AV 14th March 2026

World’s largest old-age home inaugurated by Morari

Community raises more than £100,000 to save Peterborough temple site from sale

u Ramadan and Eid Special Page 7

u Mother’s Day Special Page 13-14

u Communities step up to help stranded travellers Page 23

u India wins historic T20 World Cup Page 32

Billionaire Reuben brothers pivot support to Reform UK

f inancial shift o n March 9 as Dav id and Simon Reuben, Bri tain s seco nd -w ealthi est family, do nated £10 0,0 00 to Refo rm UK Th is strateg ic m o v e by th e p ro p er ty t yc o o ns , w h o s e fa m i ly w ealth w as v alued at £ 26 8 7 billion in 2025, m arks the f irst tim e the brothers have f inanced a party oth er than the Conserv atives

The donation was made via an associated company to Nigel Farage's party as the countr y prepares for local

e

M

H

y donated nearly £1 million to the Tories since 2008 and provided Boris Johnson with off ice space worth £85,000, the brothers pivot underscores a growing momentum for Reform UK During the f inal quarter of 2025, Reform UK secured a dominant £5 4 million in donations, signif icantly outstrip-

ping the Conser vatives'

neur Christopher Harborne, who contributed £3 million

total support to £12 million within six months Other

Isabel Goldsmith, who gave

Senior diplomat quits over cultural shift

Conser vatives These

igures

nearly £65 million last year

Consequently, the gov-

stricter legislation to ensure donors have a genuine UK connection, requiring that contributing companies are

majority-owned by UK citi-

interference

Mukund Krishna suspended following corruption arrest

T h e P ol i ce Fe d er ati o n o f

England and Wales o ff icially susp ended its chief executive, Mu kund Krishna, following his arrest on su sp icion o f corruptio n City of L ond on Police d etained the 4 6-year-old Su rrey resident alo ng sid e two fo rmer board m em bers, aged 51 and 55, d u ri ng c o o rd i n ate d ra i d s a cr o ss L o nd o n , Su rr ey, Wales, and Somerset

pressure following a recent H i g h C o u r t r u l i n g T

e court found that the federat

spended two branch chairmen, breaching their right to freedom of expression W h i l e

n's f irst-ever CEO who reportedly earns an annual salar y

The domestic corruption unit has spent the past year investigating complex allegations of fraud by abuse o f p o s i t i o n w i t h i n t h e organisation, which represents over 145,000 off icers K r i s h n

n conf irms it is co-operating fully with the ongoing criminal probe, the leadership void comes at a critical time for the representative body Detectives continue to pursue all lines of inquir y as the investigation into f inancial wrongdoing remains active and live

L abour sinks as Greens surpass Starmer's Party

T he p ol it i ca l l a nd sc ap e of Gre at Brita in experien ced a s e is mi c sh i ft a s a n e w YouGov poll of 2,073 pe ople r eveal ed that the Gre en Party has lea pfrogged Labour into second pla ce Following t he ir signif icant by-el ect ion victor y in Gorton & D enton, Zack Pola nsk i’s party sur ged four points to 21 per cent, trail in g

Re form UK’s le ad of 23% by just t wo point s Me a n w h i l e , Si r Ke

St a r m e r ’ s L

plummeted

record low of 16 per cent, a two-point d

steady at 14% Polling suggests the Greens are now the most popular choice for voters under 50, securing 49% of

focus on lowering bills and

nalling a potential realignment in British politics

A prominent Indian-ori gi n senior British diplomat and Oxford graduate, Ameer Kotecha resi gned from his post at the British embassy in Tel Avi v last month after delivering a blistering critique of the Foreign, Commonwealth and D evelopment Off ic e In a column published Kotecha condemned the department for prioritising woke ideologies and bureaucratic paperpushing over robust national security and the British people's interests He specif ically cited Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent decision to hand over the Chagos Islands and the government's perceived impotence regarding Iran as primar y catalysts for his departure Kotecha argued that British foreign policy is now being dictated by an unquestioning worship of international law and the demands of activist groups rather than a clear-sighted assessment of national benef it He further highlighted a shift in workplace culture, noting that while global crises raged, internal focus remained on events like World Afro Day or environmental impact assessments for artif icial intelligence

The UK government weighs a controversial plan to grant artificial intelligence companies’ exemptions from copyright laws to foster software development Tech giants like Google and Meta proposed this change which officials will present to Parliament on March 18 Despite industry support stars like Sir Elton John oppose the move fearing it undermines creative rights and fair licensing negotiations

Describing the civil ser vice as a "bangedup hatchback" with dicey vision, Kotecha’s exit underscores growing internal friction regarding the UK’s global positioning and the ideological direction of its diplomatic corps under the current administration

MPs reject social media ban for under 16s

Th e Ho use of Com mons fo rmally rejected a blanket social media ban for und er-1 6s du ring a decisiv e v ote on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Although the House of Lords previously approved the age limit, MPs defeated the amendment by 307 to 173 Supporters, including 250,000 "Smartphone Free Childhood" campaigners, argued for urgent protection against explicit content and addictive algorithms However, the government and the NSPCC cautioned that a total prohibition might drive teenagers toward unregulated, dangerous platforms Instead, parliament granted Science Secretar y Liz Kendall flexible new powers to restrict chatbots and addictive features A landmark three-month consultation, ending May 26, will now determine whether future age-based restrictions, overnight curfews, or VPN limits are necessar y

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced a pilot scheme in Westminster to encourage failed asylum seekers to leave Britain Families are offered incentives of £10,000 per person, capped at £40,000, to exit or face forcible removal This initiative aims to save £20 million by reducing the £158,000 annual cost of supporting each family Despite internal Labour Party backlash and Windrush-style scandal warnings, ministers may widen the scheme to 700 Albanian families to save £110 million

HEATHROW EXPANSION FACES MISREPRESENTATION ALLEGATIONS

The Heathrow expansion faces strategic misrepresentation allegations following a report by Treasury adviser Paul Mansell on March 5 The study, commissioned by the Heathrow Reimagined airline coalition, warns that the £49 billion project risks financial collapse similar to HS2 Despite claims of no taxpayer cost, critic s argue passengers will fund the 2035 runway through doubled fees and a £59 billion capital expenditure plan

UK BANS STUDY VISAS FOR FOUR NATIONS

The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced an emergency visa brake on March 4 to prevent widespread asylum abuse This month, the Home Office will stop issuing study visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan Between 2021 and 2025, student asylum claims from these nations rocketed by 470%, with 16,000 people currently supported at public expense New rules, effective from March 26, aim to restore border control

A quiet rise in hostility

On Monday evening, Communities Secretary Steve Reed announced a government action plan designed to promote social cohesion and address divisions throughout the UK The plan includes new strategies to counter extremism and introduces historic measures against antiMuslim hate, aiming to protect people from unacceptable abuse while maintaining freedom of speech

This development is notable as the Communities Secretary recognises the rise in attacks targeting Muslims and Jews, which have received national attention Yet, what often goes unnoticed and unaddressed are the similarly increasing attacks on Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs (see p1)

The recent attack in Harrow, during Holi festival is an example of the increasing hostility Let’s look at the Peterborough’s Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir A temple that serves 18,500 Hindus in a radius of 35 miles, has been sold off to a mosque, that also has another premises nearby, just based on a few extra pounds The attacks on Rangrez restaurant for not selling Halal meat, is another example of the growing intolerance

Hindus are the third largest religious group after Christians and Muslims in the UK, with over 1 million people Approximately 96% are from an Asian background, with 84 5% identifying as Indians The community has strong roots, contributing significantly to healthcare, business, and education, often marked by high educational achievement and family-focused values The recent visit of Princess Catherine at the Golden Mile, very similar to her much loved mum-in-law the late Princess D

progress Sikhs are over 535,000 according to the 2021 Census and Jains upto 60,000

According to recent data from the UK Home Office,

police reported 137,550 hate crimes in England and Wales for the year ending March 2025, constituting approximately 3% of all recorded offences Racially aggravated offences occur at an estimated rate of 3 incidents per 10,000 people among white communities, compared to 24 per 10,000 within Asian or Asian British communities a difference nearly eightfold Religious hate crimes also remain prevalent; police recorded 10,484 religiously motivated offences in the year ending March 2024

Jewish and Muslim communities experience the highest proportions of religious hate crime; however, Hindu, Jain and Sikh organisations report growing hostility toward their communities too Despite various initiatives, a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue remains largely absent from governmental discussions

Public discourse primarily addresses antisemitism and Islamophobia, both of which have increased in recent years The government has invested substantially in synagogue security and adopted a formal definition of antiMuslim hostility to inform policy responses Nonetheless, Hindu, Jain, and Sikh groups contend that the challenges they face often lack recognition and may manifest in subtler forms compared to overt violent attacks Incidents

harassment of businesses, and online abuse frequently garner limited attention outside affected communities

This lack of acknowledgment can suggest that their concerns are considered secondary

Britain has long promoted its multicultural identity as a society where individuals from diverse backgrounds, faiths, and traditions coexist

The central issue confronting Britain is not simply the reduction of hate crime statistics, but rather the restoration of mutual trust and solidarity that enables all communities to thrive

UK-US relations in doldrums?

Prime Minister Starmer's decision not to engage in military action against Iran has prompted renewed examination of the long-standing "special relationship" between the United Kingdom and the United States Historically, both nations have shared close cooperation in areas such as politics, defence, and international diplomacy; however, the current debate over responding to Iran has highlighted emerging tensions within this partnership P

disapproval of Prime Minister Starmer's approach, and a pattern of discord has developed since Trump's second term began Decisions related to tariffs, foreign policy toward Greenland and Canada, as well as differing positions on conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, have contributed to a cooling of bilateral relations The British government’s caution is informed by concerns about unilateralism and divergence in strategic priorities

Recent events underscore a clear divergence in the foreign policy approaches of the UK and the US While the US administration has favoured swift military responses to international crises particularly in the Middle East the Labour government under Prime Minister Starmer has

supporting military intervention This more measured stance has, at times, resulted in the UK refraining from fully endorsing certain US-led initiatives

Analysts often point to lessons learned from the UK's

involvement in the Iraq War as influencing the current government's cautious position The 2003 intervention in Iraq, which faced significant domestic controversy due to questions over evidence and strategic planning, has left a lasting impact on British public opinion and policymaking

without comprehensive consideration

Public sentiment continues to be a significant factor in s

indicate that the British public prefers non-involvement in external military conflicts Political leaders are mindful of these views, recognising the importance of maintaining public support, particularly when government approval ratings are low

President Trump's "America First" doctrine has also altered the dynamics of the transatlantic relationship, with the UK increasingly emphasising its own national interests in response Policy differences on issues including NATO

contributed to these shifts These faith-based developments

making by the UK, driven by evolving priorities and changes in the global political landscape

At times, bullying prompts resistance to oppression, as seen in Iran, a perpetrator of faith-based attacks on Israel by funding terrorism; Trump aims to highlight this globally Yet "practice before you preach" is especially pertinent here

India must engage with Balen Shah through a progressive approach

known as Balen Shah poised to assume the role of Prime Minister of Nepal following a decisive electoral victory supported by Gen-Z voters, this leadership transition holds significant implications for India's diplomatic and regional strategies He was formerly the 15th Mayor of Kathmandu

Bilateral relations between India and Nepal have been strained in recent years, exacerbated by Nepal's closer ties with China and increasing anti-India sentiment among segments of the Nepali population Considering these developments, the Indian government should carefully assess the potential impact of Balen Shah’s leadership

The government in New Delhi has acknowledged the outcome of Nepal’s election and expressed its willingness

Ensuring political stability in Kathmandu is in India’s interest, as it would facilitate improved security along the open border and strengthen bilateral cooperation

While Balen Shah s previous statements have reflected an anti-India stance, he has also critiqued the policies of

both the United States and China Consequently, his future foreign policy orientation remains uncertain It will be important for India to avoid a patronising approach, which could prove counterproductive

Balen Shah advocates cordial relations with both India and China but seeks to maintain Nepal’s autonomy in foreign affairs His victory signals a generational shift in Nepalese politics, with younger citizens preferring selfdetermination over external influence This movement led to the ousting of politicians perceived as being under Indian or Chinese sway As the initiator of this reformist wave and former mayor of Kathmandu, Balen Shah has demonstrated independent thought in governance

His strong nationalist views may present challenges for New Delhi, particularly regarding longstanding border issues such as Kalapani and Lipulekh Nevertheless, it is imperative for the Indian government to concentrate on reinforcing traditional ties and fostering historical cooperation with Nepal, rather than employing an elder sibling dynamic in engagement with the Balen Shah administration

Thought for the week

“Peace comes from within Do not seek it without ” – Buddha

Political Sketchbook

Alpesh Patel

The Idiot’s Guide to the Middle East Crisis

TheMiddle East crisis looks bewilderingly complex because several conflicts overlap. In reality it is a geopolitical chessboard involving three layers: Israel versus Palestinian militant groups, Iran versus Israel and Western powers, and a broader global rivalry involving the United States, Russia and China

At the centre is Israel, a technologically advanced state with one of the region’s strongest militaries Israel’s closest ally is the United States, which provides military aid, intelligence sharing and diplomatic protection The United Kingdom, most EU countries, and NATO allies broadly align with Washington’s position: supporting Israel’s security while also advocating a Palestinian state

Directly confronting Israel are militant organisations rather than conventional states

Hamas ( Gaza)

• Islamist Palestinian movement governing Gaza

• Rejects Israel’s existence

• Conducts rocket attacks and militant operations

• Receives funding and weapons largely from Iran Hezbollah (L ebanon)

• Powerful Shia militia and political party

• Armed with a large missile arsenal aimed at Israel

• Effectively Iran’s most capable proxy force

Behind both groups sits Iran, the central strategic opponent of Israel Iran’s goals are straightforward

• Expand influence across the Middle East

• Challenge Israel and US power

• Use militant proxies rather than direct war Iran calls this alliance the “A xis of Resistance ” Iran’s Proxy Netw ork

• Hamas – Gaza

• Hezbollah – Lebanon

• Shia militias – Iraq

• Houthis – Yemen

The Ho uthis in Yem en, supported by Iran, have attacked Red Sea shipping and Israeli-linked interests, extending the conflict beyond Israel’s borders

Now consider the Arab states Historically most Arab governments opposed Israel That is changing Eg ypt

• First Arab country to sign peace with Israel (1978)

• Controls Gaza’s southern border

• Often mediates between Israel and Hamas Jordan

• Maintains a peace treaty with Israel

• Security cooperation exists despite political sensitivi ties

Syria

• Long-time Israeli enemy

• Iranian forces and Hezbollah operate there

• Israel frequently strikes Iranian targets inside Syria

Iraq

• Contains powerful Iran-aligned militias

• Acts as a corridor for Iranian influence across the region

Saud i A rabia and Gulf States

• Fear Iranian expansion

• Increasingly cooperate quietly with Israel

• This shift produced one of the most important diplomatic changes in decades

Th e A brah am A ccord s ( 20 20)

• Israel normalised relations with

• United Arab Emirates

• Bahrain

• Morocco

• Sudan

Share the gift of knowledge and connection with your loved ones by subscribing to Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar at our special combo price. See page 9

Birmingham rapist handed 16-year jail term

T he Wes t Midlan ds j udiciary con clude d a

s ign ifi can t crimina l ca se as 28-y ear- old Kas sam Hus sai n was sen ten ced to s ix teen years i n pri son for a se ries of pre datory sexua l of fences Huss ain , a re si dent of Han dsw orth Wood, w as found guilty of n in e coun ts followin g a ri gorous tri al a t Birmin gham Crow n C ourt

The prosecution detailed how Hussain targeted vulnerable teenage girls between September 2024 and May 2025 His crimes included the rape of a teenage girl and the grooming and sexual assault of another, which culminated in a forced abduction in May 2025 Detective Constable Sarah Toye praised the victims for their extraordinary bravery during the proceedings, noting that Hussain intentionally exploited their personal circumstances Although

the unanimous guilty verdict was delivered in late 2025, the final sentencing was confirmed this March, ensuring the offender was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life

Police have used this conviction to reiterate their commitment to safeguarding young people and urged any other potential victims of similar abuse to come forward, promising a safe and supportive environment for all reports

Fake taxi driver sentenced for Sheffield rape

T he Derby C ro wn C ourt sentenced Shabir Sultani to thirteen years in prison o n F ebruary 3, 2026 after he p osed as a taxi driver to kidnap and rape a w oman

T he 27-year-o ld , of Sturto n Road, S heffield, targ eted his v ictim in spring 20 25 as sh e left a city centre nig htclub

S ultani lured th e wo man into his car, drove her to C hesterfield, and forced entry into her h ome

Despite her repeated demands for him to leave, he committed the assault before she successfully fought him off Police investigators used CCTV and number plate recognition to identify Sultani, who was subsequently found guilty of rape and sexual assault in November Due to his deemed "dangerousness," the judge added a sevenyear licence extension, a restraining order, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order

Evidence presented at Leicester Crown Court on November 7, 2025 revealed

We

• Cooking and preparing

•

•

Position Details:

• Live-in:

Driver jailed after deliberately ramming wedding

The C ourt of App eal has signi

pris on s entence for a 28year-old m an wh o d eliberately drove his vehicle into a wed ding cro wd in Leicester

seven and a half years was unduly lenient and failed to reflect the full extent of the

Gwendolen Road, will now serve ten years in prison following an intervention by S

Reeves KC

that Singh jumped from his car to assault others before fleeing to hide his license plates Although he initially claimed his foot slipped while wearing sliders, he later pleaded guilty to three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent In addition to his increased custodial sentence, Singh remains subject to a 12-year driving disqualification

The Solicitor General welcomed the update, noting that Singh used his vehicle as a weapon intended to cause maximum damage

boarding and lodging provided

• Salary: £25,000 per annum

• Friendly and supportive environment

c u r r e d in the early hours of May 31, 2025 at The Regent Sport and Social Club Singh had b e e n s u m

t h e venue by his brother, who had been ejected for arriving uninvited and intoxicated

U p o n a r r i v a

, S

n

p l o u

d h i s w h i t e Volkswagen Tiguan into a g r o u p o f p e o p l e , i n j u r i n g five individuals

A m o n g t h e c a s u a l t i e s was a woman who sustained life-altering pelvic fractures

a n d S i n g h ’ s o w n c o u s i n , who suffered a brain bleed and a fractured kneecap

Police hunt man following fatal industrial incident

Foll owing a trag ic fata lity at

launche d

pub lic appea l for in formation

CCTV images of 30-year-old Bashar Al-Kadah, whom they believe possesses vital details regarding the incident The

who was struck by a frontloader at a yard on Station

Approach on August 7, 2025

Despite emergency services

a r r i v i n g a t 0 7 :

Singh was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple injuries

Extensive enquiries over the last six months, including the analysis of banking and phone records, suggest

Luton area shortly after the incident and may have since

Two men in their 40s, arrest-

remain under investigation

Detective Constable Cynthia

securing answers for the victim's family, urging anyone w

Kadah’s whereabouts to contact the police immediately via 101 or Crime stoppers

Solihull heart survivor honoured with red bench

Foundation unveiled a comm

rati

ben ch

Shirley to celebrate the sur-

Thanieth Khan Ms K han, a 27-year-old mo ther-of-two, was diagnosed with h ypertro

yo

(HCM) at age 14 after her younger brother collapsed

Tragically, she has since

older brothers to the same inherited condition, which affects one in 500 people in the UK Unlike traditional memorials, this bench is one of 65 installed nationwide to

honouring those whose lives

research

defibrillator (ICD) to regulate her heart rhythm, Ms Khan now uses her platform as a fashion influencer to challenge the cultural stigma surrounding heart dis-

Griffiths, Chief Executive of

courage in sharing her story to inspire vital donations for life-saving research

CHANGE OF NAME

residing at 912, Uxbridge Road, Hayes UB4 0RW, London- UK., hereby give notice of my intention to change my name to SUKHWINDER SINGH, so relinquished to the intent that I may hearafter be called/ known as, and identified by the new name of SUKHWINDER SINGH

I N B R I E F

LANCASHIRE RESIDENTS LOSE THOUSANDS TO COURIER FRAUD

The Lancashire Constabulary has issued an urgent warning after twenty-five local residents lost a total of £120,192 to sophisticated courier fraud between April 2023 and March 2024 These criminal networks systematically targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals across the county by posing as trusted bank officials or police officers to steal life savings Fraudsters typically initiate contact via telephone, using high-pressure tactics to convince victims that their accounts are compromised To resolve the issue, victims are instructed to hand over cash, jewellery, or bank cards to a courier sent directly to their home While reports in Lancashire reflect a significant local impact, Action Fraud data indicates this remains a persistent national threat Recent 2025 updates suggest that police are increasing patrols and community workshops to combat these scams Authorities remind the public that legitimate banks will never send couriers to collect valuables or request PINs over the phone

LEICESTER RESIDENTS SAVE CITY LIBRARIES

The Leicester City Council officially scrapped planned library closures after a massive public consultation involving 7 000 residents Initially the authority aimed to save £2 1 million by offloading fifteen libraries and three community centres but revised plans now target £500,000 in 2026/27 savings through reduced staffing This U-turn includes a £2 5 million investment in centres like Belgrave and Rushey Mead, alongside £2 million for building improvements Furthermore, six libraries will see extended hours via a £473,000 boost Councillor Vi Dempster confirmed these changes protect valued services while still addressing necessary budget reductions across the city

POLICE PATROLS CALM SCHOOLS AFTER HOAX THREAT

The Leicestershire Police increased patrols on 5 March 2026 after viral social media threats of a "Red vs Blue" school war caused widespread panic among local families Despite high-pressure posts on TikTok and Snapchat Sergeant Cooper confirmed that no disorder occurred across the city or county However the hoax severely impacted attendance with Wigston Academy reporting a drop to 55% as anxious parents kept children home Schools like St Paul’s Catholic and Avanti Fields implemented extra security measures to reassure students Authorities remain vigilant ahead of a second rumoured date on March 12 to ensure continued pupil safety

Birmingham campaigners seek UNESCO status for Balti

T h e A s s o ci a ti o n fo r th e

Pro tection of the Authentic Balti fo rmally subm itted a bid on to secure U NES COap prov ed heritage status for Birmingham’ s iconic curry

C a m p a i g n e r A n d y

M u n r o a n d r e s t a u r a n t

owner Zaf Hussain filed the p a p e r w o r k w i t h t h e

D e p a r t m e n t f o r C u l t u r e , Media and Sport to safeguard the dish under the new Inventories of Living Heritage scheme

T h i s m o v e m e n t addresses the sharp decline o f t h e " B a l t i T r i a n g l e , " which has shrunk from over t h i r t y r e s t a u r

ments, Shababs and Shahi Nan Originating in 1975 at Adil’s restaurant, the balti is

cooking method using veg-

etable oil and thin-pressed steel bowls rather than a specific recipe Supporters argue that 99 per cent of c o m m e r c i a l b a l t i s a

pirated imitations, lacking

While

previous 2025 application was rejected for being a

n a product, the new 2024 UK ratification of the UNESCO Convention provides

Heritage" I

fresh

Birmingham balti will join the ranks of protected tradi-

Mowbray pork pie, providing a vital economic and cultural boost to the city’s dias-

Ashmolean Museum returns 16th-century bronze idol to India

The Ashm olean

bronze idol to India,

um has repatriated

addressing

been photographed in the temple in Tamil Nadu," he

s a i d " A t t h a t p o i n t i t became evident that there

is believed to have been

s t o l e n f r o m t h e t e m p l e , where it had been replaced with a modern replica

F o l l o w i n g t h e r e s e a r c h e r ' s f i n d i n g

museum contacted the High

c

E x p e

s f r o m the museum also travelled to India to work with the

A r c h a e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y o f I n d i a ( A S I ) , T a m i l N a d u s t a t e o f f i c i a l s a n d t e m p l e

a u t h o r i t i e s T h e p r o c e s s finally concluded at a formal handover ceremony at India

House

The bronze will now be shipped to India, where the ASI will work with the state government on restoring it to the temple

Dr X a S turgis, director

o f th e A s h m o le an, w h i c h

w a s f o u n d e d i n 1 6 8 3 a s Britain’s first public muse-

u m , s a i d t h e d e c i s i o n t o return the figure followed naturally from the evidence

"It was over five years

a g o t h a t w e f i r s t b e c a m e aware that there was evidence that this bronze had

was no legitimate way in w h i c h i t c o u l d h a v e l e f t

India And, even though the m u s e u m a c q u i r e d t h i s bronze in 1967 in good faith, we opened a conversation

w i t h t h e I n d i a n H i g h Commission about the poss i b i l i t y o f r e t u r n i n g t h i s object to India "

Vi k ram Do r ai s w am i , Ind ia’ s Hig h C omm issio ner to the U K, said the return set an important precedent

" T h i s i s t h e f i r s t t i m e , I understand, they have actually returned anything It is a major step for the museum

t o r e c o g n i s e t h a t w h i l e being a repository of the art

h e r i t a g e o f t h e w o r l d , integrity requires that items have been reached in the right way," he said

The handover ceremony also included four additiona l a r t e f a c t s s t o l e n f r o m India and recovered through a joint operation involving H o m e l a n d S e c u r i t y

I n v e s t i g a t i o n s ( H S I ) , t h e i n v e s t i g a t i v e a r m o f t h e United States Department of Homeland Security, the

Metropolitan Police Art and Antiques Unit, and India’s

D i r e c t o r a t e o f R e v e n u e

Intelligence

T h e r e c o v e r

Parasol, a Dancing Ganesha, a D a n c i n g

Sambandar/Bal Krishna, and a Pedestal

William Crogan of HSI

Lo nd on said further work

event celebrates the successful recovery and return of

these cultural items, there's more work to be done so other criminal organisations can be held to account for depriving access to significant antiquities," he said Willi am L yne, h ead

Eco no mic and Cybercrim e Co mmand , emphasised the importance of international c

trade in cultural property is almost always transnational,

sharing information across jurisdictions," he said A spokesperson for the High Commission of India, London, said, “Enabling the return of this bronze statue to the Soundararaja Perumal

t e m p l e i n T a m i

u demonstrates the Museum’s strong leadership and commendable moral clarity The government and the people

action and effort, which is not merely restoration of an object of art, but the reunification of an icon of faith

enabling cultural continuity ’

bronze was sold by the private collector J R Belmont

bronze entered his collection Quiz books and Bibles see sale surge

REVIEW:

National

Youth Theatre’s Dracula Showcasing the ingenuity that defines British creativity

Rupanjana Dutta

As I wand ered throug h castles in Transylvania, Ro mania, th oughts of Cou nt Dracula, his brides, and captors hov ered only as gho stly imagining s inspired by Bram Stoker's story o f Vlad the Im paler Yet th e National Yo uth Theatre's stag ing of this horror on a star-lit night surp assed anything I had anticipated

between Lorna and Millie

The theatre, marking its 70th anniversary, kept its surprises well hidden wooden trunks scattered throughout a dim room filled with light smoke, and a man scribbling on a red wall in the corner When the performance began, an intense atmosphere of fear emerged, created simply through lighting, shadows, and the impressive talents of 18 self-assured young actors Sasha Jagsi as Lucy, Louise Coggrave as Lorna, Maya Coates as Mille, and Christopher Lee as Jonathan particularly stood out, although each actor from diverse background had their chance to shine and none failed to impress

The play carried a meaningful message about youth today addressing their lifestyles, identity struggles, battles with personal demons, and the lengths they must go for livelihood Themes of unconditional love, belief, powerful friendships, and sacrifice were also woven throughout

The first half retells Bram Stoker’s classic, with Count Dracula lurking in the shadows but the focus is on Lucy Sasha Jagsi delivers a compelling performance, blending vulnerability and strength as Lucy's story intensifies

The second half shifts to the modern era, bringing new energy The change works due to strong relationships: Victorian Lucy and Mina s deep friendship is mirrored in the contemporary bond

Directed by Atri Banerjee and written by Tatty Hennessey, the production suggests what the future may hold These performers could one day join the ranks of Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Patrick Stewart, Ruth Wilson, Rosamund Pike, Chiwetel Ejiofor, or Francesca AmewudahRivers Their confidence shines, and the direction is firm yet open to interpretation

The production stands out for its sharp control of tone, balancing humour and horror seamlessly The audience moves quickly from laughter to unease Alex Musgrave’s lighting design adds to this effect, using stark torches and red washes to highlight shifts from comedy to fear

Running until 13 March, this major show celebrates seven decades of exceptional work by NYT Art communicates resilience, hope, and healing, and this production exemplifies the brilliance of British creativity

M

Th e world tod ay stands at a sensitive crossro ad s Rising g lobal tensions have led m any to fear the po ssibility of a wider conflict, with concerns even being raised abou t a po tential T hird World War The M iddle East is once ag ain at the centre of attention, with g row ing strains invo lv ing Iran, Israel, USA and the long-standing Palestinian issue

A t t h e s a m e t i m e , t h e r e remains hope that wisdom and diplomacy will prevail before divisions deepen further In moments like these, it is important not only to focus on the immediate crisis but also to reflect on the long historical ties and events that have shaped relations across this region and the wider world

Much has been said about the tensions in the Gulf, particularly

b

Emirates and their allies Yet the modern political map of the Gulf is relatively recent

T h e t e r m “ E m i r a t e s ” o

came into common use in the latter half of the twenti-

a c e s w e k

p

o d a y a s Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Oman and others, were once known as the Trucial States,

s o n a m e d b e c a u s e o f t h e truces they had signed with the British Empire

During the colonial peri-

o d t h e s e t e r r i t o r i e s w e r e closely connected to India Administratively they were linked with the Bombay Presidency and even their currency was the Indian rupee Many young members of ruling families from the region studied in Indian cities such as Mumbai or Pune, as the stipends provided by the colonial authorities were often insufficient to support education in Britain The historical ties between India and the Gulf therefore run far deeper than modern geopolitics might suggest Much of this history may not be widely known, but it has been discussed and documented in vari o u s a r t i c l e s o v e r t h e y e a r s i n Gujarat Samachar, New Life and Asian Voice, as well as in our several special magazines

n

identity to the legacy of Central Asian rulers such as Timur Today, however, the situation of Uyghur Muslims has become an international concern, with reports that many are living under strict con-

This complex history shows how

have shaped societies across Asia f

influence global events today Afghanistan was once home to strong Hinduism and Buddhism traditions By the 8th and 9th centuries AD, however, Islam became the dominant faith in the region

increasingly looked towards the richer regions of the Indian subcontinent, especially parts of pre-

themselves there, strengthening the long-standing commercial and cultural ties between India and the Gulf

Much of this trade involved valuable goods such as spices and textiles from the Indian subcontinent The spice trade in particular was closely connected with the ports of Kerala

India’s maritime influence also extended far to the East Traders from southern India, particularly from the Telugu-speaking regions of Andhra Pradesh, sailed across the seas to Southeast Asia Over time, these journeys encouraged trade and cultural exchange with

countries Elements of Hinduism and Indian traditions shaped parts of Southeast Asia and traces of this

At one point in history, internal disputes within the ruling family of Muscat led a branch of the Omani leadership to move its base to Zanzibar Over time, this led to the creation of the Sultanate of Z a n z i b a r , w h i c h s t r e n g t h e n e d p o l i t i c a l a n d c o m m e r c i a l l i n k s between Oman, East Africa and the wider Indian Ocean trading world

In this wider historical context, it is important to recognise the role played by trading communities from Kutch and other parts of India in shaping the commercial history of East Africa

By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Indian merchants, particularly Gujaratis from Kutch and Saurashtra had established active trading networks along the East African coast with the support of Said bin Sultan Early p i o n e e r s s u c h a s J a i r a m S h i v j i a n d

sent-day Pakistan and northern India, which had long been centres of agriculture, trade and prosperity

The wider region of Central

historically home to many tribes

lands came several waves of migra-

Indian subcontinent over many centuries, even before the rise of the Mughal Empire

Gujarat: India’s gateway to the world

For centuries, Gujarat was an important gateway for international trade Before the rise of

Early Islamic influence in Sou th

A sia and C entral Asia

Looking further back, in 712

AD the Arab general Muhammad bin Qasim led a small force from present-day Basra, Iraq into Sindh

H e d e f e a t e d t h e l a s t H i n d u Brahmin ruler of the region, Raja Dahir, establishing Islamic rule there for a period

Although that early political control did not last long, it marked the beginning of the wider spread of Islam in parts of South Asia In

t h e c e n

d through trade, migration and the movements of Central Asian and

T u r k i c g r o u p s , r e a c h i n g a c r o s s regions from Iran and Afghanistan to present-day Pakistan, Central Asia and parts of western China

In Xinjiang, the Uyghurs trace parts of their cultural and religious heritage to these historical con-

(Broach) and Khambhat (Cambay) were major harbours linking India with the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia

These long connections made Gujarat a region open to global influences Over time, the Gujarati

Arabic, Persian, Portuguese and other languages, reflecting centuries of interaction with traders from around the world

Among the most active traders in this maritime network were merchants from Mandvi and the wider Kutch region Kutchi traders regularly sailed across the Arabian Sea, building strong commercial links with Muscat and other Gulf ports Historical sites such as the Bhatia Haveli reflect the presence and influence of these early trading communities Prominent mer-

Khimji Ramdas, also established

heritage can still be seen today in language, architecture and historical monuments

During a recent visit to New

President of Indonesia remarked

Hindu,” that shows the deep historical ties between Indian civilisation and Indonesia Yet today Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, showing how cultures evolve while still preserving links to their past

Historical accounts also note

Indonesia including Java, Sumatra

Indian port of Surat

Th e leg acy of Indian m erch ants in East Africa

The spread of Islam and later Muslim influence in parts of East Africa was also closely linked to maritime routes across the Indian Ocean Seasonal trade winds made

African coast predictable, encouraging merchants and communi-

these regions I

important role in the economic

African coast They contributed to the development of centres such

Mombasa, Bagamoyo, Tanga and

coastal centres, islands of Zanzibar

important

hub of trade and cultural exchange

East

Across the region, temples and community institutions such as

Dubai, Motishwar Mandir Muscat, ISKCON Temple Bahrain, Krishna T

Aden

Jain Temple continue to preserve Indian heritage and strengthen cultural ties between India and the Middle East

Alongside its close ties with Arab nations, India also maintains engagement with Iran and continues dialogue with Palestine At the same time, India shares a strong relationship with Israel and its

Netanyahu

A l i b h a i M u l l a Jeevanjee strengthened commercial and financ i a l l i n k s c o n n e c t i n g I n d i a w i t h M u s c a t , Z a n z i b a r , M o m b a s a and Nairobi

In the late 19th and e a r l y 2 0 t h c e n t u r i e s , m e r c h a n t s s u c h a s Karimjee Jivanjee and A l i d i n a V i s r a m e x p a n d e d t h e s e n e tworks further, building m a j o r c o m m e r c i a l

e n t e r p r i s e s a c r o s s Kenya and Uganda

This tradition cont i n u e d t h r o u g h i n f l u e n t i a l

e n t r e p r e n e u r s s u c h a s N a n j i

K a l i d a s M e h t a a n d p r o m i n e n t b u s i n e s s f a m i l i e s i n c l u d i n g t h e Madhvani Group and the Vadera family Collectively, these communities built vibrant trading networks across the Indian Ocean and played a lasting role in shaping the economic and social development of East Africa

As Manubhai Madhvani later reflected, later generations were fortunate to follow the path laid by those early pioneers, men who came to Africa not as colonisers, but as traders who built businesses, strengthened economies and forged lasting friendships between communities India’s Present-Day diplom acy and heritag e I n d i a ’ s P r i m e M i n i s t e r Narendra Modi has often shown a strong interest in history and heritage He travelled to Geneva and Zurich to pay tribute to Indian freedom fighter Shyamji Krishna Varma His legacy is also honoured through a museum established in Mandvi, Kutch, reconnecting the town with its historical significance

I n f o r e i g n p o l i c y , I n d i a h a s sought to maintain balanced relat i o n s a c r o s

Today, the Middle East is home to a large and successful Indian diaspora that is widely respected for its contributions to the community, business and culture PM Modi has often described this global community as a “living bridge” A powerful symbol of this harmony is the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi

Because of these relationships, India today holds a unique diplom

Modi has repeatedly emphasised that war is not the solution and that the Palestinian issue must

tion In an increasingly uncertain world, such calls for balance and diplomacy carry special importance It is possible that, in time, these ideas may gain wider acceptance as nations search for a path toward peace and stability

Understanding th e complexities of Iran and Israel It is also important to recognise the complex realities within I

many ethnic groups and commun

i e s and histories, held together over time under a strong central government One of the major chall e n

recognise the state of Israel, along with the hostile rhetoric that has often accompanied this stance These tensions continue to deepen mistrust across the region

At the same time, the reality today is that Jewish people have e s t a b

Israel and continue to live there T

t about reversing history but about finding a practical and peaceful path forward Even Israeli leaders, including Benjamin Netanyahu, have at times acknowledged that a

f t h e Palestine and the Palestinian people Ultimately, lasting peace will depend on all sides recognising each other’s existence and working towards a balanced and just settlement for both Israelis and Palestinians

The world may indeed feel uncertain at this moment, but our Indian history reminds us that cooperation and shared interests have often prevailed over divis

n g continents, cultures and faiths

Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, is a time of fasting, prayer and reflection, when Muslims strengthen their faith and focus on charity and compassion.

This year, however, the sacred period is unfolding amid growing global tensions, particularly the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has created uncertainty and concern across many communities

Against this backdrop, British Muslims spoke to Asian Voice about how the spirit of Ramadan is helping communities respond to the atmosphere of doom and gloom

Through prayer gatherings, interfaith iftars and charity initiatives, many say the holy month is inspiring people to step up, support one another and promote solidarity and hope during uncertain times

Deputy chai r of London B orough of Newha m, Cllr I mam Haque said, “The ongoing conflict is deeply affecting East London's communities during Ramadan Families with ties to conflict zones are experiencing anxiety, grief, and financial strain Many are struggling to support loved ones abroad or cope with the emotional toll

Local organisations are providing vital support, including food aid, counselling, and practical help Mosques and community centres are hosting interfaith iftars, fundraising events, and prayer gatherings, fostering solidarity and resilience

“Ramadan is a month of compassion and resilience Local communities coming together

to support each other and promoting peace and harmony between communities Despite uncertainty, East London's communities, charities and local businesses are showing remarkable strength, kindness, and generosity From food drives to charity initiatives, people are uniting across faiths and backgrounds People are coming together for shared humanity and supporting each other People of different faith are fasting in solidarity and out of respect for their Muslim neighbours and friends The community's resilience and compassion are a beacon of hope, inspiring others to make a positive impact,” he added

The Ahm adiyy a Mus lim Com muni ty UK stated, “During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims express heartfelt

The heart-warming magic of M

Swathi Anil

A L A B A R I I F T A R S P E C I A L S

As the golden sun dips below the horizon, a hush falls over the palm-fringed coast of Malabar.

In this storied region of Northern Kerala, Ramadan is not merely a season of reflection; it is a sensory journey that begins the moment the call to prayer echoes through the salt-misted air

Unnakkaya (Stuffed P

crown jewel of

s w e e t s S t e a m e d n e n d r a n / r i p e bananas are mashed into a dough, stuffed with a decadent mixture of grated coconut, sugar, raisins, and cashews, then deep-fried in ghee until golden and glistening

Arikkad ukka (S tuffed Mussels)

A coastal masterpiece where f r e s h m u s s e l s a

The Iftar table aka the “Nombuthura” is an eminent part of the fast, a heart-warming gathering where the sweet, heady fragrance of ghee-roasted bananas and cardamom-scented tea wafts through the home, bridging centuries of history with the present moment

The culinary heritage of

A stunning, multi-layered cake made of paper-thin crepes Each layer is dipped in an egg-wash and stacked with a filling of sweetened c o c o n u

d minced meat, then slow-cooked in a heavy pot

d a n d stuffed with a spiced rice flour dough They are steamed in their shells, then the meat is scooped out, coated in a fiery crimson batter, and fried to a crisp M een P athiri (S team ed Fish Pancakes) D

discs that cradle

heart of thick, spicy fish masala These are sealed

banana leaf to lock in the moisture and the aromatic punch of the coastal spices

Malabar is a beautiful mosaic, shaped by its ancient role as a global spice hub where Arab traders and local Zamorin traditions merged This history is baked into every flaky layer of its famous snacks This Ramadan, let us explore the soul-stirring "Kadi" (snacks) that make a Malabari Iftar truly special

Ko zh ikaal (S piced Tap ioca Fritters)

Named "Chicken Legs" due to their spindly shape, these are actua l

a c l e v e r v

a r i a n t r e a t Sturdy strips of tapioca are marinated in a pungent ginger, garlic, and green chilli batter before being deep-fried into crunchy batons

Erachi Path iri (Fried M eat-Filled Bread)

A h e a r t y , i n d u l g e n t s n a c k where a spiced minced meat filling is tucked inside two layers of soft dough The edges are braided or crimped before

gratitude to God for His countless blessings It is a sacred time for reflection, prayer and spiritual self-reformation We also remember those who have passed away, pray for their families and keep in mind people suffering around the world ”

The statement added that Ramadan encourages believers to strengthen their faith through fasting, increased worship and service to humanity, values rooted in the teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and the message of Muhammad

“As Eid al-Fitr approaches, we look forward to giving thanks for the blessings of

Ramadan Eid is a time of unity in prayer and celebration with family and friends, while ensuring those in need also

Top children’s

As the ge ntle glow of the cres cen t moon prepares to sign al the end of thi s b lessed month, the re is no better time to ga ther the little ones for some shared ref le ction and j oy

experience its joy,” the community said, adding that compassion, empathy and service help strengthen communities and promote peace and understanding

Dr Sa ra Saigol of the Isla mic Society of Bri tain said,

“Ramadan is a month of fasting and renewal, when Muslims refrain from food, drink and intimate relations while striving to improve their character and deepen their consciousness of God ” She noted that this year ’ s Ramadan has been especially challenging due to global instability and ongoing violence affecting regions such as Gaza Strip and the West Bank

“Observing Ramadan during such times of violence is not easy, but fasting helps strengthen our relationship with God,” she said “Communal gatherings in mosques, standing shoulder to shoulder in night prayers and sharing iftar with people of all faiths create solidarity that calms the heart and strengthens the soul ”

Saigol added that invitations to interfaith iftar meals have been deeply meaningful

“Ramadan is a time of reflection and character reformation, but it also reminds us of our responsibility to support those facing hardship and to work towards a more just and compassionate world ”

books for this Ramadan

Whether you are looking for a quiet moment before iftar or a bedtime story to build anticipation for Eid morning, these handpicked titles offer a perfect blend of learning and play

- ‘Join Us For Ramadan’ by Sana A Faqir: A sensory treat for toddlers, featuring colourful lanterns and the cosy glow of suhoor and iftar

- ‘A Very Happy Ramadan’ by A M Dassu: Follow Rayhan as he discovers that while fasting is tough, there is much more to the holy month than just a growling stomach

- ‘Jaanat's Quest For Laylatul Qadr’ by Sophia Farooq: Join Detective Jaanat and her bunny buddy Zaki on a hightech mission to unlock the virtues of the Night of Power

- ‘Bilal’s Bad Day’ by Neelum Khan: An interactive story with a clever dial to help

children manage “big feelings” through the remembrance of Allah

- ‘Street Puppy, Masjid Cat’ by Moniza Hossain: A heart-warming tale of an unlikely friendship that proves kindness knows no bounds

- ‘All the Ways to Be Pretty’ by Shamaila Khan: A gentle reminder that true beauty shines from within, celebrating character over looks

- ‘The Cheat Book’ (Vol 3) by Ramzee: A fun, fast-paced adventure for ages nine and up, featuring robot teachers and talking scooters!

- ‘The Night Curse: Dream Hunters’ by Nazima Pathan: Immerse yourselves in a reimagined India where dreams are bottled and nightmares must be defeated

Gujarat Hindu Society marks 25 years of Community Health Mela

T he Gujarat Hindu Society ( G HS ) re ce ntl y ce le bra ted the 25th anniversary of its C omm unity Health Mela, an initiativ e d ed icated to prom oting h ealth aw areness and w ellbeing he milestone event was held at the Society’s centre in Lancashire, the same venue where the first Health Mela w a s o r g a n i s e d

t w o decades ago, in partnership

with the National Forum for H e a l t

(NFHW)

The idea for the Health Mela emerged soon after the opening of the GHS commu-

Designed as a holistic space

, youth engagement, culture and spirituality, the centre

h o s t e d r e g u l a r g a t h e r i n g s such as the monthly Bhajan Bhojan programme

It was during these gatherings that organisers recognised a growing need to raise

a w a r e n e s s a b o u t h e a l t h issues affecting the commu-

n i t y , i

d e p r e s s i o n

seminars were subsequently introduced, with healthcare

professionals volunteering to explain key health topics in accessible language

T h e c o n c e p t s o o n evolved into a larger initiative when physician Romesh Gupta proposed organising a full-scale Health Mela With G

together healthcare professionals and medical partners, the first event was held in

celebration brought together c

healthcare professionals and distinguished guests Among

Mumtaz Patel, President of

Public Health at Lancashire County Council

The event began with a traditional dhol procession welcoming dignitaries into the main hall, followed by a

Neasden temple hosts International Women’s Day event

The BAPS Sh ri Swamin araya n Man dir i n Ne asde n w elcomed over 1,300 women to comme morate the Uni ted Na tions ’ Inte rnati onal Women ’ s Day This ann ual cele brati on b rought together pa rticipan ts f rom dive rse background s to

commitments, such as empathetic listening and community support Dawn Butler, the MP for Brent East, attended the festivities and noted the consistent growth of the event since its inception in 2010 She particularly highlighted the

cultural performance by the G H S A

Academy and

Professor Gupta

ceremonial

ment to developing and sustaining the Health Mela initiative over the years

T h i s y e a r ’ s e v e n t f e atured more than 20 health a n d w e l l b e i n g s t a l l s a n d attracted around 400 attend e e s , c o

South Asian women reclaim identity through fashion

International Women's Day und er the cam paig

“No Shame, Just Stories of Surv ival”

accounts of add iction, recov ery and healing

Participants included police detective Nisha Chandra and survivor Sejal Patel, who used the annual Fashion Brunch to challenge cultural taboos surrounding Class A drug dependency, alcoholism and gambling within South Asian communities Combining high-fashion couture from designer Arinder Bhullar with candid storytelling, the event sought to break the stigma that often prevents women from seeking professional support

approaching seven years of sobriety, and Sonia Gupta, who shared how she overcame £20,000 in debt linked to emotional dependency

Organisers said the runway symbolised reclaiming identities lost through addiction With higher attendance than previous years, the 2026 edition highlighted a growing movement towards openness, support and collective healing within the community

explore the theme "C eleb ratin g Women: Gi ve to Gain , " focusi ng on how self less se rvice b enef its both the in divi dual an d wid er s ocie ty Inspired by the spiritual guidance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the two-hour programme utilised mentor-mentee portrayals and community testimonies to demonstrate the impact of patience and inclusivity The event sought to transform everyday interactions into opportunities for personal growth and collective harmony through practical

leadership of young women in managing the technical and stage productions Sejal Saglani, a senior volunteer, explained that the initiative encourages women to appreciate the virtues in others to foster a more compassionate society The 2026 gathering concluded with a call for attendees to adopt simple, daily acts of kindness, reinforcing the temple’s role as a hub for female empowerment and spiritual development in North-West London

Record turnout at Vanik Council Speed Dating event

Commonwealth Day celebrates shared history and values

K ing C harles has described

t h e C o m m o nw e alt h as a p owerful force fo r unity in w hat he called an increasingly “frag mented wo rld”, in a message deliv ered for the annual Com monwealth Day serv ice in London

T h

the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Anne

Abbey for the service, the largest gathering of senior

royals since the recent

Mountbatten-Windsor

Outside the Abbey, a

staged a protest, displayi

“What did you know?”, referring to the former p

s e x offender Jeffrey Epstein

Inside the Abbey, the service brought together political leaders, diplomats, f a i t h r e p r e s e n t

pied Europe to hospitals in South Asia and civil defence a

Caribbean, women served in

tions, nursing, logistics and frontline support

In

Executive agent who served in occupied France during the Second World War The

a n d members of the public from a c r o s s t h e 5 6

C o m m o n w e a l t h n a t i o n s

Among those present was P r i m e M i n i s t e r S i r K e i r

Starmer

In his message, the King

d e s c r i b e d t h e Commonwealth as a family of nations bound by shared values of justice, democracy, o p p o r t u n i t y , c o m p a s s i o n and mutual respect Against a backdrop of global conflicts, climate challenges and rapid change, he said the C o m m o n w e a l t h h a d t h e potential to be a powerful “force for good”

The ceremony also celebrated the cultural diversity

o f t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h Performances included steel pan music, dancers from the Royal Ballet School, singers Indigo Marshall and Tarju Le’Sano, and the world pre-

m i e r e o f t h e Commonwealth Symphony

b y c o m p o s er Re ke sh C h au h an T h e p i e c e , p e rf o r m e d w i t h t h e C i t y o f B i r m i n g h a m S y m p h o n y Orchestra, incorporated musical elements repres e n t i n g a l l 5 6 Commonwealth nations T ru p ti P ate l, Presid ent of the Hindu F o ru m o f Br it ai n, offered the ancient Vedic m a n t r a V a s u d h a i v a Kutumbakam, meaning “ T h e W o r l d i s O n e Family”, highlighting the idea that global prosperity depends on treating every human being with t h e c a r e o n e w o u l d extend to their own family

Wo men of th e World War h ono ured at M em orial Gates

Alongside the service, a r e m e m b r a n c e c e r e m o n y w a s h e l d a t L o n d o n ’ s Memorial Gates to honour the extraordinary contributions of women during the F i r s t a n d S e c o n d W o r l d W a r s T h e a n n u a

H i g h

C o m m i s s i o n e r s , a r m e d forces representatives, veterans and faith leaders to reflect on the sacrifices that shaped the modern world

T h i s y e a r ’ s t h e m e , Women in War, recognised the courage and leadership of women whose roles have o f t e n b

historical narratives From resistance networks in occu-

India calls for Commonwealth unity to tackle global challenges

shifting w orld orders Union Minister of

the environment for future generations,” Singh said

Margaret MacDonald of

Mark of Jamaica, Vivian Bullwinkel of Australia,

Nigeria, Indira Sinha of

Pasha Shah of India India was represented at the memorial by

D ef enc e A d

C o m m o d o re M B

Dongre, who paid tribute to the five million servicemen and women f r o m a c r o s s t h e Commonwealth who served i n t h e W

Karan Bilimoria and Ashok Chauhan MBE were also in attendance

D ef enc e H i nd u

C hap lain Acharya Krish an K

A ttri MBE said the day was an opportunity to recognise t h e v i t a l r o l e p l a y e d b y Indian and Commonwealth

w o m e n d u r i n g b o t h c o nflicts “From nurses caring for the wounded on distant fronts to factory workers, m i n e r s a n d l a b o u r c o r p s m e m b e r

Allied effort in India, these women showed extraordinary courage and resilience,” he said

H is to r ia n a nd a u th o r

S hrabani Basu added that remembrance must extend beyond those whose names appear in official records

“Today we honour not only

are recorded in history,

fully told Noor Inayat Khan represents the quiet courage of so

ward in moments of global crisis,” she said Their service, she noted, challenges society to broad-

(CFAMM)

his UK visit at a recept

C

Palace, where they discussed climate action

Epic Ramayana-inspired production makes UK debut

Zee Enter tainment UK has an n ounc ed t he U K pr emiere of Humare Ram, a major t heat r ical pr oduct ion by F elicit y Theat re, s

E ve n t im A po

l o in Hammer smith t his July The play, inspired by t h e R a m

toured extensively across India and internationally, H u m a

pleted more than 450 perf

entertaining over 800,000 p

n a l journey includes a milestone performance at the Dubai Opera focus on the

South Asian diaspora For Zee UK, which celebrates 31 years of serving S o u t h A s i a n a u d i e n c e s across Britain and Europe, the event underscores its commitment to showcasing Indian cultural storytelling on major international stages and promoting the richness of India’s theatrical heritage

Old ideologies vs new India

In his article titled, 'Is India a Republic', Professor Parekh describes a Republic as one that is based on the ideals of the French Revolution Equality, Dignity, absence of a superior class (Parekh is hinting at the Dalit caste) are the principles of modern European Republics which according to Parekh won the praise of Nehru Nehru and the author of the Indian constitution Ambedkar envisaged an India where economic divisions in society would be diminished, there would be civic courage, public spirit and egalitarian ethos In other words, they wanted some form of Socialism Professor Parekh claims that calling India a democracy is to utter a half truth The term he says obscures commitment to social and economic equality Parekh claims that the ideas of the Republic have disappeared from India

Here is where Professor Parekh is on slippery grounds Socialism while looking good on paper has failed all over the world Even France is hardly a Socialist country It is Capitalism that has brought equality for the downtrodden

Under the leadership of PM Modi millions of people have come out of poverty, Dalits are playing an active role in all aspects of public life Under the BJP rule we have had a Dalit as well as a Tribal President

According to Parekh, Thomas Paine claimed that the decline of India began with the overthrow of Buddhist Republics by Brahmin monarchs This is an imperialist propaganda Buddhism declined in India of its own accord and Hinduism reclaimed its lost position

It is a great pity that Professor Parekh is not able to see and acknowledge what the whole world is witnessing

With reference to an article published in Asian Voice dated 7-13 March 2026, titled Engineers, MBA among embrace monkhood at BAPS Sarangpur, I would like to congratulate to 29 highly educated young men who have embrace on a journey of spiritualty, detaching from the materialist world

I would also like to congratulate the parents of the youth who have also scarified their entire life for the welfare of their children

The path of monkhood the youths have Chosen, is not easy, but achievable if one can understand who we are, purpose of life through dharma, Karma, Bhakti, and spiritual knowledge to serve humanity selflessly

Our Dharma teaches us how to understand and cultivate our self inwardly with awareness that brings peace and harmony in daily life Our ancient timeless wisdom teaches to look at a bigger picture and do the right thing with right ethical values At the moment we are witnessing, the world is in turmoil as International Laws are not followed and respected by powerful countries The tragedy is, we human beings never learned from past mistakes to established peace in the world

More than five thousand years ago, Mahabharat was written to guide humanity from falling into chaos

Mahabharata war was fought on evil and greed and to establish righteousness Thus, wisdom of Lord Krishna was preached to Arjuna when he became disheartened Bhagavad Gita is knowledge and wisdom book of management of life and how to overcome suffering Our ancient timeless wisdom teaches to look at a bigger picture and do the right thing with right ethical values

I wish all 29 youths understand the reality of life and help to establish harmony and peace in the world with the blessings of their parents and Gurus

Manoj Patel

could result in a penalty A private refuse compa-

of AA b atterie s in a hous ehold bi n has sa id cleare r w arni ngs are n eeded ab out w aste dis posa l rules

Krystal Ogier said she threw away 23 AA batteries f

while her family was

informed her that the disposal breached regulations and carried a £500 penalty per battery, resulting in a

0 Following discussions, the company has since reduced the penalty to £1,000 Ogier said the experi-

and argued that residents

informed about such rules S h

s

i d w a

g s about the penalties should be displayed prominently, “in big red writing”, so that

consequences of throwing batteries away in general waste

The Idiot’s Guide to the Middle East Crisis

Continued from page 03

These agreements opened trade, tourism and security cooperation They were driven partly by shared concerns about Iran

Beyond the region, global powers also shape the crisis

United States

• Israel’s strongest ally

• Seeks to contain Iran and maintain regional stability

United Kingd om, EU and NATO

• Generally align with US policy

• Support Israel’s security while pushing for diplomacy and humanitarian protections Russia

• Close partner of Iran

• Maintains strong ties with Syria’s government

• Uses Middle Eastern conflicts to challenge Western influence China

• Expanding economic influence in the region

• Imports large amounts of Middle Eastern

energy

• Tries to maintain relations with both Iran and Gulf states while avoiding direct military involvement

Ind ia

• Historically pro-Palestinian

• Now a major defence and technology partner of Israel

• Maintains strong relations with Gulf states simultaneously Pakistan

• Strong supporter of the Palestinian cause

• Does not recognise Israel

The Big Pictu re

The region is essentially divided into two loose blocs

Israel, backed by the United States, the UK, EU countries and NATO partnersand increasingly cooperating with some Arab states through the Abraham Accords Opposing them are Iran and its network of proxy groups stretching from Lebanon to Gaza to Yemen, with Russia broadly sympathetic and China watching carefully Everything else in the Middle East crisis flows from that underlying rivalry

Yousaf resigned before party pressure could force him out

Minister Humza Yousaf has re

al polling on his approv al rat-

ev ed senior party figures, th e socalled “ men in grey kilts”, wo uld hav e forced h im out after the general election if he had stayed Yousaf, the first Muslim and person of colour to lead S

resignation in April 2024, s

SNP’s power-sharing agree-

Greens, which had given the

majority He will also step

Parliament at the May election

Reflecting on his decision, Yousaf said he could h

Alex Salmond’s Alba Party to secure enough support to r

However, he believed this would have caused deeper fractures within the SNP

people in fact agreed with my decision to end it with the Greens, but I then actu-

providing me that polling; I said, ‘Well, what does it say

I’ve got to do the right thing

Independent regulator to review Morecambe

M o r ec am b e F C m a y f ac e rev iew by the ind epend ent football reg ulato r (IFR) following the appo intment of Stev e Dewsnip as ch ief op erating officer on February 19 Dewsnip, 59, was previ-

2016, resulting in investor losses In August 2024, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission prohibited him from performing functions for regulated entities U

firmed they are aware of the issue and will take regulatory history into account

The appointment comes

from the EFL last year after 18 seasons, continues to face operational challenges The club was taken over by the Panjab Warriors Group in A

owner Jason Whittingham

l Governance Act 2025, the IFR can consider regulatory actions taken abroad when assessing the suitability of senior club personnel An

government sanctioned an individual previously associated with the takeover The

tanced themselves from that person

Morecambe were placed under a transfer embargo by

February 27, preventing new signings or changes to existing loans The club maintains the embargo relates to a disputed payment with the previous owners and is in

with the league

Community raises more than £100,000 to legally challenge Council's plan to sell Peterborough temple site

It is understood that the next hearing will be a sort of ‘rolled up ’ hearing, deciding if there should be a judicial review of the council’s decision to sell and, if so, that hearing

Peterborough City Council told the BBC that its officers "continue to liaise with all affected parties in this matter "

A Khadija Mosque representative reportedly explained that, due to

as well asking to look into the community’s needs Asian Voice ran a petition that has seen several correspondences of support

In a recent statement, the Peterborough temple

would take place immediately

A spokesperson for the council told the BBC, "We are aware of the legal action being pursued and will now engage in the legal process "

To cover potentially costly legal fees, the temple launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe page And the organisers were amazed by the outpour of public support which has already raised more than £102,000, through around 1 2k donations, as we went to press [https://www gofundme c om/f/bharat-hindusamaj-legal-fund]

The amount of donations vary from as little as £5 to as high as £2501 The highest recorded amounts vary between £5000 and £5501

The fundraising organisers have reportedly told the BBC that they have received donations not just from India, but also Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and even the United States Contributions have come from the Indian community as well as people from all walks of life including nonHindus

The fundraising page states the temple needs £86,000 to fight the council in the court These funds would go towards hiring specialist public law solicitors and barristers, covering court fees, evidence preparation, and meeting urgent court deadlines

ongoing legal proceedings, they are unable to comment further at this time

Community rallies behind Peterborough Temple

The Hindu community in the UK including most large organisations and temples as well as Peers, MPs and community leaders have come forward to support Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir’s efforts and pleas to keep the temple in the current New England Complex premises, despite Khadija Mosque winning the bid to buy it

The Peterborough Temple is the only Hindu temple for 40 years in a 35-miles radius unlike several mosques and churches in the area Lord Rami Ranger not only wrote to the Communities Secretary Steve Reed but also to the mosque to reconsider the decision to buy the temple premises

Virendra Sharma, the former Labour MP wrote to the Secretary of State

It is understood that the next hearing will be a sort of ‘rolled up’ hearing, deciding if there should be a judicial review of the council’s decision to sell and, if so, that hearing would take place immediately.

Harrow Council refuses plan for North Harrow Hindu temple

stated: Bharat Hindu Samaj has obtained an interim prohibitory injunction from the High Court of Justice preventing Peterborough City Council from taking any irreversible steps in relation to the disposal of the New England Complex, home to the charity’s temple and community centre The Order was granted by Mr Justice Fordham on 27 February 2026 in judicial review proceedings brought by the charity The Court directed that the Council must not proceed with any irreversible action concerning the property until further order

In his reasons, the Judge noted the absence of a substantive response from the Council and concluded that there was a strong prima facie case and that the balance of convenience and justice supported granting interim relief The injunction preserves the charity’s position while the matter is properly examined through due legal process

The Board of Trustees confirmed that the decision to initiate legal proceedings was unanimous and followed extensive consideration during a period of urgency At a previous Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), members expressed that legal action should be pursued if necessary to protect the temple The Trustees have acted in accordance with that Mandate

Leeds Mosque Chairman suspended

Th e Labou r Party fo rmally suspend ed Arsh ad Kh atana, c

ent v iews

This action was taken after Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick used social media to highlight the mosque lead-

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who reportedly visited his home for lunch

T h e s u s p

i o n w a s triggered by claims that Mr

semitic comments and 9/11 conspiracy theories on X

The controversy intensified when a 2013 photograph

Farage with the chairman, though the Reform UK lead-

ernment

R I S E I N T A R G E T E D A T T A C K S R A I S E S C O N

Then suddenly, the music stopped

T h r e e T e e n a g e b o y s h a d allegedly ripped the wires from the sound system, hurling speakers to t h e g r o u n d M i n u t e s l a t e r , t h e y returned, this time with a group of 15 to 20 youths, some wearing balaclavas Beer cans were thrown into the sacred fire Glass bottles flew through the air Barriers collapsed as chaos spread across what had moments earlier been a peaceful community celebration

By the time police arrived, one person had been injured, a 14-yearold boy was arrested, and a religious celebration had turned into a disturbing reminder of a wider problem simmering across the United Kingdom

For many British Hindus and Sikhs, the Harrow incident was not simply an isolated disturbance It was another chapter in a growing pattern of hostility

A n ation grappling wit h division

Britain today stands at a complex crossroads Rapid technological change, shifting demographics, economic uncertainty and the erosion of local industries have transf o r m e d c o m m u n i t i e s a c r o s s t h e country Combined with the rising cost of living and the weakening of vital public services, these pressures have strained the social fabric that

o n c e b o u n d n e i g h b o u r h o o d s together

Recognising these tensions, the UK government recently launched “ P r o t e c t i n g W h

national strategy aimed at strengthe n i n g c o m m u n i t y c o h e s i o n a n d countering extremism

S p e a k i n g i n t h e H o u s e o f Commons, Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed described the initiative as a renewed commitment to unity

“ T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n p u t s t h e emphasis on healing divided communities, setting out clear expectations around what it means to live together and integrate into society, tackling those trying to subvert our shared values and ultimately promoting pride, unity and tolerance ”

The strategy emphasises shared values, integration, and resilience

a g a i n s t t h o s e w h o a t t e m p t t o i n f l a m e d i v i s i o n s , i n c l u d i n g b a d actors both within the country and abroad

Yet while national leaders call for unity, statistics reveal that hostility against minority communities remains deeply entrenched

The numb ers b ehind the anxiety

According to the latest figures from the UK Home Office, police

r e c o r d e d 1 3 7 , 5 5 0 h a t e c r i m e s i n England and Wales in the year ending March 2025, roughly 3% of all recorded offences

The rise is part of a dramatic long-term trend Since 2013, recorde d h a t e c r i m e s h a v e m o r e t h a n t r i p l e d R a c e - r e l a t e d o f f e n c e s account for around 70% of these incidents, ranging from harassment and threats to physical violence and property damage

When population size is considered, the disparity becomes stark Racially aggravated offences occur at a rate of roughly 3 incidents per 10,000 people among white communities, compared with 24 per

British communities, nearly eight times higher R e l i g

remain significant In the year ending March 2024, police recorded

occurs in everyday spaces, on public transport, in workplaces, on the

temples, mosques and gurdwaras have also been targeted

While Jewish and Muslim com-

proportion of religious hate crime, many Hindu and Sikh organisa-

increasingly encountering similar hostility With the Jain community in the country often sharing cultural and community spaces with the H i n d u c o m m u n i t y , t h

t i l i t y ultimately affects them as well A patte rn emerging E v e n t s o v e r t h e p a s t m o n t h alone add to this troubling pattern

In Leicester, a city long celebrated for its multicultural harmony, Holi celebrations at Spinney Hill Park were overshadowed by controversy after organisers were suddenly informed that fire service support would not be provided to extinguish the ceremonial Holika Dahan fire

The festival, attended by more than 1,500 people and celebrated in the city for over four decades, relies on carefully timed rituals Without the water tank usually provided by authorities, organisers struggled to complete the ceremony safely

L o c a l c o u n c i l l o r s S a n j a y Modhwadia and Dilip Joshi questioned the decision, arguing that withdrawing support at the last moment caused unnecessary distress, while officials from the fire service maintained that providing r e s o u r c e s f o r p r e - p

response capacity

Additionally, according to the fire service, it had arranged a meeti n g w i t h c o

regarding this event in January, but the leaders did not attend

events lies with organisers, who must ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to safely manage a n d e x t i

i r e s without depending on emergency services

While the chief fire officer’s reasoning appears logical, the sudden timing raises questions Were delayed response concerns never considered before? If this was a

preparing to close after 16 years

The Sikh owner of Rangrez, H a r m a n S

d repeated attacks, harassment and lack of police support forced the difficult decision

Kapoor claimed the restaurant h a d

refused to sell halal meat;

stance

groups from the very beginning

While members of the wider community have since rallied to

new policy, why weren’t organisers i n f o r m e d e a r l i e r s o a l

Some now suspect the decision reflects tensions following missed meetings between councillors and the fire department; reflecting a broader disconnect between institutions and minority communities

Bu sinesses und er pressure

Hostility has not been limited to religious events

In London’s Hammersmith, a restaurant that served as a cultural anchor for the Indian diaspora is

minority business owners navigating cultural and religious tensions G overnment steps in

The government insists that t

“Protecting What Matters” strateg

introduced to strengthen social cohesion:

- Stronger powers to shut down charities promoting extremism

- New tools to disrupt extremist networks, including preventing hate preachers from entering the UK

- An annual State of Extremism report

- Greater emphasis on integration, English language education and civic participation

- S c h o o

together

The government has also committed £500,000 to communityled school projects aimed at fostering friendships across cultural divides

Meanwhile, billions of pounds

are being invested through the Pride in Place programme to revitalise local communities

The missing conversation

Despite these initiatives, a crucial conversation remains absent

Public discourse often focuses, and rightly, on antisemitism and Islamophobia, both of which have surged in recent years The government is investing heavily in synagogue security and has adopted a formal definition of antiMuslim hostility to guide policy responses

But Hindu and Sikh groups argue that the hostility they face frequently goes unrecognised It is also more subtle in comparison to ourtright violent attacks Attacks on temples, disruptions of relig

businesses, and online abuse often receive little attention outside the communities directly affected

impression that their concerns are secondary

proudly championed its multicul-

and

illustrate how fragile that harmony can be T

today

simply how to reduce hate crime statistics It is how to rebuild the trust and solidarity that allow diverse communities to flourish together Because when a sacred fire is extinguished by hostility, or a beloved neighbourhood restaurant closes its doors, the loss is not only felt by Hindus or Sikhs It is felt by Britain itself

Shabana Mahmood rejects Sharia Law claims in London

Ho m e S e cr eta ry S h ab an a Mahmoo d dismissed claim s that London is m oving toward Sharia law as " plain w rong" and "m isinfo rmation " Add ressing an audience at th e Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Mahmo od defended M ayor Sad iq Khan follo w i ng rep e at ed v erb al att ac ks fr o m U S P res i d en t Do n al d Tru mp D u r i n g a

c e n t a d d r e s s , Trump alleged that London had been changed under a terrible mayor" and was veering toward Islamic legal systems Mahmood

democratic mandate and three-

such narratives are fabricated to destabilise public trust

Mahmood unveiled a firm but fair

overhaul of the UK’s asylum system Key measures include reducing initial refugee protection from five years to 30 months and offering failed asylum-seeking families up to £40,000 to voluntarily leave Britain Additionally, the governm e n t t r i g g e r e d a n e m e r g e n c y brake on student visas for nationa l s f r o m h i g h - c

such as Afghanistan and Sudan, effective 26 March 2026

W

potential backbench revolt over t

insisted the reforms are essential to restore border control while maintaining compassionate, legal pathways for genuine refugees

Government introduces new definition of anti-Muslim hostility

The UK govern ment has unvei le d a new non-s tatutory defi nition of a n ti - M us li

m on

on an d deba te Comm uniti es Sec retary Steve Reed presen ted the plan to Pa r l i a m e n t on M o n da y , h i ghlighti ng risi ng le ve ls of reli gi ous hate crim es direc te d at Muslim s “Religious hate crimes targeted at Muslims are also at record levels, with almost half of these c r i m e s t a r g e t e d t o w a r d s t h e Muslim community and many living in fear that they will be targeted because of how they look or assumptions over where they come from,” Reed said

The new definition clarifies w h a t c o n s t i t u t e s u n a c c e p t a b l e p r e j u d i c e , d i s c r i m i n a t i o n , a n d hatred against Muslims or those p e r c e i v e d t o b e M u s l i m I t includes three main areas: criminal acts, such as violence, harassment, or intimidation; prejudicial stereotyping based on ethnicity, appearance, or assumptions about beliefs; and unlawful discrimination in public and economic life Reed emphasised that the definition does not limit free speech or prevent criticism of Islam

S

h a v e raised concerns Muslim Council

of Britain criticised the definition

citing limited engagement with

Supporters, including Javed Khan and Shaista Gohir, welcomed the d e f i n i

, n o t i n

t p r o t e c t s Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim while providing institutional clarity and safeguarding free speech Research by Equi highlighted a 43% rise in anti-Muslim incidents between 2023 and 2024, underlining the perceived need for clear government guidance

Motherhood and resilience Women carrying families through adversity

stories of endurance that are rarely spoken about.

F o r m a n y w o m e n , motherhood is shaped not only by love and care but also by the weight of gener-

passed down through fami

whether linked to migration, cultural pressures, illness or systemic barriers, often shapes the realities

m o t h e r s m u s t n a v i g a t e while raising children and holding families together

This Mother’s Day feature highlights voices that reflect these layered expe-

r i e n c e s o f m o t h e r h o o d , s h o w i n g h o w r e s i l i e n c e , community and love help women confront personal battles and the lingering i m p a c t o f g e n e r a t i o n a l struggles

AWRC ’ s C oaction Hub an d T ra i ni ng M a na g er,

A a si f a U s m an i, s a i d , “Across the world, mothers

bring enormous strength

a n d e n r i c h c o m m u n i t i e s through the care, love and time they invest in nurturing children and sustaining families, often in quiet and unseen ways We honour the resilience of mothers, especially those navigating

r a c i a l i n j u s t i c e , d i s p l a c ement and inequality ”

Her remarks highlight how systemic inequalities and cultural pressures can create cycles of hardship

t h a t p a s s a c r o s s g e n e r a -

t i o n s S h e s t r e s s e d t h a t

c a r e , s a f e t y a n d d i g n i t y must be recognised as fundamental rights “Mothers should not have to struggle against hostile systems or structural barriers simply to keep their families safe and thriving,” she said, noting that many women supported by AWRC, particularly from BME communi-

t i e s a n d t h o s e w i t h n o recourse to public funds, f a c e i m m i g r a t i o n a n d housing challenges while raising their children

c

Aasifa also pointed to the complex realities that

pressures around fertility and harmful practices such as so-called honour-based abuse, forced marriage and female genital mutilation

Aasifa highlighted mother

“Children do not need two parents at any cost; they

option because my family depended on me ” She later f a c e d a n o t h e r c h a l l e n g e when she was diagnosed with breast cancer “Fear w a s t h e r e ,

dignity are human rights, and every family deserves them

” L o nd o n-b ase d p roj ec t m anag em ent pro fess io nal S hru ti Sharm a said, “As a

first-generation immigrant daughter, wife and mother, I deeply relate to the journey of being a first-time i m m i g r a n t m u m M o t h e r h o o d f o r m e h a s been about resilience and r e b u i l d i n g l i f e f a r f r o m home ” She recalled moving to the UK after marriage, leaving behind the s u p p o r t o f a l a r g e j o i n t family in India “Like many immigrant women, I was adjusting to a new culture and searching for meaningful work while carrying t h e e m o t i o n a l w e i g h t o f being far from home,” she said

She added that community played a key role in h e l p i n g h e r s e t t l e “Volunteering at my local t e m p l e , w o r k i n g w i t h a women ’ s charity and joining a running group helped me build connections and

c o n f i d e n c e O v e r t i m e , I built a home, career and c o m m u n i t y h e r e ”

Reflecting on the occasion, s h e s a i d , “ M o t h e r ’ s D a y reminds me of the quiet

s t r e n g t h m a n y m o t h e r s carry, especially those far from their roots ”

A m other of two , A nnu

S achd ev a said, “Life tested me in ways I never imagi n e d W h e n I w a s d i a gn o s e d w i t h C r o h n ’ s d i sease, the pain and exhaustion were overwhelming, but giving up was never an

t just fighting for myself, but for the people who call me Mum ” Despite difficult treatments, she said her family became her greatest source of strength “Their belief in me reminded me why I had to keep going My journey

a b o u t surviving illness, but about p r o v i n g t h a t l o v e a n d r e s i l

u through the hardest battles ”

Amita S hukla, Founder

The motherhood penalty and navigating the career crossroads

As M other’s Day app roaches, a new rep ort by Zety h as rev ealed th e s tark p rof ess io n al rea li ty fo r w o m en across the United Kingdo m who are balancing parenthood with their careers

surveyed mothers alongside UK government statistics to highlight that 75% of British mothers experience signific

motherhood being a celebrated life stage, the study finds that the "motherhood penalty" remains a pervasive issue in the modern British workforce, with global figures suggesting that 87% of working mothers feel pare

dered their professional progression

T h e f i n d i n g s o f f e r a sobering look at workplace bias and the difficult choices women face Key takeaways from the research include: C are er D i v e rg en c e: A staggering 90% of mothers h a v e a

sional paths, with over half switching industries entirely to find more accommodating environments

T h e F u ll - T im e G ap :

Fewer than one in five new mothers return to full-time e

maternity leave, often due t

infrastructure

Bias and Barriers: 89% of respondents reported being asked about their parental s t a t u s d u r i n g i n t e r v i e w s , while 85% feel they must work harder than childless c o l l e a g u e s t o p r o v e t h e i r worth

Family Planning: Career concerns led 57% of women to delay starting a family, whereas 32% had children earlier than planned due to job insecurity

To remedy these disparities, the report advocates for enhanced parental leave, f l e x i b l e w o r k i n g a r r a n g ements, and robust protection against pregnancy disc r i m i n a t i o n B y p r o v i d i n g mentorship and transparent career pathways for returning mothers, UK businesses can ensure that professional growth and family life are no longer mutually exclusive

Just 4% of adults know Mother’s Day flowers come from East Africa

A new Kan tar survey for the F a i rt r a d e F ou n d a ti on a h e ad of M o th e r ’ s Da y shows just 4% of UK a dults

o w m

o f A ah n a S o u t h A s i an Therapy, said, “A mother’s l o v

and enduring She is often the emotional and psycho-

y responsibilities with quiet strength ”

She noted that many South Asian mothers place others’ needs before their own, which can sometimes lead to exhaustion and a loss of personal identity

mother’s physical, mental and spiritual well-being,” she said

S h u

small everyday gestures can

“Creating space for mothers to express their worries, l i

ment and sharing responsibilities can help them feel supported, seen and heard A mother gives her heart to t

time we start taking care of her heart as well ”

Af ric a, m ain ly Keny a and Ethiopi a

Over 80% of UK flowers are imported, with about half from East Africa, 12% from the Netherlands, and 9% from Colombia Flowers remain a popular gift, with 39% planning to buy them this year, rising to 70% of 25–34-year-olds and 61% of 16–24-year-olds

Yet awareness of the people behind the blooms is low M a n y w o r k e r s , m o s t l y women in Kenya, Ethiopia, C o l o m b i a , a n d E c u a d o r , face low pay, long hours, u n s a f e c o n d i t i o n s , a n d exposure to chemicals, with Kenyan workers earning £2 a day or less

O v e r t h r e e - q u a r t e r s (76%) of UK adults don’t k n o w t h a t m o s t E a s t African flower growers earn below a living wage Nine in ten are concerned about human rights and environmental issues, such as low pay and pesticide exposure, while two-thirds want to learn more about the peop l e b e h i n d t h e i r f l o w e r s , rising to 88% among 25–34year-olds

Gen Z mums lead preference for customised, effortful gifts

A new direc ti onal s urvey by MYPICTURE UK and The Cus tomization Group s uggests UK Mother’ s Day gifting is moving from formul ai c pur c ha s e s t o m o re meaningful gifts

T h e s u r v e y , b a s e d o n 1 0 0 r e s p o n d e n t s v i a Instagram polls and a follower survey, offers a snapshot of gifting preferences

a c r o s s t h r e e a g e g r o u p s

Findings show 36% are open t o e i t h e r p e r s o n a l i s e d o r non-personalised gifts, 25% prefer thoughtful non-personalised gifts, 25% favour personalised gifts, and just 13% would choose an experience or practical help

The survey also shows emotional impact matters

m o r e t h a n f u n c t i o n a l i t y

W h e n a s k e d a b o u t g i f t style, 35% preferred something special or indulgent, 34% a mix of practical and s p e c i a l , 1 8 % practical/reusable, and 12% d e c o r a t i v e o r k e e p s a k e gifts

T h o u g h t f u l n e s s w a s key: 44% valued “effort in c r e a t i n g s o m e t h i n g , ” 3 5 % “choosing something that fits my taste,” 14% “making life easier,” and 6% “getting exactly what I asked for ”

Not all personalisation

i s e q u a l : 5 3 % p r e f e r r e d a mix of message and photos, 3 3 % p h o t o s o n l y , 9 % n a m e / i n i t i a l s / m e s s a g e alone, and 5% disliked personalised gifts

Life stage also matters: G e n Z m u m s ( 1 8 - 2 9 ) a r e most open to personalised gifts and effortful gestures; younger Millennials (30-44) are balanced between personalised and non-persona l i s e d ; o l d e r m u m s ( 4 5 + ) prefer experiences, practical help, or gifts that ease daily life

Overall, thoughtfulness a n d s e n t i m e n t a l m e a n i n g o f t e n m a t t e r m o r e t h a n expected, with customised gifts resonating when genuinely tailored

The findings show pers o n a l i s a t i o n w o r k s b e s t when it tells a story rather than just labels a product T h e m o s t m e a n i n g f u l Mother’s Day gifts preserve m e m o r i e s , r e f l e c t t a s t e , show effort, and make the recipient feel seen

Flavour of a mother-son bond with Spice Kitchen

Swathi Anil

Mother’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of th e enduring strength found in m aternal bonds Beyond simple affection, the relatio nship between a mother and h er child often fosters the greatest inspirations In the case of Shashi and Sanjay Ag garwal, this bond transform ed a retirement hobby into a global culinary sensatio n: Spice Kitchen

The journey began on Christmas Day 2012 over a simple kitchen table conversation Sanjay, wanting to keep his newly retired mother engaged, suggested selling her hand-blended spices online What started as a single eBay listing for a traditional masala dabba (spice tin) quickly blossomed into an awardwinning brand

Speaking with Asian Voice, Sanjay shared that their success is rooted in mutual respect and Shashi’s “oracle-like” knowledge of flavours

Using a 100-year-old family spice mill, they preserve heritage while innovating for modern kitchens

A Recipe for Lo ve and L egacy

Sanjay shares that their most profound support for one another is found in the smallest gestures He describes how “the quietest support is often the simplest”, rooted in Shashi's lifelong belief that food has a unique power to bring calm

When things get

overwhelming, she doesn't reach for a business plan; instead, she’ll often just say, “Come, let’s make some chai” Sanjay says that “those moments in the kitchen, grinding spices, tasting something together, talking about family remind us why we started Spice Kitchen in the first place” For him, it was never strictly about the balance sheets; “it wasn’t about building a business; it was about sharing the warmth of our family kitchen with others” He makes it his personal mission to ensure that as they grow, “her voice and her story stay at the heart of what we do”

Sanjay speaks with deep emotion about the "hidden" sacrifices his mother made long before they became business partners He explains how she made a massive leap of faith moving from India to the UK years ago, rebuilding her life from scratch while “quietly carrying the traditions of home with her” What fills him with the most pride is that despite the hardships of being an immigrant, “she never lost that

generosity of spirit” Even in her later years, she embraced the brand's whirlwind growth, stepping into “events, customers, media, things she had never imagined doing”

Keep ing the Fam ily Table

Shashi and Sanjay work hard to ensure their bond as mother and son remains the bedrock of their professional lives

Sanjay says they constantly remind themselves that “before Spice Kitchen, we were simply mother and son cooking together”

While deadlines and growth are inevitable, he notes that “ we always come back to the same values we had around the family table: kindness, patience and humour”

Sometimes, the best strategy is simply to step away from the spreadsheets and talk about old memories or food As Sanjay beautifully puts it, “the business is just an extension of our relationship, not the other way around” By protecting that core connection, they’ve found that everything else simply falls into place

A little bundle of love for mum

Sp ring is finally in the air, an d y ou kno w w h a t t ha t means, it is alm ost tim e to celebrate the m ost wonderf u l w o m an i n t h e w o r ld ! Whether she is th e queen

comforting h ugs, the maker of th e best S und ay roasts, or yo ur abs olu te best friend , Mo ther’ s Day is the perfect mo ment to sho wer h er with all th e sp arkles and sunshine

she d eserv es So, grab your glitter, put on your favourite playlist, and let’s get crafting some s u p

will make her beam with joy!

aternal figure more

o ften than a decad e ago , with som e calling

d aily Th e connection

p eaks around age 29, a s c are ers , fa m i li es , a nd re sp on s ib i

s across life milestones, found that in their early thirties,

B r i t s c a l l t h e i r m u m s a n average of five times a week,

w i t h 4 1 % c a l l i n g a t l e a s t once daily

T h e s e a r e n o t b r i e f c h e c k - i n s , c a l l s n o w l a s t about 67 minutes on aver-

a g e , s u g g e s t i n g s t r o n g e r , m o r e m e a n i n g f u l p a r e n t -

child relationships

Timing matters as much a s f r e q u e n c y a n d l e n g t h

While 46% of Brits prefer w e e k e n d c a t c h - u p s , 3 1 % have no set time, fitting calls around busy lives Popular times are 10 am or 6 pm, w i t h c a l l s r a r e l y a f t e r 11 pm

L i f e e v e n t s o f t e n increase contact: 37% after a health scare, 33% after having a child, and 29% followi n g f i n a n c i a l c h a n g e s

S u p p o r t a l s o c o m e s f r o m fathers (60%), older siblings (52%), and aunties (52%), not

just mothers

Call lengths vary across the UK, from 34 minutes in W o l v e r h a m p t o n t o 1 0

minutes in Middlesbrough

s

evolving-65% have sent a voice note, 30% regularly, though over half of Gen X still prefer traditional calls

S e v e n t y - o n e p e

parental figure more than a decade ago, and 52% rely on them more than in their twenties After a call, 41% f

conversations

W i t h M o t h e r ’ s D a y approaching, this appreciation translates into action: 8 0 % o f m o t h e

s p r e f e r a phone call or coffee over an

e x p e n s i v

f t , 4 3 % v a l u e spending time together, and many use their phones to o r g a n i s e m o m e n t s l i k e sending digital cards (36%) or ordering flowers (34%)

pretty pastel colours to cre-

green stem underneath P r es s ed F lo w er G l as s Frames: Take a stroll and find some dainty daisies or

b u t t e r c u p s t o p r e s s between heavy books for a f e w d a y s O n c e d r i e d , arrange them between two panes of glass in a floating frame

Scented Himalayan Salt

S c r u bs : M i x c o a r s e p i n k

s a l t s w i t h a s p l a s h o f coconut oil and a few drops of lavender or rose essential oil Pop it into a recycled jam jar, tie a bit of rustic twine around the neck, and add a hand-drawn label

P ers on alis ed " T ea -rri fic" Hamp er: If your mum loves a good cuppa, decorate a simple wooden box with doodles and stickers F i

Breakfast teabags, but here

handwritten notes to the end of the string on each bag so she gets a tiny mess a

Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, Easter fuel extended gifting season

Val ent in e ’ s D ay , M other’ s

D ay, an d E a ster dri ve an

e s ti m a t ed £6 9 bn i n U K

c o ns u m er s pe n di n g ov e r ten weeks , mak ing it the country’s b usiest retail period after Chris tmas

F l o w w o w d a t a s h o w s t h i s s p r i n g w i n d o w n o w

a c c o u n t s f o r 2 8 % o f Christmas-level spend, with gifting orders up 26% yearo n - y e a r a n d s a m e - d a y deliveries set to exceed 40% of orders in 2026

V a l e n t i n e ’ s D a y c o nt r i b u t e d £ 2 2 b n , M o t h e r ’ s

D a y £ 2 4 b n , a n d E a s t e r

£ 2 3 b n , w i t h o v e r l a p p i n g demand for flowers, dining, chocolate, and family activities This sustained spending keeps florists, restaur a n t s , s u p e r m a r k e t s , a n d

gift sellers busy throughout the first quarter

T h e s p r i n g h o l i d a y surge is driven by overlapp i n g p r o d u c t d e m a n d Valentine’s Day saw £85m i n c o n f e c t i o n e r y s a l e s , Mother’s Day boxed chocolates rose 13%, and Easter b o o s t e d c o n f e c t i o n e r y spending to £109mn in the final week

F l o w e r s a l e s f o l l o w a similar pattern: Valentine’s c u t f l o w e r s h i t £ 1 0 0 m n , w h i l e M o t h e r ’ s D a y w a s 14 5% higher, making it the year ’ s biggest floral event

R e s t a u r a n t b o o k i n g s a

D

y , w h i l e Mother’s Day became the top dining occasion, with 7 8 % p a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d

spending 37 9% above normal Slava Bogdan, Flowwow CEO, said the close timing o f V a l e n t i n e ’ s D a y , Mother’s Day, and Easter creates both pressure and opportunity “Shoppers buy the same categories quickly, while florists, chocolatiers, and bakeries benefit across all three holidays ” Flowers a c c o u n t f o r 8 6 % o f Mother’s Day orders, and custom bento cakes, up 79% y e a r - o n - y e a r , a r e a f a s tgrowing choice for spring gifts

W i t h t h e s e h o l i d a y s clustering, spring is now an e x t e n d e d g i f t i n g

reflecting

trend toward occasion-driven, emotionally led consumer spending

Community network launched for busy mums returning to work

Returning to wo rk after h av ing c hi ld ren can be one o f the most challenging transitions in a mo ther ’ s life

After months, or even years, of caring for a new-

b o r n o r y o u n g c h i l d , many mothers face the p r e s s u r e o f b a l a n c i n g professional responsibilities with family demands They often encounter obstacles such as finding reliable childcare, navigating inflexible work hours, managing guilt over time away from their child, and catching up with changes in their workplace

sional and a parent

A n e w c o m m u n i t y group, Rooted and Rising, has launched in Guernsey to support mums returning to work after having children

The group will hold monthl y l u

Beyond logistics, there’s also the emotional adjustment of re-entering a career while maintaining a sense of identity as both a profes-

mothers with children up to three years old

u n

open discussion, shared experiences, and practical advice Selected ses-

R

, “Returning to work can be isolating, making an already difficult transition harder

O

space where mums can connect, share experiences, and access expert guidance ” Hobbs said, “Returning to work is tough without

Career Conversations

Job Interviews - How to Win?

Jay Gohel

My prev io us article, “Winning CV”, explained that the objectiv e of you r CV is to obtain an interv iew app ointment A t th e interv iew , your objectiv e is mo re ch allenging because you must successfully tackle the interview to win your dream job

The Interviewer will be fully prepared He will prepare: [1] Job Description, [2] Employee Specification, [3] Job Advertisement, [4] Short list of the Interviewees from the CVs received by him, [5] Questions for the Interviews, [6] Selection Tests, if required He will subsequently obtain references for you if you are successful at the interview

The more information you have before the interview, the easier for you to feel relaxed and confident Refer to the Job Description that the Employer sent to you If not sent, inquire for it Study it and think about the organisation’s size and its main products and services Enquire how long the interview will be This would keep you relaxed at the interview because you will know when it ends If there are any tests, prepare for them

Make sure that you have read and understood all the documents the potential employer has sent to you Familiarise yourself with the common terminology used in the industry of the job advertised This makes it easier for you to understand the questions asked Moreover your knowledge of the terminology will score a plus point for you over other candidates

If a large organisation calls you for an interview, refer to “THE TIMES 1000 ” and “THE KOMPASS DIRECTORY - UK - EXPOUK CLOUD” websites The information gained will make the unknown known This would better prepare you for the interview

Think about how you can positively contribute to the job advertised Identify your strengths and weaknesses and decide what to say if a question is asked regarding your weaknesses Do not say that you have none; on the other hand, do not give more than one weakness Mention a weakness which is, in fact, a positive For example, say “I often concentrate so much on completing the task given that I forget to take my lunch break”

All interviewers have their own personalities Some are stiff and cold Do not be flustered by this Otherwise, it will adversely affect your interview performance Give balanced and concise answers Their personalities will not be assessed; it is your personality which is at stake! If they ask an ambiguous question, do not hesitate to say politely, “Sorry, I did not understand the question; could you please rephrase it? If you say something wrong, immediately correct yourself and say sorry, what I mean is

On the other hand, never be overconfident For example, if no one has ever called you modest, you should take care of it Think of all the skills you have and write them down Think about situations where you achieved something and excelled Recall what skills you displayed then? Many people underestimate their skills or do not consider them important

If you are feeling negative before the interview, talk to an elder in the family or a friend who can boost your confidence Do role-play interviews Select someone to be your mock Interviewer The role plays will put you into the rhythm of an interview Your Role Play Interviewer will be able to give you positive feedback For example, he can explain whether you are handling the interview in a relaxed and confident manner Whether you need to speak louder, more clearly, slower or faster and whether your answers have good quality Speak in front of a mirror and check how to improve Wear professionally acceptable clothes

In my next article, I will mention questions you can use during role plays

Before the day of the interview, you should make a journey to find out exactly where the interview address is and how long it takes to reach there During the interview day, allow extra time for the unexpected transportation delays This will help you to reach the venue in a relaxed, confident manner and on time It is crucial that you are not late Punctuality is vital If you are early, use the time to revise your notes before entering the venue

Reach the interview reception ten minutes before the scheduled time Don’t talk to the receptionist for too long Don’t seek information about the interviewer from her Everything you say will likely be reported to the interviewer Whilst you are waiting, discreetly look around What kind of vibes and ethos do you feel about the organisation and its people? Are the employees enthusiastic and energetic or lethargic? Are there notice boards? They often indicate how the company gives instructions to its employees Such information is revealing about how the organisation treats its employees!

Good luck

L O C K E D D O W N A N D L E F T B E H I N D

The graduates who did everything right and still can’t get started

CB Patel

Wh en Premal Patel beg an studying Economics at the L o nd o n S ch o

believed he was securing h is future A dm ission to one o f the world ’ s lead ing univ ersities reflected years of academ ic effo rt, and g raduating with First Class Hono urs in 20

the doo

to a professio nal career

Instead, Premal entered a job market that had quietly shifted beneath his generation’s feet

Like thousands of students who attended university during COVID, his edu-

online Lecture halls were

careers events disappeared,

were cancelled or reduced

from this period, the transi-

employment never properly began

The experience gap

and built experience wherever he could

D

out on the internships and i

n finance and consulting he worked as a private tutor, h

communication skills

At university he revived the LSE Golf Society, growing membership from just

two students to more than sixty an achievement that r e q u i r e d p e r s i s t e n c e a n d organisation

On paper, his CV reflects the qualities employers regularly say they value: strong a c a d e m i c s , i n i t i a t i v e a n d practical experience

Yet stable career opportunities have remained difficult to secure

“Experience became the currency of employability,”

P r e m a l s a y s “ B u t d u r i n g

COVID the usual ways of gaining that experience simply disappeared ”

Graduates who studied between 2020 and 2023 are

n o w c o m p e t i n g f o r r o l e s where employers expect two o r t h r e e i n t e r n s h i p s opportunities that often did not exist during lockdown years

Resilience behind the resu lts

P r e m a l ’ s a c h i e v e m e n t s also reflect challenges that rarely appear on a CV

Throughout his studies h e l i v e d w i t h A n k y l o s i n g

S p o n d y l i t i s , a c h r o n i c i n f l a m m a t o r y c o n d i t i o n that can cause severe pain a n d f a t i g u e T h e r e w e r e periods when simply attending lectures required determination

Completing a demanding Economics degree under t h o s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s required resilience and discipline qualities that continue to shape his approach to work and study

W h i l e e m p l o y e r s s e e g r a d e s a n d q u a l i f i c a t i o n s , the effort behind them often goes unnoticed Debt without oppo rtunity

L i k e m a n y g r a d u a t e s , Premal also faces the finan-

cial reality of rising student debt

S t u d e n t l o a n b a l a n c e s continue to grow through c o m p o u n d i n t e r e s t e v e n while many graduates struggle to secure stable employm e n t I n s t e a d o f b u i l d i n g s a v i n g s o r g a i n i n g c a r e e r momentum, many from the COVID generation remain financially stalled

For a generation encouraged to see higher education as a reliable route into professional careers, the transition into working life has proved far more uncertain than expected Creating op portunity from hom e

Rather than waiting for o p p o r t u n

build his skills independently

Working from home, he t a u

analysis, developing a discip l i n e d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f markets and cryptocurrency a l o n g

training gained during his Economics degree

His long-term ambition is to build a career in asset

Economics

This self-directed learning reflects the adaptability many graduates have needed in order to navigate a difficult employment environment

F aith and com munity

A l

sional ambitions, Premal has remained committed to voluntary work within his local Hindu temple community Occasionally, he teaches children at a Swaminarayan

gious and cultural values

The role requires hours of preparation and reflects

and responsibility

Even while searching for opportunities, he continues to support both his community and younger students through tutoring and mentoring

A g eneration still waiting Premal Patel represents a generation that followed

from an early age work hard, go to university and build skills

They adapted to disruption, completed demanding

tribute

Yet for many graduates of the COVID era, the first real opportunity has still not arrived

Their problem is not a lack of talent or ambition It is that the ladder into p

pulled away at exactly the moment they reached for it

Government launches V Level education reforms

Th e De p a r tm

i a l ly unvei led the first s ub jects for i ts pioneerin g V Le ve l quali fica ti on s on 10 Marc h 2026, ma rk ing a signi fican t shift in the Bri tish post- 16

la n d s c a p e Ed

on

Se c r e t ar y B r i d g e t Philli pson conf irm ed tha t the i nitial rollout wi ll begin in September 2027, focusing on the high-growth s ectors of educ ation, financ e, and digital s kills

T h e s e n e w q u a l i f i c at i o n s a r e d e s i g n

Levels and T Levels, providing a flexible third pathway t h a t c a r r i e s t h e s a m e weight as a single A Level

This landmark reform aims to simplify a complex system by replacing over 900

o v e r l a p p i n g v o c a t i o n a l

c o u r s e s , i n c l u d i n g m a n y

e x i s t i n g B T E C s , w i t h a s t r e a m l i n e d f r a m e w o r k aligned directly to employer needs

The initiative is central

to the government’s target f o r t w o - t h i r d s o f y o u n g people to be in gold-stand a r d a p p r e n t i c e s h i p s o r u n i v e r s i t y b y a g e 2 5 T o support this transition, the government has allocated an additional £800 million for the 2026/27 academic y

£6,874 Beyond the Level 3 V Levels, the reforms introduce two distinct Level 2 stepping stone pathways: a

those entering the workforce directly These changes respond to recent polling where 45% of parents expressed a preference for a mix of academic and technical training Following the initial 2027 l

plans to expand the V Level catalogue to 18 subjects by 2030, covering health, engineering, and creative industries

University choice critically impacts future graduate earnings

The l ong-s tan din g as s um ption that any degree guarantees a high-paying car eer is being c ha llenged as new data reveals a widening "graduate pr e m i um " g a p a c r os s t he United K ingdom Acc ording t o t he H

ep or

J a nu a ry 2026, the c hoice of ins titution now s ignifica ntly outweighs the c hoice of s ubject for long-t erm financial succes s W

enrolments fell by 1% to 2 86

million in the 2024/25 acad

h e most popular course, notably at Canterbury Christ Church U n i v e r s i t y , w h i c h e n r o l l e d

2 7 , 0 0 0 u n d e r g r a d u a t e s through extensive franchising However, five years postg r a d u a t i o n , t h e s e s t u d e n t s earn an average of £31,000, c o m p a r e d t o £ 5 1 , 7 0 0 f o r those from elite institutions l i k e O x b r i d g e o r I m p e r i a l College London

T h i s d i s p a r i t y p e r s i s t s

e v e n w h e n c o n t r o l l i n g f o r a c a d e m i c a b i l i t y L o n g i t u d i n a l E d u c a t i o n a l Outcomes (LEO) data sugg e s t s t h a t s t u d e n t s w i t h l o w e r A - l e v e l g r a d e s f r o m traditional pre-1992 universit i e s f r e q u e n t l y o u t - e a r n high-achievers from newer, p o s t - 1 9 9 2 i n s t i t u t i o n s F o r high-vocational subjects like l a w a n d c o m p u t i n g , t h e divide is even more stark; e l i t e g r a d u a t e s a v e r

Experts suggest this is due to an oversupply of graduates in a

The dance that drew a Princess to Leicester

The Prince ss be ga n he r visit with pe rfo rmance by inte rnat iona lly acclaimed da nce r Aa ka sh O ded ra , whose ar tistic storytel ling ha s broug ht Indian classical d ance t o g lobal au diences The eng age ment with Od ed ra fo rmed t he centre pie ce of th e P rince ss ’ s trip to Le ice st er, with the re st of th e v isit pl anned ar ound it

The Princess had long expressed an interest in Odedra’s critically acclaimed 2024 production Songs of the Bulbul, which

premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival and has since received widespread praise

While schedules had previously prevented her from attending the full performance, the Princess travelled to Leicester to watch a specially presented excerpt and to speak in depth with the artist about the work

“It was an honour to host and perform for the Princess of Wales,” Odedra said “She is very fond of the arts and had wanted to see ‘Songs of the Bulbul’

The performance presented during the visit featured music composed by Rushil Ranjan and performed live by vocalist Abi Sampa, whose powerful voice helped create what Odedra described as a “spiritually charged atmosphere ”

More than two dozen musicians performed during the event, including members of the Manchester Camerata and London Voices, creating an immersive setting for the performance

Reflecting on the encounter, Odedra described the experience as both surreal and grounding “Her Royal Highness was extremely gracious and curious about the work,” he said “She

A R O Y A L W A L K T

B R I T A I N ’ S H I N D U H

Leic ester’s famed Golden M ile, lon g regarded as the b eating heart of B ri tain’ s Hin du diaspora, wi tnesse d

a n extraordinary m om ent as C atheri ne, Pri nces s of Wales s tepped into its vi brant s treets, bringin g with her n ot only royal attenti on but a powerful affi rmation of the plac e Hi ndu c ommunitie s hold in m ode rn Britai n

Welcoming the royalty, he placed a handmade garland adorned with red roses and pearls around her neck

Hosting the Princess in Belgrave, the cultural heart of Leicester’s Golden Mile, was particularly meaningful “The biggest honour for us as a company was to host her here in Belgrave, in the centre of our community,” he said “When I performed, it felt very emotional I was standing right in front of her, eye to eye It almost felt like an

asked many questions about the costumes, the intention behind the choreography and the deeper meaning of Songs of the Bulbul It was a very thoughtful conversation ”

For Odedra, whose roots lie in Leicester’s vibrant Indian community, the visit carried personal as well as artistic significance “I’m a simple person at heart,” he said “For me, it’s important that any guest feels welcomed My mother used to say that welcoming guests into your home is like welcoming God During the royal visit, I heard her words very clearly in my mind ”

angel was watching me ” Beyond the personal moment, the dancer believes the visit carries wider significance for artists from South Asian backgrounds working in Britain “I represent my community and people who share similar cultural backgrounds,” Odedra said “I’m incredibly proud of Leicester and Belgrave There is a resilience and spirit here that flows directly into my dance ” The royal visit, he believes, has shone a much-deserved spotlight on the area On the day of the visit, Odedra said the entire Golden Mile seemed to come alive

The solo engagement highlighted the city’s vibrant South Asian population and focused on cultural exchange, community engagement and the arts

A key stop on the visit was the Aakash Odedra Company, founded by internationally acclaimed dancer Aakash Odedra The Princess watched a performance by the company and spoke with dancers about the physical demands and storytelling power of South Asian dance She praised the performance and remarked that her children would enjoy watching such energetic routines

The day also included a visit to the Shreeji Dham

Haveli Hindu Temple, where the Princess engaged with worshippers and learned about Hindu traditions Following temple customs, she removed her shoes, received a traditional garland and took part in rituals including an offering of milk to Lord Krishna In a widely shared moment, she joined women in performing the traditional Gujarati garba dance,

A royal moment at the Mandir

O ne o f th e m os t sy m bo lic m oments u nfolded at Shreeji Dh am Hav eli, L eicester L E4 7 SP, a Hindu tem ple that h as long serv ed as a spiritual and cultural anch or for the comm unity

speak with her ” D u r i n g t h e v i s i t , t h e Princess took time to engage with various aspects of the temple and its activities She v i s i t e d t h e c a n t e e n a n d kitchen area and tried some

The visit of marked a historic and proud moment for the local Hindu community, w i t h P r a v i n M a j i t h i a , a trustee of the temple describing the occasion as one that has placed the temple “ on the map worldwide ” T h e a t m o s p h e r e a t t h e temple on the day of the visit was one of excitement and pride The Princess stepped inside the temple with quiet respect, removing her shoes i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t e m p l e tradition “It was a privilege to receive her,” Pravin said “ E v e r y o n e p r e s e n t w a s i n high spirits and very happy to w e l c o m e h e r , s e e h e r a n d

food prepared there, but the h i g h l i g h t f o r m a n y c a m e when she joined members of the community in a traditional garba dance “ T h e m o s t m e m o r a b l e moment for us was when she joined the ladies for garba,” Pravin recalled She warmly greeted and interacted with those present and the gesture was widely appreciated by all F o r t h e w i d e r H i n d u community, the visit carried deeper symbolic importance

T e m

d e

s

v e i t highlights the growing recognition of South Asian communities and their contributions to British society

Golden M

For many within L eicester’s So uth A sian commu nity, the recent visit of C atherine, Princess of Wales was m ore than a royal engagement, it was a m oment of recog nition for generations of fam ilies who have shaped the area ’ s cu ltural and com mercial identity

Nisha Popat, chair of the Belgrave Business Association, believes the visit carried deep significance for the community

“I think the visit was very important,” Popat said “Leicester is known for its multicultural celebrations and is one of the most vibrant centres of South Asian culture and business in the UK The Golden Mile represents that spirit ” According to Popat, the Princess’s visit brought welcome recognition to the families and entrepreneurs who have spent decades building the area ’ s reputation “Moments like this mean a great deal to the many families and businesses who have helped shape the cultural life of Leicester,” she said “It’s not just about one business or one family it’s about generations of families who have created this vibrant community ”

“It was also so lovely to have her at Bobby’s,” Popat, who is a member of the family behind the Bobby's Restaurant, said “It was a

The dance that drew a Princess to Leicester

Welcom ng the roya ty he placed a handmade garland adorned with red roses and pearls around her neck

Hosting the Pr ncess in Be grave, the cu tura heart of Leicester s Go den Mile, was particu arly meaningful “The biggest honour for us as a company was to host her here n Be grave, in the centre of our commun ty,” he sa d “When I performed it felt very emotional I was stand ng right in front of her, eye to eye It a most fe t ike an

A R O Y A L W A L K T H R O U G H

“She loved the colours and the craftsmanship”

A

the Princess travel ed to Leicester to watch a specia ly presented excerpt and to speak in depth with the artist about the work “It was an honour to host and perform or the Princess of Wa es ” Odedra said “She is very fond of the arts and had wanted to see Songs of the Bulbul The performance presented during the v s t featured mus c composed by Rush l Ranjan and performed ive by voca ist Ab Sampa, whose powerfu voice he ped create what Odedra descr bed as a “spir tua ly charged atmosphere ” More than two dozen music ans performed dur ng the event ncluding members of the Manchester Camerata and London Vo ces creat ng an immers ve setting for the performance

Reflecting on the encounter Odedra described the experience as both surreal and grounding “Her Roya H ghness was extremely gracious and curious about the work,” he said “She

asked many questions about the costumes, the ntention beh nd the choreography and the deeper mean ng of Songs of the Bu bu It was a very thoughtful conversation ” For Odedra, whose roots l e in Leicester s vibrant Indian community the vis t carr ed persona as wel as artistic sign ficance “I m a simple person at heart,” he said “For me it s important that any guest fee s we comed My mother used to say that we coming guests into your home is ike we coming God Dur ng the royal v s t, I heard her words very c early n my m nd ”

angel was watching me ”

Beyond the persona moment the dancer bel eves the v sit carries w der signif cance for artists from South Asian backgrounds working in Britain “I represent my commun ty and peop e who share s milar cu tura backgrounds,” Odedra said “I m ncred bly proud of Leicester and Be grave

There s a resil ence and sp r t here that f ows direct y nto my dance ” The royal visit he bel eves has shone a much-deserved spot ight on the area On the day of the v s t, Odedra said the entire Go den M le seemed to come a ive

an dance She praised the performance and remarked that her ch ldren would en oy watch ng such energe ic rout nes The day also nc uded a v s t to the Shree i Dham

Have i H ndu Temp e where the Princess engaged with worshippers and learned about Hindu tradit ons Fo lowing temp e customs, she removed her shoes received a trad tiona gar and and took part n ritua s ncluding an o fering of mi k to Lord Krishna In a wide y shared moment, she jo ned women in performing the tradit onal Gujarati garba dance

A royal moment at the Mandir

w th her ”

high ight ng her wil ingness to participate d rect y in the commun ty s cultura practices

Roya watchers were quick to notice a po gnant paral el The moment reca led Diana, Pr ncess o Wales’s 1997 visit to the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir where she warmly engaged with the ocal H ndu commun ty On that occas on too, Diana wore a cream outfit and was

adorned w th a rose and pearl gar and deta ls that made the sim lar ties between the two v s ts all the more str king Dur ng her v s t the Princess also walked along Leicester s famous Golden M le, known for ts concentration of Ind an-owned bus nesses She v s ted a sari boutique Lad ee and sampled Indian food and sweets at Bobby’s praising the resi ience o ongstanding am ly bus nesses The v sit was widely seen as a ce ebrat on of Br tain s mu ticu tural ident ty and or commun ty eaders and res dents a ike, the v s t felt historic For many British Hindus, the sign ficance of the

And the reassurance that the r cu ture, faith and trad tions are an integral part of the British story

Golden Mile in the spotlight

“I can take the heat”

Pr ncess of Wa es interact ng w th commun ty membe s a he temp e

a n c e w t h t e m p l e trad tion “It was a priv lege to rece ve her ” Pravin sa d “ E v e r y o n e p r e s e n t w a s n high spir ts and very happy o w e l c

D u r n g t h e v i s i t t h e Princess took t me to engage with various aspects of the temple and its act v ties She v s t e d t h e c a n t e e n a n d kitchen area and r ed some food prepared there, but the h i g h l g h f o r m a n y c a m e when she oined members o the community in a tradit ona garba dance “ T h e m o s t m e m o r a b l e moment for us was when she jo ned he ad es for garba ” Prav n reca led She warmly greeted and interacted w th those present and the gesture was wide y apprec ated by a l

F o r t h e w i d e r H i n d u community, the v sit carried deeper symbol c importance

T e m p e l e a d e r s b e l e v e high igh s the grow ng recognit on of South Asian communit es and the r contr butions to Brit sh society

For many within L e cester s So uth A s an commu nity, the recent visi of C atherine, Pr ncess of Wales was m ore han a roya engagement, it was a m oment of recog nition for generat ons of fam l es who have shaped he area ’ s cu tura and com mercia ident ty N sha Popat cha r o the Belgrave Business Assoc at on, be ieves the visi carr ed deep s gnif cance for the commun ty “I th nk he vis t was very important,” Popat sa d “Leicester s known or ts mult cu tura ce ebrations and s one of the most vibrant centres of South Asian culture and business in the UK The Golden Mi e represents that spir t ” Accord ng to Popat, the Pr ncess s v s t brought welcome recogn tion to the fam l es and entrepreneurs who have spent decades bui d ng the area s reputat on “Moments ike th s mean a great deal to the many fam lies and bus nesses who have he ped shape the cu tura ife o Leicester,” she said “It s not just about one bus ness or one am ly it s about generations of fam l es who have created this v brant commun ty ” “It was also so ovely to have her at Bobby s ” Popat who is a member of the fam ly behind the Bobby s Restaurant said “I was a

proud momen for everyone ” Beyond the symbo ism Popa bel eves he vis t could also have tangible benef ts for loca bus nesses by draw ng new attent on to the Go den Mi e as a destination

“I ve had peop e sending me ar icles from a l over the wor d saying She was on the Go den Mi e she was on Be grave Road ’” she sa d

The globa coverage, she hopes wi l encourage both visitors and loca s to red scover the area s unique m x of shops restaurants and cultura spaces

“Her v sit ng Bobby s the sar shop and the mand r has he ped people recogn se that

the Go den Mile is an mportant place to shop and visit ” she said “ t shows he ncred ble var ety of businesses here ” For Popat the roya v s

they re ust doing i because they have to ” he exp a ned “But when she came t was rea ly refresh ng She genuine y cared about the business and ts heritage how it was founded and how my paren s and grandparents were involved in the trade ”

Inside the boutique, racks of brightly co oured saris intrcate embro dery and r ch y textured abr cs crea ed a dazz ing backdrop A spec a d sp ay had been arranged or the Princess, featuring a se ection of tradit ona garments includ ng sar s, lehengas and suits

“She loved the colours and the craftsmanship ” Thakrar

sa d “We were ab e to exp a n wha each garment represents how a sar m ght be worn at a wedding wh le a ehenga might be worn for ce ebrat ons ike a sangeet or recept on ”

The Princess was part cu ar y fasc nated by the artistry beh nd the garments and asked detai ed questions abou how they are made

“She wanted to know where the fabrics came from whether they were a l made in one place or across different regions of India,” Thakrar sa d “She showed a rea nterest n the ski led craftsmansh p nvolved ”

The vis t asted around 20 o 25 m nutes, but for the fam ly it felt as though t me passed n an nstant

Beyond the discuss on of fabr cs and tradit on, t was the Princess’s warmth and hum l ty that e t the strongest impression

“What stood out the most was her humbleness,” Thakrar

sa d “She pa d attention to everything from the mater als to the fami y story beh nd the shop ”

shine a spot ight on he Go den Mile ” “It s made peop e see how special the Go den M le real y is ” Popat said “And hope ul y it wi l keep t f rmly n the spot igh

In a moment that de ighted the fami y the Princess a so spent t me w th Thakrar s seven-month-o d daughter, playing with her for several m nu es “That was rea ly spec al ” he said

For the Thakrar fami y the vis t represented far more than a roya appearance it was the recogn tion of decades of hard work and entrepreneurial spir t “ t was an incredib y spec al moment,” Thakrar sa d “It makes you real se what a l tha hard work has been or To have Her Royal Highness vis t our store it was simp y amazing ”

R O U G H

H E A R T L A N D

highlighting her willingness to participate directly in the community’s cultural practices

Royal watchers were quick to notice a poignant parallel The moment recalled Diana, Princess of Wales’s 1997 visit to the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, where she warmly engaged with the local Hindu community On that occasion too, Diana wore a cream outfit and was

adorned with a rose and pearl garland details that made the similarities between the two visits all the more striking

During her visit, the Princess also walked along Leicester’s famous Golden Mile, known for its concentration of Indian-owned businesses She visited a sari boutique, Ladlee and sampled Indian food and sweets at Bobby’s, praising the resilience of longstanding family businesses

The visit was widely seen as a celebration of Britain’s multicultural identity and for community leaders and residents alike, the visit felt historic For many British Hindus, the significance of the moment lies not only in who visited, but in what the visit represented Recognition Respect And the reassurance that their culture, faith and traditions are an integral part of the British story

Mile in the spotlight

proud moment for everyone ”

Beyond the symbolism, Popat believes the visit could also have tangible benefits for local businesses by drawing new attention to the Golden Mile as a destination

“I’ve had people sending me articles from all over the world saying, ‘She was on the Golden Mile, she was on Belgrave Road,’” she said

The global coverage, she hopes, will encourage both visitors and locals to rediscover the area ’ s unique mix of shops, restaurants and cultural spaces

“She loved the colours and the craftsmanship”

P rincess of Wales visited wellk no

L ad l ee, w here g eneratio ns of families h av e chosen g arments for wedd ing s, festivals and m ilesto nes

On this occasion, however, the boutique welcomed a guest unlike any other According to Neel Thakrar, son of the owners Mahesh and Kiran Thakrar, the royal visit was an unforgettable experience

T h a k r a

d e s c r i b e d t h e Princess’s visit as warm, curious and far more personal than they had expected

“When high-profile people

visit sometimes it can feel like they’re just doing it because they have to,” he explained “But when she came, it was really refreshing She genuinely cared about the business and its heritage how it was founded and how my parents and grandparents were involved in the trade ”

Inside the boutique, racks of brightly coloured saris, intricate embroidery and richly textured fabrics created a dazzling backdrop A special display had been arranged for the Princess, featuring a selection of traditional garments including saris, lehengas and suits

“She loved the colours and the craftsmanship,” Thakrar said “We were able to explain what each garment represents how a sari might be worn at a wedding, while a lehenga might be worn for celebrations like a sangeet or reception ”

“I can

take the heat”

“Communities sometimes need that moment of encouragement,” she said “Her coming here really did shine a spotlight on the Golden Mile ”

“It’s made people see how special the Golden Mile really is,” Popat said “And hopefully it will keep it firmly in the spotlight ”

“Her visiting Bobby’s, the sari shop and the mandir has helped people recognise that the Golden Mile is an important place to shop and visit,” she said “It shows the incredible variety of businesses here ” For Popat, the royal visit also provided a timely boost for a community that has played a significant role in shaping Leicester’s economic and cultural landscape

The Princess was particularly fascinated by the artistry behind the garments and asked detailed questions about how they are made

“She wanted to know where the fabrics came from, whether they were all made in one place or across different regions of India,” Thakrar said “She showed a real interest in the skilled craftsmanship involved ”

The visit lasted around 20 to 25 minutes, but for the family it felt as though time passed in an instant

Beyond the discussion of fabrics and tradition, it was the Princess’s warmth and humility that left the strongest impression

“What stood out the most was her humbleness,” Thakrar said “She paid attention to everything, from the materials to the family story behind the shop ”

In a moment that delighted the family, the Princess also spent time with Thakrar’s seven-month-old daughter, playing with her for several minutes “That was really special,” he said

For the Thakrar family, the visit represented far more than a royal appearance, it was the recognition of decades of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit “It was an incredibly special moment,” Thakrar said “It makes you realise what all that hard work has been for To have Her Royal Highness visit our store it was simply amazing ”

Visiting Bobby s, a family-run I nd i a n res ta u ran t th at h a s o p er ate d o n t h e s tre et fo r aro u nd 50 ye ars, H er Ro yal H i

ed

Dharm esh and Enna Lakhani on the longevity of their business, noting it w as im pressive that the restaurant continu ed to thrive A

and he calls the Princess’ visit as a “ grace of God and blessings of our elders”

When he officially found out two days prior to her visit,

that the Princess was visiting, it was an “Oh my God! I need to sit down” moment “Just the thought that she was coming to our house, which is our business, to have a cup of tea with us was an overwhelming one I don’t know of anybody that’s ever happened to before How can you even imagine that royalty will come to your place and sit with you for a cup of tea?”, he said

Dharmesh also recalls what he later discovered was the recce process prior to the visit, where a a small group came to the restaurant “Hospitality is a big part of who we are and so we offered them tea, pakoras, and conversation it’s simply part of our South Asian culture ”

Kensington Palace I remember joking with them, saying, “Next time, bring a few more guests ” They smiled and said they might do exactly that Little did I know they were referring to the most remarkable guest we would ever receive ”

While Dharmesh is very elated about interacting with the Princess up close and personal, he believes this moment was not just about him; “it was a reflection of the wider Hindu community in Leicester It was a wonderful day for the community

“People say it’s a “dream come true,” but it’s not even that, because you don’t really dream of something like this It feels too impossible ”

Princess Catherine ate handvo, had masala chai and coconut barfi at the establishment and really liked the green chutney, that had been upgraded with some extra kick

“When she took a generous spoonful and placed it on the handvo, I remember thinking, “Oh my God, she’s going to find this very hot ” But she ate it quite easily, which was quite funny and surprising”, Dharmesh recalls

She even joked, “I can take the heat ”

Dharmendra further recalls, “What stood out most, though, was how warm and gracious she was She asked about our family, our faith, and how things were going for us

She also spent time speaking with some of my colleagues and staff, asking about them and their lives It was genuinely very kind of her

“She greeted my mother-in-law, my aunts and my siblings and she took the time to speak with each of them She made sure everyone felt included “There was a lovely moment with my mother-in-law and an aunt of mine Gave her blessings by placing their hands gently on the side of her head The Princess paused and asked, “What was that?” and when my cousin explained, she seemed genuinely touched and happy to receive those blessings ”

The family gifted her a cookbook with Dharmesh’s late mother’s recipes The recipe for the chutney is in the book They also packed some mithai for her children

Workplace Rights for endometriosis sufferers under review

T he B r it i sh P a r l ia me n t addre ssed a critical gap in employment la w on Ma rch 5, as Tulip Siddiq, the MP fo r H a m p st e a d a n d Highgat e, championed the

ca s e of h e r co n st i t ue n t , Sa n ju Pa l A dd re ssin g t he House of Common s during the Busine ss of the House session, Siddiq highlighted Pal’ s lan dma rk victory at the Em p l oy m e n t A pp e a l Tribunal (EAT) on Ja nuary

19

T h i s c a s e , P a l v Accenture (UK) Ltd [2026] EAT 12, has sent shockwaves through the corporate sector by challenging "up or out" promotion models that

p e n a l i s e e m p l o y e e s w i t h chronic gynaecological conditions Siddiq called for an urgent government debate, describing the current omiss i o n o f s u c h c o n d i t i o n s from the Equality Act 2010 guidance as shameful

T h e o r i g i n a l 2 0 2 2 t r ibunal found her dismissal procedurally unfair but controversially ruled that her endometriosis did not con-

s t i t u t e a d i s a b i l i t y

However, the 2026 Appeal

T r i b u n a l o v e r t u r n e d t h i s , w i t h J u d g e J a m e s T a y l e r criticising the initial findings as "wholly inadequate "

The EAT clarified that "up or out" models cannot

j u s t i f y d i s m i s s a l i f a n employee is capable of their current role, even if they aren't deemed promotionready

The scale of the issue is i m m e n s e E n d o m e t r i o s i s currently costs the UK economy an estimated £8 2 billion annually in treatment c o s t s , l o s s o

Shockingly, new data from Endometriosis UK released in March 2026 reveals that the average diagnosis time has risen to 9 years and 4 months, up from 8 years in 2020

For women from ethnically diverse backgrounds, this wait extends to an average of 11 years At the start

o f 2 0 2 6 , n e a r l y 7 5 0 , 0 0 0 women remained on gynaecology waiting lists, making it the largest elective specialty for women aged 18–64

Siddiq condemned the "shameful" reality that the Equality Act 2010 guidance f

, leaving millions unprotected She challenged the government to move beyond symbolic gestures, demanding a dedicated debate to

frameworks and end workplace discrimination once and for all R esponse a nd future st rat egy

Responding to Siddiq’s intervention, Leader of the House Sir Alan Campbell

gynaecological care into the NHS 10-Year Health Plan

This renewed strategy aims to reduce the current nineyear diagnosis average by

community health hubs and mandatory workplace guidance

"life-course approach," the government intends to end the "postcode lottery" for

and ensure that the one in ten women affected by the condition receive the same legal protections and medical support as those with other long-term disabilities

Health experts condemn social media censorship policies

T he global medical co mmunity i ssued an u rgent warni ng as o ver 600 wo men

s h ealth leaders p ublished an o pen letter accu sing social media giants o f censoring life-saving info rmati on The coalition, including b r a n d s l i k e C l u e a n d

H e r t i l i t y , r e v e a l e d t h a t automated moderation systems systematically misclassify medically accurate content on menopause and fer-

95% of health creators experienced such restrictions in the last year, with over half

language to avoid account bans D o c

t this digital stigma discourages women from seeking timely care, leading to poorer clinical outcomes The

A ) i s n o w l o b b y i n g policymakers to ensure digital regulations, such as the U K ’ s O n l i n e S a f e t y A c t , address this systemic gender bias

They argue that blocking evidence-based science while allowing misinformation to spread undermines public health and economic growth

British female athletes asked to pay £185 for sex verification test

B r i ti s h f em al e t ra ck an d field athletes have been told they may need to pay £18 5 fo r a sex verificatio n test if they wish to comp ete intern at i o na ll y, fo ll o wi ng n ew rules intro du ced by Wo rld Athletics

Under the regulations, athletes competing in the

must undergo an SRY gene test The cheek-swab test detects the presence of a Y chromosome and is intended to ensure what the governing body describes as fair

S

H

A H N A Z H U S A I N

Pioneer of global ayurvedic beauty

Reminiscing about a tim e when wom en rarel y step p ed beyo nd s oc ietal e xpec tations, Shahnaz Husain em erged as a trailblazer, turning h er d etermination into a successful career in th e beauty industry

Coming from a prestigious family of legal luminaries, she chose a different path that would shape the world of skincare and cosmetics A life-changing incident, witnessing a classmate’s mother go blind from chemical kajal, led her to focus on natural, safe alternatives This inspired her commitment to Ayurveda, using its principles and herbs to create products that care for and heal the skin

H

founded on the principle of “Natural Care and Cure,” features organic formulations from herbs, flowers, fruits, essential oils, and even precious minerals and gems Over

the years, the Shahnaz Husain Group has

beauty and healthcare, combining premium quality with accessibility Advanced R&D, manufacturing expertise, and a focus on safe, natural formulations have established the brand as a leader across both premium and mid-market segments

Shahnaz Husain’s herbal and Ayurvedic p

Platinum lines, have earned global recognition for their dedication to natural formulations and Ayurveda principles Her work h

Washington Post called her “India’s Beauty Ambassador” for promoting India’s heritage

ancient wisdom with modern scientific research

Shahnaz Husain has shared her expertise at Harvard, where her brand’s success without traditional advertising or influencer marketing was highlighted as a case

decades, her products have won numerous quality awards in London, Geneva, Cannes, Paris, and New York, reinforcing the global significance of Ayurveda in beauty

With a strong international presence, her herbal care products are sold in leading stores, franchise salons, and exclusive outlets worldwide Notably, her line was featured in an 18-foot window at Galeries Lafayette, Paris, and achieved record sales at Selfridges Today, the Shahnaz Husain Group combines five decades of Ayurveda expertise with modern science, offering holistic, natural formulations that remain highly relevant in the global beauty market

New Employment Rights Act benefits millions of women

The B ritish gover nment ha s for ma lise d a significant le gislative over ha ul through the E mp l o y me n t R i g ht s A ct , w hi ch i s se t t o e n h a n ce w or k p l a c e p r ot e ct i on s f or mill ions of women st arting from April 6

According to research by the Trades Union Congress ( T U C ) , a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 7 million women will benefit from strengthened sick pay r e g u l a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g 8 3 0

who were previously ineligi-

The new rules abolish this lower earnings limit and remove the three-day waiting period, ensuring statutory sick pay is accessible from the first day of illness This reform aims to address the

after their first child, resulting in a staggering £65,618 loss in pay

Beyond financial security, the Act introduces "day-

allowing

and

families immediately upon starting a new role

Large employers are also now mandated to implement menopause action plans to retain experienced staff

Nottingham sisters to open UK’s first holistic GLP-1 clinic

i

i s h a t hletes have been advised by U K A t h l e t i c s ( U K A ) t o arrange and initially pay for the test themselves, completing it “ as soon as possible” to avoid delays in selection

Some athletes have criticised the policy as unfair, noting that similar testing is not required for male competitors UK Athletics says a hardship fund is available and requests for financial support will be assessed on a case-by-case basis

The United Kingdom ’ s f irs t dedicated phys ic al wel lnes s c linic f or individuals us ing GLP-1 weight -los s me dication, Shape8 is set to open in Nottingham f oll owing a l a n d m a r k a n n oun c e m e n t on Ma rch 9 Founded by s is ters M andy, Sandy, and Saminda Sangha, the 1,2 84-square-foot fac il ity in Radc liff e Road, Wes t B ridgford, aim s to bridge a critical gap in t he c urrent pharmac eutical m arket

Saminda Mandy and Sandy Sangha

While over 1 5 million people in Britain now use treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, the founders identified a significant lack of in-person, holistic support By integrating medical solutions with nutrition, e x

"Shape⁸" clinic provides the structured guida n

change

Sangha’s personal decadelong struggle with weight

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) After finding medi-

mative but lacking in wider care, she partnered with her sisters to develop a service backed by twenty years of pharmaceutical expertise The state-of-the-art clinic features three treatment rooms and dedicated space for support groups, moving beyond the traditional online-only prescription model This local investment follows the successful launch of their digital platform in January 2026 and marks a shift towards person-centric, face-to-face medical wellness With 15 years of experience in the online medical sector, the team plans to expand their offering with additional health products later this year,

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel OBE

The Middle Ea st has rocked por tfolios a s we ll as pe ople

M ark ets swing be twee n euphor ia and pa nic wit h r emar ka ble reg ular ity O ne month inve stors a re convin ce d t he wor ld is en ding; the ne xt the y a re te rrified of missin g t he r ally Vola tilit y, in othe r words, is not an anoma ly It is t he n orma l condit ion of m ark ets The re al quest ion is n ot how t o elimina te vola tilit y - y ou cann ot - but how to de sig n a n in vest ment st rat egy that sur vive s it

The two dominant approaches are trading and buyand-hold Both can work Both can fail spectacularly The difference lies less in the strategy itself and more in the temperament, time, and discipline of the investor

The case for trading is intellectually seductive In volatile markets prices move quickly, sometimes irrationally Skilled traders attempt to exploit these swings When markets panic they buy; when optimism becomes excessive they trim or sell Done well, this can reduce drawdowns and enhance returns Hedge funds, proprietary traders, and some institutional investors operate successfully with variations of this approach

But there is an uncomfortable truth: very few people are good traders

Trading requires constant monitoring, emotional discipline, risk management, and the ability to admit mistakes quickly Even professional funds struggle According to S&P Dow Jones Indices’ SPIVA reports, the majority of active managers underperform their benchmark indices over long periods If highly paid professionals with teams of analysts struggle to time markets consistently, the odds for the average investor sitting at home with a brokerage app are not promising

The alternative is buy-and-hold investing in high-quality companies This approach is intellectually less exciting but historically far more successful for most people

Quality companies - those with strong balance sheets, durable competitive advantages, growing earnings, and capable management - tend to compound value over time

Their share prices may fall during market shocks, but if the underlying business continues to grow, the long-term trajectory is usually upward Investors who owned companies like Microsoft, Apple, or Novo Nordisk did not need perfect timing They needed patience

The advantage of buy-and-hold is that it aligns with the mathematics of compounding Markets historically rise because economies grow, productivity increases, and companies innovate The investor who owns productive assets participates in that growth

However, buy-and-hold is not the same as buy-andforget Sensible investors still manage risk During periods of extreme exuberance it can be prudent to trim positions During market panic it may make sense to add exposure Think of it less as constant trading and more as gently easing exposure up or down In practice, the right strategy depends on the individual

A small minority of investors have the temperament, time, and analytical discipline to attempt market timing and active trading For them, volatility can be an opportunity But they must accept that the game is difficult and mistakes are inevitable

For the vast majority, the wiser path is simpler: own a diversified portfolio of high-quality companies and allow time to do the heavy lifting

This is precisely why I mentor investors rather than simply hand them stock ideas Strategy must match personality Some investors want to engage deeply with markets and attempt tactical decisions Others want a structured portfolio they can hold with confidence through the inevitable storms

Volatility is not the enemy The real danger is adopting a strategy that does not suit you

In markets, as in life, success rarely comes from brilliance alone It comes from choosing a method you can actually stick with when things get uncomfortable And in investing, things always get uncomfortable eventually

Reeves warns of rising inflation

T he C hancellor of the Exch equer, Rachel Reeves, warned that the United King dom faces a renewed p eriod o f rising inflatio n d ue to the escalating war betw een th e U nited S tates, Israel, and Iran Sp eaking to MP s fo llow ing an emerg ency v irtual summ it with G7 finance ministers, Reeves stated that while the ultim ate economic fallo ut depend s on the conflict's duration, current market v olatility is already p lacing sig nificant upward pressure on d omestic prices

This warning comes despite February data showing annual inflation had eased to 3 0 per cent in January, down from 3 4% in December 2024 The conflict, which intensified following military action on February 28, has already caused global Brent crude prices to surge past $100 a barrel, peaking near $120 In response, British petrol prices rose by 5p per litre in a single week, while off-grid heating oil costs for 1 5 million rural households skyrocketed by over 100 per cent P

profiteering," instructing the Competition

Authority

UK shifts focus to implementation of India Free Trade Agreement

The progress of the deal

during

House of Lords

Comprehensive

reviewed findings from a recent report by the Upper

Agreements Committee

usual trade precedents and c

for UK businesses

Latest figures from the D

and Trade, said officials were now focused on bringing the agreement into force, which is expected before the end of spring

bilateral trade between the UK and India reached £47 2 billion in the past year, a 15 per cent increase year-onyear, making India the UK’s 11th-largest trading partner

During the debate, some peers raised questions about India’s trade agreement with t h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n , concluded earlier this year

S t o c k w o o d s a i d t h e U K

Property lender MFS in administration

administrators AlixPartners

Retail investors may also

collapse has been linked to a corruption investigation in Bangladesh involving former

government would examine that agreement “line by line” but stressed that Britain had secured a clear “first-mover advantage”

“ O n l y t h e U K h a s secured access to India’s £38 billion federal procurement

k

T

d b y Lord Peter Goldsmith, who c h a i r e d t h

during its inquiry into the

peers also highlighted areas w

could be made

Baroness Usha Prashar

Neena Gill highlighted the

and Amber Bridging warned of a £930 million shortfall on £1 2 billion invested, amid a

pledged the same property

z a m a n Chowdhury Founder Paresh Raja, a prominent figure in UK buyto-let circles, is alleged to h a v e f l e d t o D u b a i R e g u l a t o r s ’ r o l e r e m a i n s u n c l e a r ; M F S ( U K ) c e a s e d FCA-authorised activities on February 13, 2026, and Raja’s name does not appear on the register

Nirmal Sethia maintains London investment amid weaker sentiment

The bill io naire p hilanth rop is t and bu s in es s m a n N i rm a l Se t h ia reaf firmed his co mmitm ent to the United Kingdom o n March 10 by f u nd in g a m aj o r c o m m er c ia l develo pment at 41 M oorgate As the majo rity o wner o f a jo int venture with As ian Media Grou p , Se th ia p e rs o na l l y p r o v ide d t h e to ta l capital for th e 40,000-s quare-f oot pro ject, w hich was inaugurated by the Mayo r of Lo ndon, Sadiq Kh an, in late 2025

This strategic move highlights his philosophy of financial independence, as the N Sethia Trust famously operates without bank borrowing or outside shareholding Despite a broader cooling in the London property market, this development, launched with full occupancy, signals his enduring confidence in the capital's long-term economic prospects

S e t h i a ’ s c o m m e r c i a l s u c c e s

company that achieved verified carbon neutrality in 2024 directly fuels his extensive charitable work Since founding the N Sethia Foundation in 1995, he has dedicated most of his time to philanthropy, including the world’s first robotic surgery training centre at University College London Hospital and the Chitra Sethia Autism Centre in Cambridge His contributions also extend to cultural heritage, notably as a founding member of the London Museum, which is scheduled to reopen in 2026 From building crematoriums in West Bengal to supporting healthcare in Africa, his initiatives bridge global business with

Collection, a private museum of historic teawares valued at over

Vin Murria returns to M&C Saatchi amid CEO exit

executive

India ranks globally third with 308 billionaires

India’s b il lionaire count has risen to 308, up b y 24 from la st ye ar, reflecting st rong

w

Resear ch Inst itut e ’ s Hurun

Gl ob al Rich List 2026

India third globally in the

added 57 new billionaires during the year, the highest o

7 individuals dropped off the list

The combined wealth of Indian billionaires rose 10% to Rs 112 6 trillion (£914 7

s w h i l

0 9

c o r d e d d e c l i n e s o r n o c h a n g e Women accounted for 7% of the country’s billionaires

M u k e s h A m b a n i o f

R e l i a n c e I n d u s t r i e s remained India and Asia’s richest person with a net w o r t h o f R s 9 8 t r i

(£79 6 billion), followed by Gautam Adani of the Adani G

Technologies ranked third with Rs 3 2 trillion (£26 0 b

among the top 10

largest wealth share Cyrus S Poonawalla, founder of S

gainer

India’s billionaire hub with 9

leads, followed by Shanghai, Beijing, and London

average of 65 The youngest is Ritesh Agarwal, founder of OYO, aged 32 The report also noted 23 Indian women billionaires together hold Rs 9 8 trillion (£79 6 billion),

entrepreneurs

Adani Green boosts solar capacity at Khavda

Ad ani Green Energy Lim ited (AGEL) has operationalised

1,0 00 M W of solar cap acity at t h e w o r ld ’ s l arg e s t rene wa ble ener g y p ark in Khavda, Gujarat, taking its total operatio nal capacity to 9, 4 7 8 M W as it m o v es to w ar d i ts 4 5 , 0 0 0 M W targ et by 2030

The company completed 1,000 MW of solar capacity in under a year, installing about 2 4 million modules to support India’s target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 The 30 GW project, spread across 538 sq km, is expected to be completed in five years and generate over 15,200 green jobs

L

v e

Limited (ANIL), and Adani Infrastructure Management Services Limited (AIMSL), A

G

Limited aims to replicate its success in large renewable

hybrid cluster at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

AGEL is deploying waterless

buildup, improve efficiency, and conserve water in the arid Kutch region

AGEL currently operates o v e r 9 G W o f r e n

w

b l e capacity across 12 states in India and plans to expand its portfolio to 20 8 GW

Geopolitical tensions trigger FPI outflows

For eig n por t fo li o i nv es t or s (FPIs ) were heavy s elle rs in Indian equities in the f ir st week of Marc h, pulling out n ea r l y ₹ 2 1, 0 00 c r or e ( $ 2 3 b il l i on ) ov e r f ou r t r ad i ng s e s s i on s a s gl ob a l r i s k a pp et i t e we a ke n e d a m id rising t ensions in the Middle

Eas t F P I o u t f l o w s o c c u r r e d between March 2 and March

ED raids multiple premises linked to Reliance Power

Th e Enforcement Directorate c o n d u c te d s ea rc h e s at mul ti ple lo cati ons

n Mumbai and Hyderabad as part o

p ro be into entiti es li nked to R eliance Power Ltd, a group c

o ffic ials sai d A b o u t

connected to the company and its executives are being searched in the two cities

c e P o w e

said in a statement to stock exchanges that, to the best of its knowledge, no searches were carried out at any of its offices or premises T

several companies linked to Anil Ambani in connection with an alleged bank fraud–l

of the

Court of India to

Alembic launches first branded drug in US

A lem bi c P h ar m ac eu ti c al s said it has started sales of P i v y a ( p iv m ec i ll in am ) tablets in the United S tates f o ll o w i ng it s re ce nt com mercial launch

Pivya is the company ’ s first branded pharmaceutical product in the US and will be marketed through Alembic Therapeutics LLC, its stepd o w n w h o l l y o w n

antibiotic used as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated u r i n a r y t r a c t i n f e c t i

women

Pranav Amin, managing d i r e c t o r o f A l e m b i c Pharmaceuticals, said Pivya (pivmecillinam) marks the company ’ s first step toward building a focused branded s

United States, with plans to expand its branded offerings over time

NaBFID plans $500m equity fund for infrastructure

I n d ia ’ s N a t io n a l B a n k fo r Financing Infr astruct ure and D evel opmen t pla ns to ra ise a bout $500 mill ion to l aunch its first eq uity -focused fund t o su pp or t i n fr a st r u ct u r e projects The state-owned lender aims to set up the alternative i n v e s t m e n t f u n

G I F T City and is in talks with the r e g u l a t o r , I n t e r n a t i o n a l F i n a n c i a l S e r v i c e s C e n t r e s Authority

Created five years ago to bridge India’s infrastructure financing gap, NaBFID has m a i n l y f u n d e d p r o j e c

Aayog NaBFID has rapidly expanded its lending, with total assets rising 44% yearon-year to

Analysts said selling was triggered by rising tensions after the United States and I s r a e l a t t a c k e d I r a n , r e p o r t e d l y

Khamenei Vaqarjaved Khan of Angel One said fears of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude above $90 per barrel, while a w e a k e r r u p e e , h i g h e r U

uncertain earnings outlook

6 , w i t h t r a d i n g l i m i t e d t o four days due to Holi This followed strong inflows of ₹ 2 2 , 6 1 5 c r o r e i n F e b r u a r y , though foreign investors had b e e n n e t s e l l e r s i n t h e previous three months

further dampened investor sentiment

VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments and Himanshu

Rupee faces pressure, but remittances offer bright spot

In dian rupe e touched a ne w low aga in st t he US dollar , slipping past 92 30, driv en by g lobal te nsions, r isin g crude o i l p

safer assets like the US dollar

Indian markets

s reportedly said the figure was his “lucky number” After noticing identical bids, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) filed a n

probe by the

of India The investigation

However, there

found that Dalmia Cement ( B h a r a t ) , S h r e e D i g v i j a y Cement Company, and later India Cements (2017–2018) allegedly coordinated bids in ONGC tenders T h e r

Indians living abroad sent a

identical pricing was used to divide contract volumes I n v e s t i g a t o r s a l s o f o u n d companies coordinated bids using distance calculations a n d c

Bell Weather

record $135 billion home in 2024, up 14% from the previous year This makes India the world’s largest recipient of inward remittances since 2001, providing a steady flow of foreign currency that supports domestic consumption and strengthens economic r

, Mexico received $68 billion and China $48 billion during the same period

Markets will continue to monitor oil prices, geopolitic

BONDI GUNMAN SEEKS COURT PROTECTION FOR FAMILY DETAILS

Alleged Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram has requested a court order to block media from publishing details of his immediate family, citing safety concerns The 24-year-old facing 59 charges including 15 counts of murder over the 14 December attack on a Jewish festival, did not appear at Monday’s Sydney hearing His lawyer sought a non-publication order for the names addresses and workplaces or schools of his mother, brother, and sister Magistrate Greg Grogin granted a temporary order noting global interest in the case but remarked that Akram’s mother’s name had already been widely reported “Hasn't the horse already bolted on that?” he said A lawyer for News Corp Australia which owns Sky News and several major newspapers indicated the company may challenge the non-publication order at next week s brief court hearing Akram s mother spoke to the media after the attack to defend her son His father, Sajid Akram, was killed in a police shootout at the scene Naveed Akram, critically injured has yet to enter a plea, responding with only “yeah” during his first court appearance last month regarding suppression orders Prosecutors allege the two gunmen, inspired by Islamic State acted alone

FINLAND EYES NUCLEAR POLICY SHIFT

Finland is planning to lift its long-standing ban on nuclear weapons; a move the government says would bring the country closer to NATO’s deterrence strategy Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said Finland’s security environment has “fundamentally changed” since Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 The country, which ended decades of military neutrality by joining NATO in 2023, is now considering amending its 1987 Nuclear Energy Act to allow nuclear weapons to enter or pass through its territory for defence purposes Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the move would strengthen Finland s role in NATO’s deterrence strategy The proposal is open for consultation until 2 April before being presented to parliament

INDONESIA TO BAN SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UNDER-16S

Indonesia has announced plans to ban children under 16 from using social media and several online platforms aiming to protect young people from online risks Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said accounts belonging to under-16s on high-risk platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox, will be deactivated from 28 March She said the move aims to protect children from online threats such as pornography, cyberbullying, scams and digital addiction “The government is stepping in so parents do not have to face algorithm-driven platforms alone,” she said

23 RESCUED FROM DRIFTING ICE IN ONTARIO

Twenty-three people were rescued by helicopters in Ontario after the ice shelf they were on broke and drifted into Lake Huron The Ontario Provincial Police said the incident occurred around noon Sunday when winds and currents carried the ice about 2 km from shore Crews made multiple trips to airlift people as the ice continued fracturing near Owen Sound, 200 km northwest of Toronto Fisherman Kevin Fox realised the ice was drifting only after checking his GPS, with several partially submerged while seeking thicker ice The group tried both sides of the bay some calling loved ones in fear and Alfie How said they “just sat down and said this could be the end ” High winds made the helicopter rescue difficult several suffered hypothermia but all are expected to recover Police praised the swift response A similar Vermont incident saw ice skaters rescued from Lake Champlain, showing how quickly ice conditions can change

MINLA Operation Chupi marks Holi and Ramadan

MINLA Operatio n C hupi d istributed colourfu l chu nnis to g irl s i n Naku ru w h ile also suppo rting fam ilies w ith food d o n ati

harm ony

V

around 50 vibrant chunnis, reflecting the joy of Holi, the festival of colours The initiative aimed to bring happiness t

them to take part in the celebrations with dignity

A

group also provided food assistance to families observing Ramadan, helping ensure

The South Indian Cultural Society successfully conducted its first cultural event

The ne wly insta lled committ ee o f t he Sou th In dia n Cu ltur a l

Societ y, Nair obi, Ke nya (SICS), host ed its

cultur

Sa tur day , 28 Februa ry 2026 at t he Brahma Sabha Auditor ium

The event introduced the new committee while celebrating the cultural heritage and talents of the South Indian community in Kenya Distinguished g u e s t

M

Kotamraju, Chairperson of the Hindu Council of Kenya and

Mrs Subhashree, Chairperson of the Tamil Cultural Association; Mr Kiran Gulvady, Chairman of

Warrier, General Secretary of the Kerala Association of Kenya

Murugan Koil, along with committee members from Sri Balaji

Indian-origin

Ind ian-orig in 59-year-old Rajan

Ba bb ar, o w ne r o f th

store Taste of India, has plead ed guilty to fraud involving th e federal food stamp prog ram SNAP and tran sac ti ng i n cri m i nal ly deriv ed prop erty

Registered as a SNAP retailer

s

beneficiaries to purchase groceries with government-funded benefits

C o u r t d

n t s s h o w SNAP sales at Taste of India

s

$2,600 per month in 2018 to around $65,000 per month by 2023, a roughly 2,500% increase Babbar admitted allowing SNAP beneficiaries to exchange their

false transactions in their names and giving them half the value in cash

Babbar carried out fraudulent S N A P

5 million, receiving f

f l a g g e d i

2 0 1 8 f o r u n u s u a l activity, leading to a 2020 civil penalty of $1,932 after undercove r c h e c k s , b u t t h e s t o r e remained a SNAP retailer

In 2023, undercover investigations showed Babbar repeatedly exchanged SNAP benefits for cash without providing any goods

Pa kis tani national Asif Merc hant ha s b een convicted in the US for pl o tt i ng t o as s a s s in a t e f o r m e r Pr e s i de n t D o na l d T r um p a n d ot her top politicians on behal f of Ira n, the Justic e Depa rtment s aid P r o s e c u t o r s s a i d M e r c h a n t attempted to recruit US-based accomplices in 2024 to avenge the 2020 killing of Iranian comm a n d e r Q a s s e m S o l e i m a n i Targets included Trump, thenP r e s i d e n t J o e B i d e n , a n d Republican leader Nikki Haley He was convicted of “murder for hire and attempting an act of terrorism transcending national b

Corps

Temple and Sri Ayyappa Seva Samaj

The new SICS committee,

introduced to the audience in

Baskaran T

lowed by

lively two-hour

the diversity of South Indian

included classical dances such as

Mohiniyattam, a tribal dance, a Sankranti skit, the martial art Silambam, and cinematic dance routines set to popular Tamil,

appreciated, marking a successful beginning for the new SICS committee

The trial began last week in

strikes on Iran with Israel, sparking the region’s largest conflict in years

Merchant admitted joining

Guards members to protect his family in Tehran, but said he never received direct orders to

and initially pleaded not guilty The Revolutionary Guards have denied targeting Trump or other US officials

s

Ex-rapper Balen set to become Nepal’s Prime Minister

Balend ra S hah , the rapp erturned-politician kno wn as Balen, is poised to become Nepal’s next prim e m inister after his Rastriya S watantra P arty (RSP) won a historic land slide

Formed just three years a

party’s victory reflects public

guard and marks a major w

G

n Z movement that toppled the previous government RSP

l e a d e r R

called it “ a victory of hope and change” and a tribute to the Gen Z martyr

Nepal’s mixed electoral

weak coalitions, but Shah’s R

y

(RSP) is set for a historic majority, winning at least 122 of 165 direct seats, with final results pending

The high-stakes election saw veteran politicians face a new generation promising r e f o r m A t 3 5

gained fame as Kathmandu’s

September’s youth protests, which killed nearly 70 and toppled four-time PM KP

Sharma Oli

winning Jhapa-5 decisively against Oli, 68,348 to 18,724,

yours

and earning praise as a symbol of justice for Gen Z martyrs A

faces major challenges: high e

corruption, and navigating Nepal’s ties with India and C

bureaucracy still

barrier to real reform

First South Asian to lead NYC’s art department

Brook ly n-ba se d cura tor Diya

D e p a r t m e n t of C u lt u r a l

A ffair s (DCA ), th e first Sout h

A sia n to hold the post

At 40, Vij was praised by Mayor Zohran Mamdani as

a “ v i s i o n a r y l e a d e r ” d e d i c a t e d t o m a k i n g a r t

a c c e s s i b l e c i t y w i d e a n d supporting artists’ ability to live and create in New York

Gonzalo Casals Vij said she was “ready to push for a city where artists, workers, and c

policies

She holds an MA in Art H i s t o r y f r o m H u n t e r College and a BA from Bard C o l l e g e , h a

Queens Museum, led DCA

Bhavitha Mandava joins Chanel as house ambassador

bec om e the first Indi an house ambas sador for iconi c Fren ch luxury brand Chanel,

global

e x c i t

Chanel’s spirit of the modern working woman and feels “truly honoured to join as an ambassador for a house that holds a special place in my heart ”

runway for Matthieu Blazy’s first collection and later made history as the first Indian model to open a Chanel show, leading the Métiers d’Art collection in New York City last December In January, she closed the Chanel haute couture show in a bridal l o o k , s o l i d i f y i n g h e r g l o b a l f a s h i o n presence She has since graced the covers of top magazines, including British Vogue and i-D

in brief BANGLADESH CLOSES UNIVERSITIES AMID POWER STRAIN

Bangladesh has closed all universities and introduced fuel rationing amid a worsening energy crisis linked to the Middle East conflict Public and private universities will start Eid alFitr holidays early to conserve electricity and fuel, while also easing traffic congestion Officials noted that campuses consume significant power for dorms, classrooms, labs, and air conditioning and early closure will relieve pressure on the strained grid “The decision aims to reduce electricity and fuel use amid the current global situation ” said the Ministry of Education With schools closed for Ramadan most educational institutions will remain shut Bangladesh importing 95% of its energy also imposed daily fuel limits after panic buying Foreign-curriculum schools and coaching centres must suspend operations while offices are urged to use electricity efficiently, maximizing daylight and reducing unnecessary usage

GEORGIA TEACHER KILLED IN STUDENT PRANK

She previously served as vice president of curatorial and arts programs at Brooklyn’s non-profit Powerhouse Arts and was part of Mamdani’s arts and culture transition committee

launched its Public Artist in Residence program

The 28-member arts and c u l t u r e t r a n s i t i o n committee included figures like curator Kimberly Drew, p o e t E l i z a b e t h A l e x a n d e

municipal arts funder in the U S ,

$245 million in funding last year

Outspoken YouTuber Nancy Grewal fatally stabbed in Ontario

A 45- year- ol d Punjabi- origin

w o m an , N a n c y Gr

W indsor, was fatally stabbed in LaSall e, sh ocking the loc al c ommu nity

P o l i c e a n d p a r a m e d i c s responded shortly before 9:30 p m to a report of a stabbing

o

Grewal with severe injuries

She was rushed to hospital

T

u , K h a l i s t a n i t e r r o r i s t s , a n d various political and religious figures in Punjab

LaSalle police expressed

Nancy Grewal

c o n d o l e n c e s t o N a n c y G r e w a l ’ s f a m i l y , d e s c r i b i n g the stabbing as an isolated i n c i d e n t I n v e s t i g a t o r s cordoned off two homes on T o d d L a n e a n d a n e a r b y wooded area near Herb Gray Parkway to collect evidence

T h e f a t a l s t a b b

follows the region’s first

found dead, with one

LaSalle

The Indian Express that

hesitated to speak the truth” and had feared for her safety She called for a full investigation into both the previous incident and her daughter’s

y fault was that she spoke the

Her fashion career began unexpectedly while pursuing a master’s in integrated design and media at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, when a modelling scout spotted her on the subway Within two weeks, Matthieu Blazy, then at Bottega V e n e t a , c a s t h e

n

r u n w a y s h o w , launching her rise to one of fashion’s most prestigious roles

A tragic incident in Georgia US claimed the life of beloved North Hall High School math teacher Jason Hughes, 40, after a student prank went wrong, The New York Times reported On March 5 students had covered Hughes trees with toilet paper, a common prank in the US, and ran off when he came outside During the confrontation, Hughes tripped into the road and was struck by a pickup driven by 18-yearold Jayden Ryan Wallace Hughes was rushed to Northeast Georgia Medical Center but died from his injuries Wallace faces first-degree vehicular homicide, while four teens were charged with misdemeanour trespass and littering “Jason Hughes was a loving husband, devoted father, and respected teacher,” said Hall County Schools Superintendent Will Schofield Hughes had moved from Gwinnett to teach at North Hall High with his wife Laura and their two sons

SOCIAL MEDIA POST TRIGGERS HINDU IDENTITY DEBATE

Mansfield Centre promotes

Palliyali, who was on the road for a transport company when he received the life-changing call, will share the prize with three others, receiving just under Rs 10 crore (Dh4 million) to return to India and settle down

He revealed that a last-minute ticket purchased online on February 28, at the urging of his cousin and friends, turned out to be the lucky one Initially, Palliyali thought the congratulatory call from Big Ticket was a routine reminder, leaving him stunned by the news

Palliyali was initially suspicious of the call, noting it came earlier than usual for Big Ticket notifications and even asked officials if it was a prank After confirming with his wife online, he realised he had won

He admitted that buying the expensive ticket every month for 15 years on a driver’s salary was challenging, often keeping it from his wife, who sometimes complained about the expense Palliyali plans to use the prize money to move back to India and secure the future of his daughter Vandana, who is studying in Bengaluru

An X post by Indian-American politician Jenifer Rajkumar sparked controversy after she described herself as the first Hindu-American elected to New York State office prompting some users to question the claim and even her name Rajkumar a Democratic New York State Assembly member said she is proud to inspire a new generation of Hindu American leaders She shared a flyer for an April 12 Long Island City discussion, Taking the High Road, with Suhag Shukla on challenges facing Hindu Americans Her remarks received mixed reactions, with some questioning her identity and others praising her role in making Diwali a publicschool holiday Jenifer Rajkumar made history in November 2020 as the first South Asian woman elected to the Assembly Born in Queens to Indian immigrant parents, she is a Stanford and University of Pennsylvania graduate, former civil rights lawyer, and ex-Director of Immigration Affairs for New York State

FOUR CHARGED IN MAJOR FENTANYL BUST

Police have charged four men and seized more than $2 3 million worth of suspected fentanyl in a major drug trafficking investigation spanning the Greater Toronto Area and Alberta Project OLLIE, launched by Ontario police in May 2025, targeted a network suspected of moving fentanyl between the GTA and Calgary During a February 10 Brampton search about 18 kg of suspected fentanyl roughly 180 000 lethal doses were seized along with three phones Four men have been charged: Navjot Singh 20 of Brampton remains in custody; Attarvir Singh 23 and Balwinder Singh 21 both of Calgary, were arrested in Winnipeg and Calgary; a Canada-wide warrant is out for Manpreet Singh, 21, also of Calgary

Communities step up to help stranded travellers

Ris ing Iran-Is rael tens ions have led to wides pread ai rspace clos ures across W est Asia, disrupting flights and strandi ng hundreds of thousands of pas sengers

Major hubs like Dubai International and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International have scaled back operations, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute services Flight delays continue, with an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Manchester forced to return after seven hours mid-air despite taking a longer, safer route over Africa

Governments are actively assisting stranded citizens India’s MEA reported over 52,000 Indians were safely evacuated from the Gulf between March 1-7, including 32,107 on Indian carriers

The UK said more than 140,000 Britons registered for help, with at least 4,000 returning via commercial flights and additional charter flights planned

The crisis is also affecting energy and domestic supplies Hotels and restaurants in several Indian cities report LPG shortages due to disrupted Gulf shipments, prompting the Centre to boost domestic production With the Strait of Hormuz at risk of closure and Gulf nations reducing output, analysts warn of a possible global supply crunch that could ripple far beyond the region, impacting energy, trade, and everyday life worldwide “ Stay flexible and take any s afe opportunity to move c loser to home”

Despite the Middle East conflict, locals remain safe and continue daily life under strong government measures For those stranded and trying to return home, however, travel disruptions and long waits have made the situation stressful

Speaking to Asian Voice, Humanitarian and development professional Dr Na afih KM said, “I’m in the UAE and have not returned home, as the situation is stable and life continues normally Initial worries eased quickly thanks to the country’s strong preparedness and response systems Even hearing fighter jets at night reassures residents of active security measures, allowing them to feel safe and sleep peacefully ”

He added, “Student safety has been a top priority, with schools closed until 6th March and online learning continuing through spring break Daily life largely continues, people shop, visit parks, attend iftars, and follow routines My advice to the community is to stay calm, rely on verified information, and trust the systems maintaining safety and stability ”

Gagandeep Kaur Gill, a British Insurance professional from the UK who has been living in Dubai for the past 16 years described her initial reaction to the news of missile strikes: “I was just at a yoga session in Dubai when my friend called to say Trump had fired missiles at Iran and there could be possible bangs heard in the UAE I was shocked and came straight home, I just wanted to be with my little dog, Leo, since pets are especially sensitive to these kinds of noises ” She praised the UAE government, saying, “They’ve done a magnificent job intercepting missiles, keeping us updated, and caring for stranded tourists I still feel this is the safest country in the world ” Gagan said, “I’ve lived in the UAE for 15 years, built a great career, and feel very safe under the government’s protection I want to stay and see the country emerge even stronger ”

She added, “Compared to Europe or the UK, the UAE’s systems and infrastructure are excellent, keeping us informed and safe This is my home, and I intend to ride this out, confident there’s light at the end of the tunnel ”

Sam Saha ban du, stranded in Oman, recounted, “It was surreal and uncertain from the start We landed in Muscat but stayed on the plane for over seven hours with little water and no food Clearing immigration and reaching a hotel took another five hours, over 15 hours in total The hardest part was the constant lack of information; daily updates from the airline were slow, causing much anxiety ”

On the evacuation process, Sam said, “Initially, the UK government process wasn’t clear for those stranded in Oman At first, there was no way to register for assistance We eventually found a link to register for a charter flight, which required £350 per person, surprising for many families Even after paying, seats weren’t confirmed Fortunately, Qatar Airways later offered a direct flight from Muscat to London Heathrow, which we took Compared to everything else, that process was straightforward ”

Reflecting on the ordeal, he said, “The constant uncertainty was toughest Many lacked money or travel insurance and struggled for basics, but fellow travellers, hotel staff, and the Omani people showed remarkable kindness, helping us feel safe ”

He advised, “Stay flexible and take any safe route home Keep your airline or agent contact active, and support fellow travellers, especially those facing language or other challenges, to ease anxiety ”

Mihir K Pate l, Chair of The India Overseas Trust UK, said, “As the Middle East is in turmoil, the once safe haven of the UAE has been shaken What surprised me is the large numbers of British expats and visitors in the UAE, at some counts up to 94,000 Clearly there has been a quiet migration during the current Government’s term of people who are voting with their money ”

He added, “This inordinately large number has posed a challenge to the British Embassy in the UAE to arrange evacuation flights The Embassy’s emergency messaging brings back memories of the first Gulf War and even the Uganda Expulsion, when all 22,806 evacuees who arrived in the UK between November 1972 and January 1973 paid for their flights themselves ”

Mihir added, “Our community comes together to help relatives, friends, and stranded strangers return to the UK or India Using WhatsApp, my Dubai evac group of 12 families has safely moved all but one via Muscat or Dubai to London and Mumbai ”

He concluded, “Special thanks to the UAE Government for its strong commitment to citizens, residents, and visitors, especially as it celebrates 50 years of its armed forces ”

Son of Iran’s Ayatollah set to lead

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, son of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in US-Israeli strikes, has been named his successor

Mojtaba has kept a low profile, never held office or given interviews, though he is rumoured to wield significant influence behind the scenes US diplomatic cables described him as "the power behind the robes" and a "capable and forceful" figure

His rise could be controversial, as Iran’s 1979 constitution selects supreme leaders based on religious and leadership credentials, not heredity Ali Khamenei rarely addressed succession, and two years ago a member of the Assembly of Experts opposed Mojtaba as a candidate

Born on 8 September 1969 in Mashhad, he studied at Tehran’s Alavi School and served briefly in the Iran-Iraq War at 17 In 1999, he began religious studies in Qom, adopting clerical attire at 30

India condoled the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveying sympathy to the Iranian ambassador and signing the condolence book on behalf of the government While calling for a resolution of the West Asia crisis through dialogue, India chose not to comment on Khamenei’s killing Misri’s visit gained significance as opposition parties had criticised the government for its muted response

Indians at the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi provided remarkable support during the sudden outbreak of war with Iran, ensuring stranded people received food, shelter, and safe passage home

On February 27, discussions were held with

Brahmavihari Das Swami about development plans around the temple The next day, as war erupted, the area became a conflict zone, with missiles and military activity near the 20-25 km temple vicinity, which houses UAE, US, UK, and French bases Anti-missile defences caused explosions and debris, prompting the temple to close to visitors, though worship and rituals continued inside

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj directed resident saints to stay and serve, calling twice daily to inspire courage and faith Coordinating with authorities, the temple became a safe haven for thousands

BAPS volunteers provided food, medicine, shelter, transport, and help returning home via Oman or Saudi Arabia, also assisting at the Indian Embassy

Ignoring government advice to evacuate, Mahant Swami Maharaj urged them to remain, emphasising courage and service Their efforts, praised by UAE Minister Sheikh Nahyan and India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, highlighted remarkable faith, humanity, and dedication amid the conflict

Iran issues apology, signals defensive stance

neighbouring countries for attacks during the conflict with Israel and the US, but said Iran will retaliate only if attacked first “I apologise on behalf of

India continues Russian oil imports despite US waiver

The Centre said India continues to buy crude oil from the most competitive sources, despite tensions along the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran-US-Israel conflict

India’s energy supply remains secure, backed by diversified imports from 40 countries “In the national interest, India purchases oil at the most competitive rates, regardless of source, ” the government stated

temporary waiver, with Russia remaining its largest supplier “India never needed permission and maintained imports during the Russia-Ukraine war due to discounted prices and refinery demand,” the Centre said

The country holds over 250 million barrels of crude, enough for seven to eight weeks, and has a refining capacity of 258 million tonnes per year, above domestic demand U

said on state

take their wish for Iran’s surrender to their graves

disrupted global energy flows, pushing oil prices higher Despite the US waiver, India’s imports strengthen its energy security as a net exporter

In February, Washington removed a 25% tariff on Indian exports amid claims India would halt Russian oil purchases, which New Delhi did not confirm

Amid West Asia’s conflict and flight disruptions, stranded Indian travellers have taken refuge in a shelter in Ajman

Jain converted his farmhouse

providing free lodging and meals to those stuck without resources

Tourist families from Maharashtra and Rajasthan said they were initially scared by loud sounds from the conflict but now feel safe and relieved at the shelter

Stranded UAE travellers have been finding refuge at the

Ajman farmhouse of Dubai-based developer Dr Dhiraj Jain,

For the past six days, Dr Jain, chairman of 1XL

Ruthia family seeks repayment of 1917 British “war loan”

I n 19 17 , during the s trains of

W orl d W ar I , t he Bri ti sh

E mpire, priding its elf as the land where the sun never

s e t , b or ro we d R s 3 5 , 0 00

from Seth Jummalal Ruthia,

a wea lth y an d in

uen ti al

b usiness man from Sehore, M adhya Pradesh

The sum, enormous by the standards of the time,

influence royal and colonial c

repaid the loan

send a legal notice to the

1917 Seth Jummalal Ruthia had loaned Rs 35,000 to the British government, a sum never repaid The records indicate it was a war loan to

family will, showing that in

management in the Bhopal princely state during British rule S e t h J

died in 1937, and the loan faded into obscurity Vivek Ruthia says its 1917 value, based on gold, could now run into crores

Dr Param Shah

though

and complex

wealthiest families, owning

Indore, and Bhopal, active in agriculture, hospitality,

managing legacy disputes

Nitish Kumar set to move to Rajya Sabha

N i ti s h K u ma r, w h o h a s s e rv ed a s B i h a r ’ s c h i ef

minister a rec ord 10 times, ap pears set to transition to the Rajya Sabh a, signalling a p o tent ial end to h is lo ng state-level career

A d i s c i p l e o f s o c i a l i s t leader Ram Manohar Lohia,

movement and was jailed during the Emergency First e l e c t e d M L A i n 1 9 8 5 , h e

Two

becoming chief minister in 2000 He went on to hold the

Bangladeshis held over murdering activist

Two prime suspect s in the murder of Bangladeshi yout h a ctivis t Sharif Os man Hadi, a key figure in the July 2024 upris ing that ousted the Sheikh Hasina governm ent, were a rrested by the Bengal Special Tas k Force in Bongaon Faisal Karim Masud (37) and Alamgir Hossain (34) had entered India from Bangladesh via the Meghalaya border after the Dec 12 attack on Hadi and frequently changed hideouts before reaching Bongaon, from where they planned to return to Bangladesh Osman Hadi, Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and Dhaka University of Scholars lecturer, was shot and airlifted to Singapore, dying on Dec 18 His killing during Bangladesh’s poll campaign sparked nationwide violence; he had campaigned against Hasina’s Awami League and for revising India-Bangladesh treaties

The Bengal STF arrested Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, who had illegally entered India and were hiding near Bongaon to return to Bangladesh A case under the Foreigners Act was filed, and a Bongaon court placed them in police custody Central agencies were notified, while Dhaka police had earlier arrested Faisal’s relatives for aiding his escape

Cabinet clears Madurai airport for international status

T h e Ca b i n e t a p pr o v

d d e cl a ri ng Ma du

of Ma durai’s people and will b oost globa l

t o the te mpl e city , which has a l arge indust rial clust er

The upgrade is expected to strengthen Madurai’s role as an educational and healthcare hub, with multiple airlines already expressing interest in expanding international flights from the airport Madurai airport, one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest, will gain international status to boost regional connectivity, trade, and economic growth The upgrade is expected to attract international pilgrims and businesses, reflecting the city’s historical significance The minister noted it will also improve access to key pilgrimage sites, including Meenakshi Amman, Koodal Azhagar, Thirupparankundram Murugan, Palamudhircholai Murugan temples, and Rameswaram

chief minister’s office

remaining central to Bihar’s politics T h e 7

JD(U) leader is set to

nomination in Patna,

senior NDA leaders present, a move seen as paving the way for a new chief minister

in Bihar S

joined JD(U) at the Patna

membership from National Working President Sanjay

Union Minister Lalan Singh

though Nitish was absent P

Nishant could take a key r

administration, possibly as Deputy Chief Minister

Harvard faces backlash over Sanskrit artwork

Harvard Uni versi ty has apologis ed after a social med ia pos t promoti ng i ts Elementary Sans kri t course sparked bac klash from secti ons of the H indu community, who d escribed the artwork as “H induph obic” and cul tu rally insensi tive

In a statement issued by its Department of South Asian Studies, the university said it “deeply regrets” sharing the image and confirmed it had been removed

The row stemmed from an artwork titled Master of Puppets by Anirudh Sainath, which critics, including the ‘Coalition of Hindus of North America’, said portrayed Sanskrit in a dark and negative light R e s p o n

committed to Sanskrit’s intellectual and cultural heritage and is reviewing its social media processes It also clarified that the post was unrelated to the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute

While CoHNA welcomed the apology, the episode has reignited debate over the portrayal of Hindu traditions in W

sensitivity

IndiGo CEO Elbers resigns, cites personal reasons

Ind iG o C E O P i eter El bers

resig ned, with M anaging Directo

regulatory filing

Elbers’ exit follows massive flight disruptions three months ago that stranded over three lakh passengers, leading the DGCA to i m p o s e R

penalties The board confirmed Elbers will be relieved from his duties at the close of business on March 10, 2026

H e b

mounting pressure after the airline’s December operational crisis grounded hundreds of flights In his resignation letter to Rahul Bhatia, he cited “personal reasons ” and requested his notice period be waived, saying it was “ an honour and privilege” to lead IndiGo and be part of its growth journey

Ahmedabad positions itself for Commonwealth Games 2030 and an Olympic future

Ahm ed abad is accelerating preparatio ns to ho st th e 203 0 Com monwealth Games (C WG), positio ning the ev ent as a springboard for a broad er Olym pic ambition T he Gujarat Go vernment’s 2026–27 Bud get signals that the Gam

o beyond being a stand alone sp orting event as a structural econom ic and urban transformation pro ject

The scale of fiscal backing is notable Gujarat’s total Budget for 2026–27 stands at approximately £38 8 billion, reflecting a 10 2% increase over the previous year Capital

embedded within this capital expansion framework

In his Budget address, the Finance Minister described the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games as an o

Ahmedabad is being developed as an “Olympic-ready city”, with investments in international-standard sports complexes, improved road networks, metro expansion, and urban infrastructure The intent is clear, to leverage the Games as a catalyst for permanent upgrades rather than temporary facilities

Tourism forms a central pillar of the strategy The Budget allocates approximately £640 million towards tourism development, while 2026 has been designated “Gujarat Tourism Year” Funding will support destination upgrades, visitor facilities, and international promotion Major sporting events typically generate spillovers across

appears focused on securing these multiplier effects well beyond the duration of the Games

Sports development itself receives an allocation of roughly £140 million This funding will support stadium construction, athlete training ecosystems, and associated sports infrastructure The Budget signals the creation of i n

hosting global competitions aligning with longer-term Olympic aspirations

Urban expansion and connectivity improvements are also part of the blueprint The State has announced plans for five new satellite towns near key cities, supported by

infrastructure Metro expansion, upgraded highways, and

mobility which

in hosting mega sporting events successfully

T h

Gujarat has allocated £630 million for Regional Economic Plans across six growth hubs, aimed

strengthening

between sport and economic development is explicit, infrastructure built for the Games is designed to integrate with industrial corridors, logistics networks, and smart city initiatives, ensuring post-event utility International engagement is playing a significant role in shaping the strategy The India Global Forum, in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat and the A

Commonwealth Connect Forum in Ahmedabad The event brought together a delegation led by Richard Parker, M

stakeholders

The forum’s agenda reflects a deliberate learning

Birmingham 2022, inclusive Games models, private-sector participation, airport connectivity, urban regeneration, and investment confidence Birmingham’s post-Games urban revitalisation and tourism growth provide a case study that Gujarat appears keen to adapt

For Gujarat, CWG 2030 is positioned as more than a sporting milestone The Budget structure indicates an integrated approach linking sports infrastructure, tourism expansion, urban development, and industrial growth

The reference to Ahmedabad as an “Olympic-ready city” signals ambition beyond 2030

Whether the city ultimately mounts a formal Olympic bid remains to be seen However, the financial allocations, institutional coordination, and international partnerships now underway suggest that Gujarat is laying foundations for a sustained role in global sport and mega-event diplomacy

* * * Views are personal

World’s largest old-age

home inaugurated by

Morari Bapu

The Sadbhavna V rud hash ram, built across 30 acres in Rampar village of Padd hari taluka near Rajkot, w as fo rmally inau gurated last week by Morari Bapu Developed at an estimated cost of £3 6 4 m illion, the project is considered A sia’s largest old-age home

This modern facility will be able to accommodate around 5,400 elderly residents under one roof, allowing them to live with dignity and proper care Along with residential facilities, the old-age home also

ensure medical treatment for the residents

For this remarkable initiative, Hasubhai N

Nagrecha family from East London supported the project with a £10 million donation last November

Sadbhavna Vrudhashram aims to provide care and support for destitute, disabled and ill elderly people, while also promoting tree plantation and environmental initia-

tives to bring greater greenery to the motherland

During the inauguration, Morari Bapu praised the generosity of the Nagrecha fam-

Moved by their spirit of service, values and dedication and the belief that ‘serving one

s parents is equal to serving God’, Morari Bapu also announced that he would hold a Ram Katha in London for the Nagrecha family

Subhash Thakrar OBE, UK Director of the Lohana International Business Forum, handing over the LIBF 2026 Award to Hasubhai Nagrecha and Umiben Radia in recognition of their humanitarian support and generous contribution towards the construction of the grand Sadbhavana Vrudhashram.

India-Finland expands strategic ties

Finnish Pre sident D r Al exand er Stubb concluded his four -da y stat e visit to India, meeti n g P

M i n is t e

N

n d

a Mo d i, Vi

P r e si d e n t Jag deep Dhankhar , and EAM S Jaishan kar

In Mumbai, he met the Governor and Chief Minister, engaged with business leaders, and addressed students at the University of Mumbai Mukesh Ambani and his son Anant hosted President Stubb for a luncheon, providing an informal setting to strengthen India-Finland ties and bilateral cooperation

This was Stubb’s first visit to India in his current role, reinforcing the strong partners h i p b e t w e e n t h e t w o d e m o c r a c i e s , w i t h Finland a key partner within the EU and Nordic region The visit built on Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s recent trip to India for the AI Impact Summit in February, highlighting both nations’ commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation

During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Stubb at Hyderabad House, where they agreed to expand collaboration in digitalisation, sustainability, clean energy, quantum computing, and semicond u c t o r s , w h i l e a l s o s t r e n g t

defence and space

In a joint statement, PM Modi said the two nations aim to develop a strategic partnership focused on high-tech sectors, including AI, 6G, clean energy, and quantum com-

between democratic countries like India and F i n

ecosystems and resilient global supply chains

Modi also highlighted existing collaborations, including Nokia’s telecom technologies connecting millions in India, Finnish architectural support for the Chenab Bridge, and t h e b a m b o o - t o

Numaligarh

PM Modi said the India–EU Free Trade Agreement will boost trade, investment, and technology cooperation with Finland He highlighted expanding collaboration in Arctic and polar research, as well as emerging tech-

nologies

R

emphasised India’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and the rule of law He praised Finnish President Stubb as a global leader and welcomed him as Chief Guest at this year ’ s Raisina Dialogue

Modi noted that amid global instability, India and Europe are entering a “golden era ” of partnership, strengthening global stability, development, and shared prosperity through cooperation in digital technology, infrastructure, and sustainability

The MEA stated that the leaders discussed trade, technology, innovation, multilateral cooperation, and regional and global developments

PM Modi hosted a luncheon for President Stubb, who also paid homage at Rajghat Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar met Stubb ahead of the summit-level talks The visit aims to further strengthen India–Finland ties, grounded in shared democratic values and growing

regions

Cabinet opens door for Chinese investment in India

Myanmar, and Afghanistan, to obtain government approval for investments, curbing “opportunistic takeovers” during the

without approval

Today, the cabinet eased FDI restrictions for neighbouring countries, aiming t o

Indian FDI has been minimal, just 0 32% ($2 51 billion) of total FDI equity between April 2000 and December 2025

The government said the new FDI guidelines will ease doing business, attract

boost domestic firms, and integrate India w

competitiveness, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat, and driving growth

India-China relations, strained after the 2020 Galwan clash, have improved

Modi at the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, and direct flights resumed, boosting trade and investment China is now India’s second-largest trading partner, with imports reaching $113 45 billion in 2024-25

PM Modi launches metro corridor projects

P r im e M in is

N a r en dr a

Modi inaugurated two new

De l h i M et r o c

, inclu ding th e co untry’s first ‘Ring Metro’

The Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur (Pink Line) stretch spans 12 3 km with eight elev

Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park ( M

9 9 km The Pink Line now totals 71 56 km, completing India’s first fully operational Ring Metro

include Majlis Park, Burari, J h a r o d a M a j r a , J a g a t p u rW a z i r a b a d , S o o r g h a t , N a n a k s a r - S o n i a V i h a r , K h a j u r i K h a s , B h a j a n p u r a , Yamuna Vihar, and MaujpurB a b a r p u r , f e a t u r i n g a n e w Yamuna bridge and doubledecker viaduct

tions, stretching the line to 49 km, with parts reaching 28 36 m, one of Delhi Metro’s highest sections PM Modi also laid foundations for three Phase-V(A) c

(3

improving access to central Delhi, the airport, and Noida–south Delhi routes

Presid ent Dro upadi Murmu announced a m ajor adm inistrative reshuffle, appointi ng f o rm er I nd ia n

A m bas s ad o r to th e U S , T aranjit S ingh S and hu , as the Lieutenant Gov ernor o f Delhi

experience in Washington and Sri Lanka, replaces Vinai

Ladakh

This transition occurred following the sudden resign a t i o n

t o r i e s C o n s e q u e n t

y , Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has been transferred to West Bengal, a move that comes just weeks before the s t a t e s a s s e m b l y e l e c t i o

Mamata leads protest against voter deletions

West Bengal C hief M inister

M am ata Banerjee retu rned

to street p olitics, staging a

d h arna in central K olkata

o ver larg e-scale d eletions in the state’ s v oter rolls after

t h e S I R e xer ci s e, intensifying th e TM C’s clash

w it h t h e El ec ti o n

C o mm is sio n ahead of the A ssem bly p olls

Launching a sit-in at the symbolic Metro Channel in E

around

15 pm after postSIR electoral rolls showed

and 60 06 lakh voters under

roll issue central to the April elections

C claimed over

crore voters could be affected, a charge

denied by the EC

political boycott” of the BJP, while remarks by MP Kalyan Banerjee on Chief Election C

Kumar sparked controversy M

Mahua Moitra also criticised the alleged deletions

tension when para-teachers demonstrated nearby, with Banerjee accusing the BJP of

protests over Singur (2006)

(2019)

NCB seizes drugs worth Rs 10 crore, five arrested

T h e Nar co t i cs C o nt ro l B u re au ( NC B) h a s d ismantled an international

d ru g tra ff i ck in g net w o rk

o p e rat i ng ac ro s s Nep al, India and Sri Lanka, seizing narcotics worth about Rs 10 c ro r e (£ 8 1 2, 0 0 0 ) a nd arresting five p eop le

Officials said 77 6 kg of

h a s h i s h o i l a n d 2 k g o f charas were seized in a joint

o p e r a t i o n b y t h e N C B ’ s

C h e n n a i a n d H y d

b a d units, along with two cars, a

m

h i n g boat used to transport the drugs T h e c r a c k d o w n b e g a n on March 3 when officers

Investigations revealed the c o n s i g n m e n t h a d b e e n smuggled from Kathmandu via the Sonauli border to T h o o t h u k u d i

hashish oil was seized from three more suspects Officials said the drugs were to be transferred midsea to a Sri Lankan contact, but the Indian Coast Guard intercepted the fishing boat

Maritime Boundary Line A S

suspected of financing the

underway

Supreme Court of India warns over AI citations

T he S upr e m e C o ur t o f

I ndi a has warned of legal c onsequences after a j udge

i n A nd hr a P ra d e s h c i te d f a k e , AI - g e n er a te d j udgemen ts in a property dis pute

RM

Nachammai becomes first woman to lead Kaiga Nuclear Plant ops

In a historic first for Ind ia’ s nuclear p ow er s ecto r, RM Nachamm ai has becom e the f ir st w o m an C h ie f S up erin te nden t ov ers eeing op erations at a functional nuclear p ower p lant u nd er th e Nu c le ar P o w er C o r p o rat io n o f I nd ia L td (NPCIL )

She will head the Kaiga Generating Station Units 3 a

performance

both her technical expertise

attention to the gender gap at NPCIL, where only about 9

employees are women With over 35 years of experience, Nachammai joined NPCIL

from Madras University and

High Court acquits Ram Rahim in 2002 murder case

The P unj ab an d Hary an a High C ourt has ac quitted D er a S ac ha S au d a c hi ef G urmee t Ram R

m Si ngh in the 2002 murder case of

Chhatrapati

A bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu set aside the life sentence given to Ram Rahim by a CBI court in 2019, while upholding t h

Ram Chander Chhatrapati was shot outside his Sirsa home in October 2002 after his newspaper Poora Sach p u

He died of his injuries weeks later T

transferred to the CBI in

2006, which named Ram Rahim Singh a conspirator His lawyer confirmed the acquittal, but he remains in Sunaria jail, serving a 20-

rape conviction Chhatrapati’s son said

the verdict in the Supreme Court, expecting the CBI to do the same This is the second time the high court has cleared Ram Rahim in a 2002 Dera-linked murder

killing

T h e A n d h r a P r a d e s h H i g h C o u r t s o u g h t a n explanation from the junior judge, who said it was her first time using an AI tool

a n d s h e b e l i e v

While the court said the mistake was made in good

intelligence over artificial

defendants appealed to the

The ruling, delivered by a j u n i o r c i v i l j u d g e i n Vijayawada, relied on four non-existent cases created by AI While the Andhra P r a d e s h H i g h C o u r t acknowledged the error, it said the judge acted in good faith and upheld the order, s t a t i n g t h a t i n c o r r e c t c i t a t i o n s a l o n e w e r e n o t e n o u g h t o o v e r t u r n t h e decision

Supreme Court of India

The Supreme Court of India took a stricter view,

citations an “institutional

c o n c e r n ” I t h a s s o u g h t r e s p o n s e s f r o m t

Attorney General, Solicitor

High Court of England and Wales have also raised calls for stronger regulation and human oversight of AI in courts

Vir Chakra awardee K G George dies at 95 in Kerala

Lance Hav ild ar ( retd ) K G George, a Vir Ch akra awardee for h is brav ery in the 1965 Ind ia-P akistan War, passed aw ay in Kerala at 95, his fam ily said

Born in February 1931, George died at his Kottayam residence from agerelated causes, his grandson Remo John, 21, confirmed He served in the Indian

A

m y

s C

established in 1911

Lance Havildar K G George’s Vir Chakra citation commends his “ courage and devotion to duty of a high order”

d

Between September 6–10, under heavy s

H

communications in the Wagah Sector On the night of September 8–9, he established a crucial line from Brigade Headquarters to forward battalions despite life-threatening risks

family in Kerala is awaiting the return of his father and brother from Dubai, delayed by the West Asia conflict Meanwhile, George’s remains have been embalmed in Kottayam, with funeral and burial planned after their return Lance Havildar K G George (retd)

Tej Pratap Yadav’s JJD to contest West Bengal seats

Tej Pr atap Yada v, JJD chief a nd elde r son of RJD l eader Lal u Prasad, said his party wil l cont est the upcoming W e st B e ng a l a s se m b l y e lections

H e t o l d

whether to go solo or form

seats after his visit to the state Yadav also said JJD plans t o

Legislative Council seats and noted the party recently won s

Students Union polls

Tej Pratap was expelled from the RJD on May 25 last y

Anushka He later deleted the Facebook post, claiming h

while Lalu Prasad disowned

Prasad, for six years, a day after he reportedly admitted to being “in a relationship”

Following his expulsion, T

Tejashwi Yadav, posting on X that the crisis was caused by ‘Jaichand,’ a metaphor for traitors

India ranks 2nd in global arms imports

The Stockholm International Peace Res earch I ns t it ut e (S IPR I ) r ep or t e d t ha

In di a h a s be come the world’s s econd-larges t weapons im porter, acc ounting for 8 3% of global arm s im ports betwee n 2021 and 2 02 5 Ukraine tops the list with 9 7% am id its wa r wit h Rus sia

The SIPRI report, Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2025, noted that India’s arms i m p o r t s f e l

, despite delays However, recent and planned purchases, such as 140 combat aircraft from France and six submarines from Germany, s h

suppliers

SIPRI reported that India’s main arms

suppliers from 2021–2025 were Russia, France,

Western sources over the decade Russia’s share fell from 70% (2011–15) to 40% (2021–25), while France and Israel supplied 29% and 15% India’s imports are driven by tensions with China and Pakistan, including a brief clash with Pakistan in May 2025 Pakistan, the fifth-largest importer, saw a 66% rise, mainly

Netherlands as other suppliers Global arms transfers hit their highest level since 2011–15 The US led with 42% of exports, followed by France (9 8%), Russia,

Sant Bhagwant Sahebji’s 87th Pragatya Parva celebrated with devotion

S ahebji was celebr at ed with devo-

from

br oad

Sahebji entered the assembly on a beautifully decorated chariot, warmly welcomed by youth performing vibrant devotional dances

F

Sapakhru presentation, symbolising disciples’ heroic devotion, was performed, with the entire congregation joining in the dignified tribute Saints and saint-sisters from various Gunatit Samaj institutions attended, expressing deep reverence for Sant Bhagwant Sahebji Notable representatives included Pujya Premswaroop Swamiji, Pujya Tyagvallabh Swamiji, Pujya Nirmal Swamiji from Haridham Sokhada; Pujya Bapuswami from Sankarda; Pujya Suhrud Swami and vratdhari

from Powai; Pujya Padubhen and Pujya Shobhanaben from Gunatit Jyot; and Pujya Saujanyaben with saint-sisters from Bhakti Ashram, Sokhada S

University; and other prominent

and social organisations The event was further enlivened by devotees from India and abroad

Sadguru Pujya Manojdasji welcomed attendees and highlighted three spiritual milestones: the Yogi A j n a

Jubilee, 60 years of Gunatit Samaj, and 50 years of Anoopam Mission Saints offered ceremonial worship and floral tributes to Sant Bhagwant Sahebji, while representatives from Gunatit Samaj institu-

Niranjanbhai Patel, VC of Sardar Patel University; Shri Bhikhubhai

webca

ished tradition of Pramukh S w a m i M

H

M a h a

t S w a m i M a h a r a j lovingly observed the festival, drawing around 75,000 devotees of all ages to the

B A P S S w a m i n a r a y a n Mandir and the specially prepared campus grounds of BAPS Vidyamandir A grand pavilion of 7 5

tions presented gifts and garlands

Sahebji’s life, narrated by Sadguru saints

Devotees received prasad on entry

The assembly opened with Rangotsav kirtans by

lowed by presentations

lighted the festival’s mes-

Bhagwan’s colours, while thematic discourses were delivered by senior swamis,

Maharaj blessed devotees,

Rangotsav, and showered colours on senior swamis, who honoured him with garlands The celebration ended with saffron-scented kesuda water drenching thousands in vibrant devotion

Swami Maharaj’s blessings and the efforts of swamis

Devotees gather for Mahaatmya Darshan Sabha at Denham

Anoopam Su r-Vrund

The event, attended by

and Pujya Himat Swami, centred on the theme “Bhajan Karta Karta Kriya Karvi” (performing actions while immersed in devotion) Saints and devotees from various Gunatit Samaj institutions shared reflections on Sahebji’s spiritual greatness Around 250 devotees, including youth and elders, participated, offering prayers and devotional service, with young members delivering short talks at Sahebji’s feet Himmat Swami inspired devotees to align their lives with Sant Bhagwant Sahebji’s guidance, while Dinkarbhai reflected on his divine glory The programme included the formal launch of the Om Business e-Directory and concluded with prayers for the Hindu community and chanting of the Swaminarayan Mahamantra Sisters at Anoopam Mission Denham then offered Mahaprasad to Shri Thakorji Maharaj, saints, and devotees in an act of devotion and seva

Sahebji’s love inspiring his seva of Yogi Bapa Dignitaries, including

Abhijat Sheth, paid heartfelt trib-

utes highlighting Sahebji’s divine love In his address, Sant Bhagwant S a h e b j i b l e s s e d t h e a s s e m b l y , teaching that true happiness comes from remembrance of the divine, surrender at the Guru’s feet, humble service, ego dissolution, and associating with liberated saints

Youths take sadhu diksha at BAPS Bhagwati Mahotsav

Bhagwa ti Diksha Mahot

pa rshads int o the

received Parshad Diksha two years ago, embraced renunciation under the blessings of Mahant Swami Maharaj

t h e r s w i t h advanced studies, and four NRIs raised in Canada By

l e a v i n g p r o m i s i n g c a r e e r s and comforts, they embody the ancient Indian tradition

o f s p i r i t u a l d e d i c a t i o n , inspiring society in today’s materialistic world

T h e D i k s h a c e r e m o n y b e g a n w i t h a V e d i c M a h a p u j a , a f t e r w h i c h

M a h a n t S w a m i M a h a r a j blessed the new sadhus with t h e G u r u M a n t r a : “ A k s h a r a m A h a m

P u r u s h o t t a m D a s o s m i ” ( I am Akshar, the eternal servant of Purushottam)

D u r i n g t h e a s s e m b l y , fathers of the initiating pars h a d s w e r e h o n o u r e d b y senior sadhus, and mothers

b y s e n i o r w o m e n l e a d e r s

Two days earlier, 29 youths

h a d a l s o r e c e i v e d P a r s h a d Diksha, bringing the total initiated by Mahant Swami Maharaj to 352, and the total number of BAPS sadhus to 1,234 Recognised by the UN, BAPS sadhus are highly educated and devote their lives entirely to service and spiritual practice, without leave or salary T

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh to ban children using social media

These measures, driven by concerns over mental health and academic decline,

m ed ia use for children to com bat rising d igital addiction

Speaking in their respect i v e S t a t e A s s e m b l i e s ,

proposed a ban for those under 16, while Andhra’s N Chandrababu Naidu set a 90-day deadline to restrict access for children below 13

Redefining sustainable luxury from Surat

BRROTANK is a forward-thinking

sustainable luxury fashion label that aims to redefine modern apparel by combining eco-conscious materials with cutting-edge design and craftsmanship

The brand specialises in premium knitwear created through seamless 3D-knit technology, which eliminates traditional stitching and significantly reduces material waste, championing

a

garment manufacturing Each piece is

environmental impact and avoiding

customers personalised, high-quality fashion that lasts

T

Surat, Gujarat, India, a city renowned worldwide for its rich textile legacy

embracing modern knit engineering, BRROTANK positions itself at the intersection of tradition, innovation, and sustainable luxury

Speaking to A sian Voice, S iddh ant V ek ari ya , F o u nd e r an d M ai s o n

Principal of BRROTA NK, spoke about

y responsible He said, “Luxury, to me, is

n o t v i s i b i l i t y , i t i s r e s t r a i n t

B R R O T A N K o p e r a t e s q u i e t l y

made-to-order foundation We do not

production simply to create noise

E v e r y g a r m

b

g i n s w i t

, biodegradable natural fibres and is engineered through seamless 3D-knit construction, reducing waste while i n c r e a s i n g s t r u c t u r a l l o n g e v i t y

Two Indian Air Force pilots killed in jet crash

Sustainability is not a marketing layer f o r u s ; i t i s a d

A

garment that lasts decades, naturally regulates the body’s microclimate, and a

responsible True luxury leaves no excess behind

traditional knitwear, Siddhant said,

garments are constructed as a single architectural form Seamless 3D knit engineering allows us to eliminate

interruptions The fabric follows the body’s movement without pressure

mulberry silk According to him, each fibre offers distinct physiological and

exceptional softness, camel hair’s deep insulation and natural resilience, and

alone It is proportion,” he explained,

The Ind ian Air Force confirmed the tragic d eaths of two pilots following the crash of a Sukhoi Su-3 0MKI fighter jet in Assam T h e v i c

Vashishth, 29, and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, 25, were conducting a routine training mission when their aircraft lost radar contact

The jet had departed from Jorhat Airbase but disappeared near the remote Inglong Ekopi Hill in the Karbi Anglong district Local villagers reported a loud explosion, which led search teams to the wreckage approximately 60 kilometres from the base

inevitable We believe luxury should feel effortless, never imposed ” Explaining the choice of fibres and their environmental impact, Siddhant

performance and permanence

He

performance natural fibres including Z Q

cashmere, Bactrian camel hair, and

Aviation minister promises AI171 crash report by year end

Union C ivil Aviatio n Minister K Ram moh an Naid u informed th e R aj ya S abh a th at t h e inv estigation into the trag ic A ir I nd i a f li g h t A I

is nearing comp letion

On June 12, 2025, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 260

A h m

London Gatwick, resulting in no survivors

T h e A i

s currently conducting a thorough probe with full ministerial support to determine how the mechanical or operational f

t i s expected by December 2026 Beyond the investigation, the Minister highlighted India’s aviation growth, noting the Noida International Airport will open within 45 days Amid West Asian tensions, the DGCA has safely repatriated 90,000 Indians To bolster safety, the government has implemented the digital ‘Track by Tail’ programme, aiming to expand the national infrastructure to 350 airports by 2047

Valla

durability Emphasising wellness and sustainability, he added that natural protein fibres interact with the body

difference is not loud, it

luxury level, Siddhant said, “The real

demand respect, seamless engineering

restraint In an industry driven by s p

discipline Speed may create attention, but discipline creates legacy, and that is what we are building ”

AIIMS and ISRO partner to advance space medicine

The All-India Institu te of Medical Sciences (A IIM S) New Delhi and th e I nd ia n S p ac e Res e arc h Or g

Understanding to pio neer research in sp ace m ed icine

AIIMS Director M Srinivas and Human Space Flight Centre head

the agreement in the presence of ISRO Chairman V Narayanan This

microgravity, such as bone density loss,

combining medical expertise with space technology, the partnership aims to safeguard astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission, which is scheduled for a crewed flight in 2027 following uncrewed tests later this year

Research will encompass genomics, metabolic health, and behavioural science, providing insights into accelerated ageing that could eventually revolutionise geriatric care on E

leadership in space health

by 2047

Shakun group MD dies in Expressway crash

to Harish Hospital

The Su-30MKI serves as the backbone of the IAF's combat fleet, with over 260 units currently in operation This latest incident brings the total number of Su-30MKI losses to 13 since its induction in 2002 Flight Lieutenant Duragkar, who was commissioned in 2022, had recently participated in the high-stakes Operation Sindoor, while Squadron Leader Anuj had served for a decade The Court of Inquiry has been formally ordered to investigate potential technical failures or environmental factors behind the accident

Sharad Pawar elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha

T h e p o l it i ca l lan d s ca p e in M ah arashtra shifted as v eteran l ead er S h ara d P a w ar w as elected unop posed to the Rajya S abha

R e p

Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, t h e 8 6 - y e a r - o l d N C P ( S P ) s

opposition s lone winnable seat after intense negotiations in Mumbai and Delhi W

senior NCP leaders eventually

Thackeray’s faction reportedly expressed strong resentment over ceding the seat, which they argued belonged to the Sena under a prior rotational agreement

nominations on March 5 was widely interpreted as a protest against the decision Insiders suggest his group questioned the NCP (SP)’s long-term loyalty following rumours of a potential merger with the Ajit Pawar faction To maintain alliance unity, the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership ultimately deferred to Pawar's national stature, though the move has left the Thackeray camp concerned about losing consecutive seats in future cycles

Campaign

against

Sarpanch

Pati proxy rule launched

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the

Running until March 18, this initiative seeks to dismantle the illegal practice where male relatives side-line elected women to exercise de facto authority

Despite the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act ensuring 33% reservation, with over 21 states now mandating 50% many women remain figureheads To address this, the ministry is p

leadership

The campaign also advocates for strict penalties against interference, aiming to bolster the efficacy of nearly 1 4 million elected women in rural governance By providing dedicated leadership training and rigorous digital monitoring, the government intends to ensure that female representatives fully exercise their constitutional

Vijay seen with Trisha fuels buzz amidst his divorce

Tamil superstar and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay sparked intense public speculation after attending a high-profile wedding reception in Chennai alongside actress Trisha Krishnan

T

chemistry has spanned decades from ‘Ghilli’ to the 2023 hit ‘Leo’, arrived

producer Kalpathi Suresh s son Their

c o o

e traditional outfits comes exactly one

w

divorce on February 27

In her petition at the Chengalpattu f

"

prominent actress dating back to April 2021, seeking permanent alimony and r e s i d e n c y r i g h t s a f t e r 2 7 y e a r s o f marriage

Vijay’s recent public outing with Trisha has drawn criticism, as he is required to appear in court on April 20 The timing is sensitive, with the actor promoting his final film Jana

N a y a g a n a n d c a m p a i g n i n g f o r t h e 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

At a Thanjavur rally, he promised free higher education for farmers’ children, s i g n a l

engagement despite the controversy

T r i s h a c

p a r t i c i p a t i o

request and criticised online remarks:

“ A m

C

reflect on the speaker, not the target

M e a n w h i l e , V i j a y a d d r e s s e d supporters at a Women’s Day event for his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, urging calm: “Don’t get hurt by the allegations I’ll handle it Be confident, only good things will happen ”

Actor Nazriya Nazim officially joined the filming schedule of the highly anticipated action-comedy Suriya 47 in Chennai

Directed by Jithu Madhavan, following his 2024 blockbuster ‘Aavesham’, the project marks Nazriya's long-awaited return to the Tamil film industry after a twelve-year hiatus Upon her arrival on set, Nazriya was greeted with a warm welcome from the film's producers, Suriya and Jyotika, who presented her with a personalised floral gift hamper and a handwritten note

The actress shared her excitement on social media, tagging Zhagaram Studios and confirming her lead role opposite Suriya The film, which commenced production on December 7, 2025, features Suriya as an unconventional police officer leading an eccentric squad While early speculation suggested a bilingual tone, director Jithu Madhavan recently clarified that the project is a "proper Tamil film" tailored for local audiences Joining Nazriya in the stellar cast are ‘Premalu’ star Naslen and music composer Sushin Shyam, who is making his official Tamil debut With filming currently underway and theatrical release expected by mid-2026, the project has already generated significant revenue through pre-sold rights Following her stint in ‘Suriya 47 ’ , Nazriya is slated to appear in the Sony LIV

Nazriya Nazim returns to Tamil cinema with ‘Suriya 47’

celebrities including Karan Johar, Kriti Sanon, Allu Arjun and Ram

Charan attended the wedding reception of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda in Hyderabad

The grand reception at Taj Krishna followed the couple’s private wedding in Udaipur on February 26 Rashmika wore a red-and-gold sari with a striking black-

emblem of the Wadiyars of Mysore, while Vijay donned a cream kurta-dhoti with

emerged over whether the sari Rashmika was wearing was genuine Mysore silk

Rashmika and Kriti, congratulating the couple and joking about Kriti being his

Ajith Kumar's brother to debut in Hollywood

Entrepreneur

Anil Kumar announced his unexpected foray into acting with a cameo in the upcoming Hollywood romantic comedy, ‘Coco and Nut’ Th businessman, who is the younger brother of Tamil superstar Ajith mar, revealed via Instagram that he will be playing a fictionalised rsion of himself: Mr Matchmaker, the founder of his real-life matrimonial platform, Jodi365 Filming for this international project is scheduled to commence in Chicago this June, with Anil set to feature in a light-hearted, one-day segment The English-language film is d

granddaughter of legendary Indian actress Nutan, in her first United States feature The production boasts a significant cross-border collaboration, w

recorded a foot-tapping track for the film in Chennai This venture follows a period of heightened public interest in the Pataudi and Kumar families, particularly after Ajith Kumar received the Padma hushan in 2025 While Anil has previously maintained a low profile as nsulting engineer and angel investor, his debut in ‘Coco and Nut’ a new chapter in his diverse career

Rashmika and Vijay celebrate star-studded reception

from Cocktail 2 director Homi Adajania, who captioned one “Shiny happy people” and wished the newlyweds “only love and happiness ”

newlyweds at the reception, which was also attended by Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Nagarjuna with wife Amala and son Naga Chaitanya, Sukumar, Neena Gupta and husband Vivek Mehra, Naveen Polishetty, D

Sarathkumar, R Sarathkumar, Nani with Namrata Shirodkar and daughter Sitara, Sreeleela, and Dheekshith Shetty Karnataka deputy CM D K Shivakumar shared a picture with the couple, wishing t

chapter Vijay and Rashmika, long rumored to be dating since ‘Geetha Govindam’ (2018), got engaged in October 2025 Rashmika was last seen in ‘The Girlfriend’ (2025) and has ‘Mysaa’ upcoming, while Vijay starred in ‘Kingdom’ The duo will reunite for the period drama Ranabaali, directed by Rahul Sankrityan, releasing on September 11

Priyanka Chopra to present at 2026 Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that global superstar Priyanka Chopra Jonas will join an elite roster of presenters for the 98th Academy Awards

Set to take place on March 15, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the ceremony will see Priyanka share the stage with industry icons including Robert Downey Jr , Anne Hathaway, and Gwyneth Paltrow This marks Priyanka’s return to the Oscar stage exactly a decade after her first presenting appearance in 2016 The event, hosted for the second consecutive year by comedian Conan O’Brien, will celebrate a historic year for cinema, notably Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which has shattered records with 16 nominations

Beyond her presenting duties, Priyanka is currently filming the high-stakes action epic ‘Varanasi’ alongside Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran, directed by SS Rajamouli The film, which features a pioneering shoot in Antarctica, is slated for release on 7 April 2027 She was also recently seen in the Amazon Prime thriller ‘The Bluff’ and is preparing for the second season of the global spy series ‘Citadel’ As the film industry gathers in Los Angeles, Priyanka’s presence

Veteran

Actors

Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram expecting first child

Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram shared intimate maternity photos on Instagram, capturing serene moments as they await their first child

In the pictures, Randeep cradles Lin’s baby bump, touches foreheads with her, and gazes protectively, while Lin poses calmly, smiling at the camera Shot at home, the photos offer a candid glimpse into their life ahead of the baby’s arrival later this month

Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram met while working in theatre with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah’s Motley group, where their friendship blossomed into romance During the Covid-19 lockdown, they began living together and went public with their relationship on social media in 2022 The couple married on 29 November 2023 in Imphal, Manipur, in a traditional Meitei ceremony honouring Lin’s cultural heritage, later hosting a reception in Mumbai for friends and film industry colleagues

In 2025, Randeep appeared as a key antagonist in the action thriller ‘Jaat’ and has acted in international projects, including the Hollywood film ‘Extraction’ He is also attached to the upcoming military drama ‘Operation Khukri’, based on a real-life Indian Army mission

Lin Laishram, known for ‘Mary Kom’ (2014), has acted in films like ‘Umrika’, ‘Rangoon’, ‘Axone’, and ‘Jaane Jaan’ (2023) She is the founder of eco-friendly jewellery brand Shamooo Sana, runs a Manipuri cloud kitchen, and owns an archery team in the Archery Premier League

Saif Ali khan encourages Ibrahim to find independence

actor Saif Ali Khan spoke candidly about his decision to step back his son, Ibrahim Ali Khan, navigates a difficult start in the film industry.

During a conversation with his sister, Soha Ali Khan, on her YouTube channel, Saif addressed the unfair nature of nepotism, acknowledging that familial connections provide star kids with an undeniable head start Ibrahim made his professional debut in the Netflix romantic comedy ‘Nadaaniyan’, which was panned by critics for his performance He followed this with the military thriller ‘Sarzameen’, where he played a radicalised youth alongside Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran, receiving equally mixed responses

Despite the backlash, Saif remains firm that he will not "hold Ibrahim's hand" through these public failures He argued that because Ibrahim already possesses immense privilege, he must earn his place through personal merit rather than parental protection

Saif noted that while the industry door opens easily for kids, the audience only vindicates those who prove the ta e t over time Ibrahim is currently filming the sports drama ‘Diler’, directed by Kunal Deshmukh and co-starring Sreeleela, which is scheduled for a theatrical release later this year By refusing to intervene, Saif hopes h son will build a resilient identity independent of the Pataudi legacy

Bhumi

Pednekar reflects on previous career choices

Acclaimed

Speaking candidly about her filmography, Pednekar revealed how she occasionally compromised her character's agency in pursuit of a £20 million ( 200 crore) commercial hit Since her debut in ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ in 2015, the actor has built a reputation for performance-led cinema through films like ‘Badhaai Do’ and ‘Sonchiriya’ However, she shared that the allure of mainstream boxoffice success led her to select roles that diluted the very feminine strength her audience expects Pednekar emphasised that she now views these choices as significant missteps and vowed never to repeat them While she refrained from naming specific projects to avoid unnecessary noise, she was firm that she would no longer accept roles that disrespect her gender or lack substantial character depth This introspective session follows the success of her recent Prime Video series ‘Daldal’, which premiered on January 30 By prioritising artistic integrity over commercial temptation, Pednekar aims to reinforce her position as a leading voice for women ’ s representation in contemporary Indian cinema

India made history by becoming the first team to win a T20 World Cup at home, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

S

India wins historic T20 World Cup

World Cup title in front of

heartbreak of Rohit Sharma’s 50-over World Cup final loss at the same venue two years ago

form Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah

crushed New Zealand’s chase with 4-15 in four overs, earning

p

while Samson was named player of the tournament

New Zealand, losing their second T20 World Cup final, were bowled out for 159 as India defended their title Axar Patel

Chakravarthy

India posted 255-5, the thirdhighest T20 World Cup total, with Sanju Samson 89 off 46, Abhishek Sharma 52 off 21, and

Zealand’s chase stumbled early, losing three wickets in six overs, including Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips to Axar

Mitchell briefly tried to lift the chase, but Abhishek Sharma’s

sealing India’s third T20 World

Abhishek’s explosive hitting put New Zealand under pressure, with the opening pair adding 50 in four overs and 65 between overs four and six

scoring rate high, and Samson propelled India past 200 by the 15th over Neesham took three quick wickets to slow the run rate, but Shivam Dube’s 24-run final over helped India post the highest total in a T20 World Cup final

President Droupadi Murmu, V

congratulated Team India for

World Cup Murmu highlighted India as the only country to win the title three times and twice in a row, praising players and staff Radhakrishnan called it a proud moment for the nation, while Modi said the victory reflects determination and hard work, sharing a Sanskrit shloka urging citizens to pursue their goals

performance brought national pride

IPL 2026 to begin from March 28 Lindblad shines in F1 season opener

India and New Zealand at N

A hmedabad

champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who beat Punjab Kings by six runs in the

games at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, and two

a

Singh International Stadium,

facilitating the return of IPL matches to Bengaluru R C B t

CEO Rajesh Menon said,

Gukesh ends winless streak at Prague Chess Festival

W or l d C h a m p i on D G u k e s h e n d e d a wi nless streak by defeating Spain’ s David

A nton Guijarro in the final round of the M asters secti on at the Prague I nternational C hess Festi val Arav ind h C hitham bar am a l s o i m p re s s ed , b e at i n g C z e c h G randmas ter David Na va ra to fini sh joint s econd

After earlier draws and three losses, Gukesh showcased his skill, dominating G u i j a

m e Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov won t h e t o u r n a m e n t

with three wins and six draws Parham M a g h s o o d l o o , J o r d e n v a n F o r e e s t , a n d Aravindh shared second place with five p

highlighted his trademark tactical play, while Van Foreest, leader for the first seven rounds, faltered with back-to-back losses

I n t h e C h a l l e n g e r s ’ s e c t i o n , D i v y a Deshmukh finished third after defeating H r b e k S t e p a n , a h e a d o f

India Women’s Cricket Team nominated for Laureus Award

The Board of Control for Cri cket i n I ndi a (BCCI) announced that the India Women’s Cricket Team has been shortlisted for the presti gi ous Laureus W orld Team of the Y e

inspirati onal s portin g achievements sinc

The nomination follows their landmark 2025 maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup win, India’s first Women’s ODI title,

women ’ s cricket in the country

The India Women’s Cricket Team joins

World Team of the Year Award alongside

Women’s Football Team, and Oklahoma City Thunder Shortlists are voted on by 1,000+ sports media representatives from 70+ countries, with winners chosen by the

A rv i d L i n db l a d d es c r i b e d his debut for Racing B ulls in Australia as full of “ pi nch m e m om e n ts , ” b a t tl i n g racing idols and scoring his first points of the year

T h e 1 8 - y e a r - o l d , promoted from Formula 2 after finishing sixth in 2025, joined Racing Bulls as the only rookie on the F1 grid under the new regulations, p a r t n e r i n g L i a m L a w s o n He impressed with top-10 practice sessions, qualified P9, and climbed to P3 early before finishing P8

“ I w a s P 3 o n L a p 1 , w h i c h w a s p r e t t y n u t s , ” Lindblad said “I’m happy w i t h t h e w e e k e n d a n d almost got the maximum o u t o f t h e c a r L o o k i n g forward to China ” He later raced against

dream, and held off Haas’ Ollie Bearman for seventh “I may be the rookie, but I ’

Racing Lewis was amazing, definitely some ‘pinch me ’ moments ” The 18-year-old British driver, with Indian heritage

origin and often celebrates his roots with the Indian flag on his helmet

Lakshya Sen falls to Lin Chun-Yi in all-England final

Lakshya Se n ’ s misfort une at the All-Engla nd Badminton Championships cont in ue d a s he l ost in stra ight ga me s t o L in C hu n -Y i in t he fi n a l , adding to his 2022 r unn er-up fin ish Lin made hist or y a s the first play er from Chinese Taipei to win the pr est igious t it l e, w hi l e I n di a ’ s 25 -y e a r wait for a nother champion co n t i n ue s s in c e P r a k a sh P a d uk o n e a n d P ul l e l a Gopichand

Despite the 15-21, 20-22

s c o r e l i n e , t h e m a t c h w a s closely fought Lakshya Sen, who had played 90 more m i n u t e s t h a n L i n a n d beaten top players Shi Yu Qi a n d L i S h i f e n g , s h o w e d great resilience

Fatigue showed early as Lin Chun-Yi raced to a 6-2 lead, but Lakshya’s defence

kept him in the contest Lin, w

h i s return, closed the first game 21-15

After treatment during the break, Lakshya fought b a c k i n t h e s e c o n d , extending rallies and even leading 13-10, with a 46-shot winner thrilling the crowd L i n v a r i e d h i s s h o t s a n d regained control, eventually sealing the match 22-20 in the decider E x h

and a reminder of past nearmisses, including a fourth place at the Paris Olympics Still, his stellar performance signals promise, and 2026 c o u l d

shed his “nearly-man” tag