him. 'She will be on his arm at official functions, where she'll no doubt launch a charm offensive with the gathered dignitaries. But she doesn't deserve any of it. 'My brother's life was snatched away when it was just about to really begin and as a family, we've been struggling to deal with it ever since. 'Yet she's served a meagre prison sentence, married a highflying politician and is now trying to ingratiate herself into polite society. 'Not once has she ever admitted her guilt or apologised to us. She's moved on and is trying to pretend nothing ever happened.' During her trial at the Old Bailey, the jury was told that Mahil had 'played God' and lured Gagandip to his death by inviting

him to her flat in Brighton to get revenge for a sex assault on her. Gagandip's body was later found in the boot of the burnt-out wreckage of his car, dumped 60 miles away near Greenwich Park, in South East London. Mahil claimed she had no role in the attack and although she was cleared of murder, she was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm. Another man, Harvinder Shoker, who was also infatuated with Mahil, was convicted of murder and jailed for a minimum of 22 years and a third, Darren Peters, of manslaughter, jailed for 12 years. She has desperately tried to erase her past by launching no fewer than five websites, all carrying detailed descriptions of her achievements and strengths. One described her as a 'highly conscientious people's person' but unsurprisingly there is not one single mention of her victim, conviction or time in jail. She married Mr Bola in 2016, an Ilford councillor who worked as a senior official in the office of Ilford South MP Mike Gapes and who has been pictured with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. As his wife Mahil will be free to attend glittering social functions.

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BUSINESS

THE ASIAN TODAY

BUSINESS

Naeem Arif is a highly experienced customerorientated leader, with over 15 years experience as director of multiple successful Private Limited Companies in the Retail and Management Consulting world. He the founder of NA Consulting, a retail and management consultancy, and the Co-Founder and Vice Chair of the Midlands Retail Forum.

Naeem Arif Business Columnist

@PaulCadmanUK

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Paul Cadman

The 7 Trends taking Business Columnist over the High Street Nature or Nurture: The

Wrong Question when it comes to Leadership

2019 looks set to break the boundaries between digital and physical retail. Smartphones give consumers 24 hour access to the digital world, eMarketer predicts 38% of retail ecommerce sales will take place on a mobile device by 2018. The lines between purchasing in store and online are starting to blur, with many consumers using both mediums to create a new form of retail shopping. Many consumers now look to order online through smartphones and pickup in store. The evolving technology and ecommerce trends present retailers with many challenges; however, for those savvy retailers the chance to transform the standard of customers experience is there to be taken. Here are the seven retail trends of 2019 that show how interconnected the shopping experience has become for consumers. Connected Commerce The modern consumer doesn’t distinguish between online or offline shopping; they consider it all as ‘shopping’. What this means

for retailers is that consumers will want to order groceries on their smartphone or desktop and pick them up from the nearest store or pay for gifts in store and have them delivered to their homes. For this reason, retailers should create experiences so frictionless that consumers don’t think about how the process is happening. To ensure that the customer experience runs smoothly, retailers need to stop looking at their physical stores and online presence as separate entities and look to create a seamless omnichannel experience. In order to create an omnichannel experience, products are synced across all channels and ‘troubleshoot’ their customer’s journey to ensure every step is smooth. Fintech Consumers are using mobile devises in all aspects of life, particularly when deciding on how they will purchase online or in-person. The improvements to fintech have seen an explosion of contactless payment options instores. The UK Cards Association

reporting that shoppers spent £2.32 billion last year using contactless payments, and this figure is set to grow. The popularity of mobile use increases and retailers need to embrace the move to a more seamless payment experience. With the ever growing use of mobile wallets (Apple, Android and Samsung) retailers are pushing more contactless payment methods into stores. Visa Europe state that mobile payments will reach over £1.2 billion per week by 2020. This is why so many retailers see the opportunity that contactless payments can make. With a quicker payment process consumers may look to stay and spend when they might otherwise be put off by long wait times. Data and Analytics Data and analytics is nothing new in the world of ecommerce, however, brick and mortar stores have been able to achieve the same level of data analysis To Read more of Naeem Arif's Business Article Head over to www.theasiantoday.com

There is a long-standing debate about leadership: are you born with it or can you learn it? I think that this is the wrong question because leadership is about choice: the right question is therefore do you choose to become a better leader? A friend of mine has a 20% theory: only 20% of people ever choose to improve their leadership skills and only 20% of those actually understand what they need to do to. That means only 4% (1 In 25) benefit from any form of leadership skills development. I actually think the ratio is even worse: only 20% of those who understand what they need to do actually do it. By my calculation that is 1 in 125 people or 0.08%. Why is this proportion so low? Because so few people make the choices necessary to become better leaders. The leadership development industry in the US and the UK is worth

billions of pounds and works on the basis that anyone can become a leader: perhaps by reading the right books or selecting the right coach. I do believe that anyone can become a better leader but more importantly I believe that only 0.08% of them will make the right choices that enable them to reach their leadership potential. This means that 99.92% of people buying books or going through coaching are wasting their money. I am not trying to insult authors or coaches but particular the latter has become a pay for certification system policed by a selfinterested accreditation system. It took me a long time for me to find the right coach and she was very good at helping me pick my way through my values and my performance. She made it clear that I had a choice in each challenge that faced me. Those of you who know me know I am dyslexic. Few of

you know that when I was at school my poor reading skills were ridiculed in class by my teacher. I made a choice then that I would never face that kind of situation ever again. That single choice enabled me to learn from every challenge and put into practice what my coach helped me see. Any leadership practitioner knows models such as the Johari window and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. To Read more of Paul Cadman's Business Article Head over to www.theasiantoday.com

FEBRUARY 2019

PROPERTY

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PROPERTY

THE ASIAN TODAY Solihull to receive an influx of homes

Restructured proposals to build thousands of homes across Solihull are set to be put to the public. Residents are to be asked their

views on sites assigned for development. The latest draft of the council's Local Plan Review, which would offer a blueprint

for expansion over more than a decade, has now been published. It is currently planned that more than 15,000 homes are

needed in the period up until 2035, in order to address the borough's local need and help meet the shortage across the wider region. Cllr Ian Courts, cabinet member for managed growth, said it was widely accepted there was "a desperate need for new housing", but he wanted local people to help structure the development. "This type of report, this type of consultation, this type of process generally draws quite a lot of criticism, objections and the rest of it," he said. "And that is natural because it's very important and it affects people's lives. "But I just want to actually thank officers at this particular moment for the work they've done ... because I think there's a genuine intent there to try and demonstrate how we think things should go forward." The most contentious aspect of the proposal is the list of over 20 - mostly greenbelt - sites which could provide space for around 6,300 properties. It is intended the remainder of the housing

need would be met through other means, such as schemes already granted planning permission and sites on the brownfield register. Cllr Courts conceded that "development is not popular amongst many", with communities often wanting to see the housing earmarked for elsewhere. "Therefore this report has tried to explain more clearly the methodology for allocation of sites," he said. "A lot of time has been spent in looking at the appropriate locations for development." Now the council has agreed not to pursue proposals on the precious wedge of green space. Elsewhere in the borough, more than 700 people have already signed a petition called for the council to rethink the proposal to put up to 1,000 homes on land south of Dog Kennel Lane. And there are lingering tensions about six sites proposed in the Balsall Common area, which it has been suggested could

accommodate more than 1,600 properties. Cllr Bob Sleigh, Leader of the Council, said that "hundreds of hours" had gone into the process of selecting sites and the council had wanted to hold a fresh consultation "to hear people's views". "There's a national recognition now there's a homes shortage and I think we do need to play our part in that, while at the same time recognising we are trying to enhance the qualities that this borough has." Cllr James Burn, leader of the Green group, said that councillors would weigh in with responses to individual elements once the consultation was underway. According to the council's current timetable, it is hoped the final version of the Local Plan will be adopted by summer 2020. The consultation is set to run from 25th January to 11th March. More details are available at www. solihull.gov.uk/lpr

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The plush and compact Audi Q3 35 TFSI S line 2019 A practical and plush compact SUV earns a stronger engine, but should need little else to claim Audi’s usual market triumph. Audi says this design is more bold and daring than the last, the second-generation Audi Q3 is a larger, more substantiallooking and generally more serious second swing at compact SUV segment supremacy from Germany’s car brand of the four rings. It’s also yet more fresh meat for the apparently unstoppable conveyor belt of downsized, upmarket ‘softroaders’ Moving onto the VW Group’s apparently omnipresent MQB platform, the Q3 has just launched in Audi UK showrooms. It comes with a choice of 1.5-litre 148bhp ‘35 TFSI’, 2.0-litre 187bhp ‘40 TFSI quattro’ and 2.0-litre 227bhp ‘45 TFSI quattro’ petrol engines. There will be two 2.0-litre turbodiesel options (148bhp ‘35 TDI’ and 187bhp

‘40 TDI quattro’), the cheaper of the two being available with either front-wheel drive or clutch-based four-wheel drive. Surprisingly roomy inside, with unsurprisingly smart, sculptural and classy-feeling appointments. The Q3’s fascia is of a paced, threedimensional design and is shapely and interesting to behold, without jutting so far into the cabin that it seems to eat up passenger space. The surface on which the car’s steering column, digital instrument

screen and central infotainment display are found seems to have been carved out of that sweeping, stepped, cliff-like dashboard, and is bordered by a fat chrome trim whose octagonal outline is a clever visual echo of the car’s front grille. There’s plenty of passenger space up front, where even the S line-spec sports seats are comfortable and allow you to choose between a medium-high, SUV-typical driving position or a lower, more straightlegged one. And in the back, there’s

now enough space for a sixfoot adults to travel behind someone of comparable height. In the boot there is a generous 530 litres of cargo space behind the back seats; and, if you have an S line trim car, a sliding second-row split bench allows you to expand that to 675 litres if you

want to without flopping seatbacks. There’s also a split-level boot floor allowing you a flat load bay floor when you need one. Audi Q3 35 TFSI S line S tronic specification UK Price £34,150 On sale Now Engine 4 cyls in line, 1498cc, turbocharged, petrol Power 148bhp at 5000-6000rpm Torque 184lb ft at 1500-3500rpm Gearbox 7-spd twin-clutch automatic Kerb weight 1495kg Top speed 128mph 0-62mph 9.2sec Fuel economy48.7mpg CO2, tax band 131g/km, 27%

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SPORT

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Judd Trump defeats The Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Final of Masters Snooker Judd Trump said he was "sick of losing and watching other players win" after he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-4 to claim his first Masters title. The 29-year-old won only his second Triple Crown

event at Alexandra Palace, to add to the 2011 UK Championship. "I've tried to be more mature and my mindset is a lot different now," Trump said. "It has sunk into my head

that I want to be winning four or five tournaments a season." Six-time Masters champion Stephen Hendry had recommended the victory could be a "career changer" for Trump.

Andy Murray undergoes Hip Surgery The three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has undergone hip surgery in one final attempt to save his elite tennis career but will almost certainly miss this year’s Wimbledon. By having what is known as the ‘Birmingham hip’ operation, a procedure which involves having a metal cap placed at the top of his femur, Murray ultimately took the option which has the greatest range of possible outcomes for his tennis career. “If I don't recover well from it,

then I don't play again,” Murray said earlier this month. “There is a strong possibility I won't come back and play after an operation. I want to play tennis, but not with the hip I have right now. The operation will improve my quality of life. I'll be in less pain doing normal things like putting my shoes and socks on.” Wimbledon is exactly five months away, even if the chances of Murray playing in the physically demanding singles are remote. Professor Max Fehily, consultant

orthopaedic surgeon and clinical director at the Manchester Hip Clinic, says the operation involves "smoothing down the ball, then covering it with a metal cap". "Then a layer of metal is placed within the pelvic socket in which it sits," he added. Prof Fehily added that "90 to 95% of patients who have this surgery are delighted and live a pain-free life", although none of his patients try to play professional tennis.

The West Country Lad had beaten rival Kyren Wilson, world number one Mark Selby and 2012 winner Neil Robertson, before overwhelming the five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final.

Hendry, who had also won seven world titles and five UK crowns, said: "Trump has tremendous self-belief and has the game and talent. "His safety play was great all week, especially against Selby where he showed great

patience. He always had the talent - it is only one tournament - but this could be a career changer for him. "To take apart Ronnie O'Sullivan in a major final will give him great confidence."

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Kohli Says India Have To Be At There Best To Win World Cup C

team. We can take a lot of confidence from these wins. ‘But in a tournament like a World Cup you have to start well. We will have to create momentum because it’s a long tournament with a lot of group games. ‘We’re just fine tuning everything at the moment but every team will need to be at their best – their intense best – at the World Cup. ‘That’s something we want to create as a habit. We want to be a relentless so we can go through a long tournament like the World Cup without becoming complacent.’

aptain of the Indian cricket team Virat Kohli says India will have to be at their ‘intense best’ to win this summer’s Cricket World Cup. India took an unassailable 3-0 lead against New Zealand and have now won 14 of their last 15 ODI series. Currently ranked No. 2 in the ICC rankings, India reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup four years ago, having won the trophy for the second time in 2011. Asked whether India’s victory over the Kiwis boosts their hopes of winning the World Cup, Kohli said: ‘New Zealand are a very strong ODI side. When you play like that against them it gives you a lot of confidence as a

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Amir Khan’s

Next Fight Welterweight boxer Amir Khan has agreed to face undefeated WBO world welterweight champion Terence Crawford in an undetermined location on 20 April. Khan, 32, returned to boxing last April after 23 months away from the sport and secured two wins in 2018. Khan had an offer to face domestic rival Kell Brook in a bout, which his team had said would prove more financially rewarding.

But he will instead be a heavy underdog against 31-year-old Crawford, who has held world titles in three divisions. The venue has not been confirmed, but Top Rank promoter Bob Arum recently told ESPN that the fight would take place either at Madison Square Garden in New York or at one of the MGM Resorts International arenas in Las Vegas: the MGM Grand Garden Arena, T-Mobile Arena or Mandalay Bay Events Center.

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