AV 1st November 2025

Inaugural British Museum Ball Page 16

Grooming gangs inquiry in turmoil

When

The government’s long-promised Grooming Gangs Inquiry, meant to deliver long-overdue justice to survivors of group-based child sexual exploitation, is now on the brink of c

vivor outrage

Continued on 09

u Mehli Mistry removed from Tata Trusts Page 20

u India Inc snaps up prized European assets on the cheap Page 20

u Vishal Shah's appointment pointing towards an AI push Page 23

u Indian-origin UK chess prodigy beats world champion Page 32

B R I T I S H I N D I A N S

S H I F T I N G T O W A R D S R E F O R M U K ?

For the British Indian voters, immigration is no longer the dividing line; performance is From Reform’s law-and-order pitch to the Greens’ climate call, delivery now trumps identity and rhetoric

Anusha Singh

In a political twist few would have predicted, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is finding unexpected traction among one of Britain’s most influential and

regarded as a steadfast bastion of Labour loyalty and social moderation, this diaspora now appears to be reconsidering its political home.

New polling by the 1928 Institute, an Oxford-based think tank studying the British Indian community, reveals that support for Reform UK has tripled in just a year; a surge from 4% to 13% that has stunned analysts and party strategists alike.

Continued on 12

Sardar Patel Jayanti to be observed as Rashtriya Ekta Divas

parade will be held at Ektanagar, the site of the Statue of Unity, on Oct 31 Apart from showcasing the cultural heritage of various states, ten tableaus will present the

Rashtriya Ekta Divas will be celebrated this year to mark the 150th birth anniver-

Narendra Modi will preside over the event, and after paying homage to Sardar Patel, the PM will be given a guard of honour by contingents of central security forces and Gujarat police

Continued on 26

L abour suffers shock defeat in Wales as Reform gains ground

fe red

Wales, lo sing a by-election

strongh old s as Refo rm UK continued to build

and imm igratio

Caerphilly seat in the Welsh parliament to the centre-left

n a t i o n a l i s t p a r t y P l a i d

Cy m r u , f i n i s h i n g t h i r d

b e h i n d Ni g e l Fa r a g e ’ s Reform UK Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle won 47 per

c e n t o f t h e v o t e , w i t h Reform taking 36 per cent and Labour trailing at just 11 per cent

T h e b y - e l e c t i o n , t r i ggered by the death of the sitting Labour member, comes

j u s t m o n t h s b e fo r e n e x t May’s full Welsh parliament

elections; a crucial test of Labour’s waning support in the region Polling expert Sir John Curtice told the BBC the result shows Labour is “in severe trouble in Wales,” reflecting the wider national picture

“Reform will be disappointed in coming second, b u t w e s h o u l d n’t a s s u m e that Nigel Farage’s bubble has burst,” he added

Did the UK just sanction itself ?

UK sanctions 90 entities, including India’s Nayara Energy, has exposed the complexities of global politics

Th e Uni ted K in g d om ha s annou nced fresh sanctions

o n 9 0 e nti ti es , i n cl u d i ng

In d i an ref i n er Naya ra

Energy L imited , in its latest bid to choke off Russia’s oil rev enues am id the ongoing war in U kraine

The measures, unveiled b y t h e Fo

Treasur y, target f irms and assets that allegedly facili-

strike at the heart of Putin’s

Wednesday, adding that the coordinated effort aims to

kets and weaken its f inancial base

The list includes four oil

, 4 4

tankers from the so-called

Russian crude, and Nayara E

Vadinar Ref iner y in Gujarat, India, which London claims imported over 100 million barrels of Russian oil worth USD 5 billion in 2024 B

whether the UK may have, ironically, sanctioned itself Na

giant holding a 49 13% stake,

while British Petroleum (BP) still retains a 19 75% share in Rosneft, a stake it failed to d i v e s t a f t e r R u s s i a ’ s 2 0 2 2 invasion of Ukraine due to legal and political barriers

W h i l e B P ’ s h o

d i n g s remain frozen and inaccess

scores the tangled web of modern geopolitics, where s

Western interests The quip has been going around on social media that “The UK might just have sanctioned itself ” L e g a l l y, t h e s a n c t i o n s may not impact BP directly But symbolically, they reveal the irony of global energy i n t e r d e p e n d e n c e ; a r e m i n d e r t h a t e v e

efforts to isolate Moscow, the threads of international f

cut

Lucy Powell elected as L abour’s deputy leader

Lucy Pow ell has been elected as L abour’s new deputy lead er, m arking a dram atic return for a p olitician Prim e M i ni st er Ke i r St arm er sacked from h is gov ernm ent just last m onth Powell narrowly defeate d E d u c a t i o n S

y

Bridget Phillipson by a 54–46 margin in a vote marked by a low 17% turnout, pledgi n g t o s t e

u r b a c k toward its traditional progressive roots

I

r t o abandon efforts to appeal to

tion parties like Reform UK “We won’t win by tr ying to

o u t -R e fo r m R

s h e declared “We win by building a broad, progressive consensus, one that puts tackling inequality and fairness at its heart ”

Powell, who previously ser ved as Minister for the

C

s removed from her post duri

Angela Rayner’s resignation in September and suggested her dismissal may have been linked to her candid criticism of unpopular policies

s u c h a s p r o p o s e d w e l f a r e cuts

Powell called for a cult u r a l r e s e t w i t h i n t h e L a b

What’s your take?

Share your views on the stories making headlines, we want to hear from you and highlight your voice in our pages Email us at anusha singh@abplgroup com

Corbyn and Sultana lose 20,000 members’ data in portal blunder

In a major blow to their new political venture hard-left MPs revealed that data from over 20 000 members was lost after Zarah Sultana launched a membership portal on September 18

The move sparked a rift with Jeremy Corbyn who called the site unauthorised and sought legal advice Although a new portal was launched days later, the group, Your Party admitted it had lost supporter data and donations collected through the original site managed by MOU Operations Ltd, whose directors were reportedly “blindsided by Corbyn s intervention In an email to members, Your Party said those who joined via Sultana’s portal must now re -register and select “I already paid” to receive three months of free membership What do you think this turmoil means for the credibility and unity of Your Party going forward?

Migrant workers to face

A-Level english rule

The government has announced tougher English language rules requiring immigrants to meet A-level standards in speaking, listening, reading, and writing from January 8, 2026

The change will initially apply to skilled workers, high potential individuals, and scale -up visas, routes used by over 40,000 workers in the year to June 2025 Part of a broader immigration overhaul the move aims to cut migration by around 6 000 people annually Previously migrants only needed a B1 level of English demonstrating basic proficiency Is it fair to demand such levels of perfection that is uncommon even for those who have lived here for years?

Survey reveals growing NHS rehab space crisis

the party must “end its command-and-control politics” and rebuild trust with members and MPs “We need to open up again to debate, to dissent, and to democracy within our movement,” she said

i

Prime Minister That role

Secretar y David Lammy following Rayner’s departure

D e s p i t e t e n s i o n s between Starmer’s centrist leadership and Labour’s left f l a n k , St a r m e r w

c o m e d Powell’s victor y, calling her “ a proud defender of Labour values ” “L u c

s strength has always come from its diversity of voices and its commitment to fairness, ” Starmer said, adding t h

Stroke and physiotherapy patients are receiving reduced care due to shrinking rehab space and limited equipment a survey has found The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists reported that four in ten NHS physio staff have lost or expect to lose dedicated rehabilitation areas, while six in ten said their rooms were taken over by other clinical teams, often due to funding cuts or the low prioritisation of physiotherapy Five years after the pandemic, it s shocking that rehabilitation space is still being taken from physiotherapy teams forced to treat patients in corridors,” said Sara Hazzard, assistant director of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists “ These are the spaces where people relearn to walk , recover from strokes, and rebuild their lives with dignity ”

If rehabilitation helps patients regain independence and quality of life, shouldn’t protecting physiotherapy spaces be treated as a priority, not an afterthought?

UK elderly population hits record high

The num ber of men in the UK living to a ver y ol d a ge is r is i n g f a s t e r t ha n t ha t of women, pushing the countr y ’ s e lderly popul ation to a record high, ac cording to the Of f ic e for National Statistics (ONS) A n e s t i m a t e d 2 1 0 ,5 2 0 men were aged 90 or over in 2024, more than double the 97,570 recorded in 2004 The number of women aged 90 and above grew by a third in t h e s a m e p e r i o d , f r o m 309,300 to 414,720 While women still make up most of the UK’s oldest citizens, the gender gap is narrowing Men accounted for 24 per cent of those aged 90 and over in 2004, rising to

almost doubled to 18 4 per cent The ONS said the shift reflects faster gains in male life expectancy and historic b i r t

increased faster than that for women, so the gap is narrowing,” it said The UK’s over90 population has climbed by

Doubts grow over government’s intent in grooming gang inquiry

The issue of grooming gang has once again returned to the h e a d l i n e s S i n c e t h e h i g h - p r o f i l e c a s e s i n R o c h d a l e , Rotherham and Oxford during the 2010s, it has remained one of UK’s most divisive topics, often used by political parties to serve their own interests (see p1 and 9)

At the start of 2025, under growing public pressure, Sir Keir Starmer’s government agreed to launch a long-awaited national inquiry Yet, with only two months left for the year to finish, the inquiry has not even begun Successive governments and political parties have shown little will to act and no one has stepped forward to lead the investigation Adding to the confusion, the government’s move to expand t h e i n q u i r y t o

exploitation has sparked fresh disagreements Even among the victims, divisions have begun to surface Four members of the victims’ panel have resigned, while others continue to back the proposal made by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips

The key question now is whether the national inquiry will ever actually begin Despite this government’s promises of a fair and transparent investigation, constant delays have raised serious doubts about its true intentions At the same time, with heated debates over illegal migration and immigration, the grooming gang issue has become an easy tool for far-right groups to spread hate against ethnic

Salute

minorities especially immigrants Therefore, both Labour and the Conservatives have lost public support, while the far-right Reform UK party is gaining ground (see p1)

Most grooming gang cases so far have extensively involved perpetrators from the British Pakistani community In local inquiries in Rochdale and Rotherham, over 80% of those found guilty were of British Pakistani origin The Starmer government now wants to expand the inquiry to include all child sexual exploitation cases This would widen the investigation and reduce the focus on ethnicity According to 2022 Ministry of Justice data, 88% of child abuse offenders in England and Wales were white, 7% were of Pakistani origin and 3% from other groups By broadening the inquiry, the government could defuse the racial angle and counter the far-right’s divisive narrative

The Labour government seems to be moving carefully and strategically Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed Jess Phillips’s proposal, but that has only deepened concerns about the inquiry’s credibility Two key candidates for leading it have stepped back, citing doubts about its transparency and even the victims’ panel is now divided In the end, the delays seem to suit the government, that may prefer to keep the issue unresolved Like previous administrations, the Starmer government now appears to be following the same path of hesitation and control

to the ‘Iron Man’ for making today’s India possible

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reportedly lead the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade near Kevadia in Gujarat on October 31 to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India The High Commission of India will also celebrate with an event on Friday at India House, London For many in the UK, the popularity of Mahatma Gandhi has forever been optimum Sardar’s quiet

resilient India are not always talked about

While Mahatma inspired Acharya Kriplani to nominate Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the President of Congress in 1946, eventually him becoming the first Prime Minister of India, while Sardar Vallabhai Patel moved through the shadows, silently taking up the monumental task of unifying India and strengthening what we know as the Indian Administration Service today He played a very crucial role in uniting over 565 princely states into an independent India This sequence of events has been established by Rajmohan Gandhi in his comprehensive and meticulously researched 1991 biography, ‘Patel: A Life’, and in thereafter the 1993 movie Sardar played by Paresh Rawal

Reportedly, 12 out of 15 Provincial Congress Committees (PCC) had suggested Sardar Patel’s name as the President No one had proposed Pandit Nehru’s name, and nomination cut off of 29 April 1946 was fast approaching Being inspired by a letter from Gandhi on 20 April to Maulana Azad, who was eager to continue as the President of Congress, JB Kripalani took the initiative in a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi on 25 April

and nominated Nehru as the President, following the due procedure

Urvish Kothari in The Print recalls, Kripalani’s version of the events in his book, ‘Gandhi: His Life and Thought’ It

signed it and also some local members of AICC

The others thereupon withdrew their names ”

However Kothari writes that according to Rajmohan Gandhi, Kripalani reportedly withdrew his own nomination of Presidency as well This information was apparently gathered from Maniben Patel’s diary entry on 16 September 1948, which was written in Gujarati almost two and a half years after

Today in India, a few key landmarks associated with remembering Sardar are: the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial in Ahmedabad, the spot of Bardoli Satyagraha, birthplace memorial in Karamsad and latestthe Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat The statue stands at 597 feet, surrounded by a 12 square kilometre artificial lake, believed to be the tallest in the world, surpassing China’s Spring Temple Buddha at 503 feet

We often celebrate meteoric rise of nations, their strong economic structures under ruling governments, military strengths and diplomatic wits What we often forget is to salute the quiet genius mind who made such success possible Not just by toiling away in silence but also through their sacrifices of power, 80 years ago Celebration of Sardar Vallabhai Patel and homage on his birthday is the reminder of that discreet ‘Iron Man’ who made today’s India possible

Should US be blamed for Pakistan-Afghanistan clash?

In recent weeks, deadly clashes between the Pakistani military and the Afghan Taliban have drawn international attention Relations have greatly deteriorated since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, disrupting their previously beneficial relationship Pakistan faces significant internal unrest, with domestic protests in late 2025 highlighting the government's vulnerable position These protests halted trade and tourism with China, particularly affecting the Karakoram Highway, and raised concerns about the political future of Gilgit Baltistan The economic and symbolic consequences of these events are significant for Pakistan's stability and its bilateral ties with China

But there are geopolitical implications of these tensions,

President Donald Trump While Taliban-backed militants have operated in these frontier areas of Pakistan for years, direct armed clashes between the two nations had never occurred until now The sudden confrontation that has brought both sides face-to-face raises a key question, why at this moment?

After the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India and New Delhi’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, the position taken by the United States and then-President Donald Trump, who openly leaned in favour of Pakistan, is well known Yet, the current hostility between Pakistan and Afghanistan suggests that those earlier moves may have triggered deeper geopolitical shifts, warranting a closer examination of their long-term impact

Not long ago, President Donald Trump demanded that the Taliban hand over the Bagram Airbase to the United States Soon after this, a series of meetings took place between

Trump and Pakistan’s Army Chief and tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have since soared to unprecedented levels

This naturally prompts a pressing question: is Pakistan confronting the Taliban under Trump’s influence or direction? The growing closeness of Pakistan with Bangladesh also poses questions of security As the Hindustan Times writes: At a time when relations between India and neighbouring state of Bangladesh are not particularly rosy, the latter has been made a big offer by Pakistan, access to the key port of Karachi This will allow Dhaka to expand its global trade network, Pakistani news channel Samaa has reported on October 28 The report comes a day after Bangladesh's interim head Muhammad Yunus gave a controversial gift to a Pakistani general in Dhaka The gift included a distorted map of Bangladesh that included Assam and other northeastern states as part of India Bangladesh was once a part of Pakistan called East Pakistan, but liberated with India's help in 1971 after much revolution This collaboration means an instance of the erstwhile East and West Pakistan, suddenly working together, yet again on either side of India

As tensions rise between Russia and the United States over the Russia–Ukraine war, Washington currently has no strong base in the Indian subcontinent, a key region for keeping pressure on Moscow At the same time, relations with India have cooled, leading the US to search for a new military foothold in South Asia Gaining control of the Bagram Airbase would give President Trump leverage over both Russia and China In this light, the growing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan seems far from accidental, it likely reflects US strategic moves behind the scenes

Thought for the week

You must do the thing which you think you cannot do Eleanor Roosevelt

Political Sketchbook

Alpesh Patel

Was India’s Operation Sindoor a strategic success and why does Pakistan’s ‘victory dance’ misread the outcome?”

Sin door by the

brated wha t i t portra yed as a tr iumph: a s hort, contai

that

Pak ista

endura nce, victory

This essay argues that such a reading mistakes optics for outcomes Operation Sindoor was strategically superior because India achieved deterrence, operational dominance, and international legitimacy without escalation or strategic overreach By contrast, Pakistan’s selfproclaimed victory was tactical theatre masking strategic stagnation

1 The Context: From Pulwama to Sindoor

The Sindoor episode fits a longer pattern of IndoPak crises Kargil (1999), Uri (2016), Balakot (2019) each shaped by Pakistan’s use of sub-conventional aggression and India’s calibrated response Sindoor foll o w

&

Kashmir and was conceived as a limited punitive campaign designed to degrade forward launch infrastructure while avoiding nuclear thresholds

Pakistan responded conventionally but defensively, seeking to claim political equivalence rather than battlefield success Its “victory dance” jubilant media coverage, parades, and exaggerated kill claims echoed the Kargil playbook: amplify symbolism to obscure asymmetry

2. Strategic Objectives vs Tactical Optics

A first-class strategist begins with Clausewitz’s dictum: war is the continuation of politics by other means India’s political aims were limited deter future incursions, assert escalation control, and preserve diplomatic credibility These were achieved

Pakistan’s objectives, inferred from its rhetoric, were to internationalise Kashmir, provoke Indian over-reaction, and attract external mediation None materialised Western capitals endorsed India’s right to self-defence; markets remained calm; and New Delhi framed the operation within international law and proportionality

Measured by objectives, India achieved deterrence through demonstration, while Pakistan achieved only spectacle through declaration

3 Operational Superiority: Precision Over Provocation

Open-source assessments indicate that Indian operations were characterised by:

Multi-domain coordination between air, cyber, and special-forces units

Hypersonic stand-off strikes on identified logistics nodes, minimising collateral damage

Electronic suppression that blinded Pakistani radar

Pakistan a degree of support and help unanticipated by India)

These reflect the maturation of India’s “Cold Start” derivative limited, high-tempo operations below nuclear thresholds

Pakistan’s retaliatory salvos, though loud, caused minimal damage; most were intercepted or fell in uninhabited areas

In essence, India demonstrated capability; Pakistan demonstrated reaction The distinction is strategic: capability deters, reaction reassures only the domestic audience

4 Deterrence and Escalation Control

The genius of Sindoor lay not in conquest but in containment

Historically, South Asia’s greatest risk has been vertical escalation crises spiralling from skirmish to war under nuclear overhang Indian planners avoided this trap Whilst doubtless they raised the nuclear ‘defcon’ level without informing the Chinese officially as protocol demands, that too was part of the plan to let the Chinese know their assistance has to be limited too by reality on the ground

Arrest provides 'partial relief' in Walsall community

T

e d rape of a youn g woman in Wa lsall has b een me t with a mea sure of relief, y et it has

wider South Asian commun it ie s The assault, which took place in the Park Hall area on

a woman in her 20s who community sources have identified as being of Punjabi heritage The crime is officially being treated as a hate crime by West Midlands Police, a designation that underscores t h e d i s c r i m i n a t o r y m o t i v e behind the attack

D eep-sea ted commun it y concern s For the Sikh community, the incident is not isolated but is viewed as part of a disturbing and feared pattern of targeted violence The outrage is compounded by the fact that this is the second reported racially aggravated

s e x u a l a s s a u l t a g a i n s t a young woman in her 20s in

t h e W e s t M i d l a n d s i n a s many months, following a similar attack in Oldbury on September 9

and community leaders that every effort is being made to support those affected

C h i e f S u p e r i n t e n d e n t

Phil Dolby of Walsall Police acknowledged the gravity of t h e s i t u a t i o n , s t a t i n g , "Walsall is a diverse area, and we know the fear and concern that this awful attack will cause in our communities

T

Groomer's double life shatters

A shocking Birm ing ham C ro wn Co urt hearing revealed th e dramatic downfall o f a seemingly respectable engineer whose life unravelled into online d epravity

I N B R I E F MOSQUE PLAN FOR FORMER RUGBY CLUB SET FOR GREEN LIGHT

Federation UK, have highlighted the terrifying proxi m i t y o f t h e s e e v e n t s , expressing deep concern that such violence is being fuelled by rising racism and hate This sentiment was echoed b y B r i t i s h S i k h M P s , w h o spoke out against the repeated pattern of attacks and the p r o f o u n d s a f e t y c o n c e r n s n o w p l a g u i n g w o m e n o f colour in the region

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, in a social media p o s t , a l s o c o n d e m n e d t h e attack, “The racially aggravated rape in Walsall is a horrific crime My thoughts are with the victim and her family ” “ I u n d e r s t a n d t h e f e a r and distress this incident has caused within the local Sikh c o m m u n i t y , ” s h e s a i d , adding that she had sought assurances from the police

C o m m u n i t y g r o u p s , i n c l u d i n g t h e S i k h

the West Midlands Police to

described as 'partial relief' The man was arrested in the

Birmingham on October 27, just before 7 AM, after a public appeal led to a swift iden-

footage

dent Ronan Tyrer confirmed

that while the suspect is in custody, the focus remains on the victim, who is receiving support from specially trained officers

While the arrest signals police commitment to jus-

maintain that the broader issue of hate-motivated vio-

response

Leicester Hindu community protests mural depicting goddess imagery

L ei ce st er ’ s H in d u

c o m m u n i ty h as

e xp res se d d eep c o nc ern o v er a recently

p a i nte d m u ral o n M elto n Ro ad , depicting a wom an riding a lion, an im ag e they say

i s a d is torted rep re-

s e nta ti o n o f th e

r ev e red Hi n d u g o dd ess Maa Durga

T h e B r i t s D e s i Society (BDS), a local cultural organisation, has written to Culture

Secretary Lisa Nandy,

H o u s i n g M i n i s t e r M i a t t a F a h n b u l l e h ,

L e i c e s t e r E a s t M P Shivani Raja, and the

I n d i a n H i g h

C o m m i s s i o n , u r g i n g i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n f r o m

L e i c e s t e r C i t y C o u n c i l t o review or remove the artwork

According to BDS, the m u r a l

their office, was created by

n Members said the depiction, which appeared to include t h e s a c

Om, was “modernised in

unintentionally hurting religious sentiments; particu-

larly during the holy

, when the worship of the Divine Mother is at its peak

Goddess Maa Durga is

lion, a sacred symbol of divine power and victory over evil,” said

adaptation risks disrespecting the faith of

tees

importance of artistic freedom, the organi-

authorities should exercise religious and cultural sensitivity when approving public art Leicester, home to over

than 40 temples, is celebrated for its multicultural harmony, something BDS says must be protected through

l respect

The group has urged the

sacred symbols and to promote continued interfaith harmony in the city

L

has yet to issue a formal response to the complaint

Thangavelu Radhakrishnam, 39, of Sutton Coldfield, had travelled to the UK seeking a fresh start, only to lose his entire £36,000 life savings It was in this chaotic, distressed state that he adopted the sinister online profile: 'I am untouched'

Radhakrishnam targeted an account he believed belonged to a 12-year-old girl on the C

WhatsApp The messages were explicit, offering private massages and sending links to heinous bestiality videos and a video of himself performing a sex act Unbeknownst to the engineer, his target was a seasoned undercover operative

O n O c t o b e r 1 7 , t h e c o u r t c o n c l u d e d

Radhakrishnam had committed these crimes during a deeply troubled time Though he admitted attempted sexual communication with a child, he narrowly avoided immediate custody He was handed a two-year sentence, suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work

The judge also imposed a stringent tenyear Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), ensuring his online activities will remain firmly shackled by his shame

TikTok

murderer's sentence cut

Th e Court of A ppeal has d elivered a chilling final plo t twist to th e tragic tale of TikTok killer Mahek Bukhari While th e influencer rem ains behind bars, the m inim um term fo r the d o uble m urder o f S aqi b Hus sain and Mo ham med Hashim Ijazu ddin has been drastically slashed by nearly fiv e years

Mahek Bukhari

B u k h a r i , o n c

originally sentenced to a life term with a 3 1 - y e a r , 8 - m o n t h minimum The original judge had condemned her as being "

" The saga began with a frantic, high-speed chase down the A46, a terrifying spectacle that ended when the victims' car was rammed off the road and consumed by fire

In a new ruling, however, the Appeal Court found the original term "manifestly excessive " The judges accepted that Mahek’s a

mined the sentencing judge had given "far too little weight" to the killer’s youth and immaturity at the time of the horrific violence Consequently, her minimum time behind bars has been reduced to 26 years and 285 days

For the families of the two young men whose lives were brutally cut short, this legal adjustment provides no comfort, only a stark reminder that justice remains a complex calculation

A long-empty rugby clubhouse in Leicester is set to begin a dramatic new chapter transforming into a vibrant mosque and community hub The building on Knighton Lane East once home to the Aylestonians Rugby Football Club before it folded in 2022 is earmarked by Leicester Community Assist (LCA) to become a much-needed facility for worship and education The proposal has received a massive show of support, with 163 comments in favour, highlighting the plan's potential to host positive youth activities and combat antisocial behaviour However, the vision faces resistance from the 38 objectors, who cite concerns over the loss of a rare sporting venue and predict an escalation of parking chaos and congestion in the neighbourhood Planning officers are set to recommend approval, deeming the former clubhouse surplus to requirements They believe bringing the site back into a viable use outweighs the traffic worries, particularly with the usage hours carefully restricted to minimise disturbance to neighbours

PRESSURE COOKER GANG'S HEROIN DREAM BOILS OVER

In a dramatic sting operation, a Birmingham drug gang who cunningly used a pressure cooker to smuggle narcotics saw their halfmillion-pound scheme fall apart The audacious plot involved stuffing the walls of the kitchen implement with over £280,000 of heroin, destined for a business address in Sparkhill But customs officers were one step ahead, intercepting the parcel and replacing the drugs before allowing the delivery to go forward When Abid Iqbal picked up the dummy package, police swooped in, arresting him and associates Fasheeh Ahmed and Muhammad Awais A subsequent raid on a flat linked to the gang revealed nearly half a kilo more of heroin cutting agents and £15 000 in cash bringing the combined street value to a staggering £458 000 All three men were convicted but a final twist remains Iqbal and Awais failed to attend court and were jailed for 11 years each in their absence

HS2 HAILED AS CATALYST FOR BIRMINGHAM’S ECONOMIC REVIVAL

Birmingham leaders have described the HS2 high-speed rail link to London as central to the city’s revival redefining its national and global appeal to investors At last week’s regional investment summit West Midlands mayor Richard Parker said the project would bring the region “just 38 minutes from central London ” positioning Birmingham as part of a dual-city economy Despite HS2 s history of delays and cost overruns, civic and business figures argue it has already spurred major investment Global property firm Hines announced £400 million for Birmingham s Knowledge Quarter, while US billionaire Tom Wagner, owner of Birmingham City FC, pledged £3 billion for infrastructure around the club’s grounds Experts say HS2 offers Birmingham the benefits of London proximity without losing its identity as a “modern, progressive and diverse city ” However, challenges persist, from the city council’s bankruptcy to poor housing and local infrastructure Still, business leaders remain optimistic that HS2 could anchor Birmingham’s economic resurgence

Protecting faith or deepening divides?

Starmer’s £10 million mosque protection fund sparks debate on divisive tactics

In a bid to t ackle rising h

for

across the UK

The investment, part of the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, will fund CCTV systems, alarm installations, secure fencing and on-site security personnel, measures aimed at shielding Muslim communities from hate-fuelled attacks

T

came during Starmer’s visit

East Sussex, which was set ablaze in an arson attack on 4 October The scheme will now build on £29 4 million already allocated this year to p r o t e c t m o s q u e s a n d

M u s l i m s c h o o l s t h a t h a v e e i t h e r e x p e r i e n c e d o r a r e deemed vulnerable to hate crimes

“Britain is a proud and tolerant country,” said the Prime Minister “Attacks on any community are attacks on our entire nation and our v a l u e s T h i s f u n d i n g w i l l provide Muslim communities with the protection they need and deserve ”

H o m e S e c r e t a r y Shabana Mahmood echoed this sentiment, calling the P e a c e h a v e n a t t a c k “ a n appalling crime” and pledging that “violence and intimidation directed at any community or faith are attacks on us all ”

The announcement has

drawn both praise and critic i s m , r e o p e n i n g d e b

about hate crime, community protection, and the deeper causes of division in British society

B e y o

critics argue that the measure may be addressing the

cause of Britain’s deepening

crimes have not been confined to one faith group The Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue was attacked on O

reported racially aggravated

broader surge in hate-linked

religion or ethnicity

Government data shows

M

rose by 19% in the year ending March 2025, accounting for 44% of all religious hate crimes Yet Jewish, Sikh, and

B

also reported rising hostilit y , p r o m p t i n g q u e s t i o n s about whether single-com-

tionally fosters resentment rather than solidarity

Some have labelled Starmer a “traitor,” accusing the government of “prioritising one

address root causes; from extremist rhetoric to socioeconomic alienation Critics warn that focusing only on physical security risks “othering” Muslim communities

instead of part of a shared

hate

money protect people from ideology? Installing CCTV

deter attacks, but it cannot neutralise the toxic polarisation seeping through communities Until Britain tackles the fear and misinformation that fuel hate across all

mosque, synagogue, gurd-

vulnerable

Foster carers face growing racism crisis in England

Soc

are being harass ed in publ

take urgent action

Harvey Gallagher, chief executive of the Nationwide A

n g Providers (NAFP), has raised

a l a r m o v e r t h e g r o w i n g “impact of racism, extremism, and far-right sentiment”

o n f o s t e r c h i l d r e n

s , and social workers

He revealed that fostering services across England have reported a rise in racial hate incidents targeting car-

ers from diverse backgrounds and the children they look after After hearing accounts of young people from minor-

convened a meeting of 35 fostering agencies to address the issue “I was shocked by how

widespread it is,” Gallagher said “Children are afraid to step outside because of how they might be perceived, it’s affecting young people of all ages and backgrounds The

deeply toxic

African-Caribbean and Asian

today’s climate as “the most

worked in,” with many feeling unsafe in certain areas W

undermining foster care, he

“clear leadership” in tackling discrimination

Elite universities criticised for lowering grades for rich non-white teens

Le a di n g u n iv e rs it i es a r e of fering lower entry grades to no n -wh it e t e en a g er s , inc luding those f rom aff luent ba c k g r ou nd s a nd t op s c ho ol s , s pa r k in g c on c e r n among parents O r i g i n a l l y d e s i g n e d t o help disadvantaged students, “contextual offers”, typically two grades lower, are now being criticised as unfair and arbitrary Some parents say t h e s y s t

“ game, ” with even wealthy m

ting, while others point to a g

o w i n g t r e n d o f U S - s t y l e offers based on sporting ability A mother of a Year 13 student said she was surprised by how many of her daught

contextual offers, particularl y f r o m B r i s t o l U

, simply because one parent

Many of these students, she

King Charles III and Pope Leo make history with joint prayer

King Charles and Pope Leo made history praying s ide b

i de i n t he Si s t i ne Chapel, a first for leaders of the Churc h of England and C

Judgment, the service, with

moment amid sc rutiny over Prince Andrew

The Pope noted, “You get used to it,” while the choirs sang together, symbolising unity Surrounded

pieces, it was a landmark occasion for the art-loving King

L

Queen paused for private prayer at St Paul Outside the Walls, at the tomb of the apostle, before returning to the grand basilica, where choirs filled the soaring ceilings The visit high-

monarchy and the Catholic Church, symbolically uniting Anglican and Catholic

icon for Pope Leo, reflecting the King’s interest in Orthodox imagery

Charles and Pope Leo, completing

Indian pilots to train RAF cadets in historic deal

For the first time, Royal Ai r Force fighter pilots will be t

n g i n s t ru c to rs u n de r a n e w defence deal with Delhi S

British cadets to fly Hawk

north Wales for over three years, marking a deepening

of UK-India military ties I

become the world’s thirdstrongest air force, behind

Military Aircraft

The agreement was quietly announced by Indian P

selective entrance exams “It feels like, at best, gamification and, at worst, a form of d

, questioning why universities set entry requirements if they are so easily lowered A f t e

n unconditional offers, universities now face criticism over

for

Experts say

and surgeons, and had passed

1 - 7

Arunima Kumar becomes first Kuchipudi dancer to receive Honorary BEM

U K - ba s e d I n d i a n - o r i g in

a r tist A run ima Kum ar ha s

m a d e h i st o r y a s t h e f i r st

Kuchipudi d ance r t o r eceive

t he Hon orar y Br it ish Empire

M e d a l (BE M) , aw a r d ed by

Kin g Ch arles III in re cog nit ion of he r out stan ding cont ribut ion t o Indian cla ssical

d a n ce a n d c r o ss -c u lt u r a l un der st an ding throug h the a rt s The Honorary BEM, presented to foreign nationals for exceptional community service, celebrates Kumar’s decades-long work in taking

K u c h i p u d i t o g l o b a l a u d iences and using dance as a bridge between cultures

A celebrated performer, Kumar has graced stages at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee celebrations, and Diwali events at 10 Downing Street Reflecting on the honour, she described it as the culmination of three decades of dedication, persistence, and faith She credited her mother for encouraging her to pursue the arts, h e r l a t e g r a n d m o t h e r f o r supporting her early journey, her gurus for their guidance, and her daughter Aishwarya for continuing to inspire her every day

Through her institution, the Arunima Kumar Dance Company (AKDC), she has made Kuchipudi accessible across continents, with over 3,000 performances in more than 50 countries and hundreds of students trained in the UK, India, and Poland, spanning ages four to 75 Kumar said her goal through A K D C h a s b e e n t o u s e Indian dance to transform lives, break barriers, and create spaces for joy and inclusion

B

A

Swapnasundari and Padma S

G

Kumar is known for pre-

tion

The honour, announced

Honours for foreign nation-

(FCDO), adds to her many

Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva

Houses of Parliament

B

AKDC’s community initiatives have brought the heal-

schools, care homes, hospitals, and prisons including

Parkinson’s UK

Following the recogni-

titled ‘Samarpan’ at Delhi’s

Habitat Centre The performance featured internation-

Anushka Sunak, daughter of former UK Prime Minister

R

thropist Akshata Murty

Sunak named sole recipient of China espionage statement

Ris hi Sunak w as th e only p olitician to receive a witness statement from Depu ty

N ati o n al S ec u ri ty A d v i s er M atth ew Collins in the case against tw o Britons accused o f spying for C hina, new letters to the Joint C omm ittee

o n th e N ati o na l S ec u ri ty S trateg y rev eal

Collins’s December 2023

s t a t e m e n t , s e n t

S

a n d h i s a d v i s e r s , d i d n o t label China an “ enemy ” , a stance consistent with the Conservative government’s policy at the time Police

a n d p r o s e c u t o r s w e r e informed that Collins would not describe China as hostile, undermining the case

a g a i n s t C h r i s t o p h e r C a s h

a n d C h r i s t o p h e r B e r r y , w h i c h w a s d r o p p e d i n September

The Conservatives have p r e s s e d K e i r S t a r m e r o n w h e

intervened in the collapsed China spying case to avoid tensions with Beijing Letters from the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy confirmed t h a t n o p o l i t

involved after the prosecution began, with Rishi Sunak the only one sent Deputy N

ment

Starmer’s press secretary said the Conservatives had “

baseless allegations,” while a Sunak ally said he never saw the statement, as it wasn’t logged in his prime minister

Jonathan Powell said

draft

December 2023 removed the word “ enemy ” to reflect government policy a change shared with police and prosecutors before charges were filed

Anglican rift deepens over new Archbishop

D

a

A rc hb is ho p o f C anterbu ry h as been rejected by a powerful conservativ e faction of A ng lican church es, heightening fears of a global split

T h e A r c h b i s h o p o f Rwanda urged traditionalist churches to cut ties with the Church of England and boyc o t t m e e t i n g s l e d

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

h e Church’s decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples and Mullally’s support for it, rather than her being the first woman to hold the post

Writing as chairman of

Slough student named Miss Asia UK 2025 first runner-up

C helsea Jalota, a Sloug h resi d en

l Science stud ent at Oxford B ro o ke s U ni v

si

y, h as been cro wned First RunnerU p at M iss A sia UK 2025, c

resume on their goals” by offering guidance and raising awareness about educational access and opportunity R e f l

n g o n h e r achievements, Chelsea said that both her Miss Asia UK journey and her work with R e s u m e E d

belief in perseverance, education, and giving back to the community

Mahmood warns border failures eroding public trust

H o m e S ec ret ary S h ab an a M a h m o o d i s ex p ec ted to w arn th at p u bli c tr us t i n politicians is eroding due to a perceived failure to control Britain’s borders

Speaking at a conference with Balkan interior ministers in London, she will say t h e p u b l i c

i g h t l y e x p e c t their government to determine who enters the country and who must leave,” as she seeks to counter Reform UK’s growing appeal M a h m o o d w i l l a d m i t t h a t “ t h e f a i l u r e t o b r i n g order to our borders is eroding trust not just in political leaders but in the credibility of the state itself ” She is expected to pledge continu e d e f f o r t s t o s t r e n g t h e n

b o r d e r s e c u r i t y , s a y i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o o p e r a t i o n will make “all our borders and countries stronger ” She will also announce that from January, migrant workers must meet an Alevel standard in English to ensure they can “learn our language ” C u r r e n t l y , v i s a a p p l icants must meet a GCSElevel English standard, but f r o m J a n u a r y , m o s t w o r k v i s

stress, “If you come to this country, you must learn our l a n

part ” She will host ministers f

nations to strengthen coop-

e g a l migration and discuss

return hubs From January 1, skilled worker, scale-up, and

visa applicants must pass an in-person English test at a Home Office-approved centre

SOAS scholar’s song featured in Bangladesh’s historic Oscar entry

Th e Banglad eshi film ‘Barir Naam S h ah ana ’ ( A Ho us e Nam ed Sh ahana), featuring a soundtrack by Dr Sah ana Bajp aie from the School o f L a ng u a g es , C u ltu r es an d L i ng u is ti c s

S O A S , h as bee n o ffi ci ally selec ted as Bangladesh ’ s entry for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Award s D i r e c t e d b y L o n d o nbased filmmaker and activist Leesa Gazi, the film marks a historic moment as the firstever Oscar submission from Bangladesh to be directed by a w o m a n P r o d u c e d b y K o m o l a C o l l e c t i v e a n d

G o o p

Limited, it features music by

Laurent Mbanda, represent-

Kenya, Uganda, Myanmar,

have not left the Anglican

Anglican Communion

He urged conservatives to appoint their own global

Archbishop of Canterbury’s

among equals ” The See of Canterbury remains vacant following Justin Welby’s resi

Dame Sarah Mullally set to take office on January 28

S

Weeks Dr Bajpaie, a specialist in South Asian Studies, lent her voice to the song *

recorded at SOAS

draws from real events in Leesa Gazi’s life, following

from

d Bangladesh The film delves

silenced within South Asian patriarchy The film has been widely acclaimed, receiving recognition from Channel 4, the

Variety, ahead of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on 15 March 2026

Racist abuse against nurses soars by 55%, RCN warns

Repo rts of racist incid ents against nurses h av e surged by 55% in three years, the Ro y al C o ll eg e o f Nu rs i ng (RCN) revealed The union expects over 1,000 calls this year from nurses seeking help, up from nearly 700 in 2022 Cases include staff being told they “don’t belong in the UK,” patients refusing treatment from nurses of colour, and others enduring racist slurs and demeaning remarks

, R C N g

c

e

a

y , called the rise in racist incidents a “mark of shame” for t h e h

g e m p l o y e r s t o e n s u r e s a f e workplaces for all staff She warned that failure to tackle racism drives nurses away, w

ages Ranger also urged the

migrant rhetoric, saying it fuels abuse, and called on

workers

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson called the rise in

said such abuse “will not be tolerated in our

emphasising

Two men convicted over 1990s sexual abuse of five girls in Bury

T wo men have been found gu i lty o f sexu ally abu si ng five teenage girls more than 2 5 years ago

I m

Manzorr Hussain, 54, were

Court following a Greater Manchester Police investigation The offences took p

1999, when the victims were aged 13 to 16

Hussain, of Bury, was found guilty of seven counts of rape and seven of indecent assault

Ali, 53, of Radcliffe, was convicted of five counts of r

assault, and one of attempted indecent assault

C l a i r e B r i n t o n , Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: “Hussain and Ali g

teenage girls with alcohol and drugs before subjecting t h e m t o h

e x p l o

d c h i l d r e n t

c o u l d c o n t r o l , s h o w i n g complete disregard for their welfare ”

She praised the victims’ “

result of extensive evidence g

Manchester Police, ensuring justice after more than two decades

Ali mistreated one vict

dants mistreated three victims

A t t h e t i m e , A l i a n d Hussain, who are cousins, interacted with several of the females through their market kiosks

mature men who preyed on the victims and exploited their private circumstances, grooming them with attention, drugs, booze, and lifts before attacking them and occasionally using force to gain what they wanted

The abuse took place in a number of places, includi

s , a hotel, cars, and a car dealership, mostly in Bury but also in portions of Wales and Greater Manchester

H u s s a i n a r r a n g e d f o r girls to be available for sexua l a b u s e b y o t h e r m e n , including Ali, as part of this offence

Warning over NHS ‘rationing’ as waiting lists increase

The NHS has bee n a llowed t o ma ke pat ien ts wa it long er for tr ea tmen t t o cut costs

M

guida nce let ting local health chiefs set “min imum wa iting

n um ber s Patient groups warn this could leave vulnerable people suffering longer for pro-

eries

NHS waiting lists have grown for three consecutive

partly to blame Earlier this year, NHS England chief Sir

bosses to curb overspending, saving billions

H o w e v e r , ‘ T h e T i m e s ’ revealed that at least eight local care boards now delay payments to hospitals until patients have waited three months or more While NHS England says waits over 18 weeks are unacceptable, it h a s n o t c h a l l e n g e d m o s t p o l i c i e s e n f o r c i n g 1 2 – 1 8 week delays

H e a l t h M i n i s t e r K a r i n

Smyth confirmed that NHS trusts can impose minimum waiting times, despite there being “ no formal national policy” on the practice She said the measure helps local health boards manage bud-

gets and meet targets within f i n a n c i a l l i m i t s S m y t h admitted no national assessment has been made on its impact but said boards must c o n s i d e r h o w s u c h w a i t s affect patients’ equality and care quality

Tim Mitchell, president o f t h e R o y a l C o l l e g e o f Surgeons, warned that the policy risks worsening pain, d e l a y i n g

e c o v e r y , a n d u n d e r m i n i n g e c o n o m i c growth He called it “ counterintuitive” for the governm e n t t o p e r m i t 1 8 - w e e k waits while pledging faster t r e a t m e n t S h a d o w h e a l t h secretary Stuart Andrew said ministers were using delays as a cost-cutting tool “at the expense of patients’ pain and p u b l i c t r u s t ” G o v e r n m e n t sources defended the move as a way to prioritise comp l e x c a s e s , b u t A g e U K ’ s Caroline Abrahams called it “ r a t i o n i n g , ” w a r n i n g i t would severely harm older

patients

Since coming to power, the Labour government has provided record funding to r e v e r s e o v e r a d e

neglect in secondary care

Since July 2024, waiting lists have dropped by more than 206,000, with over five mill i o n

delivered In response to a question f

Three types of friends needed

Life’s journey is richer with the right companions by your side Motivational speaker Ujjwal Patni emphasizes the importance of three types of friends who shape us into better versions of ourselves: the Midnight Friend, the Mirror Friend, and the Fixed Deposit Friend

The Midnight Friend is your lifeline in crisis When an emergency strikes be it a latenight hospital run or a moment of despair this friend answers your call without hesitation Their unwavering support is a testament to trust and loyalty, reminding you that you ’ re never alone, no matter the hour

The Mirror Friend is your truth-teller Unafraid of hurting your feelings, they hold up a mirror to your flaws, pointing out mistakes or misguided paths with honesty Their courage strengthens your growth, ensuring you stay grounded and aligned with your values, even when the truth stings

Finally, the Fixed Deposit Friend is your safe haven Like a locked vault, they guard your secrets and listen to your deepest struggles without judgment With them, you can pour out your heart, knowing your vulnerabilities are secure

Surround yourself with these three friends, and you’ll have a support system that uplifts, corrects, and protects Choose wisely, nurture these bonds, and watch how they transform your life with trust, truth, and unconditional care

T S Karth ik

Bollywood's funster, Satish Shah

A legend of laughter and life Satish Shah has left behind a legacy that will never fade He was one of the most talented and beloved actors of Indian cinema and television

A powerhouse of talent, his contribution to entertainment spaned over four decades

From his unforgettable comic timing in shows like 'Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi' and 'Sarabhai vs Sarabhai' to his memorable roles in films like 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro', 'Main Hoon Na', and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain', he brought laughter and warmth into millions of hearts

Beyond comedy, he was known for his versatility effortlessly balancing humour, emotion, and depth in every performance His presence on screen always felt natural, his expressions timeless, and his legacy everlasting

His career began with a role in the film "Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan" in 1978, followed by small roles in films like "Gaman" (1979), "Umrao Jaan" (1981), "Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai' (1981), and "Shakti" (1982) He has left behind a legacy of iconic roles in films and TV shows Bollywood's audiences will miss him a lot

Peace and solutions- Gaza

I read the article of Alpesh Patel in Asian Voice Whilst generally it can be argued that bringing immediate peace by coercive action may not last long, I do feel that to bring peace these are important first steps to bring lasting peace

I believe when two sides start experiencing the benefits of peace, these are many, they become blocks of stability for longer lasting peace Here President Trump has done a remarkable job in bringing peace The planned governance of Gaza with international involvement will help smooth out differences and challenges from both sides

I much welcome such initiatives as these give a best chance for peace

Subhash T hakrar OBE

Young visitors reflects on Bhai Beej and visit to Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar

The offices of Asian Voice an d Guja rat Sa machar r ecen tly welcome d y oung visit ors, Paar th Pabari an d Hira l Pabar i, who ca me along wit h their pare nt s t o m eet C B Pate l, t he Editor-in-Chie f of t he ne wsweek lie s During their visit, the family spent quality time with CB sir, engaging in warm and thoughtful conversation over snacks and coffee Reflecting on the experience, Paarth described the meeting as both welcoming and inspiring “We had a relaxing conversation about our aspirations and school progress, ” he shared, adding that he was particularly moved by the stories CB sir told about his life, perseverance, and the challenges he overcame “This meeting broadened my knowledge and showed me the true effort and hardship behind success, ” he wrote in a note following the visit Paarth also took the opportunity to explain the significance of Bhai Beej,

Continued from page 03

By keeping operations geographically bounded and temporally brief, New Delhi showcased both resolve and restraint This duality reinforced deterrence: it proved India could impose cost without losing control Pakistan, by contrast, exhausted much of its limited air-defence inventory

a n d r e v e a l e d d e p e n d e n c e o n

C h i

one of the concluding celebrations of the Diwali festival He wrote that Bhai B e e j s y

, respect, and protection between brothers and sisters He said, “Traditionally, brothers visit their sisters, who per-

prayers for their brothers’ wellbeing, while brothers, in turn, promise protection and share gifts This ritual connects the family and strengthens the

relationship between the siblings, also teaching responsibilities and mutual respect ” A d d i n g h e r t h o u g h t s , H i r a l beautifully described the festival as a day when “sisters pray for their brothers’ long life, happiness, and s u c c e s s , w e l c o m i n g t h e m w i t h warmth, applying tilak, and performing aarti to bless them ” She said that this simple act reflects care, respect, and deep affection, while brothers promise to protect and support their sisters always Paarth beautifully connected this ancient ritual to modern life, noting that even though siblings today may live far apart, technology such as video calls helps them preserve the spirit of Bhai Beej “This tradition reminds us that even when brothers and sisters argue, they always stand by each other through every challenge,” he reflected

Ilford radiographer struck off after terror conviction

Muhamm ad Ch oudhary, 41, a fo rmer British sold ier and NHS radiog rapher from Ilfo rd, east L ond on, w as struck off the healthcare register after being convicted of terror offences

He was sentenced to seven years in prison in October 2024 for funding and sending rifle parts and equipment to t h e T a l i b

Choudhary first came to HMRC’s attention in 2018 when rifle scopes were seized at Heathrow Airport

A committee of the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) struck off Muhammad Choudhary’s licence, ruling his fitness to practise “impaired by reason of conviction ” The tribunal heard he regretted his actions and acknowledged they were unjustified However, the panel said his offences were “fundamentally incompatible with registration” and imposed a striking-off order the most serious sanction, barring him from practising for at least five years

In 2018, HMRC seized six rifle parts, including thermal and night-vision scopes, at Heathrow, intended for Pakistan

Choudhary admitted trying to deliver them to Taliban fighters in Afghanistan He had purchased 12 scopes worth £31,000, disguising them as cameras; eight were exported, four seized He also sent £140 in donations, communicated with the Taliban via WhatsApp, and had jihadi propaganda on his phone

5 The Information War: Who Won the Narrative? Pakistan’s “victory dance”

t e l e v i s e d f l y - p a s t s a n d t r iumphalist hashtags exemplifies what strategist Thomas Rid calls narrative warfare: victory

management rather than outcomes Y

tanks, and neutral military analysts largely judged India’s performance as disciplined and proportional Satellite imagery cor-

nalling vulnerability, not parity Yes Brahmos missiles were fired at Pakistani nuclear facilities –but as much a warning to the Chinese and the Americans who control such sites and Pakistani high command – as to escalate If anything, done to de-escalate

sion; IMF and Fitch data showed

strategic success was the absence of economic disruption

In an interconnected world, the side that stabilises expectations, not headlines, wins the war of credibility

6 Lessons for Future Doctrine

O p e r a t i o n S i n d o o r c r y stallised a new Indian doctrine limited, precise, pre-emptive and legally framed It validated the integration of:

Real-time satellite ISR with indigenous drones AI-assisted target discrimina-

tion reducing civilian risk F

as an element of deterrence

By fusing military, informat

modern theorists term comprehensive power Pakistan’s celebrations, by contrast, revealed a 20th-century mindset victory measured by volume, not velocity Conclusion

V i c t o r y , i n s t r a t e g y , i s t h e alignment of means and ends

Operation Sindoor achieved its ends: deterrence, operational credibility, and geopolitical com-

was therefore

bration than a coping mechanism theatre compensating for strategic impotence

millennia

K A P I L’S K H I C H A D I White Girls Fighting Back

For two decades men of Pakistani heritage sexually violated, raped, and physically abused white vulnerable girls whilst the community watched in silence Their abuse continued under the watch of Labour politicians, Labour Mayors, the cops, and those in our local institutions and services In fact there is now growing evidence directly from the victims that shows that the very people whose job it was to protect them, in fact took part in these abuses

Let us be very clear up front, the Tories failed these white vulnerable girls when they were in power

However, the full blame for these continued atrocities firmly sits with Labour In opposition, Labour MP after Labour MP stood up in parliament attempting to whitewash the crimes of these Pakistani monsters They did everything to thwart any investigation into these heinous crimes And now we have the grotesque situation where some of these politicians sit on the front bench!

T h e L a b o u r g o v e r n m e n t h a s b e e n dragged shouting and screaming to finally agree to what we all thought would be a proper independent national inquiry

M o n t h s l a t e r t h e y h a v e b e e n f o u n d dragging their feet in setting up the inquiry They thought world events like Ukraine, the madness of Trump, Gaza, the Chinese fiasco, would deflect public interest and they could kick this into the long grass Under pressure and in panic mode, Keir Starmer and his ‘safeguarding’ minister Jess Phillips attempted to deliver a stitch up by putting their own people to lead on it, and by watering down the terms of reference

To be honest it would be difficult to make this up if it was not true I mean think about it, the ‘safeguarding ’ minister comes across as more interested in protecting the perpetrators of these vile crimes than the victims Keir Starmer as the ex-CPS torch

b e a r e r s e e m s i n t e n t i n s a b o t a g i n g t h e inquiry than in seeking the truth and bringing to justice the criminals

The victims however came out fighting this week In disgust, one by one, they resigned from the inquiry Victims like Ellie Reynolds, said she felt the inquiry had become "less about the truth and more about a cover-up"

Another victim Fiona Goddard made a devastating statement in an open letter, ‘The government makes a huge mistake in assuming survivors will quietly play along, providing them with cover While we were,

and often still are, highly vulnerable individuals who have suffered unimaginably, they should not mistake this for weakness In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find many other groups as equipped and ready to expose the naivety, complacency and corruption in the institutions that are meant to keep us safe ’

L a b o u r p o l i t i

attempted to appease to the Pakistani vote bank We are left with only one conclusion, that in some parts of the country Labour is now heavily infiltrated by Islamists

The victims who are now much older

diminished their anguish and what happened to them, but time has given them an opportunity to have their say They will no longer be silenced The public have finally woken up and hear their voices The media who have hitherto been silent and appeased

refused to call them Pakistani, instead they used the generic term Asian to hide their identity) have also finally woken up and at least now run the stories It is however really disappointing to note that in his letter of 2

Starmer wrote, ‘ we know that in some areas these crimes were disproportionately committed by Asian men ’ We still have a prime minister who is living in denial He still cannot call the abusers, men of Pakistani heritage The prime minister shows he cannot be trusted; he is unfit to be our prime minister

There are thousands of men of Pakistani heritage, many cops, many Labour politicians, and many in our local services who are all shaking with fear knowing that not only will they be exposed, but if there is to be justice, then they will all end up behind bars The Tories had the opportunity when they were in power to give these girls justice, but they failed Labour are being forced into giving them ‘justice’, and time will tell

Islamists wins in the end It is good to finally see the Tories pick up this batten and promise to sort it out should they ever get back in power One thing I am sure about, if Reform UK get into power, justice will not only be given to these girls, but those who are responsible will be named, shamed, and sent to jail for a long time

I sense these white girls are now fighting back not only for themselves, but also to save the very soul of this nation, and of truth and justice in the UK

Racist assault reported on train from London to Wolverhampton

Police ar e a ppea ling for witne sse s a fter a ma n wa s ra cia lly abuse d a nd gra bbed by the n eck on a t rain from London to Milt on Ke yn es

The inciden t ha ppene d betwe en 6pm a nd 7pm in the fir st-class car riage of an Avan ti se rvice from Eust on to Wolve rhampt on Officers said a woman racially abused the victim before a man grabbed him by the neck

Both suspects left the train at Milton Keynes

C e n t r a l B r i t i s h T r a n s p o r t P o l i c e h a s launched an investigation and appealed for

information

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Officers are appealing for witnesses after a man was racially abused and assaulted o n a n A v a n t i t r a i n f r o m L o n d o n t o Wolverhampton via Milton Keynes Between 6pm and 7pm on Tuesday, October 7, a woman racially abused a man in the firstclass carriage, before another man grabbed him by the neck Both suspects left the train at Milton Keynes Central ”

Murder rate drops even as theft crimes surge

The da ta re veal ed a 14% a nnual r ise in fraud cases, lar gely dr iv en by a 19% increa se in ba nk a nd cre dit a ccount fra ud, much of which was r eimb ur se d b y bank s Policing Minister Sarah Jones welcomed the fall in serious violent crimes, including murder, calling it proof of “real progress ” in p r o t e c t i n g v u l n e r a b l e y o u n g p e o p l e However, she admitted that levels of shoplifting and street crime remain “utterly unacceptable ”

The figures, based on the England and Wales crime survey and police records, reflect b o t h

reporting practices

The crime survey estimated 9 3 million offences in England and Wales in the year to June, slightly up from 9 2 million the previous year Shoplifting continued to rise, though the pace of increase is slowing, said Billy Gazard of the ONS, noting that figures are affected by police recording practices and retailers’ willingness to report offences

Fraud accounted for about 4 1 million cases 44% of all crimes Homicides fell 6% to 518, the lowest since records began in 2003, while violent incidents rose 1% to 1 13 million and police-recorded muggings increased 5%

Grooming gangs inquiry in turmoil

Continued from page 1

The crisis deepened this week after four survivors resigned from the inquiry’s victims liaison panel, writing to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to demand the removal of Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips The women accused Phillips of labelling some of their claims “untrue”, a charge they say they can disprove with evidence A fifth survivor has now quit, and two leading candidates for chairing the inquiry, Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson, have stepped down, citing “political interference” and an unclear remit, leaving the process leaderless and directionless

Despite mounting pressure, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted that Jess Phillips has his “full support ” Ministers have rallied around Phillips, praising her long record of fighting for women ’ s rights According to a Guardian report, five other survivors have since written to the Prime Minister defending her, saying she “devoted her life to hearing and amplifying the voices of women and girls who would have otherwise been unheard ” They added that she had “personally supported survivors in accessing services and help they would not have had otherwise ” Yet tensions within the inquiry remain raw One of the departing survivors, EllieAnn Reynolds, said her final breaking

point came with “the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse ” Many survivors fear that by broadening the inquiry’s focus from “grooming gangs ” to “group-based child sexual exploitation,” the government is diluting its intent and obscuring uncomfortable truths about systemic failures and community accountability

Jess Phillips, addressing Parliament, has dismissed claims of “intentional delay, lack of interest, or widening of the inquiry scope ” as false But survivors have reiterated their demands: that victims be allowed to speak freely without fear of reprisal, that the inquiry’s scope remain laser-focused on grooming gangs, and that the new chair be a sitting or former judge, chosen only after genuine consultation with survivors

This is not the first inquiry to falter In 2013, the Home Affairs Select Committee, chaired by Keith Vaz, conducted an investigation that exposed deep institutional failings but resulted in little lasting change

Now, as survivors once again find themselves sidelined amid political power plays, one question rings louder than ever: When will Britain finally stop tearing itself apart over process and start holding the real culprits- the abusers, the enablers, and the negligent institutions- to account?

A poignant tale of friendship, migration and memory

Karim Khan’s Before the Millennium revisits 1999 turning a Woolworths Christmas party into a nostalgic, funny, and tender reflection on change and belonging

Anusha Singh

This December, the Old Fire Station in Oxford is inviting audiences to step into the final days of 1999, a world of Woolworths pick ’n’ mix, party tunes, and the nervous excitement of a new century

Running from 1–21 December 2025, ‘Before the Millennium’ is writer Karim Khan’s nostalgic and tender festive offering, blending humour, music, and memory Set during a Woolworths Christmas party, the play follows Zoya and I

Cowley Road, as they navigate the n

thing Moving beyond the sparkle of seasonal theatre, Khan crafts a story about friendship, migration, and the fragile hope that bridges centuries In a conversation with Asian Voice, Karim Khan discusses the inspirations behind this nostalgic yet sharp-edged festive tale

What inspired you to choose a Woolworths Christmas party in 1999 as the backdrop for the story, and what does it represent for you?

Woolworths is so iconic and

nostalgic - everyone has a special memory associated with it, and I wanted to take us back to a place and time that we all feel so much fondness for, especially as it no longer exists 1999, to me, also feels like a time where there was so much hope and optimism It was also a time where a lot of South Asian women of my mother's generation migrated It's terrif y i n g h o w m i g r a n t s a r e b e i n g scapegoated and vilified by the state and media I wanted to show how our migrants form the very f a b r i c o f t

n s t i t u t i o n

a n d places we have so much fondness and love for

What inspired you to explore migration, memory, and past choices in a festive setting, and how did your experiences shape it?

I think a festive setting felt like t

because it’s always such a reflective time for all of us as we come to terms with our goals, our memories of the past year, and gather around our closest people It’s a hard time f o r a l o t o f p e o p l e b e c a u s e i t reminds people of what they’ve lost or yearn for To me this all organically fits and comes together in

Building a more inclusive music industry

T h e f i rs t co mp r eh en s iv e study into the So uth Asian experience i n th e UK mus ic i ndustry h as revealed th at a lack of representatio n, men-

t o rs h i p , a n d in ve s tm en t

c o n t in u e s to h o l d ba c k p ro gress

C o n d u c t e d b y L i l a , a

n o n - p r o f i t e m p o w e r i n g South Asians in music, The S o u t h A s i a n S o u n d c h e c k surveyed 349 creators and professionals, highlighting key challenges such as limited full-time opportunities,

u n d e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n i n decision-making roles, and persistent stereotypes about S o u t h A s i a n m u s i c

Supported by major indus-

t r y b o d i e s i n c l u d i n g U K

M u s i c , B P I , M U , W M G , M M F , A r t s C o u n c i l England, and PRS for Music, the study underscores the urgent need for greater visibility, guidance, and funding to create a more inclusive industry

Lila’s founder, Vikram

G u d i , e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e idea for The South Asian Soundcheck stemmed from a y e a r o f c o n v e r s a t i o n s across the music spectrum, from senior industry execut i v e s t o g r a s s r o o t s m u s i -

cians “When we launched Lila in April last year, our first goal was to listen and u n d e r s t a n d , ” h e s a i d “ T h r o u g h o u r w o r k a t

G l a s t o n b u r y a n d b e y o n d , we realised there were clear issues with funding and representation, but no data to prove it The Soundcheck was born out of that gap, because it’s much easier to create change when you can demonstrate the problem

” C o m m e n t i n g o n t h e

f i n d i n g s , V i k r a m a d d e d ,

“Only 28% of South Asian creators can rely on music as a full-time income, and while that’s low, it’s actually higher than I expected It shows there’s real potential With the right guidance and s u p p o r t , w e c o u l d e a s i l y r a i s e t h a t t o 5 0 % , w h i c h w o u l d b e a n i n c r e d i b l e milestone ”

“Visibility and lobbying are key” Vikram emphasised that changing perceptions within South Asian families is crucial to improving representation in music “A lot of it comes down to educat i o n , ” h e s a i d “ H a v i n g worked in the industry for 18 years, I understand why many South Asian parents see music as a hobby rather t h a n a v i a b l e c a r e e r M y own parents, both born in I n d i a , i n i t i a l l y h o p e d I ’ d become a doctor or engineer, they didn’t realise how vast the music industry is, with roles ranging from law and accounting to engineeri n g a n d p r o d u c t i o n Through Lila, we want to provide artists and families with information and workshops that highlight the real c a r e e r p a t h s a n d s t a b i l i t y

this industry can offer ”

Addressing the lack of South Asians in decisionm a k i n g r o l e s , V i k r a m added, “Visibility and lobbying are key Once we recogn i s e a n d p r o v e t h e r e ’ s a problem, we can act on it We need more South Asians in boardrooms, on award p a n e l s , a n d i n l e a d e r s h i p positions Using this data, L i l a a

t h industry bodies to push for that change, it won’t happ e n n a t u r a l l y , b u t i t ’ s achievable through collective effort ” Looking ahead, Vikram

s

would mean fair representation for South Asians across all levels of the UK music i n d u s t r y “ O u r l o n g - t e r m goal is proportional repre-

s e n t a t i o n , ” h e e x p l a i n e d “ S o u t h A s i a n s m a k e u p around 8–10% of the UK population, and we want to see that reflected within the m

takes two, five, or ten years ” Sharing a message for e m e r g i n

artists who may feel unseen, V

optimistic about the South Asian music scene, it’s on the verge of something big T

d y c o l

ctives, workshops, and networking groups out there, so if you feel isolated, start by connecting with others

T h e m u s i c i n d u s t r y h a s always been about community and relationships Get involved, attend events, and reach out, that’s how opport u n i t i e s a r e c r e a t e d A n d Lila is here to help guide and connect you along the way ”

s u c h

a y I ’ d n e v e r i m a g

n e d before I think my own memories and references have seeped themselves in the play in lots of ways without me even realising it - both taking a trip down memory lane as well as feeling grounded in the present Stories set in the past always have to be informed by what is happening right now, and I think this play absolutely feels that How did you craft Zoya and Iqra’s voices, journeys and friendship as powerful lens on migration and identity?

Zoya and Iqra are very different on paper - Zoya migrated here through marriage, Iqra migrated here for her studies at Oxford They also have sizable class differences And their personalities are also very different - there's a sweet

wise Iqra has more of a feisty and sharp side and her ambitions are huge, but she holds a surprising frail and fragile side She wants to change the world They need each other and learn from each other about the value of life, and what it means to work and live in Britain

How do you see ‘Before the Millennium’ contributing to wider conversations about migration, identity, and community in Britain today?

I hope it s a festive, joyous

South Asian and Muslim audiences to see themselves represented vividly in a Christmas show It's very easy to talk about migration and identity in a very politically front-footed way, but I hope this p

more unique to that conversation purely by existing, and showing S

experience radical joy, and the depth of a life-changing friendship

If you could go back to your own self in 1999, what advice would you give him, especially now, as a playwright writing about that moment in time?

I would tell him to spend more time in Woolworths! And get a bag of pick n mix sweets I would tell him to glean how everyone

their hopes and dreams and fears were

British–Indian co-production on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle announced

A lan d m ark Br it is h – In d i an f eat ur e f il m , ‘ Elementary, M y Dear Holm es ’ , based on th e life and legacy o f Sir Arthur C onan Doyle, w as officially announced at The Guild hall, C ity of London

The film, directed by acclaimed Indian filmmaker Srijit Mukherji and produced by Shahnaab Alam of Invisible Thread (UK), will explore Doyle’s extraordinary journey as a writer, doctor, and humanitarian; and his r e a l - l i f e p u r s u i t o f

s t i c e t h a t i n s p i r e d S h e r l o c k H o l m e s I t w

Treaty with the support of the Conan Doyle Estate, the British Film Institute (BFI), and I

Corporation (NFDC)

leading figures from the UK and Indian film i n d u

Agnieszka Moody, Arike Oke, Briony Hansen, and Tim Hubbard, CEO of the Conan Doyle

E

exhibition of rare Doyle artefacts, offering an intimate glimpse into his multifaceted life Speaking at the event, Mukherji described the film as “ a reflection on imagination and justice,” while Alam called it “ a cultural bridge celebrating Doyle as a global icon ” ‘Elementary, My Dear Holmes’ promises to blend historical authenticity with powerful storytelling, spotlighting Doyle’s enduring fight for truth and moral courage

Tara Theatre casts a South Asian lens on British politics

Mehrotra as Nikhil, and Nusrath Tapadar as Noor The production’s design team includes set and costume designer Erin Guan, sound designer Holly Khan, video designer Gillian Tan, lighting designer Jodie Underwood, and movement director Yemurai Zvaraya Set in 2013, the play follows Nikhil, a gay Indian man living in London, who struggles to secure his future in the UK His life takes

Theresa May, arrives at his flat offering help but only if he meets her standards The play shifts between comedy and nightmare, satirising the radicalising effect of a rightwing government on a queer brown man navigating the hostile environment policy Writer Vivek Nityananda said, "With this play, I was exploring questions of identity and immigration under the ‘hostile environment’ policy It’s a satire with plenty of room for laughter, but also asks urgent questions about Britishness, being a queer migrant, and the challenges we continue to face " Artistic Director Natasha Kathi-Chandra added, "Tara Theatre is a home for politically activated stories This play is searing, deeply

The inspirin g jour ne y of BAPS, N easde n Ma ndir p personal bond with BAPS, as my grandfather was associated with the organisation even before HH Shastriji Maharaj laid its very foundation I consider myself truly blessed to be among the fortunate few person in the UK today, to have had the divine privilege of the p h y s i

M

j , H H Y

g

j i Maharaj and HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Bochasan

One of the most cherished moments of my life took place on 26 September 2007, during the BAPS Centenary Celebrations at the Neasden Swaminarayan Temple in London As I addressed the gathering of devotees, my heart was filled with immense joy and humility when Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, in his divine grace, spoke for nearly twenty minutes, reminiscing about his special bond with my grandfather Manibhai, my father Babubhai and my uncle Apakaka It was a moment I will never forget, a blessing that will stay with my family for generations

Be ginnin g of t he

BAPS Swam in ar aya n San stha

The first BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir was established on 5 June 1907 in Bochasan by HH Shastriji Maharaj, marki n g t h e f o r m

y a n Sanstha HH Shastriji Maharaj, born as Dungar Bhakta in Mahelav Village, Anand, was a tall and graceful personality known for his deep faith in Bhagwan Swaminarayan, his teachings and his spiritual successors After being initiated as a sadhu at the Vadtal temple, he studied the Vedas and Upanishads With his profound understanding, he developed the concept of Akshar-Purushottam and founded the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)

BAPS continues the legacy of HH Sahajanand Swami, who founded the Swaminarayan Movement around 1801 A revered spiritual leader and reformer, he later became known as Bhagwan Swaminarayan His message of moral living, devotion to God and service to humanity inspired countless people across Gujarat and beyond, making his movement truly unique for its time

In the early 18th century, when Gujarat was under British rule, the Swaminarayan Sampradaya became well known for promoting moral discipline, social reform and unity among communities Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s teachings strongly opposed addiction, animal sacrifice and social discrimination, efforts that even drew the attention of British officials

On 26 February 1830, an historic meeting took place between Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Sir John Malcolm, Governor of Bombay As the Governor of Bombay, Sir Malcolm had political responsibility for Gujarat, Kathiawad and Kutch Governor Malcolm had heard of the positive influence Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s teachings had on public order and morality through reports from British administrators David Anderson Blane, the political agent at Rajkot, g r e a t l y a d m i r e d h i s w o r k a n d i n v i t e d B h a g w a n Swaminarayan to his residence to meet the Governor, a historic encounter that reflected mutual respect and recognition

T h o u g h u n w e l l , B h a g w a n S w a m i n a r a y a n g r a c i o u s l y agreed to attend He was warmly welcomed in areas under British control and was granted land to build a mandir in Ahmedabad During the meeting, Bhagwan Swaminarayan presented Sir John Malcolm with a copy of the Shikshapatri, a concise scripture of 212 verses outlining ethical, spiritual and social values for devotees This very copy is now carefully preserved at the Indian Institute Library, part of the Bodleian Library at Oxford University

Faith carved in stone

Yogibapa, was a true saint admired for his wisdom, humility and social service His teachings deeply inspired many young devotees, particularly Patels from the Kheda district who later migrated to East Africa Among them were Himabhai and Maganbhai Patel, who received blessings from Yogibapa and Shastriji Maharaj before leaving for Africa They were encouraged to continue their satsang and sadhana even in small groups

Yogibapa often wrote letters reminding devotees to stay devoted, avoid bad habits such as alcohol and live a moral life His guidance helped form satsang sabhas in many places, especially along the Mombasa–Kisumu railway line Around the same time, followers of the Swaminarayan movement from Kutch also spread the faith and its values among devotees in Kenya

A small temple was first established in Nairobi in 1945 Ten years later, in 1955, the first BAPS temple in East Africa was built in Mombasa, Kenya, in the divine presence of Param Pujya Yogiji Maharaj, Param Pujya Pramukh Swami

Yogibapa foresaw the growing migration of devotees from East Africa to the United Kingdom and prophetically declared that one day, a grand temple

London

A g ran d te mple in London

The inspiration for this remarkable journey began in 1970 when HH Yogiji Maharaj envisioned a grand stone mandir in London During his visit that year, he inaugurated one of Britain’s first Hindu temples at 77 Elmore Street, Islington, under the banner of the Swaminarayan Hindu Mission, a branch of BAPS I had the privilege of being present at that historic occasion As the number of devotees grew rapidly, especially after the 1973 Uganda expulsion and the migration of families from Kenya, the Islington temple soon became too small The community and saints began searching for a larger site in northwest London, within the Borough of Brent, where two possible locations were identified

When HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who was closely guiding the movement, visited London, he foresaw the immense growth of the Swaminarayan movement and the wider Sanatan Hindu Dharma in the UK I clearly remember his visit when he personally selected the site in Brent, now known as Pramukh Swami Marg At that time, it was an old warehouse complex, but by 1982–83, it was transformed into a beautiful temple, a symbol of faith, vision and community spirit

I was fortunate to organise several events at the temple,

Chimanbhai Patel and Keshubhai Patel - Chief Minister of Gujarat, for major occasions Over time, many memorable programmes were held and soon the land for the present

Carrara marble, which made its own journey of 4,800 miles With a further 900 tonnes of Indian Ambaji marble, the over 5,000 tonnes of stone was hand-carved by more than 1,500 skilled artisans at 14 different sites around India into 26,300 pieces The largest piece weighed 5 6 tonnes and the smallest only 50 grams Just two and a half years later, the mandir stood completed

On 15 July 1995, the magnificent BAPS Shikharbandi Mandir in Neasden, London, was inaugurated, marking a historic milestone for the Hindu community in the UK The Pran Pratistha ceremony took place with great devotion and the celebrations continued for several days, filled with joy and spiritual fervour

The gra nd in augur ation was gra ce d by the pre se nce of ma ny distinguished guest s, includin g Lor d R K Bag ri, S P Hin duja, Ke shubhai Pat el, Chan dubha i Da lia, Bhair on Singh Shek hawa t, C M Pa tel, Jashbha i Pat el, C hhabilda s Meht a, L K Adv ani, Dr L M Sin ghvi a nd seve ral othe r dignita ries from a round the world It was tr uly a mome nt ous occasion tha t mar ke d the begin ning of a ne w spir itual era in Brit ain Neasden Temple was named one of the wonders of the 20th Century by the Reader's Digest in their book ‘The Eventful 20th Century – 70 Wonders of the Modern World’ The temple is also considered one of London's seven manm a d

National Geographic

Pramukh Swami Maharaj, with his remarkable foresight and wisdom, recognised the importance of involving dedicated individuals from various walks of life He selected five people and conferred upon them a special status in recognition of their contribution and commitment to the mission of BAPS Among them were Judge Mota Singh, Lord Gulam Noon, Sir J K Gohel, Manubhai Madhvani and my humble self This initiative not only reflected Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s visionary leadership but also his belief in collective service and shared responsibility for nurturing faith and values across generations

Presently, under the guidance of HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, the Neasden Temple continues to shine as a symbol of harmony, devotion and selfless service From its modest beginnings to its world-renowned status, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved through vision, faith and unity The tireless efforts of Yogvivekswami, along with other saints and trustees, have played a vital role in maintaining the temple’s spiritual and community impact

BAPS today stands as a global symbol of devotion, unity and architectural brilliance In the UK alone, it has established over 15 temples, many purpose-built across London and beyond While there are other Swaminarayan temples in the country, BAPS remains a shining example of dedication and organisation

G l o b a l l y , i t s m a g n i f i c e n t c r e a t i o n s i n c l u d e t h e Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gandhinagar, the grand complex in Robbinsville, New Jersey, the beautiful temples in South Africa and Australia and the world-renowned BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi a true landmark of spiritual and cultural harmony The upcoming BAPS temple in Paris, set for completion in 2026, will further extend this legacy of peace and devotion

Today, BAPS serves millions through more than 1,300 mandirs and 5,000 centres worldwide, each one a beacon of faith, service and culture It continues to inspire people of all ages to live with compassion, integrity and devotion, proving that spirituality, when lived with purpose, can truly transform lives and communities A S I S E E

T h e S w a m i n a r a y a n m o v e m e n t c o n t i n u e d t o g r o w steadily in Gujarat, with Bhagwan Swaminarayan establishing six temples, the two main ones being in Ahmedabad and Vadtal Later, Shastriji Maharaj, driven by his reformist vision, began his work from the Bochasan temple

By 1925, BAPS had expanded rapidly across India, especially in Gujarat Pujya Yogiji Maharaj, lovingly known as

Construction began under the continuous vision and guidance of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and other saints As the community grew, so did the dream of building a traditional shikharbaddha mandir, a temple made entirely of stone following ancient Hindu scriptures In 1991, Pramukh Swami Maharaj laid the foundation stone for what would become the Neasden Temple This vision took shape when more than 26,000 intricately hand-carved stones, crafted by skilled artisans in India, were shipped to the UK and assembled with love and dedication by volunteers

Almost 3,000 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone was shipped 3,900 miles to India along with 1,200 tonnes of Italian

As His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, it is a fitting moment to reflect upon the temple’s inspiring journey, from a humble vision to a globally celebrated symbol of faith, unity and harmony

T h e f i n d i n g s c a r r y a s y m b o l i c

undertone: a new political awakening is flickering within Britain’s largest minority group

Reform UK: Is it the “les ser of evi ls”?

B u t w h a t l i e s b e h i n d t h i s unexpected awakening? Perhaps it is the growing sentiment that

R e f o r m U K , d

o w appears to be the lesser of the evils Both the Conservatives and

, shown a covert unease toward

s i t s

views on its sleeve, and for some voters, that blunt honesty is oddly refreshing

Dr Nikita V ed MBE, E xecu tive Co -Ch air of Th e 192 8 I nstitute agrees She said, “Looking at our data, one of the key insights is that crime ranks as a top priority for many British Indians In areas where law and order and economic pressures dominate, Reform’s clear and consistent messaging, regardless of its stance on immigration, seems to resonate with voters who value control, safety, and effective delivery

“ T h e p a r t y h a s p o s i t i o n e d itself as one that can ‘get things done’ efficiently, and for those whose main concerns lie in these areas, that message holds strong appeal

O f c o u r s e , e v e n w i t h t h i s growth, reaching 13% in our sample, British Indians still support Reform at a lower rate than the general population, where the figure stands closer to 30% So while this community isn’t a major outl i e r , t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t r a v e l i s unmistakably shifting ” When familiar p ro mises stop wo rking

M o r e o v e r , d i s i l l u s i o n m e n t runs deep After years of perceived mismanagement of the economy,

c o s t o f l i v i n g , e d u c a t i o n , a n d healthcare, the two mainstream p a r t i e s s e e m t o m a n y l i k e exhausted institutions recycling the same promises In that land-

s c a p e , R e f o r m U K ’ s o u t s i d e r appeal and promise of disruption may simply seem like the better alternative or at least, a different one

Former and the country’s first Prime Minister of Indian origin,

R i s h i S u n ak s h a r e d a s i m i l a r assessment of the shifting political landscape in a recent interview with The Times, suggesting that parties like Reform are benefiting from a wider sense of frustration

a n d f a t i g u e a m o n g v o t e r s H e believes that after years of sluggish economic growth, many people have become more focused on

dividing limited resources rather than expanding them; a mood that naturally fuels polarisation

A c c o r d i n g t o S u n a k , t h e appeal of Reform lies not so much in its ideology as in its perceived f r e s h n e s s A f t e r m o r e t h a n a decade of Conservative rule and a swift decline in enthusiasm for the Labour government that followed, many voters are simply drawn to a party that feels new and untainted by the past This search for something different, he implies, has created a political environment in which loyalty to the major parties is eroding faster than ever

Dr Ved adds, “When we asked the community about their top five policy priorities, they identif i e d e d u c a t i o n , t h e e c o n o m y , c r i m e , h e a l t h , a n d d o m e s t i c poverty, which includes the cost of living crisis Notably, concern about crime as a policy issue has risen sharply since 2020 and parties that address these issues are g a i n i n g s i g n i f i c a n t t r a c t i o n i n these areas

“Simply put, when only one in sixteen people feel represented and voter priorities are shifting, many begin exploring alternatives that promise clearer delivery or a s t r o n g e r v o i c e ; w h i c h h e l p s explain the rise in support for parties like Reform or the Greens ”

A Green wave among you nger voters

Yes! The Green Party Support for the Greens has also risen to 13%, up from 8% last year

According to the sample from The 1928 Institute, the rise in G r e e n P a r t y s

v o t e r s which may not come as a surprise D r V e d e x p l a i n s , “ A

s like climate change, skills develo p m e n t , a p p r e n t i c e s h i p s

access to starter homes are key priorities Naturally, that demog

towards the Greens Across all c o m m u n

sioned by what they see as major parties rolling back on climate commitments It’s a genuine concern for this generation, and so it’s only natural that their support shifts towards a party that pledges to prioritise these issues ”

T h e G r e e n p a r t y n o w h a s 150,000 members and counting,

l e a v i n g t h e L i b e r a l D e m o c r a t s behind

Another point Dr Ved highl i g h t

d w a s t h a

f t h e media’s focus has been on Reform UK’s rising support, overlooking the growing backing the Green

P a r t y i s r e c e i v i n g f r o m B

i t i s h Indians “This polling was conducted during the Zach P olanski wave, so it is significant, it’s not just a new trend,” she said When asked about aligning with the interests of the Indian

d i a s p o r a , a G r ee n P a rt y sp okesperso n E XCLUS IVELY told Asian V oice, the party has always had a broad platform and a strong voice on the climate crisis, the e n v

d e r i n September, Zack Polanski is cutting through very well on social and economic issues as well, and that is a result of his bold communication style,” the spokesperson

Last weekend, Shishukunj hosted a joyful Diwali celebration, bringing together children, parents, and volunteers. The upstairs hall at Shishukunj Bhavan featured a beautiful Rangoli exhibition created by the participants

said, adding that the party continues to challenge the status quo of “ e v e r - g

suppresses social mobility ”

British Indian demographic, the spokesperson said, “We absolutely see British Indians as a strategicall y s i g n i f

Greens are now polling on a par w i t h L a b o u r a n d t h e C o n s e r v a t i v e s i n m a n y p o l l s

Our policies align well with areas of particular interest to British Indians- social justice, sustainability, small business policy, and the cost-of-living crisis ”

“We also continue to challenge Reform wherever we see their brand of divisive and hateful politics”, they said

T he road to the next election

S o , w h a t d o e s i t l o o k l i k e going into the next general election? Dr Ved believes that each party will attempt to “be all things to all people ”

“You’ll see left-leaning parties p o s s i b l y a d o p t i n g m o r e r i g h twing agendas, while right-leaning parties move even further to the r i g h t , ” s h e s a y s “ W h o k n o w s ?

Parties will start borrowing policy priorities from one another, and in doing so, they risk losing their identity ” W h e n a s k e d w h a t p a r t i e s should do instead, Dr Ved is clear: “There needs to be fewer symboli c g e s t u r e s a n d m o r e g e n u i n e delivery on priorities and repres e n t a t i o n C o n c r e t e l y , p a r t i e s need to think about representat i o n b e y o n d o p t i c s O u t r e a c h should be nuanced and non-sectarian ”

She points out that more than a t h i r d o f r e s p o n d e n t s , n e a r l y 34%, described themselves as havi n g a p l u r a l i s t i d e n t i t y “ O u r respondents often hold multiple identities: they might be Hindu and atheist, Sikh and spiritual Our identities are complex; they

go beyond faith and into culture and lived experience If communities think that way, political outreach needs to be designed accordingly ” Dr Ved cautions against treati n g

monolithic bloc “Engaging with us through discrete little buckets o f S i

H

e , Muslims over there plays into an outdated, almost divide-and-rule mentality ”

with community organisations

empower Indian candidates and staff across the ideological spec-

engagement actually drives policy changes Otherwise, visits end up feeling performative They land well in the moment, but a few months later, communities feel disillusioned again ”

To retain the British Indian vote, Dr Ved suggests that parties anchor their manifestos to the community’s top five policy priorities: education, the economy, crime, health, and domestic poverty, particularly the cost-of-

offer credible, measurable plans for each of these areas, ” she says “ C

y metrics, things like school outcomes, appointment backlogs, and local crime hotspots, matter deeply People want to see tangible improvements Safety, especially, is a key concern ”

She also calls for more targ

British Indians care about climate and opportunity, so they’re naturally more Green-leaning Older cohorts are more focused on crime, the NHS, and pensions issues that align with Conservative or Reform policies There’s also a gender dimension: men tend to tilt towards

Labour and the Greens, priori-

understanding its diversity, priorities, and regional dynamics, stands to benefit Strategically, that

focusing on key

West, Ilford North, and Harrow East These are strong British Indian areas and potential swing seats in the next election ” Asian Voice has reached out to Reform UK to understand the representation and role of the Indian diaspora in their policymaking and how significant this demographic is for the party in the upcoming election

Upcoming event

SSGP-UK (Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Parivaar) is hosting “Shakotsav – Celebration of Hinduism” on Sunday, 9th November 2025, in the divine presence of Pujya Bhaktivedantdasji Swami from SGVP, Ahmedabad. The event will take place at SKLPC Sports & Community Centre, West End Road, Northolt, starting at 4:30 PM, followed by Mahaprasad. This is a free event, and free parking will be available onsite

22nd annual Ahimsa Day celebrated at the House of Commons

The Ins ti tute of Jai nology (I oJ ), in partn ership wi th the Jai n AllParty Parliamen tary Group (APPG), held its 22 nd An nual A hi ms a Day at the House of C om mons on 16 October 2 025

The event drew Members of Parliament, faith leaders, academics, and community representatives to reflect on this year ’ s theme: “The Role of Faith During a Time of Multiple Existential Crises – with specific reference to Nostra Aetate ”

This year marked the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the landmark Vatican declaration encouraging interfaith dialogue and recognition of other spiritual traditions The evening was graced by Msgr Santiago Michael, representing the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain

The programme began with a warm welcome from Dr Mehool Sanghrajka, Managing Trustee of the IoJ, followed by devotional recitations of the Navkar Mantra and verses from Maitri Bhavanu, invoking peace and compassion Matt Turmaine MP, newly appointed Chair of the Jain APPG, reaffirmed his support for the IoJ’s campaign to include a “Jain” tick-box in the next UK Census and highlighted the importance of parliamentary

engagement for the community A tribute was paid to the late Nemubhai Chandaria, former IoJ Chairman, recognising his pivotal role in establishing Jainism in the UK The IoJ Ahimsa Award 2025 was presented to Dr Sohan Lal Gandhi for his lifelong dedication to non-violence, peace, and interfaith understanding, including leadership of the global Anuvrat Movement and advocacy at international forums such as the United Nations

Msgr Santiago Michael conveyed a message from Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, praising Dr Gandhi and reflecting on the enduring

relevance of Nostra Aetate in promoting dialogue, compassion, and moral guidance in a time of global challenges Archbishop Nikitas emphasised faith as the soul of civilisation, urging self-reflection, humility, and the nurturing of shared virtues across communities Dr Gandhi, in his acceptance speech, described Ahimsa as an active, courageous commitment to peace, reminding attendees that every act of violence begins in the mind and so must every act of peace The evening concluded with updates on Jain manuscript studies and a vote of thanks, celebrating Ahimsa as a timeless ideal of compassion and understanding

Lions Club of London-Finchley marks Diwali in style

The Lions Club of LondonFinchley marked Diwali with s tyle and enthusi as m on Friday, 2 4 Octob er, at the Everest Abercorn, j oined by over 80 guests Distinguished attendees included CB Patel, Publisher and Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar; Praful Pattni, Past Zone Chairman and President; and Jay Gohel, Past President

The evening featured lively performances by India’s 'Bombay Gang' and a sumptuous dinner served by the restaurant

The Finchley Lions Club, established over 45 years ago, has long served both local and

Double honour for Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple at UK Parliament

of Forest Gate,

Gujarat and Punjab,

on providing cooked meals for the homeless, supported by generous member contributions

Club President Viresh Paul said, “The London-Finchley Lions Club is part of a global network of 1 5 million members, committed to causes like sight conservation, diabetes awareness, environmental care, hunger relief, and childhood cancer With our 20 dedicated members, we remain devoted to community service and welcome anyone who wishes to give back to join our mission ”

Viresh Paul, a Past District Governor and former Chairman of Lions for Britain Isles and Ireland (1997/98), is pictured with Past President Bipin Kantaria, who organised the dinner, and Past President Suresh Sharma

were nationally recognised as it received ‘Charity of the Year 2025 ’ a t t h e U K P a r l i a m e n t , Westminster, on 15 October 2025, in the presence of prominent political leaders

S K S T e m p l e

(SSW) together earned two honours ‘Charity of the Year 2025 ’

received awards from Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms, the local MP, in recognition of their decades of

Member Kishor D Varsani delivered an emotional speech honouring the tireless efforts of President Shamjibhai Vekaria and the temple team Cllr Miraj Patel and MP Uma Kumaran joined in the celebration, w h e r e S h a m j i b h a i w a s n a m e d ‘Philanthropist of the Year 2025 ’ at the London Political Summit and Awards

This year ’ s Indian New Year celebrations were extra special for t h e S h r e e K u t c h S a t s a n g S w a m i n a r a y a n T e m p l e ( S K S Temple) The temple’s decades of devotion and community service

2025 ’ Founded by devotees from K u t c h , G u j a r a t , t h e t e m p l e h a s grown into a vibrant hub of devotion and ‘ seva ’ (selfless service), welcoming all in the spirit of unity and compassion

The SKS Temple has long led disaster relief efforts both in the UK and abroad, raising funds and m o b i l i s i n g v o l u n t e e r s d u r i n g crises Its commitment shone during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing over 5,000 meals and essen-

London residents

Beyond worship, the temple runs youth programmes, Gujarati classes, and charitable initiatives, nurturing the next generation in faith, service, and leadership

Devotion and joy mark Ankut at Kenton Temple

Diwali celebrations at Anoopam Mission honour Gujarati literary icon Dr Jagdish Dave

This year’s Diwali festivities in Great Britain, held on 17th and 18th October, were marked by devotion, grandeur, and the sacred presence of Sant Bhagwant Sahebdada, who has been residing in the UK for the past three months

On 17 October, Shree Lakshmi Pooja

a n d S

conducted with reverence and spiritual fervour, guided by Pujya Himatswamiji and Sadhu Pujya Ashokdasji Nearly a hundred pairs of yajmans participated in the sacred rituals alongside devotees and saints from both India and the UK

T

distinguished guests, including Satish Chatwani, Director of Fairview Hotels and Healthcare, Kanta Enterprises, and

D

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan; Manu Ramji, owner of King’s Kitchen; Kanti Nagda

Pankhania, Founder and Chairman of T

Gujarat Samachar; and poetess Bharati Vora

A highlight of the celebration was the conferring of the prestigious title “Shalin Manav Ratna” on Shri Prof Dr

J a g d

unparalleled contribution to the Gujarati

language and literature over the past 75 years CB Patel introduced Dr Dave,

Prof

sharing anecdotes from their five-decade friendship and highlighting his notable works, including 'Thando Suraj', 'Bhasha ane Sanskriti', 'Britainma Gujaratiyo', and 'Purva Africa ma Gujarati' Dr Dave

h

CB Patel

culture with humility and scholarship

Bhagwant Sahebdada, along with the saints and dignitaries, honoured Dr Dave

Mission and offered an inspiring address reflecting on his lifelong achievements Sant Bhagwant Sahebdada blessed

importance of dedicating wealth and efforts in service of God, echoing Lord

Shikshapatri

devotees receiving Mahaprasad, leaving w

commitment to preserving their mother tongue and culture

Hanuman Hindu Temple marks Diwali with grand Annakuta festival

The Hanuman Hindu Temple in London celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, with a spectacular Annakuta and Govardhana Puja, drawing together people of all faiths in an atmosphere of unity, devotion, and joy

The temple glowed with hundreds of Deepaks (lamps), symbolising the victory of light over darkness and hope over despair, the essence of Diwali in Sanatan Dharma The highlight of the celebration was the Annakuta offering, prepared and presented according to V

v a r i e t i e s o f v e g

i a n d

w e r e lovingly made by devotees and offered as a symbol of gratitude and devotion to Lord Krishna

The Vedic rituals were led by Shree P

D

Jitubhai Dave (Shukla Yajurveda) In his address, Sri Jitubhai Dave, High Vedic Priest, Chairman, and Trustee of the t e m p l e , s p o k e o n

significance of Diwali, Annakuta, and

these traditions continue to inspire acts of compassion and community service

The event was attended by several notable figures, including Mr C B Patel, Publisher and Editor of Gujarat S a m

Hounslow Friends of Faith; and PC Peter Trueman, Metropolitan Police Hate Crime Coordinator and Faith Liaison Officer (West Area) In a moving act of interfaith

greetings, symbolising friendship and mutual respect between communities The Annakuta Darshan was open to the

Anoopam Mission celebrates Annakut with devotion and enthusiasm

During the auspicious festival of Diwali, Anoopam Mission in England hosted its annual Annakut celebration, one of the most joyful and spiritually enriching events of the year

Despite the challenge of preparing 600–700 food items, devotees of all ages demonstrated remarkable d e

atmosphere Guided by the principles of unity, harmony, a n

prepared and artistically arranged hundreds of dishes before Govardhan Shri Thakorji and the manifest Gunatit Saints

Addressing the gathering, Satish Chatwani encouraged devotees to make meaningful New Year resolutions: chant the Swaminarayan mantra for two hours daily, dedicate one-tenth of wealth and

d refrain from dwelling on others’ shortcomings He also invited attendees to a

Crematorium to witness ongoing work firsthand L

h

significance of Anoopam M

according to traditional c

Shaunak Rishidasji and MP Barry Gardiner also delivered inspiring addresses

S

wishing peace and happiness in Vikram Samvat 2082 and emphasising that even small acts of devotion are valued by the Lord He reminded devotees that engaging in dhun and associating with the Satpurush strengthens the soul and fosters inner bliss

The celebration was attended by esteemed dignitaries, s a i n t

Rishidasji, Barry Gardiner, Pradipbhai Dhamecha, saints

Morbi, the President and trustees of Jalaram Mandir, the President and trustees of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, the President and members of Vallabh Nidhi Sanatan Mandir, Bharatbhai Sodha, Truptiben Patel, Cllr Anjanaben Patel, Tushar Morzaria, Ketan Kotecha, Shashi Vekaria, and many other devotees

Thousands of devotees participated, offering their prayers and homemade dishes, making this Annakut celebration a profound expression of devotion, service, and spiritual unity

VTSUK hosts Diwali Mela promoting wellbeing and

Lottery Community Fund, the Mela featured music, dance, henna stalls, food, and activities for all ages More than just a celebration, the event highlighted

Hillingdon and nearby boroughs,”

food drives, we ’ re committed to year-round community impact ” Young volunteers led the children’s zone with crafts and games

Changemakers in Action” initiative, while intergenerational

moted local health efforts, and a vibrant marketplace offered cultural food and retail stalls All proc

Harrow’s Charity Fund and Mahila Arogya Vikas in India, which prov

focus, VTSUK highlighted that celebration, community, and service go hand in hand The event was graced by dignitaries including Cllr Tushar Kumar, Cllr Parveen Rani, C

David Simmonds, Rachel Wright

Anuradha Pandey from the High Commission of India

This year ’ s Mela went beyond celebration, fostering connection, awareness, and civic engagement With youth leadership and community giving at its core, it reaffirmed that unity across ages and cultures creates lasting impact

I N D I A U K A C H I E V E R S 2026

launched at Parliament reception celebrating Diwali

The National Ind ian Students

an d A lu m n i U ni o n U K

( NISA U) launched the fourth editi on o f th e Ind i a U K Ac hi evers

Honours at an exclusive House of L o rd s recepti on m arking Di wali and Band i C hhor Diwas, celebrat-

i n g ex c ell en ce , p ar tne rs h i p an d sh ared values across the UK– Ind ia edu catio n corrido r A celebratio n of excellence and sh ared v alues

The high-profile gathering featured cross-party members of the UK Parliament, including Rt Hon L ord Johnson of Marylebone, form er M i ni s ter f o r U ni v ers i ti es , S cience, Research and Innov ation;

S o n i a K u m ar M P ( D u d l ey) ; Gurind er Josan MP (Smeth wick); and V irend ra Sharma Former MP

( Ealing and S outh all) , P atron o f th e L abour A sians S ociety reflecting the breadth of parliamentary support for the programme

V i c e - C h a n c e l l o r s a n d s e n i o r leaders from over 30 leading UK universities, were in attendance

some of whom recently announced

d accompanied Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his recent trade delegation to India Lord J ohnson of Marylebone said: “NISAU makes a terrific con-

Navnat Vanik Association celebrates Chopda Pujan at Navnat Centre

P ujan, a cherished traditio

warm welcome from President

J a s w a n t D

d coordinators Ramesh Shah and

including idols of Lord Ganesh and Mata Laxmi A lotus flower, symbolising the divine presence of Goddess Laxmi, was a special addition this year The evening concluded with a delicious dinner of Idli Sambhar, Samosas, Kala Jamun, hot chips, and soft drinks, enjoyed by all Event coordinator Bhogibhai Sanghvi concluded the evening with a heartfelt vote of thanks,

Bhogibhai Sanghvi for their dedicated efforts in organising the event

e d

The Laxmi Pujan was attend-

Navnat Vanik Association treasurers, and representatives from a l l a f f i

With 60 tables for participants a n d a r o u n d 5 0 o b s e

s , t h e event drew over 170 attendees celebrating Diwali and Chopda Pujan together

After tea and coffee, Maharaj Ravishastri led the sacred ceremony, with each participant provided a complete Pujan setup,

expressing gratitude to all spon-

invaluable support He thanked Mrs Nita Sheth for the beautiful

Sheth for assisting during the Pujan, Mr Ketan Adani for cam-

Kishore Batavia for managing the sound system Appreciation was also extended to Mrs Bharti Shah and Mrs Indu Sanghavi for handling reception and sweet distribution, Mrs Mala and Mr Shirish

tribution to the ecosystem sup-

policymakers, and strengthening the living bridge between our two countries Its indefatigable work is truly exemplary ”

He further highlighted the economic and policy significance of

brilliant people here to study and take home an understanding of our country and its worldviews while benefiting from the incredible opportunities within our higher education system ”

“We imperil this at our own risk International students bring £42 billion of value to the UK every year few sectors generate value of that scale ”

“We must ensure a stable poli-

cy framework so that the UK continues to appeal to international students and can play its vital role in global education ”

Ind ia–U K Educatio n Lead ers Roundtable

Following the launch reception, the evening continued with the India–UK Education Leaders Roundtable that was chaired by Sanam A ro ra, Fo und er and Ch air of NISA U The roundtable marked the first major sector-wide discussion since both Prime Ministers endorsed the India-UK Vision 2035 a framework positioning education and skills as the foundation of bilateral cooperation

The session explo red th ree ov erarching th emes:

Charting the Next Decade of C

mutual recognition of qualifications, joint campuses, dual

across areas including AI, climate innovation, and healthcare

addressing the global race for

automation by creating joinedup, future-ready career pathways for international students and graduates

C

Students and reinforcing the positive narrative of international education as a strategic driver of prosperity, inclusion, and diplomacy

The dialogue concluded with consensus on establishing a basel

championship and welfare support for international students, developing new models for university–industry collaboration, and reaffirming education’s central role in the UK–India partnership aligned to the Vision 2035

The discussion will feed directly into the upcoming India UK Education Conference on 24–26 February 2026 in London

University of East London and NISAU forge blueprint for global student success

The University of East London (UEL) and the NISAU have signed a s e c t o

Understanding (MoU) establishing a new model of collaboration to strengthen the welfare, employability and success of Indian students in the UK

The partnership establishes a strategic framework to design and d

equity, inclusion and opportunity for international learners, and provide practical support from prearrival through to post-graduation, aligned with the India–UK “living bridge” strategy

The MoU was signed on 17

Sanam Arora, Chairperson of the NISAU The signing was witnessed by Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability; Lord Kamlesh Patel of

and Patron of

Diwali brings communities together in Elstree & Borehamwood

The spirit of unity an d toget herness ill uminated Elst ree & Borehamw ood as peopl e of all fait hs, cul tures, and backgrounds gat hered to celebrat e Diwali, t he Fest ival of Lights

Held at Allum Hall, the vibrant event was organised by Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, led by Cllr Tushar Kumar and Cllr Parveen Rani

The celebration brought residents, faith leaders, and dignitaries together to embrace Diwali’s timeless message, the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil

The evening began with a traditional Diya lighting ceremony, symbolising hope and harmony, as faith leaders from

Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities came together in a display of unity and inclusion

The celebration featured vibrant cultural performances,

devotional music, and inspiring messages, ending on a joyous note with Bollywood dances that filled Allum Hall with colour, laughter, and festive spirit

Cllr Tushar Kumar said:

“This Diwali celebration truly captured the heart of our community It was wonderful to see people from every walk of life come together to celebrate light, love, and unity ”

Cllr Parveen Rani added:

“Events like this remind us that diversity is our greatest strength When we celebrate together, we build stronger bonds and a brighter future for everyone in Elstree & Borehamwood ”

The event once again showcased the town’s spirit of unity, celebrating its rich diversity and strengthening community bonds through shared cultural experiences

I N A U G U R A L B R I T I S H M U S E U M B A L L

T he British Museum’s inaug ural Ball has raised more

th an £2 5 mi lli on, a land-

m ark m o m en t i n t h e

M u se u m ’ s h is to r y th a t secures vital funding for its i nternatio nal partners hi ps

T he fig ure incorp orates th e

g enerou s s up po rt of table

h osts and g uests; d onations

m ad e on the night and p roceed s from th e Ball’s silent auctio n

During the evening, the British Museum was able to announce an extraordinary £10 3 million pledge from

t h e G a r f i e l d W e s t o n

F o u n d a t i o n T h i s m a j o r contribution will enable the Museum to move forward

w i t h i t s V i s i t o r W e l c o m e Programme, which includes n e w V i s i t o r W e l c o m e Pavilions at both the North and South entrances The

lowed, accompanied by the G r a m m y A w a r d W i n n i n g

Jules Buckley Orchestra

Guests were invited to take their seats for dinner at tables set amid some of the most spectacular objects in t

M

Served throughout a number of the ground floor galleries, a menu inspired by the rich flavours of India w

p r o g r a m m e w i l l c r e a t e a

world-class visitor welcome

t h r o u g h c u t t i n g - e d g e design, horticulture, and a

r e i m a g i n i n g o f t h e

M u s e u m ’ s f a m o u s f o r ecourt

Chaired by arts patron

a n d b u s i n e s s w o m a n I s h a A mbani, alongside Director

Dr Nicholas C ullinan OBE,

t h e B a l l w e l c o m e d n e a r l y 900 guests, 70% of whom were new to the Museum, i n c l u d i n g l e a d i n g c u l t u r a l figures The Museum was transformed for the night, i n s p i r e d b y t h e c r i t i c a l l y a c c l a i m e d e x h i b i t i o n

A n c i e n t I n d i a : L i v i n g

Traditions

G u e s t s i n a t t e n d a n c e

i n c l u d e d S i r M i c k J ag g e r, Janet Jackson, Dame Kristin

S c o tt T h o m as , Ja m es

N o rto n , M ay a J am a , E ri n O’C onnor, Chiw etel Ejio for, C h lo e K e ll y, L e ah Williamson OBE, Sir Stev e

M cQ u een , th e M ayo r o f L ond on and members of th e d iverse and influential Ball

C omm ittee, such as Naomi

C am pbell, Ed ward Enninful OBE , Dame T racey Em in, and Sir Grayson P erry

Walking the p ink carpet

Arriving at the Museum, guests walked the pink carpet up to the iconic south

f a ç a d e a n d c o l o n n a d e Speeches were made in the Great Court by the Director, Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE, Co-Chair Isha Ambani and Chair of Trustees, George

O s b o r n e , w h o a n n o u n c e d the extraordinary £10 3 mil-

l i o n p l e d g

Foundation A dazzling

hand-painted tiffin tins

M e a n w h i l e , t h e s i l e n t auction offered unique lots that included a pet portrait b y B r i t i s h a r t i s t a n d

M

the Greek and Roman coll

the first to see the monu-

m e n t a l B a y e u x T a p e s t r y when it arrives on loan next year, and a private dinner

a n d t o u r o f t h e B r i t i s h Museum, personally led by the Director

Further entertainm ent

Following dinner, guests were invited back into the G r e a t C o u r t f o r f u r t h e r entertainment, again led by the Jules Buckley Orchestra

w h o w e l c o m e d o n t o t h e

Novello award winner Tom Odell and Grammy Award

n o m i n a t e d M I A

Celebrated artists in their own right, they performed some of their defining hits with Buckley and his orchestra to the backdrop of one of L o n d o n ’ s m o s t r e v e r e d architectural spaces

Guests also viewed the ‘Tudor Heart’, a spectacular g o l d p e n d a n t l i n k e d

Henry VIII and Katherine of

Museum launched a cam-

nation last week Elsewhere, J

delivered a DJ set by the Museum’s south staircase

The Ball’s proceeds will

partnerships, which include projects and collaborations

Ghana to Armenia, Iraq to

Girsu and Benin City, to pioneering curatorial collaborat

Programme also continues to equip the next generation of curators to protect and share heritage worldwide

Benchmark for the future

T h e i n a u g u r a l B r i t i s h

Museum Ball has now set a new benchmark for philanthropic and cultural celebration, bringing together leading figures from art, design, fashion, entertainment, and public life in support of a shared global mission and to celebrate London’s status as one of the world’s leading cultural capitals

D r N i c h o l a s C u l l i n a n OBE, Director of the British Museum, said: “The British Museum is at the heart of cultural life in the UK, and the inaugural Ball demonstrated this with both an

renewed sense of the mission we are on to transform this remarkable institution I want to once again thank Isha Ambani, the Garfield W e s t o n F o u n d

n , a n d the many other benefactors who made Saturday a success and have supported so m

jects”

Isha Ambani, co-chair of this year ’ s Ball, who, showcasing extraordinary Indian craft, wore a custom gown by Abu Jani And Sandeep Khosla said: “This evening, is a celebration of age-old creativity In India, pink is the colour of warmth, welcome and joy It evokes a spirit of openness and grace integral to our culture My hope is that our evening will be a reflection of these values, bringing global communities closer, fostering deep mutual respect and understanding ”

Photography By James D Kelly, Dave Benett, Rowben Lantion and German Larkin

Guests in Attendance

Arts & Culture: Antony Gormley, Count Nikolai von Bismarck, Dame Tracey Emin, David Olusoga OBE, Elif Shafak, Es Devlin, Hew Locke OBE, Idris Khan OBE, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Jay Jopling, Justine Simons OBE, Katy Hessel, Lina Ghotmeh, Marc Quinn, Maria Balshaw CBE, Maureen Paley, Michael Craig-Martin CBE, Philip Mould, Sadie Coles, Sir David Chipperfield, Sir Grayson Perry, Sonia Boyce RA, Yulia Mahr Fashion & Beauty: Adot Gak, Adwoa Aboah, Bianca Jagger, Calum Harper, Christine Centenera, Daphne Guinness, Edward Enninful, Elizabeth Jagger, Erdem Moralioglu, Erin O’Connor MBE, Hon Daphne Guinness, Isamaya Ffrench, Margherita Missoni, Naomi Campbell, Natasha Poonawalla, Roksanda Ilincic MBE, Simone Rocha, Tim Walker Entertainment & Sport: Anoushka Shankar, Chloe Kelly, Chiwetel Ejiofor CBE, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, James Norton, James Righton, Janet Jackson, Jerry Hall, Jules Buckley, Leah Williamson OBE, Laura Carmichael, Lucien Laviscount, Luke Evans M I A , Maya Jama, Mike Skinner, Nathalie Emmanuel, Pom Klementieff Rocco Ritchie, Sacha Baron Cohen, Sarah Lancashire CBE, Sir Mick Jagger, Tom Odell, Yasmin Finney

Politics & Society: HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, HRH Prince Philippos of Greece, HRH Princess Nina of Greece, Lady Amelia Spencer, Lady Eliza Spencer, Lady Foster of Thames Bank, Lady Kitty Spencer, Rishi Sunak, Sir Sadiq Khan The Earl of Burlington, The Earl and Countess of Rosebery, The Marchioness of Bath, The Marchioness of Cholmondeley, The Marquess of Cholmondeley

South Asian Power Brokers list launched amidst Diwali celebrations

Decorated w ith cand les, diyas and colou rful m arigold flowers, p arts of the L ond on Stock Exchang e ’ s histo ric building at Paternoster Square near th e St Pau l’s Cath edral loo ked beau tiful on Tu esday 21 October, as g uests walked in, som e visiting the p remises for the first time

The evening was to mark F i n a n c i a

their inaugural ‘South Asian Power Brokers’ list in a special Market Close ceremony that was welcomed by LSEG The list honours around 50 trailblazers of South Asian heritage driving change and creating impact on the global stage in business and finance It coincided with Diwali festivities, that was celebrated by dhol drumming, lighting of lamps and a festive reception with a fabulous view and plenty of Indian foods

Co-host and CEO of the London Stock Exchange, Dam e Julia Hog gett said: “This is an historic moment, and it is fitting and by no means an accident that it coincides with Diwali, a festival of light, renewal and progress The leaders we honour tonight are those lights Each has eliminated paths for others to follow through courage, through vision, through an unwavering belief in what is possible Their story is not just of success, but of resilience, of generosity, of lifting others up as they rise in a stronger and more inclusive industry ”

Co-host and Editor-in-Chief of Financial News and Private Equity News, Shruti T ripath i Chop ra dressed in a lovely floral Indian attire, highlighted the journeys of senior executives, the role models, their rise through the ranks despite adversities, making way for the next generation of leaders

Guests heard powerful reflections on resilience and the entrepreneurial journey from honourees such as Pam K aur, HSBC Group CFO and Lord Karan Bilimoria

Speaking at the event, Lord Bilimoria celebrated the success of South Asian professionals in the UK, highlighting the shattered glass ceiling with notable figures like the former Deputy Mayor of London Rajesh Agrawal, present among guests and CEOs of major companies He reflected on his journey from studying in the UK in the 80s to building a household name with Cobra beer Bilimoria emphasised the importance of integrity, citing a personal story of repaying c

entrepreneurial spirit and its combination of hard and soft power, including its defence capabilities, manufacturing strength, and cultural influence He concluded with a motivational message on aspiration and achievement

Pam Kaur in her motivational speech advised young professionals to know themselves, follow their convictions, and maintain humility

Names in the list of honourees include: A jay Banga, President, World Bank, Lo rd Jitesh Gadh ia, L ord Ru mi Verjee, Parm inder Koh li, Chair, Shell, Rish i Kho sla, CoFounder and CEO, OakNorth, M anoj L adw a, Founder, Indian Global Forum, Bina Mehta, Chair UK, KPMG, Leena Nair, Global CEO, Chanel, Sunny Mann, Global Chair, Baker McKenzie, Rad hika P iramal, Independent Board Director, Neel Sachd ev, Partner and London Co-Head, Paul Weiss, Nikh il Rath i, CEO, Financial Conduct Authority, Rish i Sunak, Senior Advisor, Goldman Sachs, Shriti Vadera, Chair, Prudential, Sanjiv S omani, Director, Lexham Partners, C S Venkatakrishnan, CEO, Barclays among others

Also honoured on the list are LSEG’s Group CRO Balbir Bakhshi, Group CIO Irfan Hussain, and Head of Delivery for LSEG Digital Markets Infrastructure Krishna Omkar

at Neasden Temple as thousands gather in celebration

The Temple was adorned with

(lamps), and intricate decorations symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and goodness over evil Families enjoyed a dazzling fireworks display and a variety of vegetarian street food and desserts inspired by global cuisines

Traditional ceremonies create

community Central to this was the Annakut, held on Wednesday 22 October, where hundreds of vegetarian delicacies, sweets, and fruits were beautifully arranged before the deities in thanksgiving

– a timeless offering marking the Hindu New Year

Extending the spirit of Diwali

b e y o n d t h e M a n d i r , v o l u n t e e r s

supported local food banks and charities, reflecting the ethos of

H i s H o l

humility and compassion

S e v e r a

s joined the celebrations, including

Hi s E x c e ll e n cy V i k r a m

Dor aiswami, High Commission er of India to the Unit ed Kin gdom, an d R t Hon Wes St re etin g MP, Secre ta ry of St at e for Hea lt h a nd Socia l Ca re

Addressing the congregation, R t H o n S t r e e t

“Thank you to the organisers and h u n d

[ a t

Neasden Temple] for making this magnificent event possible I am struck by the warmth, sense of belonging, vibrant culture, and the profound generosity that define this community I’ve seen just how much this temple does for the wider community, too, showing t h a t s a m e g e n e

o f s p i r i t that’s come to characterise this wonderful and historic place

“This evening’s festivities also give us an opportunity to reflect on the deep, enduring, and defin-

skill, and compassion are the backbone of our health service, and I see the impact of their contribution every day in our hospitals, our surgeries, and our clinics ”

Bollywood actor and philanthropist Ak sha y Kumar, his wife Twin kle Khan na, and their children A ara v and N itar a also joined the Diwali celebrations at Neasden Temple

Le ade r of t he Conse rva tive Pa rt y visits Ne asden Temple on Diwa li

Rt Hon Ke mi Ba den och MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, visited BAPS Shri Swaminarayan

United Kingdom and India Your role in the UK’s story is crucial to the prosperity and well-being of us all The NHS owes so much to the generations of British Indians who have helped to build it, shape it, and sustain it Their dedication,

M a n d i r , L o n d o n – p o p u l a r l y known as ‘Neasden Temple’ on 22 October to mark the Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations

D u r i n g h e r v i s i t , R t H o n

Badenoch offered prayers at the Temple and met with volunteers and community representatives,

conveying her warm wishes to the British Hindu community as they marked one of the most significant festivals in the calendar She was also joined on the occasion by Sh a d o w Fo r e i g n S e cr e t a r y P r it i

Pate l MP

Addressing the congregation, Rt Hon Badenoch said, “It is a personal honour to join you at this joyous celebration, in this magnificent Neasden Temple – a testament to British diversity and a celebration of faith The Hindu com-

m u n i t y i n B r i t i a n c o n t i n u e s t o enrich our country through enterp r i s e , e d u c a t i o n ,

of faith, family, and s

best of our national s p i r i t – h a r d w

r k , compassion, and the b e l i e f t h a t w e a r e stronger together ” S a n ja y K a r a, Trustee of the BAPS Hindu fellowship in the UK, said: “We were pleased to welcome Kemi Badenoch MP to Neasden Temple for our Diwali and New Year celebrations Diwali is a special time for reflection, renewal, and community, and we appreciate her taking the time to join us on this important occasion ” Thousands of visitors attended t h e c e l e b r a t i o n s a t N e a s d e n Temple, which featured colourful offerings, devotional ceremonies, and prayers for peace and prosperity in the year ahead

Thousands enjoy South UK's largest outdoor Diwali celebrations

Thousands of spectators filled the streets of Basingstoke and Reading on 17 and 18 October respectively as the region's largest outdoor Diwali celebrations returned for their fifth successful year, transforming both town centres into dazzling displays of light, culture, and community

Presented by Kala the Arts – a National Portfolio Organisation and the UK's leading voice for South Asian arts – the free, familyfriendly festivals featured giant 13ft illuminated puppets, professional dancers, dhol drummers, and spectacular performances that captivated audiences across both evenings

Reco rd crowd s and growing comm unity engagement

The celebrations, now in their fifth year, continue to grow in scale and impact

"Every year the crowd is increasing and that's just fantastic," said Pankhuri Verma, Project Manager for Diwali Light It Up

"Everyone was so involved and excited seeing the colours, lights

and puppets ” Local Basingstoke Councillor Arun Mummalaneni reflected on the festival's significance: "Over the years it has become so popular that it has become an event in the Basingstoke event calendar I've seen it's been growing every year –popularity-wise, quality-wise, and professionalism-wise I can see an improvement every year It is part of Basingstoke fabric When else do we get the opportunity to celebrate all together?"

Audience members were also

unanimous in their praise Bring ing com munities tog ether through art

The Basingstoke event on 17 October began with a theatrical procession joined by hundreds of participants carrying lanterns, giant puppets, dhol drummers, and dancers in spectacular costumes as they wound through the town centre before culminating in professional performances at the Amphitheatre in Festival Place This year's celebration included

special Jane Austen-inspired performances celebrating 250 years of the iconic author –bringing together the English heritage of Jane Austen with the South Asian dance roots of Kala The Arts Reading's town centre on Saturday 18 October transformed into a river of light with dance performances at Town Hall Square, followed by the grand parade featuring the most spectacular collection of giant puppets, including 13-foot figures

depicting goddesses and mythological characters

The celebrations demonstrated how cultural festivals can push artistic barriers while remaining accessible to all The 2025 theme, "Devi - Light and Earth," celebrated divine feminine power and nature, with illuminated installations and giant puppets creating an immersive experience that literally lit up both towns, turning ordinary streets into extraordinary spaces of wonder and celebration

Hindu Forum of Britain hosts its 24th annual Diwali celebration at the UK Parliament

T he Hindu Fo rum of Britain ( HF B) hosted its 24th annual

D i w al i c el ebr ati o n a t t h e

H o u s e o f C o m m o ns o n

T hursd ay, 16 October 2025

T h e ev e nt w e lc o m ed t h e

d iv ine p resence of P rabhu

S hree Ram, Mata S ita, Sh ree

L akshman, Sh ree Hanum an, S hree Ganes ha, and Shree Jalaram Bapa, alongside an

e s tee m ed g ath e ri ng o f P ar lia m entar ian s, c o m m unity leaders, interfaith repr es enta tiv es, and bu s in ess lead ers from across th e U K

A Festival o f L ight and Unity

Diwali, the festival celebrated for millennia as the festival of light and com-

m e m o r a t e s t h e v i c

o f good over evil, light over

d a r k n e s s , a n d k n o w l e d g e over ignorance This year ’ s

c e l e b r a t i o n , h e l d a t t h e

CB Patel Vatsal Thakker

Rear Row- Theresia Villier Dawn Butler MP Lord Rook Lord Dholakia, Lord Rami Ranger, Truptiben Patel, Bob Blackman

Sharma

Attendees joined her in a moving pledge:

G o l d S p o n s o r V ats al T hakkar, CEO of Al Casa Real Estate (ACRE), to convey his festive wishes, foll o w e d b y Raj n ib h ai C Khiroya, President of Shree Jalaram Mandir Greenford

H a n u m a n D a s o f G o

D h a r m i c u r g e d g u e s t s t o uphold dharma by caring for t h e p l a n e t a n d a l l l i v i n g beings, drawing upon teachings from the Bhagavad Gita and highlighting the need to end hunger and suffering Honou ring contributors HFB expressed appreciation to all sponsors and partners as listed below, special-

Indiaspora hosts

Diwali celebration at the Palace of Westminster

On the ev ening of 23 October 2025 the Ind ian d iaspora community g athered in full sp lend our at the histo ric House of Com mons for Indiasp ora ’ s Diw ali d inner organised by U K co u n try h e ad , Ni n a A m i n an d h os t ed by L o r d K a ran Bilimoria

Nina welcomed a diverse gathering of business leaders, parliamentarians, and diaspora luminaries for an evening of culture, connection and celebration

Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons, was jointly hosted by Bob Blackm an C BE M P, Nav end u M ishra M P, and Lord Navnit Dholakia OBE, and organised by the Hindu Forum of Britain, the umbrella body representing more than 320 Hindu organisations across the United Kingdom

T h e a f t e r n o o n b e g a n w i t h s o u l f u l p r a y e r s a n d chanting of “Om,” led by V ish akha Devi Dasi, Swami

S u r ya P ra bh a D i d i , S is te r J a ym i ni P at el, S ad h av i Bhakti Priya Didi and Sh ree

N i sh i th Bh a i P an d ya T o mark the Hindu New Year

a n d G o v a r d h a n P u j a , Jalaram Mandir Greenford

p r e s e n t e d a s t u n n i n g Annakut display, featuring

5 6 v a r i e t i e s o f t r a d i t i o n a l

v e g e t a r i a n o f f e r i n g s (prasadam) to Prabhu Shree

R a m , M a t a S i t a , S h r e e

L a k s h m a n a n d S h r e e Jalaram Bapa

Message of peace, hope and shared hum anity

In her welcome address, Er Tru pti Patel, President of the HFB and Trustee of the HFB Charity, reflected on Diwali’s universal message of unity, saying:

“Diwali gives us the rituals, the stories, and the energy to practice Vasudhaiva

K u t u m b a k a m , t h e b e l i e f that the world is one family ” She offered prayers for peace, remembering those who lost their lives in the

P a h a l g a m t e r r o r a t t a c k , plane crashes, and ongoing

c o n f l i c t s w o r l d w i d e

“ I l i g h t t h e l a m p f o r myself, my family, my comm u n i t y , m y e n e m i e s , t h e animals, the trees, and the entire world May this light remind us that we are one ” Distingu ish ed Guests and Remarks

the UK, reminding everyone that goodness ultimately triu

challenges

L

O B E , P a t r o n o f H F B , extended greetings of peace

a n

Navendu Mishra MP offered heartfelt wishes for health,

From Left to Right: Front Row- Dipak Valand Acharya Abhi Yogi , Sister Jaymini Patel, Dr Harsha Jani, Sister Dipti Khatry and Nirmala Patel

Rear Row- Radha Mohan Das, Trupti Patel, Dr Michell, Vishaka Devi Dasi, Swamini Bhaktipriya , Sister Rachel Acharya Subhasree Thottungla, Siriol Davies, Harshaben Shukla, Mayuri Patel and Taraben Patel

His Exc ellency Vik ram K D o ra is w a m i, H i g h Commissioner of India to the UK, graced the occasion as Chief Guest He extended warm Deepawali greetings a n d t h a n k e d

annual HFB celebration at the Palace of Westminster possible In his address, he h i g h l i g h t e d D i w a l i ’ s d e e p symbolism:

“Light represents truth, knowledge, hope, happiness, and progress Diwali cele-

b

w

n I n d i a

n d t h e United Kingdom ” Bob Blackman CBE MP, long-time host of Diwali in P

g bridge” between India and

happiness, and prosperity He also shared Diwali greetings from P rim e Minister Sir Kei r S tarmer, acknowledging the British Hindu community’s outstanding contributions to the nation

C B P atel, patron of HFB, also extended greetings on the occasion

T h e d i g n i t a r i e s a l s o l a u n c h e d t h e H

Magazine 2025 during the event

C elebrating serv ice and contribution

D i w a l i

n g s a n d reflections were also shared by Lord P opat of Harrow, Lord Ram i Ranger, Gurinder Sing h MP , Daw n Butler M P,

T h ere sa Vi l li er s, a nd Vi r end ra S h arm a , a l l o f whom praised the enduring cultural and social impact of Britain’s Hindu community

T h e p r o g r a m m e

ly 2025 Diwali Gold sponsor ACRE and continuous supp o r t o f R ic ky S e h g al o f

T r a n s p u t e c L t d a n d

S h a sh i b h ai , Ve ka ri a a n d

Mitesh Vekaria of Vascroft Foundation

M a y o r s a n d D e p u t y

Mayors from across the UK including C llr Ajana Patel (Harrow), Cllr Ryan Hack (Brent), C llr Nidh i M eh ta ( A y le sb u ry) , C l lr A ari en A r eti ( K e ns i ng t o n & C helsea), and Cllr Tush ar

K u m a r ( E l st ree & Boreham woo d) along with many Councillors were also felicitated during the celebration

C ultural perform ances and closing ceremo ny

G u e s t s e n j o y e d d e v otional bhajans by Dr Rakesh

Josh i, Chair of the Hindu Group at the Department

f o r E d u c a t i o n a n d h i s

e n s e m b l e B h a r t i y a V r u n d

G a a n , a l o n g w i t h a n

e n c h a n t i n g K i r t a n a m p e rformance by C hinu Kisho re, showcasing classical dance from Assam Behind the scenes, the event was seamlessly supported by Harshaben Sh ukl

M B E , T a rab en P a tel , Mayuriben Patel and P anna

V ek ari a e n s u r i n g s m o o t h

c o o r d i n a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t

t h e a f t e r n o o n a n d B i m al

Patel, for capturing the proceedings of the afternoon and for the design and production of the Diwali magazine

The vote of thanks was d e l i v e r e d b y V elj i b h ai Vekaria, Chair of the HFB Diwali Committee followed by a serene closing prayer from Radh a M ohan Das and A ch arya A bh i Y og i culmin a t i n g i n a g r o u p p h o t o -

g r a p h o f t h e H F B

C o m m i t t e e , s p o n s o r s a n d dignitaries

Guests dressed in elegant black-tie and smart Indian attire underscored the evening’s dual purpose: to celebrate the Festival of Lights and to underscore “the living bridge” between India and the UK

Speakers and disting uished guests

By hosting this Diwali event at the very heart of British democracy, Indiaspora sent a clear message: the Indian diaspora is not simply a cultural community but an integral part of the UK’s future social and business landscape The choice of the House of Commons as venue symbolises inclusion, civic engagement and strong bilateral relations

Speakers included Seema Malhotra FRSA MP, H E Vikram Doraiswami, Indiaspora Founder M R Rangaswami, Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, Tony Matharu and Lord Bilimoria who shared powerful messages about equality, the trajectory of the UK-India partnership and the role of the British-Indian community in the economy and public life

Among the distinguished guests were senior parliamentarians, peers and leaders from the diaspora business community – underlining the event’s reach across politics, commerce and civic life

The Founder of Indiaspora, M R Rangaswami, who had travelled especially from California to attend the event, shared perspectives on leadership, purpose and the growing impact of some 35mn diaspora contributing over a trillion dollars in GDP worldwide M R spoke about Indiaspora’s mission to unite the global Indian community as a force for good and there was growing enthusiasm for Indiaspora’s work and strong interest in joining Indiaspora’s upcoming Global Forum in Bengaluru in March 2026

Nina Amin spoke about how the Indian diaspora continue to be a story of success and service in the UK Whether it is the continued rise in Indian origin leadership in business and politics or the growing number of partnerships between the UK and Indian universities, the bond between our two nations is stronger than ever But beyond professional success the Indian diaspora have shown extraordinary compassion- through philanthropy, volunteering and leadership in civic life - and that is what Indiaspora is all about- - a global community who uses its success to create positive change and be recognised as a global force for good

Westminster, the sense of optimism was palpable With shared values of enterprise, service and cultural connection, the diaspora community is uniquely positioned to help shape the UK-India narrative going forward

The event was sponsored by WNS, (and CEO, Keshav Murughesh, an Indiaspora member) WNS has just been taken over by Cap Gemini, in a $3 3bn transaction to create a global leader in Agentic-A1 powered intelligent operations

New network sparks Harrow’s business revival

Swathi Anil

The London Borough of Harrow, a vibrant hub of enterprise in Greater London, has long been a place of immense entrepreneurial energy Yet, for years, this energy has been largely fragmented. With an estimated 87% of Harrow's businesses being micro-enterprises employing fewer than five people, the local economy, though robust in spirit, has faced perennial challenges, including relatively low local wages and intense competition from surrounding metropolitan areas Local success often felt like a solitary battle for many

client referrals to collaborative projects and joint initiatives" She added that their

entrepreneurs who share

vested interest

Does brand power and perceived expertise explain the survival of c hronically underperformi ng funds?

In an efficient market, chronic underperformance should lead to extinction

Fund managers who fail to deliver riskadjusted returns inferior to passive benchmarks should lose clients and assets Yet, paradoxically, they rarely do Many persist for years even decades attracting inflows, charging high fees, and marketing the illusion of skill

1 The Paradox of Persistence

The data are unequivocal: most active funds underperform their benchmarks

The SPIVA Europe Scorecard (S&P Dow Jones, 2023) reports that over 85% of UK equity funds underperformed the S&P U

years Yet the active fund industry continues to grow, with UK-domiciled funds

Sensing a crucial void, a profound lack of consistent, high-quality professional connection three local professionals across the finance, legal, IT, and recruitment sectors decided to act They have just launched Harrow Business Connections (HBC), a dynamic new platform designed

, strengthen the wider business ecosystem, and finally provide the local, collaborative support that had been missing in Harrow for a long time HBC is focused on helping local entrepreneurs convert meaningful introductions into genuine commercial success, driving growth and opportunity on their doorstep

What is the gap in Harrow's business landscape?

The most significant gap identified was t h e n

connect meaningfully, share ideas, and grow together, a vision which first took shape in 2017 Responding to the need for a m

recurring nature of HBC's engagement: "To maintain engagement throughout the y

including facilitated networking sessions, t o p i c - f o c u s e d

d WhatsApp group where members continue conversations, explore partnerships, and share referrals in real time" This structure was created to ensure the network truly delivers what Harrow needs to thrive Most valuable outcome from attending events?

HBC aims to foster collective growth among Harrow-based entrepreneurs Sal Parkar confirmed the single most valuable o u t c o m

H B C , attendees can expect to leave each event w i t h m e a n i n g f u l l o c a l

n c e s t h a t translate into real business wins, from

prosperity

How does HBC facilitate commercial benefit?

facilitates commercial benefit is central to HBC's mission Amit Chandarana detailed

friendly, informal conversations to help people connect naturally" He emphasised that their warm, inclusive atmosphere is key to building trust and encouraging genuine relationships that often evolve into lasting business partnerships When asked about the role of networking in his

helps us connect with new clients, stay visible in the local business community, and create chances to share our creative and technical skills where they can make the biggest impact"

HBC's lasting five-year economic legacy?

Business Connections (HBC) hopes its most visible legacy will be a vibrant, wellconnected network of local businesses that feel supported, empowered, and equipped to grow," stated Sanjay C Rughani He stressed that HBC aspires to be more than just a networking platform, but a trusted

Harrow Council to champion the needs of

i concluded by saying the team envisages a b

survive, they succeed together," and that H B C

deeply community-driven

I n d i an IT g i ant I nf o sy s ( INFY NS) said o n Tu esday

i t h as w o n a £ 1 2 b il li o n ( $1 59 billion) contract from th e U K’ s Natio nal Health

S e rv i c e ( N HS ) B u si n

S

to replace its existing payroll p latform

The 15-year deal represents a significant win for India’s second-largest software services firm amid a c h a l l e n g i n

global IT sector, impacted

Infosys will develop

(Investment Association, 2024)

Economic theory struggles to explain this persistence Rational investors should

once underperformance becomes clear

The fact that they do not implies that other forces cognitive, emotional, and social govern investor behaviour In this sense, fund management is less a science of returns than a business of trust

2 Brand as a Cognitive Shortcut Brand theory, originating with Aaker (1991) and Keller (1993), defines a brand as a cognitive and emotional shortcut a bundle of associations that reduce decision-making complexity In financial markets, where outcomes are probabilistic and opaque, brand functions as a proxy for due diligence

Investors cannot easily verify skill, so they infer it from reputation, size, and visi b i l i t y A s t r o n g b r a n d ( e g , F i d e l i t y , Jupiter, St James’s Place) signals competence and stability This is a classic case of what Herbert Simon called bounded rationality: when information is imperfect, people substitute heuristics for analysis

Thus, brand strength becomes a form of perceived expertise It shields managers f r o m s h o r t - t e r m p e

because investors interpret underperformance as temporary rather than terminal In effect, reputation functions as a buffer against reality

3 The Psychology of Trust and Authority

Behavioural finance provides further insight Investors exhibit a strong authority bias the tendency to defer to perceived experts and confirmation bias, seeking evidence that validates prior trust Once a fund brand is seen as reputable, i n v e s t o r s r e i n t e r p r e t p o o r r e t u r n s a s exceptions rather than symptoms M o r e o v e r , f u n d r e l a t i

medicine or law: investors value reassurance and continuity as much as results A well-dressed fund manager speaking confidently on Bloomberg may evoke the same deference as a consultant diagnosing an ailment

In this sense, the financial brand is not just a label but a performance of expertise

The illusion of control, reinforced by prof

pedigree, makes investors feel safe even when empirical performance says otherwise

4 The Power of Familiarity and Social Proof

e

Psychologists call it the mere exposure

Investors who see a fund house repeatedly advertised or endorsed by advisers develop subconscious affinity In an industry saturated with uncertainty, familiarity feels like safety

s

Social proof compounds this When friends, financial advisers, or workplace

(2005) found that fund inflows are strongly correlated with marketing visibility and media mentions, not performance

In short, investors chase comfort, not alpha The collective trust in brand identit

popular

fund, the safer it feels the

because “nobody gets fired for it

5. Institutional Incentives and Distribution Channels

Brand resilience is amplified by institutional architecture

Financial advisers and pension platforms often receive distribution fees or have approved product lists dominated by large fund houses Their incentives align with maintaining relationships, not recommending cheaper or better alternatives

Similarly, default options in workplace

active funds with strong brand recognition, perpetuating market share despite

Management Market Study (2017) concluded that competition “works better on brand and service quality than on price and performance ”

Hence, brand loyalty is not merely psychological it is structurally embedded

The system rewards familiarity, not merit 6. The Narrative Economy of Fund Management

Fund managers are not just allocators of capital; they are storytellers As Shiller (

mance as “long-term discipline” or “temporary headwinds” can sustain investor confidence indefinitely

This narrative framing transforms loss into loyalty: the investor becomes emotionally invested in the recovery story I

experience inflows after bad years, as loyal clients “ average down,” echoing the gambler’s fallacy of believing losses precede wins B

replaces statistics as the measure of competence

7 The Limits of Brand Immunity Brand power and perceived expertise e

When underperformance becomes chronic or systemic, even powerful brands falter

Woodford’s empire Trust, once broken, erodes faster than it accumulates

However, such collapses are excep-

rarely experience a single catastrophic event; they experience mediocre performance disguised as professionalism The time bomb is not explosion but attrition

Thus, brand power delays, rather than denies, the reckoning

8 Policy Implications and the Path to Rationality

The persistence of underperforming funds poses both ethical and regulatory questions Transparency initiatives such as value-for-money reporting and standardised benchmarks aim to re-anchor investor trust in performance, not reputation

Yet the deeper challenge is educational and behavioural: to shift investors from emotional proxies (brand, familiarity) to

fees) Tools such as the GIP’s com-

showing Sortino ratios, active share, and drawdowns embody this shift

Only when investors internalise that “trust is not a strategy” will markets allocate capital more efficiently

I hope these columns will educate our

IMF, World Bank raise India's growth forecasts

B o t h th e I n te rn at i o na l

Mo netary Fund (IMF) and th e World Bank have raised th eir growth p ro jections for

t h e I n di an e c o n o my f o r

2 025, si gnalling c ontinu ed co nfidence in the nation's eco no mic mo mentu m The IMF, in its latest Global Economic Outlook

r

percentage points to 6 6 per cent The report noted that the strong carryover from I

quarter of 2025 has more than offset the increase in the US effective tariff rate on imports from India since July The Indian economy had expanded at a faster-

"impressive" and lauded the

example

The World Bank

for India, moving the figure from

per cent to

per cent Despite the positive

Olivier Gourinchas warned

Mehli Mistry removed from Tata Trusts

recent governance disputes, the trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust ( S D

n Tata Trust

economy is expected to grow at

modest

per cent this

growth prospects even in the

marginally, from 1 9 per cent to 2 per cent in 2025

60 per cent rise in India’s exports of mobile phones

I n d i a's m o bi l e p h o ne exports hav e soared by 60 % in the first half of th e fiscal y ea r ( A p r i l t o S ep t em b er 20 25), with total ship ments

r eac h i ng $ 1 3 5 bi ll io n , u p from $8 5 billion in the same

p e ri o d o f 2 0 2 4 - 2 5 T h i s sig nificant growth was led

b y A p p le , w h i c h h a s

p ositioned India as a major h ub fo r m eeting the need s

o f g lobal customers

According to the India

C e l l u l a r & E l e c t r o n i c s

M ehl i Mistry, long regarded as one of Ratan Ta ta’s m os t truste d conf idant s, f aced a s tunning set back as a major ity of trust ees v ot e d a ga i ns t h is re a ppointm ent t o the boards of th e Sir D or ab ji Ta ta Trus t and the Sir Ratan Tata Tr us t, the t wo corn e r s t on e t r us t s of Ta t a Trus ts that c ontrol a c omm anding 66 pe r cent s take in Tata Sons, the holding c ompany of the s prawl ing Tata Group

M e h l i M i s t r y s t a n d s apart as a man of quiet influence, operating far from the p u b l i c g a z e K n o w

brother Though his surname evokes instant associations with the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Mehli Mistry charted a different course early in life Mistry avoids the social l i m e l i g h t , h a s n e v e r g i v e n interviews and shuns corporate flamboyance

Within the Tata Trusts, w

Singh acted as one bloc and voted against Mistry, Mistry

e x p o r t s d u r i n g t h e s i xmonth period, a sharp rise from 37% last year Exports to the US alone surged by n e a r l y 2 0 0 %

$ 3 1 billion to an estimated $9 4

b i l l i o n T h i s t r a n s f o r m a t i o n h i g h l i g h

India's growing role as a

A s s o c i a t i o n ( I C E A ) , t h e surge confirms that India’s m a n u f a c t u r i n g s e c t o r continues to build the "scale, e f f i c i e n c y , a n d r e l i a b i l i t y " needed for sustained global competitiveness The United States emerged as the top destination, accounting for an estimated 70% of total

smartphone brands serving advanced markets

Other key destinations include the UAE, Austria, Netherlands, and the UK

now deeply anchored in the

I

i o n for the full FY26, solidifying India’s position as a leading manufacturing and export destination

Record jump in export of India-made cars

In dia's pa sse nge r ve hicle industr y has found

a " h a p p y h u n t i n g g r o un d " i n e x p o r t s , r ecordin g a jump of ne ar ly 20% in t he first h a lf of t h e cu r r e n t f is ca l y e a r ( A p r i l–S epte mbe r FY26 ) This gr ow th come s de spit e t he d omestic industr y r ely ing on pote ntia l

g over nme nt G ST cut s t o boost loca l volumes

Overseas shipments, comprising a variety of vehicles from electrics and hatchbacks to sedans and SUVs hit nearly 450,000 units in the first half of FY26 This surge was powered by strong volumes from key manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen Maruti Suzuki, the domestic sales leader, is also ahead in the export race, having already shipped over 200,000 units in the first half, and is targeting more than 400,000 units for the entire fiscal year

The quality of Indian manufacturing

has reached a point where Maruti is now exporting models, such as the hit Jimny, to its parent company's home market of Japan Furthermore, Maruti has begun shipping its first electric car, the eVitara, to export markets, with over 6,000 electric vehicles

s h i p p e d i n A u g u s t a n d S e p t e m b e r Hyundai, an early investor in exports from India, saw a 17% growth in shipments Global CEO Jose Munoz lauded the quality

a n d c o s

manufacturing and announced plans to make India a key global hub for the export of electric vehicles (EVs) alongside internal combustion engine (ICE) products Nissan

a l s o p l a y s a m a j o r r o l e , e x p o r t i n g t h e

Magnite compact SUV to 65 countries, with India serving as its second-largest export hub in the Africa, Middle-East, Europe & Oceania (AMIEO) region

n deeply intertwined with the Tata story, Mistry’s presence has long been felt in boardrooms though seldom seen in public fora Mehli is a cousin of the late Cyrus Mistry – who was ousted as Chairman of Tata Sons in October 2016 - and the son of Pallonji Mistry’s

Jehangir H C Jehangir

LuLu group's record land deal in Ahmedabad

T h e g lo b al ret ai l po w erh ou se, L uL u Grou p, h as d e li v e red a p o w erf u l statement o n th e potential o f G uj a rat ’ s c o m m e rc i al p ro p er ty m a rk et, concluding what is officially A h m e d ab ad ’ s lar g es t- ev er la nd tra ns ac ti o n T h e g ro u p ’ s s u bs i d i ary , L u L u

In te rna ti o nal S h o p p i ng Malls P vt Ltd, finalised the ac qu i s i ti o n o f a c o lo s s al 66,168 square metre p lot in th e c o v e ted C h an d kh e d a are a fo r a s ta g g e ri ng

£ 51 9 4 m n T h i s m o nu m e nt al d e al i m m ed i a tel y re se ts th e benc hm a rk fo r h i g h- v alu e real estate w ithin th e city

The sheer magnitude of t h e i n v e s t m e n t h a d a n immediate and significant impact on the state's coffers

The registration of the sale

d e e d , e x e c u t e d a t t h e

S a b a r m a t i s u b - r e g i s t r a r ’ s office, generated a recordbreaking £3 1mn in stamp

d u t y r e v e n u e R e v e n u e

o f f i c i a l s c o n f i r m e d t h i s amount to be the highest ever collected from a single transaction in Ahmedabad, marking the first time a land deal has decisively crossed

t h e h a l f - b i l l i o n - r u p e e

t h r e s h o l d T h e p l o t , strategically situated along the key SP Ring Road, was

s e c u r e d b y L u L u I n t e r n a t i o n a l t h r o u g h a n online auction held by the

A h m e d a b a d M u n i c i p a l

C o r p o r a t i o

India Inc. snaps up prized European assets on the cheap Indian conglomera tes are aggr essivel y turning t he ir atte ntion to Europe, enga gin g in a n outbound mer gers and a cquisit ions (M&A) spree that has seen the value of deals soar to $5 7 b il lion in 2025 the highest figure since 2020 This surge is transfor ming 'India Inc ' from a buyer of opport un it y into a major gl obal con solidat or , k een on acquiring prized European asse ts

T h e t r e n d i s u n d e r p i n n e d b y I n d i a ’ s robust, fast-growing economy, which has left corporate balance sheets healthier and management teams with a new confidence and incremental risk appetite They are able to leverage their strong domestic valuations to acquire established European businesses at a significant discount, as many of these assets are priced far below their US counterparts

The deals are broad and strategically driven, aimed at securing key technology, established brands, and global market reach A

prominent example is Tata Motors Ltd 's offer to buy Italian truck manufacturer Iveco Group NV for approximately €3 8 billion, giving the Indian giant a stronger foothold in Europe’s commercial-vehicle industry Similarly, the J i n d a l G r

e Thyssenkrupp AG’s steel unit in Germany Beyond heavy industry, the ambition stretches into specialist manufacturing, with Wipro Infrastructure Engineering acquiring a majority stake in French aircraft-parts maker Lauak Group This shopping spree is about more than just scale; it is about instantly accessing developed markets, acquiring valuable heritage, and securing sophisticated technology and R&D pipelines As European investment banks report that Indian buyers are now in the mix for approximately 70% of European sells

I nd ia’s lead ing au to mo bile m anufacturers have recorded their best Diwali seaso n ever, d riv en by recent GST reforms, repo rate relief, and b u o ya nt co n su m er se ntim ent d

Afghan-Pak conflict may ignite full-scale conflagration

The dusty, unforgiving stretch of the Durand Line, a 2,640-km scar left by a 19th-century colonial pen is once agai n the epicentre of a crisis that threatens to ignite a full-sc ale conflagrati on in South

A

n exchanged lethal fire, the worst escalati on si nce Kabul fell in

cross-border Pakistani airstrikes aimed at militant hideouts, met with immediate, deadly retaliation from Afghan forces on the ground Today, a fragile, Qatara

holds, but the quiet is deceptive H

k e s n e g o t i a t i o n s i n Istanbul are proceeding with an almost visible strain, their failure, as Islamabad has grimly warned, carrying the chilling potential for an open war The immediate crisis may have been temporarily averted, but the fundamental, decadesold wounds remain raw, defining a future that hangs precariously in the balance

A ceasefire forged in fire

The roots of the conflict run deep, originating not just in the recent rise in violence, but in the unresolved matter of the Durand Line itself Drawn by the British in 1893, this boundary has never been f

y Afghanistan, splitting the Pashtun heartlands and leaving a permanent political dispute that constantly undermines cooperation This historical grievance provides

source of recent hostilities: the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)

2021 takeover, this ideologicallyaligned Pakistani militant group found renewed strength and sanc-

then, TTP attacks inside Pakistan have surged, killing hundreds of soldiers and civilians

broke, leading to the retaliatory air

tragically claimed lives and pushed the two nations to the brink The ceasefire brokered in Doha was

pause to allow both sides to step

Japan’s 'iron lady’ Takaichi to take command as first female PM

T he air in th e J apanese Diet

c ra ck le d w i th h i st o ry a s S anae Takaich i, a staunchly

c o ns e rv a ti v e n at io n al is t,

s ecu red th e p arliam entary

v ote to becom e the nation’ s first fem ale P rime Minister

H e r v i c t o r y , c l i n c h e d after a tumultuous three-

m o n t h p o l i t i c a l d e a d l o c k and a last-minute coalition

d e a l w i t h t h e r i g h t - w i n g

Japan Innovation Party, was a landmark moment for a country long dominated by a p a t r i a r c h a l p o l i t i c a l establishment Takaichi, 64, s u c c e e d s t h e r e s i g n e d Shigeru Ishiba, taking the helm at a time of significant economic and geopolitical strain

The rise of a conservativ e r evolutiona ry

Takaichi's background is as unexpected as her ascent to the top post Unlike the political scions often found in the upper echelons of the

r u l i n g L i b e r a l D e m o c r a t i c Party (LDP), she was born in Nara Prefecture and boasts a history that includes playing drums in a heavy-metal band and working as a TV anchor

This unconventional path, h o w e v e r , m a s k s a d e e p l y c o n s e r v a t i v e p o l i t i c a l ideology She is perhaps best known as a protégé of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who championed her c a r e e r a n d w h o s e

n a t i o n a l i s t i c a g e n d a s h e intends to continue

Her hardline reputation has earned her the nickname ' J a p a n ' s I r o n L a d y , ' a comparison she welcomes,

b e i n g a n o p e n a n d v o c a l admirer of the late former

B r i t i s h P r i m e M i n i s t e r , M a r g a r e t T h a t c h e r L i k e Thatcher, Takaichi favours a s t r o n g s t a t e , a r o b u s t n a t i o n a l d e f e n c e , a n d a n a s s e r t i v e f o r e i g n p o l i c y , particularly regarding China

While her breaking of the g l a s s c e i l i n g i s a h i s t o r i c m i l e s t o n e f o r g e n d e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n , h e r c o n s e r v a t i v e s o c i a l s t a n c e s h o w s a s t a r k d i v e r g e n c e f r o m t h e s o c i a l l i b e r a l i s m o f t e n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h modern female leadership

Econo mic goals and the reg eneration drive

T a k a i c h i ' s f o r e m o s t challenge is steering Japan’s

l o n g - s t a g n a n t e c o n o m y , a task she plans to tackle with policies reminiscent of Abe's

" A b e n o m i c s " H e r c e n t r a l g o a l i s e c o n o m i c r e g e n e r a t i o n t h r o u g h a c o m b i n a t i o n o f f i s c a l stimulus, monetary easing, and structural reforms She has already pledged to draw up a substantial economic stimulus package to combat t h e r i s i n g c o s t o f l i v i n g , which has become a major pain point for households

The government's plan involves taking immediate m e a s u r e s t o b o o s t n e t i n c o m e a n d r e d u c e h o u s e h o l d b u r d e n s , i

i s

g a s o l i n e t a x r a t e a n d increasing the non-taxable i n c o m e t h

h o l d Furthermore, her focus on e c o n o m i c s e c u r i t y a s a f o r m e r m i n i s t e r i n t h

portfolio

focusing on strategic sectors

n d biotech to reduce reliance on external supply chains a n d d r i v e r e g i o n a l revitalisation By embracing

and leveraging her Japan First mantra, Takaichi aims to fundamentally shift the

c trajectory, providing a new, albeit conservative catalyst for growth Energy and defense p olicies so far

energy On defense, she has

target for increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP from the original fiscal year 2027

t o t h e c u r r e n

ending in March 2026, which she plans to fund through a supplementary budget She also committed to an early

national security documents by the end of 2026, aiming to

tensions with China, North

reaffirming the U S alliance as the policy cornerstone In her energy policy, Takaichi is pushing for the accelerated

reactors to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports,

share of the power mix to

supporting next-generation

back from the abyss The current talks in Istanbul are intended to establish a lasting, verifiable security mechanism Yet, even as delegations meet, reports of TTP infil-

severe lack of trust The core of the impasse is clear: Pakistan insists the Taliban must decisively dismantle TTP safe havens on its soil; the Afghan administration vehemently denies providing sanctuary, accusing Islamabad of violating its sovereignty

T he p recipice of peace or peril

The future of this volatile relationship rests almost entirely on the outcome of the present diplomatic struggle, and the prognosis is profoundly mixed Pakistan is at its w i t ' s e n d , d e

action, not just promises to eliminate the terrorist threat emanating from the border For the Afghan Taliban, however, taking genuine action against the TTP is a political, ideological, and logistical tightrope walk The TTP are their historical and spiritual brethren; to betray them risks internal fragmentation

and challenges to the Taliban’s own authority within its border regions

Should the Istanbul talks col-

Pakistan’s threat of open war could transition from rhetoric to reality

This would likely involve further,

would undoubtedly cripple bilateral trade, exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in landlocked

shocks across the entire region

Conversely, a breakthrough would see the establishment of a joint

allowing essential trade to flow freely and providing

thin, albeit

tence For the long term, however, the colonial legacy of the Durand Line and the fundamental Pashtun identity question it represents will continue to fester, meaning any command for a lasting ceasefire

struggle against history and ideology

Nepali student's body returns home from Gaza

A i rp o r t w as b ro ke n by a wave of profound so rrow, as th e c o f fi n be ari n g t h e rem ains of a young Nepali stu dent, Bipin Jo sh i finally com pleted its tragic journey h o m e T h e bo d y o f t h e national, who was captured an d s u bs eq u ent ly k i ll ed wh ile in Ham as ’ s captivity f o llo w in g th e h o rri f ic Oc to be r att ack s in Is rae l, has brough t a sombre and d eeply p ersonal dim ension of the Mid dle East conflict to the Himalayan nation

The student was among a g r o u p o f y o u n g p e o p l e who had travelled to Israel for an agricultural internship or study programme, s e e k i n g e d u c a t i o n a n d o p p o r t u n i t y a b r o a d T h e c o n f i r m a t i o n o f t h i s s t udent's death and their subsequent repatriation marks a painful conclusion to their

family's anguished wait The repatriation of the body was the culmination of arduous diplomatic efforts between t h e N

sensitive process, involving complex political and logistical hurdles across multiple jurisdictions, was necessary t

could finally be laid to

measure of closure to their immediate family

N

that sees thousands of its

abroad in search of better prospects, this tragedy reso

t h e national consciousness The solemn arrival of the coffin, witnessed by grieving family members and government officials, symbolises not just the end of one life, but a collective national grief The student’s fate now stands as a poignant and heartbreaking marker of the indiscriminate human cost of a distant war, a life of promise t

too soon

50,000 devotees flock to Russia for Buddha relics

KALMYK IA (RUSSIA): An expositi on of Ind ia ’ s sacre d reli cs of Lor d Bu ddh a in Russi a ’ s Re public of Ka lmykia ha s dra wn a n o v e r w h e l m i n g r e s p o nse , w i t h o v e r 50,000 d evo tees pay ing homage a t a l oca l monastery Many atte nd ees queu ed for u p to a km to vie w t he re lics, whi ch are recognised as a Nati onal Trea su re o f Ind ia

The unprecedented spiritual fervour has been palpable since the exposition b e g a n o n 1 1 O c t o b e r T h e r e l i c s w e r e brought to Elista, the capital city, by a high-level Indian delegation that is also conducting special religious services and blessings for the community

The reverence is concentrated at the i c o n i c G e d e n S h e d d u p C h o i k o r l i n g M o n a s t e r y , p o p u l a r l y k n o w n a s t h e ‘Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha’ Kalmykia is the only region in Europe where Buddhism is the predominant religion

A n o f f i c i a l f r o m t h e M i n i s t r y o f

Culture stated that the historic exposition, t h e f i r

Republic, is

testament to the deep

lizational bonds between India and Russia It also revives the enduring legacy of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the

Trump hosts Diwali celebrations, talks India trade

WA S HING TO N: US Presid ent Donald Trump hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House, m arking the Hind u festival of ligh ts with a sm all gathering of senio r officials, diplom ats, and b u s in es s le ad e rs f

m

h e Indian-A merican com munity

Seated in the Oval Office, President Trump lit the ceremonial diya, calling the lamp "a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness " He noted that Diwali reminds us of the triumph of knowledge over igno-

, extending his warmest wishes to the people of India Attendees included the Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, new US A

Gor, and Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard FBI Director Kash Patel, a first-gen-

Kamala Harris hints at another US presidential run

W A S H I N G T O N : F or m e r US

V ice Pres ident Kam ala Harris has hinted she could make another b id f or t he White House in an interview, saying she would "poss ibly" be pres ident one day and e x p r es s in g c o nf id e nc e t ha t

Am erica will see a wom an in the Oval Off ic e in the f uture

"I am not done," the former vice president said "I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones," she added Reflecting on the possibility of running again, Harris told the BBC that her grandnieces would "in their lifetime, for sure" see a woman president "Possibly," Harris said when asked whether that woman could be herself, confirming that she is still weighing her political future

H a r r i s , h o w e v e r , e m p h a s i z e d that she has not made a final decision but continues to view herself as an active player in US

p o l i t i c s A d d r e s s i n g p o l l s t h a t place her behind others for the Democratic ticket, Harris said she pays little attention to such numbers, saying, "If I listened to polls, I would have not run for m y f i r s t o f f i c e , o r m y s e c o n d office - and I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here "

her predictions about Trump’s a

been proven right: "He said he w o u l d w e a p

e t h e Department of Justice - and he has done exactly that " H a r

s a l s o c r i t i c i z e d American business leaders and institutions, whom she believes have been too quick to yield to Trump’s authority

"There are many that have capitulated since day one, who are bending the knee at the foot of a tyrant, I believe, for many reasons, including they want to be next to power, because they want to perhaps have a merger approved or avoid an investigation," she said

Indian gem spared from Louvre Museum heist

T he recent Lou vre Museu m heist, which saw priceless jew els o f th e N apo leonic era vanish , has been o vers hadowed by the c urious survival o f o ne spec tac ular relic, th e Regent Diam ond This colo ssal 140 64- carat gem, valued at ap pro ximately $60 mill io n, w as inexplicably lef t beh ind by th e thieves, a p uzzl e many are attributing to its centuries-o ld rep utation f or c arrying a deadly cu rse

The diamond’s dark legend begins not in the opulence of France, but in the gritty mines of Hyderabad, India Discovered in 1701 in the Paritala quarries of Andhra Pradesh, a region famed for producing the world-class Golconda diamonds the stone’s procurement was stained with betrayal The miner who first found the rough, 410-carat gem was allegedly murdered by the English sea captain who smuggled it out of India After being cut in London, the magnificent stone was eventually sold to Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, the Regent of France, thus acquiring its present name Over the years, the gem graced the crowns of King Louis XV and Louis XVI and adorned a hat belonging to Marie Antoinette It was even mounted on the hilt of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword in 1801, associating it with some of the most dramatic turns in French history The diamond was stolen once before during the French Revolution in 1792, only to be recovered from a Parisian attic Its history of association with greed, tragedy, and political upheaval has cemented its reputation as a cursed item

Its uncanny survival during the recent heist while other high-value jewels were stolen has only amplified the folklore Whether the criminals were genuinely deterred by superstition, or simply found the stone too difficult to fence on the black market due to its unique fame, the Regent Diamond continues its dramatic tenure as the jewel even audacious museum robbers fear to touch It remains a sparkling, enigmatic centerpiece in the Louvre's Apollo Gallery

showed the administration sharing the strength of diversity with the world

Trump told reporters he had

"great conversation" with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier that day, focusing mostly on trade He also asserted that Modi had assured him India was significantly scaling back its oil imports from Russia, claiming, "He wants to see the war [in Ukraine] end, and they’ve cut their imports way back Modi later confirmed the call on X, thanking Trump for his "warm Diwali greetings" and expressing hope that the two democracies would continue to illuminate the world with hope and "stand united against terrorism in all its forms " Trump also briefly revis-

India and Pakistan

Akshaya Patra raises $1mn for feeding children

LONG BEAC H: The ballroom of th e Hy att Reg enc y i n L o ng Bea ch , C al if orn ia, sh i m m ered with purp ose as ov er 250 g uests gath ered for th e A kshaya Patra US A SoC al C hapter Gala 2025

By the night's end, the collectiv e genero sity h ad raised an astonishing $1 m illion, enough to feed 50, 00 0 child ren for an entire year th roug h the Aksh aya Patra

Educatio

prog ramme in India

The event, hosted under the

Chapter Chair Nidhi Kathuria and her dedicated team, symboli

haustible vessel of hope The evening included a VIP Meet & Greet with tennis legend Vijay Amritraj and Congresswoman

address, highlighting the organisation’s scale: "Today, we serve over 2 25 million children daily across 78 kitchens in 16 states," he announced, noting that the f o u n d

than 5 billion meals since its inception Tennis icon Vijay Amritraj delivered a powerful keynote, drawing a parallel between his career and the children's strugg l e s : " A h u n g r y c h i l d c a n n o t learn Food in the stomach is the first step toward dignity, education, and opportunity " P h i l a n t h r o p i s t M a n o h a r " M a n u " S h a h o f M S I n t e r n a t i o n a l d e l i v e r e d a n i n s p i r i n g s p e e c h , s a y i n g , " S u c c e s s h a s m e a n i n g o n l y when shared Our approach to giving is rooted in gratitude and responsibility - it is a lifelong d u t y t o u p l i f t o t h e r s "

Congresswoman Barragán also praised the Indian community's r e s i l i e n c e a n d f a m i l y v a l u e s , s t a t i n g t h a t A k s h a y a P a t r a ' s work "embodies the best of what we can do when we care for each o t h e r " L o n g - t i m e s u p p o r t e r Geeta Venkat praised the event, noting the "endearing, thoughtprovoking emotional speech by Vijay Amritraj” which inspired guests to donate

Sikh driver's deadly accident fuels US immigration firestorm

C AL I F O RN I A : T h e Ameri can dream fo r tho u sands of Si kh immigrants is h anging in th e balance after a seco nd h igh -profile, fatal trucking accident in th e US , f u e ll i ng an in t en s e p o l i ti c al a n

n debate

The latest tragedy occurred on a California freeway, where a speeding semi-truck, driven by 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh of Sandhu Transport, slammed into congested traffic near the I

Ontario The collision involved nine vehicles, killed three people, and triggered a massive fire Toxicology reports confirmed Singh was under the influence of drugs and failed to brake,

vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated

The incident is particularly explosive as Singh is reportedly

entered the US in 2022 and was released from border custody under the alternatives to detention policy Immigration and

in brief NIRAV SHAH RUNNING FOR MAINE GOVERNOR

Former US federal health official Nirav Shah has announced his decision to run for Governor of Maine Shah is vying to succeed Maine governor Janet Mills, who is leaving the state leadership after two terms to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in next year s election If he is elected, he will be the third Indian American to be elected state governor after Bobby Jindal in Louisiana and Nikki Haley in South Carolina A doctor and lawyer, Shah was the principal deputy director of the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) in former President Joe Biden’s administration

LANKAN POLITICIAN SHOT DEAD IN OFFICE

A Sri Lankan opposition politician was shot dead in his office, police said, the latest in a wave of assassinations and the first to target a political figure Lasantha Wickramasekara, 38, the council chairman of the coastal city of Weligama, was meeting with constituents when a gunman burst in and fired multiple times with a revolver No one else was wounded and the gunman fled the scene Wickramasekara was a member of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party which has been locked in a bitter power struggle with the ruling party over control of the Weligama council

INDIA ELECTED TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

India has been elected unopposed to the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the seventh time to a three-year term starting next year, with a pledge to be a bridge-builder After India s election by the General Assembly was announced on October 15, Permanent Representative P Harish said, “This election reflects India’s unwavering commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms ” The Geneva-based 47-member HRC is the main UN body promoting and protecting human rights around the world reviewing the situation in member countries and providing a forum to discuss issues

KAPIL SHARMA'S CAFE ATTACKED AGAIN

has since filed a detainer This crash follows a similar multi-

another India-born truck driver

backlash and focused scrutiny on systemic failures in regulatory oversight US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy even suggested California could lose $40 million in federal highway safety funds for allegedly failing to

requirements for drivers

The controversy casts a long shadow over the wider Punjabi t

h comprises an estimated 150,000 workers, about 4% of the total US driver pool and owns roughly 20% of US trucking firms For many, long-haul driving became an accessible route into the US e

fully observe the Sikh Articles of Faith However, the actions of a few men have amplified fears that the entire community is now being unfairly targeted and harassed

Members belonging to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi Kulveer Sidhu and Goldy Dhillon claimed responsibility for the shooting at comedian-actor Kapil Sharma’s Cafe in Canada on October 16 They put up a social media post claiming the responsibility for the attack and said that they don t intend to harm civilians but those who cheat and harm them should be warned This marked the third attack in four months at the Kap s Cafe in Surrey, Canada The first attack was claimed by Harjit Singh Laddi, a wanted terrorist affiliated with Babbar Khalsa International

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ATTACKING HUSBAND

An Indian-origin woman working as a teacher assistant at a North Carolina school has been arrested after allegedly attacking her husband with a knife during an argument about house cleaning The woman, identified as Chandraprabha Singh, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury Her husband Arvind Singh told police that his wife became frustrated because he had not cleaned the house and “purposely attacked him with the knife ” However the woman told police that it was an accident and not a purposeful act

ASEAN is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy: PM Modi

P r i m e M i ni s ter N are nd r a M o d i

add ressed the 22nd A SEAN-Ind ia sum mit in Malaysia virtually, sayi ng the com p rehens iv e strateg ic p artnership betw een the tw o sid es h ad pro gressed stead ily ev en in this era of uncertainties and em erged as a “robust fo und ation” fo r g lobal stability and g row th U nd erscoring the significance of India’s ties with the southeast Asian bloc, M odi said that “the 21st century is our centur y, th e ce nt u ry o f In d i a an d A

Global South We are not only commercial partners but also cultural partners ASEAN is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy India has always fully supported

Narendra Modi

ASEAN’s centrality and outlook in

declaring 2026 as “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation ”

meetings in Kuala Lumpur, India

external affairs minister S Jaishankar at the meeting Modi also highlight-

global peace and securi-

importance of unity in the fight against it

year

ASEAN summit

efforts, whether it is digital inclusion or ensuring food security and resilient supply chains amid current global challenges India fully s

19 new ministers inducted in major Gujarat cabinet reshuffle

T h e B J P ha s e x e c ut e d a s we e p i n g

coun cil of minist ers, increasing its total stre ngth fr om 17 t o 26 T h e m ov e , wh ic h comes after a nea rly thre ey ear ga p, is highly stra tegic, e xplicit ly designed to r ecalib rate ca st e and regional repr esentat ion with a ke en eye on the upcomin g 2026 l ocal

b od y p o l l s a n d t h e 2 0 27 a ssembl y ele ctions

T h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t d e v e l o p m e n t i s t h e u n e xpected elevation of 40-year-

o l d H a r s h S a n g h a v i a s

d e p u t y c h i e f m i n i s t e r Sanghavi, a Jain from South Gujarat, will now independ e n t l y h a n d l e t h e c r u c i a l home portfolio, marking a major departure from a longstanding BJP tradition where

t h e C h i e f M i n i s t e r a l w a y s retained that post The rising political star, a three-time MLA, has also been assigned c h a r g e o f i n d u s t r i e s a n d youth and sports, portfolios d i r e c t l y l i n k e d t o Ahmedabad’s ambitious bid

t o h o s t t h e 2 0 3 0 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics The scale

o f t h e c h a n g e i s e v i d e n t , with 19 new faces inducted into the council, including 12 first-time MLAs Among the n o t a b l e f r e s h e n t r a n t s i s Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of c r i c k e t e r R a v i n d r a J a d e j a , who makes her ministerial debut The reshuffle necessitated dropping 10 ministers, i n c l u d i n g B a l v a n t s i n h Rajput and Raghavji Patel Worryingly, some axed mini s t e r s , s u c h a s B a c h u

K h a b a d , h a d c l o s e f a m i l y members facing scam allegations R e g i o n a l l y , S a u r a s h t r a s a w

From a caste perspective, the powerful Patidar presence was strengthened from four to seven, now featuring four Leuva and three Kadva

P a t i d a r s C

u c i a l l y , g i v e n the forthcoming local body elections with OBC reservation, the number of OBC and Koli ministers increased from seven to eight Tribal representation has doubled f r o m t w o t o f o u r , a n d women ’ s representation has improved with three female m i n i s t

extensive exercise was for-

ceremony in Gandhinagar

Vishal Shah's appointment pointing towards an AI push

M ar k Z u c k e rb e r g h a s app ointed his long-time l ieutenant, Vish al Sh ah, to a key

p r o du c t m an a ge m en t r o l e within Meta’s artificial intell ig en c e t ea m T h is l at e s t exec utive s hake-u p signal s a dramatic ac celeratio n of the bill io naire’s f rantic AI p ush

Sh a h , w h o jo i ne d M et a a decade ago, p reviou sly s erved as th e h e ad o f p ro d uc t a t Instagram bef ore moving in 202 1 to lead the c omp any' s eff or ts to cr eate t he metavers e The reshuffle arrives in the immediate aftermath of a d i s a p p o i n t i n g p r o d u c t launch: Meta’s AI video service, Vibes, was quickly overshadowed by OpenAI’s rival

c o m m i t

together,” said Modi US applying d ouble stand ard on Russian oil: J aishankar

India’s statement at the summit after meeting his US counterpart Marco Rubio, sought an early end to conflicts as he stressed how in c

flows and food security were being undermined He said India’s right of defence against terror can never be compromised He said terrorism poses a continuous and corrosive threat and the world must display zero tolerance

Rubio, Jaishankar flagged what the

Europe’s double standards in pressuring India to stop buying Russian oil He said energy trade is increasingly constricted, with resulting market distortions, and “principles are applied selectively and what is preached is not necessarily practised ”

The minister made the point about energy trade while talking about growing concerns over reliability of supply chains and access to markets in complicated times He said technology advancement had become very competitive and the quest for natural resources even more so Jaishankar emphasised that change has a life of its own a n d t h

respond to new circumstances

Experts doubt as Delhi starts to combat air pollution with artificial rain

D elh i has co mmenced it s f irst trial to com bat catastr oph ic air po llut ion u sing artificial rain, cl aiming initial su ccess despite signific an t sc ep t ic is m f r o m exp er ts The tr ial fo llows a sev er e air qual ity cr isis in th e Indian cap ital, which pl ummeted t o a hazardou s level aft er th e f estival of D iwali

The capital faces toxic s m o g e v e r y w i n t e r , a r e c u r r i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l crisis caused by a mix of factors, including Diwali fireworks, vehicular traffic, construction activities,

and the burning of crop residue mixing with stagnant weather conditions

T h i s y

r ’ s p o l l u

n i s noted as the worst the city has suffered in years The pollution levels were exacerbated by the failure to adhere to court-mandated restrictions on fireworks

The Supreme Court had permitted the use of green f i r e w

cent fewer emissions during two short windows on the festival's eve and day

However, the restrictions were widely ignored, with

Heartfelt Farewell

One lawmaker attributed the severity of the smog to wealthy residents setting off revenge fireworks following the court's lifting of a decade-old ban The city is now hoping the cloud seeding technology behind the artificial rain trial can offer

In Loving Memory of a Cherished Soul

Birth: 01-01-1932

ing to beat both OpenAI and Google in developing models

than humans but also person-

other apps

Friedman oversaw the launch of Vibes, which was reportedly rushed out to preempt Sora’s release To speed

Demise: 19-10-2025 (Leicester)

Late Mrs. Godavariben Vasantrai Pandya

It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow that the Pandya and families announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Godavariben Vasantrai Pandya, on Sunday, October 19, 2025 in Leicester. She departed this world at the venerable age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of selfless love and enduring warmth.

a

This organisational turbulence comes at a critical moment for the $1 9tn company Just last week, Meta laid off around 600 staff from its AI division, only months after

Zuckerberg is reportedly rac-

S o r a a p p I n a m e m o announcing Shah’s appointment, Meta's head of AI product, Nat Friedman, outlined a shift in strategy, confirming that the company could no longer merely be an AI team, but needed to become an AI company

Friedman brokered a multibillion-dollar deal with the AI start-up Midjourney to inte-

technology into the Meta AI app, despite the app originally being designed for Meta’s

Vibes did boost user numbers, the wave of excitement around Sora, which appeared days later, swiftly overshadowed it

Godavariben was a devoted mother and a source of unwavering strength and gentle wisdom for all who knew her. Her spirit was defined by deep faith and an unconditional love that formed the foundation of her family's life. Though she is gone, her memory remains a precious and guiding light for her loved ones.

She will be eternally missed by her loving children, Pradeepbhai Pandya, Rohitbhai Pandya, Late Pinakinbhai Pandya and Ranjanben Joshi, as well as her many adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Om Shanti: Shanti: Shanti:

Serene Holidays : 01162 662 481

Pradeep bhai Pandya (Son) 07711 042 771

Dipti Pandya (Grand daughter) 07841 430 605

25 killed as bus catches fire after crash with motorcycle in Andhra

K U R NO O L : A p a ss en g er b u s h as erupted in flames after a crash with a mo torcycle, killing at least 25 people and injuring several others A nd hra Pradesh , police said

T h e f i r e r i p p e d t h r o u g h t

passengers on board, many of whom w e r e s l

a highway near Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, senior police official Vikrant Patil said

S o m e m a n

g

m a s h o p e n windows and leap to safety with minor injuries, while others were burned to death before help could arrive, Patil said Eighteen passengers managed to escape from the burning bus and are being treated for injuries

The motorcycle rammed into the speeding bus from behind and got stuck, P

HC halts Karnataka order targeting RSS activities

BE NGA L U RU : In a m ajo r setback to the K arnataka gov

ernm ent, the Dharwad Bench of the Hig h C ourt has stayed its order m andating private organisatio ns to obtain p rior permission before holding activities in go vernment premises

The single-judge bench of Justice Nagaprasanna passed an interim stay on the government’s directive

November 17

NORTH-EAST

Assam plans 7-year jail term for polygamy in new bill

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

include

provision for a minimum of seven years of imprisonment The bill will be

The bus was hollowed out and the unidentified bike rider also died, he said The bus with 44 passengers on board w

Hyderabad in Telangana and Bengaluru in Karnataka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and A

distance, causing sparks that engulfed the bus’s fuel tank “As the smoke started spreading, the driver stopped the bus and tried to put the fire out by using a fire extinguisher, but the fire was so intense he couldn’t control it,” Patil added

condolences to the bereaved families

Opposing Sikh groups accept Gargaj as Akal Takht Jathedar

A M R IT S A R: S ev eral Si kh bo di es that h ad been opposing Giani Kuld ip S ing h Garg aj’s ap pointment as the officiating J a th ed ar o f th e A k al T a kh t ti ed a ceremo nial turban to him at a special p rog ramm e, accepting him as a tem poral h ead

The event was organised at the Takht

K e s g a r h S a h i b b y t h e S h i r o m a n i G u r d w a r a P a r b a n d h a k C o m m i t t e e (SGPC) - the apex gurdwara body that h a s p o w e r s t o a p p o i n t a n d r e m o v e temporal heads The event coincided with the beginning of a month-long series of events being held by the state g o v e r n m e n t a n d t h e S G P C t o c o m m e m o r a t e t h e 3 5 0 t h d e a t h anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur

T h i s c o m e s d a y s a f t e r G a r g a j delivered an uninterrupted address to the Sikh Community from rostrum of the Akal Takht in Amritsar on Bandi

Chhor Diwas

Earlier, Nihang groups and several other hardliner Sikh organisations had forced Gargaj to refrain from delivering the annual address to the Sikhs on the

Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6

G a r g a j ’ s a p p o i n t m e n t h a d t a k e n place after temporal heads of the Akal Takht and Takht Damdama Sahib were removed in a controversial move by the S A D - d o m i n a t e d S h i r o m a n i G u r d w a r a Parbandhak Committee The SGPC had i n v i

n i s a

s , including Nihang bodies, in Anandpur Sahib to honour him The ceremonial dastar to him was tied by Jathedars of S i k h T a

i v e s o f Nihang and other Sikh organisations In his address, Gargaj said it was a unique a t t r i b u t e o f t h e S i k h P a n t h t h a t i t s o r g a n i s a t i o n s a l w a y s s a f e g u a r d e d t h e Panthic traditions

Durgapur survivor identifies ‘rapist’, even as court rejects bail pleas

D U R G A P U R : T h e 2 n d y e a r m e d i ca l stude nt who was a llege dly gan gra ped on the nig ht of October 10 n ot far from t he c ol le g e ca m p u s ha s id e n t if i e d F ir d os She ik h, a for mer e mploy ee of t he colleg e, as the r apist This wa s re vea le d in t he A d d it i on a l C h ie f Ju d ici a l M a g is t r a t e ’ s Cour t while hea ring the bail pleas of fiv e of t he six accuse d The cour t re jected t he pet itions

The Test Identification (TI) Parade of f i v e o f t h e a r r e s t e d a c c u s e d w a s c o n d u c t e d i n s i d e t h e D u r g a p u r S u bCorrectional Home on 24 October The victim girl was taken to the correctional home where she identified all five The sixth accused, classmate Wasif Ali, was not required in the parade as he was already known to the girl She claimed all of them were present at the time of the crime and made no attempt to prevent it

The magistrate turned down the bail petitions of the accused and ordered jail custody for them till 31 October The a c c u

virtually through video conference No lawyer appeared on behalf of the accused

deferment in production, the ACJM ruled it out “We want a speedy trial of the case and so far I am aware, the investigation is also on the verge of conclusion The police will place the charge-sheet soon So, no more delay on our part,” he said A

present today, Ghosh informed the Court that she had left for her hometown in Odisha The Magistrate then instructed the police to serve a copy of the chargesheet to the her After her release from the hospital, she was staying at a guest house outside the college campus with her mother

The 23-year-old student of IQ City Medical College was accompanied when she left the campus late on 10 October by her boyfriend Wasif Ali, who became the sixth accused after the victim leveled charges of molestation against him The accused had also snatched her cellphone Five youths of local Bijra village were arrested in connection with the incident

Senior advocate Ashok Haranahalli, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the order amounted to a restriction on citizens’ fundamental rights

“The government has ordered that permission should be obtained for gatherings of more than ten people This is a restriction on the fundamental right provided for in the Constitution Even if a party is held in a park, it is an illegal gathering as per government order,” Haranahalli said during the hearing

The order, which many viewed as aimed at restricting RSS-related activities, will now remain on

Government Order (GO), issued earlier this month, had laid out detailed guidelines on how public and government-owned properties could be used

Kangana Ranaut says sorry to elderly Punjab farmer

B AT H IND A : BJP M P Kangana Ranaut w as g ranted bail by a Bathinda cou rt in a d efamation case filed by 8 2 - yea r- o ld M ah i nd e r K au

farmers’ p rotest

After appearing before the court, Kangana told mediapersons, “It was just a misunderstanding I had only retweeted a meme and did not intend to hurt anyone I have already discussed the matter with Mahinder Kaur’s husband and apologised to him as s h e w a s n o t p r e s e n t t o d a y D u r i n g t h e f a r m e r s ’ andolan, several memes were being circulated and one of them was retweeted by me inadvertently I cannot even think in my dreams of what has been portrayed Whether a mother is from Himachal Pradesh or Punjab, she is respectable to me See the number of my fans present here and their love for me ” However, advocate Raghbir Singh Behniwal, counsel for complainant Mahinder Kaur, disputed the BJP MP’s claim “Kangana told the court that she retweeted by mistake and did not target anyone But my client’s husband Labh Singh has said she never a p o l o g i s e d e a r l i e r T h e c a s e h a s n o w b e e n transferred from the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class to the Judicial Magistrate First Class (Special Court) The next hearing is scheduled for November 24 Kangana personally appeared before three courts, where she remained for nearly an hour

Centre opposes HC order to repatriate 6 pushed into Bangladesh

repatriate Suna li Khatun and five othe rs, w ho were pushe d i nto B angla desh on the grounds of bei ng i lle gal im migrants, wi thin four w eek s Centre’s petition, filed on Oct 22, comes amid reports the families of the six, who are from Bengal’s Birbhum and were rounded up in New Delhi, are planning to plead with HC for an order to Indian authorities to implement the repatriation order The four-week period during which Sunali, husband Danish Sheikh, their 8-year-old son Sabir, Sweety Bibi and her two minor sons were to be brought back home ended on Oct 24 A habeas corpus petition filed by Sunali’s father Bhodu Sheikh in HC in Aug mentioned that she was eight months pregnant “Every entity has the prerogative to move a higher forum challenging an order But considering the sensitivity of the case, i n v o l v i n g a w o m a n

f pregnancy and two sons of Sweety, it was expected that the matter would be sorted out at the earliest,” said the lawyer who represented Sunali’s family Sunali, Danish a n d S w e e t y w o r k e d

D e l h i ’ s Rohini They were picked up on June 21 on suspicion of b e i n g B a n g l a d

Assembly on November 25, the first day of the winter session Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina scheme in Guwahati, Sarma said, “If

person marries another woman without legally divorcing his wife, there will

imprisonment, irrespective of his religion The accused may claim that his religion permits it, but the BJP government will never allow polygamy in Assam ” The Chief Minister emphasised that the law aims to protect the dignity and rights of women across the state “We will protect the dignity of women in this state at any cost,” he asserted

Highlighting the success of the Nijut M

initiative has significantly reduced dropout rates among girl students while boosting

financial assistance is provided monthly for 10 months - ₹1,000 for Class 11 students, ₹1,250 for first-year undergraduates, and ₹2,500 for first-year postgraduate and B Ed students

NAGA LEADER VOWS TO FIGHT FOR SOVEREIGN NAGALIM

Frail but unbowed, 91-year-old Thuingaleng Muivah returned to his birth village of Somdal in Manipur s Ukhrul - his first homecoming in more than 5 decades - and renewed the call for a sovereign Nagalim Before the thousands who gathered in song and tears the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) general secretary vowed to defend the “sovereign national decision of Nagalim to the last ” Too weak to speak, Muivah’s message was read by his deputy VS Atem: The Naga national flag and Naga national constitution are non-negotiable whether it is today or tomorrow The Naga people must be prepared and ready to defend their freedom,” Muivah said “Freedom will not come as a free gift ” It was a homecoming steeped in emotion and defiance Villagers thronged the ground in Ukhrul, women and children in vibrant traditional attire waving flags, welcoming the man who last came to the village secretly in 1973 Muivah NSCN-IM’s chief negotiator for the IndoNaga peace process and the enduring face of Naga nationalism, said NSCN-IM has upheld the “letter and spirit” of the peace talks with New Delhi for 28 years but accused the Union govt of losing its political will to implement the 2015 Framework Agreement

ZUBEEN GARG DEATH CASE: JUDICIAL CUSTODY FOR 5 ACCUSED

Five individuals accused in connection with singer Zubeen Garg s death case were produced virtually before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody The accused - North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and police officer Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya - appeared through video conferencing as their judicial custody period ended The court had previously remanded them to judicial custody on 15 October, following which they were lodged in Baksa jail Their transfer to the facility took place amid tight security arrangements after violent protests erupted in the area Two other individuals arrested in the case - Garg s band members Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta - were remanded to judicial custody the next day and sent to Haflong prison in Dima Hasao district

Bihar voters to choose between change or continuity

T h e cu rta i n is r i s i

p ro mises to be o ne of the mo st co nsequ ential electoral contests in

N o v em be r 6th

l oo m, a p alp able

ancient caste loyalties and p ressi ng, co ntemp orary desp ai r

This is more than a mere poll, but a desperate struggle for the soul of the state, pitting the enduring survival of a political veteran against the dynamic demands of a youthful majority On one side

s t a n d

famous for his dizzying alliances; on the other, a young challenger who holds the promise of an economic reckoning

Th e veteran, th e ch allenger, and th e p olitical temp est

The current political scene in Bihar is a dizzying carousel centred on Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister who is currently serving a r e c o r d n i n t h t e

long-standing leader of the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), cemented his reputation as the ultimate survivor, or 'Paltu Ram' (political flipper), when he performed his most recent dramatic U-turn in early

2

Democratic Alliance (NDA) along-

(BJP) Despite his longevity, the Chief Minister’s leverage is diminishing The NDA’s initial hesitation to name the 74-year-old as its definitive face clearly reflected the deep-seated anti-incumbency sentiment and the BJP s own growing

state

Grand Alliance, led by Tejashwi Yadav, the 36-year-old leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Yadav has successfully positioned himself as the youthful alternative and the voice of radical change

The political rhetoric has been

polarised contest Prime Minister Narendra Modi, kicking off the NDA's campaign, directly attacked the MGB, specifically targeting the RJD’s legacy by claiming that Bihar "will keep 'jungle raj' at bay, vote for good governance," and that the state "doesn't need a 'lantern'" (the RJD's election symbol) Modi also took a pointed dig at certain opposition leaders as being "out on bail", firmly placing the contest as a choice between his governance agenda and the RJD’s past

Adding a seismic tremor to this political landscape was the recent public release of Bihar's caste survey data This revelation, showing

Classes (EBCs) constitute a staggering 36% of the population, has instantaneously reshaped electoral calculus The scramble to accommodate and appeal to these newly

injected a potent new dimension of identity politics, making every seat a micro-level fight for propor-

India deports top Hindi scholar over technical visa breach

The wor l d of South As ia n s cholars hip was lef t reeling t h is w e ek a f t e r Pr o f e s s o r

Franc esca Orsini, a globall y r evered e xpert in Hindi and Urdu literature, was abruptl y d en ie d e nt ry to In dia an d deported at the Delhi airport

He r sudden rem oval from a c ountry s he has s tudied for dec ades has ignited a dipl om atic and ac ademic storm , s potl ighting a growing tens ion between India and fore ign resear chers

Professor Emerita at the S c h o o l o f O r i e n t a l a n d

A f r i c a n S t u d i e s ( S O A S ) i n

L o n d o

New Delhi from Hong Kong, reportedly intending to meet friends while holding a valid five-year e-tourist visa The drama began at immigration, w

entry and, without providing

a reason directly to the scholar, informed her she was to be deported immediately

The official reason, later confirmed by sources in the M i n i s t r y o f H o m e A f f a i r s , was a damning claim of a visa

blacklist in March 2025 for

c t prohibited under the terms

of a tourist visa during a previous visit in late 2024 For professional academic work,

Officials stressed this was an

s sovereign right to deny entry to anyone violating visa rules

The academic community reacted with fury, with leading historians labelling the decision an "insult to the culture of knowledge" and a symptom of a government that is "insecure and p a r a n o i d " D e s p i t e t h e international backlash and calls for transparency, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has yet to release a formal, public statement on the matter, leaving the fate of a decades-long scholarly relationship hanging in the balance

PM Modi escapes alleged assassination plot

T he shadows of international espionage stretch ed taut

o ver South A sia, culminating in a dram atic, unv erified narrative: an alleged plot by

t h e A m e ri ca n C e ntr al Intellig ence A gency (CIA ) to

a s sa ss i na te In d i an P ri m e M in i st er Na ren d ra M o d i

T h i s exp lo s iv e c lai m , p ri -

m arily circulated by an RSS -

a ff i li at ed p u bli c at io n , h a s thrown a spotlight on the o ften-murky realm of global p ow er p olitics, wh ere fact and deep ly h eld belief collide

T h e s t o r y r e v o l v e s

a r o u n d t h e m y s t e r i o u s death of a US Special Forces

o f f i c e r , T e r r e n c e A r v e l l e Jackson, in Dhaka This inci-

d e n t , w h i c h r e p o r t e d l y received scant attention in W e s t e r n m e d i a , h a s b e e n seized upon by analysts in India as a possible piece of a much larger, sinister jigsaw puzzle The theory suggests

J a c k s o n m a y h a v e b e e n deployed as part of a CIA o p e r a t i o n t o d e s t a b i l i s e India by eliminating its leader, particularly as Modi pursues an independent foreign policy agenda Intriguingly, the narrat i v e g a i n s t r a c t i o n w h e n linked to Modi’s travel The a l l e g e d p l o t ' s f a i l u r e i s a t t r i b u t e d b y s o m e t o a timely and covert joint operation by Indian and Russian i n t e l l i g e n c e , p u r p o r t e d l y safeguarding the PM during a v i s i t t o C h i n a f o r t h e S h a n g h a i C o o p e r a t i o n O r g a n i s a t i o n ( S C O )

Summit The image of Modi

a n d R u s s i a n P r e s i d e n t Vladimir Putin sharing a car and a private discussion during this period is highlighted as suggestive of a serious, p e r h a p s u r g e n t , s e c u r i t y

briefing

While no official confirm a t i o n f r o m e i t h e r t h e

Indian or US governments supports this CIA plot, the c o n j e c t u r e h a

been interpreted by many as a knowing nod to the dang e r W h e t h e r t r u t h o r s o p h i s t

scores the intense security t

rivalries that constantly surround one of the world's most powerful leaders

across the state’s traditional vote banks Bihar's you th and the eco nomic crossroad

For millions of Biharis, this election is not about alliances, it is

struggle stems from a historical wound, the 2000 bifurcation that created Jharkhand Bihar was left with fertile, populous plains but lost the majority of its mineral resources and industry, resulting in the loss of nearly 60% of its revenue base and three-quarters of its industrial units T h

approximately 30mn Biharis work outside the state by 2025, with between 30% and 39% citing the sheer lack of job opportunities as their reason for leaving With high unemployment rates the central i

t o r a t e i s n o t infrastructure, but employment

T e j a s h w i Y a d a v ’ s c a m p a i g n h a s capitalised on this, framing the

election as a direct fight for local jobs to halt this 'silent exodus' N

attempting to leverage his administration’s record on law and order

schemes to counter the job narrative

The ultimate choice for the Bihari electorate is stark Will they place their faith in the stability, experience, and development narr

powerful organisational machinery of the BJP? Or

bring the millions of Bihari work-

Kishor's

to disrupt the field, the

promises to be

dramatic and tightly contested referendum on Bihar's future

Mongolia president visits Akshardham

temple in Delhi

Mo ng olia president U khnaag iin Khü relsükh v isited Swaminarayan A kshardham in New Delhi du ring his v isit to India He was accompanied by minister of fo reign affairs Battsetseg Batmunkh, Am bassad or Ganbo ld Dambajav, and m em bers of the Mongolian delegation Th e presid ent was giv en a traditional w elcome on h is arrival at the temple President Khürelsükh received a letter of blessings from Mahant Swami Maharaj Mahant Swami Maharaj also prayed for Khürelsükh s good health and success President Khürelsükh presented a specially crafted print of the Akshardham Mandir on fine Mongolian cashmere cloth Reflecting on the enduring ties between the two nations, President Khürelsükh remarked, “The bond between the people of India and the people of Mongolia traces its origins back to the time of the Hunnu Empire

Chandrababu Naidu, Shashi Tharoor visit BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi

Andhra Pradesh chief mi nis ter N Chandrababu Nai du a n d Lo k S a b h a m e m b e r Shashi Tharoor visited the BA PS Mandir in Abu Dhabi on di fferent occ asions and they both apprec iated the exq ui site craftsma nship of the temple Naidu was welcomed by B r a h m a v i h a r i d a s S w a m i , who offered a traditional g a r l a n d a n d t h e n g u i d e d the him to different parts of the Mandir The visit began at the 3D-printed Wall of H a r m o n y A t t h e D i v i n e Eye sculpture, Naidu saw t h e f u l l e x p a n s e o f t h e

Mandir for the first time N a i d u o f f e r e d p r a y e r s before the deities At the c l o s e o f h i s v i s i t , N a i d u s a i d , “ T h i s h a s b e e n a n extraordinary experience in m y l i f e t i m e I h a v e s e e n m a n y a c h

here

truly unbelievable

Tha roor accla ims t he m and ir Shashi Tharoor was also given a traditional welcome by Swami Brahmaviharidas with a garland and personally accompanied him as he a p p

intricate artistry, symbolic

design, and universal message of harmony

Reflecting on his visit, Tharoor said, “Going beyond

content, every inch of this M

moment you enter through the Wall of Harmony, you sense that this is not just a place of worship, it is a statement of what humanity can be when it comes together ” At the end, Tharoor said, “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Swami Brahmaviharidas f o

Sardar Patel Jayanti to be observed as Rashtriya Ekta Divas

Continued from page 1

Highlights of the celebrations w

under Operation Suryakiran,

and two

Gujarat that won at the state

making a total of four school bands for the band display

Ahmedabad set to host 2030 Commonwealth Games

capital Abuja

T h e A f r i c a n n a t i o n missed out for the second time on staging the Games

Nigeria had also submitted a bid in 2014

N o v 2 6 du r in g

C o m mo n we al th S p o rt’ s general assembly meeting in Glasgo w

The 2030 Games will be the second time that India

w i l l h o s t t h e m u l t i s p o r t e v e n t , f o l l o w i n g 2 0 1 0 i n N e w D e l h i T h e d e c i s i o n

c a m e a f t e r a t w o - w a y

I n d i a i s a d d i t i o n a l l y vying to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, with the International Olympic Committee set to decide the host city in 2027

In Nov 2024, the Indian O l y m p i c A s s o c i a t i o n submitted a ‘letter of intent’ to IOC Currently, India is engaged in the ‘continuous dialogue process ’ with IOC “The Games would not

event capabilities, but also play a meaningful role in

towards Viksit Bharat 2047

We see the 2030 Games as a

partnerships and contribute to a shared future across the C

I O A president P T Usha said

Commonwealth Sport said:

detailed process overseen by the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee ”

Maher community hails recognition given to Modhwadia and Bokhiria

T he Maher co mm unity of P o r ba nd a r an d th e I n ter nat io n al M a h er S upreme C ouncil hailed the new responsibilities g iven to A rj u n M o d h w ad i a and B ab u bh a i Bo k h i ri a i n

r ec o g ni ti o n o f th ei r r em a rka bl e ac h i ev e m en ts a nd d e d i ca ted p u b li c serv ice Modhwadia, MLA from P o r b a n d a r , h a s b e e n e l e v a t e d a s a C a b i n e t M i n i s t e r i n t h e G u j a r a t g o v e r n m e n t M o d h w a d i a has, for many years, been d e v o t e d t o v a r i o u s s o c i a l and welfare activities with a s p i r i t o f d e d i c a t i o n a n d

c o m m i t m e n t R e c o g n i s i n g his sincerity, integrity, and tireless service towards the welfare of the people, he has

b e e n e n t r u s t e d w i t h t h e i m p o r t a n t p o r t f o l i o s o f F o r e s t & E n v i r o n m e n t , C l i m a t e C h a n g e , a n d Science & Technology in the Gujarat Government H i s a p p o i n t m e n t i s e x p e c t e d t o b r i n g g r e a t benefit not only to the state of Gujarat but also to the region of Porbandar, which takes immense pride in his achievement

S i m i l a

Babubhai Bokhiria has been a p

Executive Council Member o f t h e B J P T h i s appointment recognises his contributions and dedicated work in Gujarat’s political

national level Bokhiria has always been known for his e

A Lufthan

unity parade, accommodating over 11,500 spectators Unity walk in Chicago C

anniversary of Sardar Patel with a

organised by the Federation of I

Chicago on October 25 Over 60

enduring legacy

The event commenced with t

national anthems FIA President Hemant Patel explained that the title "Sardar," meaning leader, w

commitment, such as his role in

highlighted

MINLA launches Operation Chupi

Operation C hupi, a mission w i th th e s

“ No g ir l loses d ignity, and no child sleeps with out food ” The two share a vision of creating a world where basic h u m a

i v e , M I N

l provide essential items such as underwear and sanitary products for young girls

communities

“Far too often, girls are forced to suffer in silence w i t h o u t a c c e s s t o b a s i c hygiene products leading to e m b a r r a s s m e n t , e x c l u s i o n and loss of dignity At the s a m e t i m e , c o u n t l e s s children go to bed hungry each night, deprived of the nourishment they need to g r o w , l e a r n a n d t h r i v e Operation Chupi seeks to address both of these urgent issues with compassion and action By coming together as a community, we can help r e s t o r e d i g n i t y , e n s u r e health, and bring hope to those who need it most,” MINLA said in a statement

Ad industry doyen Piyush Pandey is no more

A p rofo und silence h as f allen

o v e r t h e w o r l d o f co mmunicatio n Th e su dden p as sing of Piyus h Pandey at t h e a ge o f 7 0 h as e xt i ng u is h e d t h e br ig h t e s t l igh t in I ndian a dver tis ing

various departments of the

national level brings greater respect and pride to both the Porbandar region and the Maher community

O n Oc tober 24, the m as ter c r a f ts m an w h o t au g h t a n at io n to s p e a k it s o w n language too k h is final bo w F r o m t h e m o m e n t h e walked into Ogilvy & Mather i n 1 9 8 2 , P a n d e y , a f o r m e r cricketer and tea taster, set about overturning the colonial sensibilities of the advertising landscape Before him, Indian commercials were often a pale imitation of their Western counterparts, laced with polished English Pandey, affectionately hailed as the 'Father of Indian Advertising , changed the grammar He insisted that the pulse of India beat in its villages and small towns, and his campaigns

b e g a n t o r e f l e c t t h i s a u t h e n t i c , c o l l o q u i a l voice

H i s w o r k f o r F e v i c o l , f e a t u r i n g a b u s c

Indian stabbed teens on Lufthansa Flight

documents reveal that Usiripalli first stabbed a teenager, who was asleep in his middle seat, in the shoulder area He then lunged at a second teenage boy, seated next to the first, and stabbed him in the back of the head, causing a laceration

behind the powerful 'Do Boond Zindagi Ki' Pulse Polio initiative His genius earned global acclaim Pandey was the first Asian to preside over the Cannes Lions jury in 2004, and later received the prestigious civilian honour, the Padma Shri, from the Government of India Yet, his true honour lies in the lasting emotional equity he built for countless brands His legacy

ritish Asians celebrate Halloween with style and flair

h Asians are ng Halloween er before, g tradition, y, and community spirit with a touch of desi flair.

Across the UK, homes light up not only with diyas for Diwali but also with glowing jack-o’-lanterns, cobwebs, and imaginative decorations For many, Halloween has become a joyful celebration that bridges cultures, a fusion of Western

festivity and South Asian warmth Children dive into the excitement with colourful costumes and trickor-treating adventures, while grown-ups enjoy transforming their homes into playful themed spaces and reconnecting with neighbours and friends From ghostly games to pumpkin-carving sessions, British Asians are adding

their own vibrant twist to Halloween, celebrating it with unmistakable style and flair

Rooted in ancient Celtic traditions, Halloween in the UK carries a sense of mystery and nostalgia, marking a time when people believed the boundary between the living and the spirit world was at its thinnest Today, the festival continues to unite families and communities and British Asians are making it their own, with creativity, joy, and a sense of shared celebration

Londonbased community member

Aek ta M Pat el, who adores Halloween, shared, “As a Hindu living in London, celebrating Halloween has become one of my favorite traditions

Born and raised here, I’ve embraced the joy and excitement that it brings, especially for my 7 year-old son, Reyaan Halloween offers a wonderful opportunity for creativity and imagination, where our home transforms into a magical wonderland filled with spooky decorations Every year, we go all out with carved pumpkins to cobwebs and skeletons Our annual kids’ party is a highlight, where friends gather to enjoy games, spooky treats, and, of course, an assortment of costumes It’s lovely to see the joy on children’s faces as they immerse themselves in the fun For me, Halloween is about community, laughter, and a chance to create unforgettable memories together ”

Terrifying

With Hal loween descending upon us this year , offe ring the glorious pr omise of a n exte nded, fr ightfill ed we ekend, t he t ime has come t o ditch t he t rick-or-tre ating and instea d, embark on an adv enture

int o the spect ral hea rt of Brita in From brooding castles steeped in the history of torture and execution to quiet villages hiding a dozen restless souls, the UK boasts a chilling concentration of paranormal activity For friends and families ready to swap comfort for a genuine brush with the supernatural, a road trip is essential; after all, the truly terrifying locales rarely sit on a convenient rail line Here is your definitive guide to Britain’s most haunting drives:

a un ts story d the air old, deal

mous e

Historian Sush ma Jansari shared her love for this vibrant time of year, saying,

“My favourite month of the year is October, and not only because it’s my birthday! We love the bright festivities of Diwali which we celebrate with family, and we also enjoy the fun frightfulness of Halloween! A group of us head out trick or treating and I enjoy throwing a party with homemade scary treats for my daughter and her friends too Chocolate cobwebs, snakes in venomous jelly, worms emerging from rotten cake and so much more!”

stands as a monument to terror, the site of the notorious 1612 witch

trials The hill and its surrounding area are still said to be haunted by the spirits of the ten condemned witches, a chilling one-hour drive from Manchester Further north in Northumberland lies Chil lingham Castle, frequently dubbed Britain’s most haunted castle This medieval fortress boasts a grim history of torture and is the domain of the tragic ‘Blue Boy’ ghost and Lady Mary, a truly intense experience roughly an hour and forty-five minutes from Newcastle

On the east coast, the spectacular, got hic ruin of Whitby Abb ey in North Yorkshire inspired

Bram Stoker’s Dracula While the scenery is breath-taking, the abbey is haunted by the mournful figure of Constance de Beverley, a wailing nun, making it a perfect stop about an hour and fifteen minutes from York

An cient Ang lia and the chil ling heart

Closer to the capital, the supernatural lurks behind manicured hedgerows and stately homes

Pluckle y Vill age in Kent holds the Guinness World Record as Britain's most haunted village, boasting over twelve different ghosts, including a Screaming Man and a phantom highwayman The

village’s narrow lanes, a mere hour and a quarter from London, provide an authentically eerie atmosphere In Norfolk, B lick ling

ghosts

Hal l offers a brush with royal tragedy This Jacob ean mansion is reputedly the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, whose headless ghost is said to arrive on the anniversary of her execution in a phantom carriage, a truly macabre spectacle just a 45-minute drive from Norwich

Royal spectres and southern sca res London and the South West hold some of the most famous,

In London itself, the Tower of London is perhaps the capital's ultimate haunted landmark, with spectres of headless queens, most famously Anne Boleyn, still gliding across the grounds A short trip to Richmond will take you to H ampt on Court Pala ce, where the terrifying, screaming ghost of Catherine Howard, another of Henry VIII's wives, runs through the gallery begging for mercy For those venturing into the South West, the An cient Ra m Inn in Gloucestershire is considered Engla inn alle gro gho wit jaun

a

Bollywood stars celebrate Diwali with family and glam

This Diwali, Bollywood celebrities celebrated the festival of lights in their own special ways, blending family time, intimate gatherings, and festive glamour.

P

husband Nick Jonas marked the occasion in New York with family

diyas with their daughter Malti Marie and performing Lakshmi p

glimpses on Instagram, Priyanka wrote, “This Diwali was full of

festival with people who haven’t

d

highlight this year Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating ”

In Mumbai, Shah Rukh Khan

casually in a white shirt and dark trousers, Shah Rukh stood amidst a group clad in vibrant festive attire, radiating warmth and joy Fans flooded social media with p

“humble,” and “King of Hearts

D

The couple shared

glimpse of

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha welcome baby boy

llywood star Parineeti Chopra and politician aghav Chadha have welcomed their first a baby boy, on October 19, 2025, bringing nd celebrations from family, friends, and fans

he couple shared the news on Instagram, ng, “He's finally here, Our Baby Boy Arms our hearts fuller! First we had each other,

arineeti & Raghav

Priyanka Chopra shared the news on her stories, writing, “Congratulations!” while K

“Congratulations (red heart emoji),” and Ananya Panday added a string of red heart emojis

Parineeti and Raghav had moved to Delhi for the birth The couple had announced

creative, heartwarming post The post featured a cake reading

captioned, “Our little universe on its way Blessed beyond measure ” Fans also saw a video of the couple walking handin-hand in a park, radiating love and joy

han celebrated casually ds’ club, sharing candid

and Jeh enjoying the

aptioned her photos, “This Diwali was in the kids’ club Never lose the child in you, my riends Love and Light, veryone ” Alia Bhatt and Ranbir o

nce at home, with Alia chikankari kurta and Ranbir in a matching white outfit

rangoli, adding

personal touch to their celebrations

celebrated her first Diwali since welcoming her baby girl in July with husband Sidharth Malhotra,

and Katrina Kaif, who recently

, celebrated together by holding

“Happy Diwali!”

Kajol–Twinkle talk show clip on infidelity sparks online debate

Arecent clip from Kajol and Twinkle Khanna’s celebrity talk show has ignited online controversy.

D

emotional infidelity is worse than physical infidelity, Janhvi Kapoor firmly argued that physical infidelity is unacceptable However, Karan Johar, Twinkle, and Kajol disagreed, with Twinkle even dismissing it with, "Raat gayi, bat gayi" (what’s done is done, move on) While Janhvi’s opinion has been praised, the hosts perspective has drawn considerable criticism

The viral clip was reshared by a psychologist who criticised Kajol, Twinkle, and Karan’s views on infidelity Disagreeing with their stance, she said, “If your partner sleeps with someone else and you forgive them, that’s not forgiveness, it’s emotional suppression Justifying cheating normalises disrespect Physiological cheating triggers the same part of the brain as physical pain, that’s why it hurts ”

Responding to Twinkle’s remark that Janhvi’s views might change with age, she added, “It’s not about age or maturity; it’s about respect and boundaries ” In her caption, she emphasised that cheating; emotional or physical, is never normal, stating, “Loyalty is about honesty, consistency, and emotional availability Love without respect is just attachment, not connection ” In the comments, the psychologist wrote, “People call it being chill psychologists call it low self-worth,” earning widespread praise One user echoed, “Normalise loyalty, not betrayal,” while another added, “Cheating is cheating, emotional, physical, or even flirting Hiding things from your partner or disregarding their feelings is still betrayal ” Many applauded Janhvi Kapoor for standing her ground despite being outnumbered, calling her “the only sane one on the show ” On X (formerly Twitter), users criticised Kajol and Twinkle for normalising infidelity, with one post reading, “They’ve been so conditioned by Bollywood lifestyles that cheating seems normal I admire Janhvi for calling it out ”

Arshad Warsi says Bollywood plays it safe, praises ‘Saiyaara’ for taking risks

Actor Arshad Warsi has said that Bollywood filmmakers often play it safe by sticking to tried-and-tested formulas.

Speaking to ‘India Today’, he praised ‘Saiyaara’ for breaking away from the usual genr and finding success Responding to whether Bollywood is losing out to southern industries he said, “We don’t take chances anymore, especially in Hindi cinema Once a superherostyle film works, everyone follows that trend Ever since ‘RRR’, it feels like every hero has become a superhero Where are the real people?”

Arshad said that when filmmakers have the resources, they should “take risks and try something different ” Citing ‘Saiyaara’, he noted, “It worked beautifully despite releasing when superhero films ruled It was a simple love story with two new actors, but it connected because they took a chance ”

On whether Bollywood is losing out to the South for lack of rooted storytelling, he said, “A movie works when it’s good the genre doesn’t matter,” pointing to ‘Kantara’ and ‘Saiyaara’ as examples

Bollywood titan

Asrani passes away at 84

Veteran actor Govardhan Asrani, widely known as Asrani, has passed away at the age of 84 His manager, Babu Bhai Thiba, confirmed that he died on Monday (20 October) in a Mumbai hospital, where he had been admitted four days earlier with breathing difficulties caused by fluid in his lungs

Asrani’s last rites were held the

Crematorium in a private ceremony with close family, honouring his wish for discretion Over a career spanning

celebrated for his comedic talent Born on 1 January 1941 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Asrani grew up in a middleclass Sindhi family He worked as a voice artist at All India Radio before moving to Mumbai in 1962 to pursue acting

Film and Television Institute of I ndia (FTII) in 1966, he made his Hindi-

Churiyan’ (1967) While he started with serious and supporting roles in films like ‘Satyakam’ (1969) and ‘Mere Apne’ (1971), his comic timing soon made him a beloved figure in Hindi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s

called Asrani a “gifted entertainer” and “versatile artist,” saying, “He added joy and laughter to countless lives His contribution to Indian cinema will always be cherished ” Actor Akshay Kumar shared his grief, recalling their recent meeting on

films like ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Bhagam Bhag’,

association, saying, “He was

fantastic

being His trademark laugh and offscreen

Bobby Deol ignored after flops, now receives offers:

“People come back”

Actor Bobby Deol’s career has seen many ups and downs After a strong debut with ‘Barsaat’ (1995) and hits like ‘Soldier’, ‘Badal’, ‘Bichoo’, and ‘Ajnabee’, he went through a rough patch when his films started failing.

In a recent chat with Shubhankar Mishra, Bobby recalled how that phase made people distance themselves from him “People would meet me nicely but then move away to their own groups Invitations to parties stopped coming We Deols don’t attend many parties anyway, but the same people who were warm earlier began ignoring me People are with you only as long as you have something to offer,” he said

However, Bobby said he holds no grudges against those who distanced themselves, calling it a natural part of the industry After regaining success with ‘Aashram’ and ‘Animal’, he noticed the same people returning with offers “It happens everywhere, not just in my industry I don’t hold anything against them,” he said

Following years of flops in the 2000s

a n d 2 0 1 0 s , B o b b y m a d e a s t r o n g comeback with Prakash Jha’s ‘Aashram’ and his powerful role in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ (2023) He was recently seen in Aryan Khan’s ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’

Ibrahim Ali Khan asks critics and fans for another shot

Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s son, Ibrahim Ali Khan, was a star kid with a huge following even before his Bollywood debut, thanks to his looks and playful paparazzi interactions

However, his first film ‘Nadaaniyan’ opposite Khushi Kapoor drew harsh criticism, with many scenes turning into memes His next film, ‘Sarzameen’, showed more of his range but fell short of redemption Now, Ibrahim is asking fans and critics for one more chance

In a recent conversation with ‘Esquire India’, Ibrahim Ali Khan admitted that ‘Nadaaniyan’ was a “really bad film” and acknowledged he entered the industry with a casual “ho jaayega” mindset “I was working hard, still am, especially on my speech issue, but I feel I rushed into that movie,” he said, reflecting on the need to be more mindful Born with a speech impediment due to severe jaundice, Ibrahim remains undeterred, adding, “I don’t think my speech issue will stop my movie career Seeing what my dad went through and how long it took him to make his mark, I know I have to work harder and be better ” Ibrahim is now preparing for his theatrical debut, ‘Diler’, directed by Kunal Deshmukh As he strives to prove himself, he has one simple request for fans and critics alike: “Give me one more chance, man Let’s have at it ”

Comic genius Satish Shah passes away at 74

Veteran actor Satish Shah, known for his impeccable comic timing and endearing screen presence, passed away on October 25, 2025, in Mumbai. He was 74.

despite

efforts The cause of death was

failure A

Television Institute of India (FTII),

Sarathkumar wants Deepika as co-star after ‘Dude’

Keerthiswaran’s ‘Dude’, starring Pradeep Ranganathan, Mamitha Baiju, and Sarathkumar, crossed 100 crore worldwide

At a press meet celebrating the success, Sarathkumar joked that Pradeep’s young fans now call him “dude,” saying, “I became a dude too ” He also suggested that the producers consider casting him opposite Deepika Padukone in their next film, adding, “If they think of making Deepika my heroine and putting on a duet, I’m ready ” Sarathkumar recalled having played Aishwarya Rai’s husband in ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, joking, “Don’t feel jealous Now is the time to ask, decide who you want as my heroine Let’s get Sai to do the song and seek Pradeep’s advice ”

This isn’t the first time he expressed interest in working with Deepika In a 2023 ‘Sun Music’ interview, when asked about his ideal co-star for a love story, he immediately said, “Deepika Padukone,” adding that if he can play a vengeful older man, he can also play a man in love at any age

Twins on the way for Ram Charan and Upasana

Ram Charan and Upasana Konidela are twins Upasana shared of her Diwali baby shower in on Instagram, hinting at the h Ram’s team has confirmed eo featured family members like Varun Tej, and Lavanya Tripathi, friends including Nayanthara, a n d N a g a r j u n a , o f f e r i n g t h e i r She wrote, “This Diwali was all ouble the celebration, double the nd double the blessings ” The video ended with two foot-

twins on the way, the couple is elated to welcome two new members to their family ” Fans and celebrities flooded X and Instagram with congrat-

, “Big congratulations and lots of o mama, papa, and big sis Kaara,” e Lakshmi Manchu added, “Omg, ooo happy for you both! Wishing a beautiful and blissful pregnanRaja Kumari called it the “best s, ” and Sai Durgha Tej tweeted, ot to shower double the love on

Manoj wrote,

Dhruv Vikram vows to work

Actors Dhruv Vikram and Anupama Parameswaran are promoting their latest release, Mari Selvaraj’s ‘Bison Kaalamaadan’, which hit theatres on October 17 During the Telugu version promotions in Hyderabad, Dhruv, son of actor Vikram, opened up about being a star kid and the effort behind his role.

He said, “It’s true I’m a star kid and have opportunities, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes for people to accept me, love my work, and for me to find my place in Tamil, Telugu, and Indian cinema Until then, I’ll keep working ”

Talking about ‘Bison’, Dhruv said, “I kept thinking about how someone without a film background would approach this role and the effort they’d put in I also imagined a kabaddi player in my place getting to work with Mari Selvaraj sir and tried to match that dedication ” ‘Bison’ is written and directed by Mari Selvaraj and produced by Sameer Nair, Deepak Seigal, Pa Ranjith, and Aditi Anand under Applause Entertainment and Neelam Studios Dhruv and Anupama lead the cast alongside Pasupathy, Ameer, Lal, Rajisha Vijayan, and Azhagam Perumal

The movie is based on kabaddi player Manathi Ganesan’s life, depicting a man ’ s struggle to excel in sport while facing castebased discrimination This marks Dhruv’s fourth film, following ‘Adithya Varma’ (2019) and ‘Varmaa’ (2020), the two remakes of ‘Arjun Reddy’, and Karthik Subbaraj’s ‘Mahaan’ (2022)

Shruthi and Soundarya share favourite films of their superstar dads’

Actor Shruthi Haasan and director Soundarya Rajinikanth were recently called on stage at an awards ceremony. Following Superstar Rajinikanth’s announcement that he will share screen space with longtime colleague Kamal Haasan, social media has been abuzz with excitement about the yet-to-be-titled project.

Shruthi spoke about her experience working with Rajinikanth on ‘Coolie’, saying, “I was just telling Soundarya that I enjoyed working with Rajini sir in ‘Coolie’ so much Not because our fathers know each other, but it was truly a wonderful experience ”

Soundarya Rajinikanth cited ‘Thevar Magan’ as her favorite Kamal Haasan film On their fathers’ upcoming collaboration, Soundarya said, “Our dads are the right people to talk about this My father will be doing a film with Kamal sir under his banner, but other details are still in progress When the time is right, ‘Thalaivar’ will announce it himself ”

Shruthi added that, contrary to popular belief, the star families aren’t very close but share “positivity and mutual respect” whenever they meet Initially rumored to be directed by ‘Dude’ star Pradeep Ranganathan, the untitled Rajinikanth–Kamal film is now reportedly in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s hands Rajinikanth confirmed it will be produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, with the script and characters finalized after he completes shooting for ‘Jailer 2 ’

t

Marathi cinema makes history at Sundance

Subhasini Naicker

‘Sabar Bonda’ (2025) is a romantic

d r a m a c o - p r o d u c e d b y I n d i a , Canada, and the UK The only Indian entry in competition and

M

premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, it went on to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic Asian Voice spoke with director Rohan Kanawade and producer Neeraj Churi

‘Sabar Bonda’ marks your feature directorial debut. What inspired this story and what drew you to explore the themes of love and belonging through this setting?

R o h an: I

When my father passed away in

ancestral village with my mother, just like Anand in the film I was facing a lot of pressure to get married at the time and wanted to

g e , someone I could sneak away with f

sparked the idea for ‘Sabar Bonda’ I realised I could tell a love story set during a period of grief The themes of loss and love weren’t deliberate; they emerged naturally

t h r o u g h t h e w r i t i n g I u s u a l l y don’t start with defined themes or character arcs; I just write, and the themes reveal themselves along the way In this story too, the contrast between grief and love became central simply because of

the situation the character was in The film resists naming queerness directly, yet it breathes through intimacy and silence Why was it important for you to let queerness exist without declaration?

Rohan: I believe that in real life, we often understand things w i t h o u t t h e m b e i n g s a i d o u t loud That’s part of being human, s e n s i n g a n d f e e l i n g w i t h o u t needing everything explained I wanted to bring that subtlety into the film, trusting that audiences are intelligent enough to grasp w

explicit dialogue Someone told me after watching the film that t h e y d i d n ’ t u n

d everything at first, but gradually it all made sense, and that’s the kind of engagement I wanted In

m

experience the story as it unfolds,

reference was real life itself, not other films, though I’m inspired

storytelling voices encourage me to find my own

What first attracted you to Rohan’s vision for ‘Sabar Bonda?

short film

village,

usual cinematic gloss When the script for ‘Sabar Bonda’ came to me, I immediately fell in love As a first-time feature producer, I wanted to make a film true to our vision, without worrying about

pressures Rohan’s plan to use the

Marathwara region; wind, birds,

beauty firsthand On the first day of shooting, the richness of the soundscape, from grazing goats to chirping birds, confirmed our choice While industry veterans

allowing audiences to connect with the story through their own emotions This approach creates

, letting viewers feel sadness, joy, or catharsis simultaneously

Bollywood often dominates global attention; in your view, how important are regional films in telling diverse Indian stories and expanding the country’s cinematic landscape?

Ro han: Regional films have always stood out for showcasing local culture and the nuances of everyday life, which makes them diverse and compelling Unlike mainstream commercial cinema, i n d e p

a l storytellers have the freedom to explore life, human emotions, and cultural details in their own way As a child, I remember watching Marathi films, like those by Jabbar Patel, and wondering why they f e l t s o d i f f e r e n t O v e r t i m e , I realised it was their treatment; t h e s t o

, and attention to cultural roots Regional cinema has long been b o l d , i n t i m a t e , a n d g r o u n d e d , capturing life in its complexity, which is what makes these films so distinctive

storytelling With the success of films like ‘All We Imagine Is Light’, ‘Girls Will Be Girls’, and recent winners at Venice, Cannes, and other festivals, it’s clear that India h

films are making their mark on the global stage, demanding attention, screen time, and audience love just as much as big commercial films The shift is visible even at home, audiences are increasingly seeking

, ‘Homebound’, and ‘Humans in the L

cinema has always had incredible

starting to recognise and celebrate them It’s not about Bollywood

acknowledging the talent that has always been here and giving it the space it deserves

Kiran Rao prefers working with fresh actors

Filmmaker Kiran Rao spoke about her preference for working with new talent, saying fresh actors adapt more easily to her rules, especially when making films with limited resources and fair working conditions.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, she added that while her budgets have grown from

independence and equality, ensuring everyone on set is treated fairly Kiran Rao addressed the insider vs outsider

Rekha’s ‘Umrao Jaan’ restored in 4K for Red Sea Film Festival

preconceived notions “New actors face no perceptions, and people are willing

w

accept their weaknesses,” she explained

K

concept of celebrity, saying, “The conversation here is the death of stardom in some ways ” She noted that success is no longer defined by the traditional star system, but can come from digital content, reels, or web series

Echoing her 2019 remarks, Kiran added that nepotism exists everywhere, but merit prevails: “We may want our children to succeed, but ultimately, only merit will speak ”

The timeless classic ‘Umrao Jaan’ is set to grace Saudi Arabia this December, marking a historic moment for Indian cinema Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 National Award-winning masterpiece, starring Rekha, will be screened in its newly restored 4K version at the fifth Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, its first showing outside India

Restored by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) under the National Film Heritage Mission, the film will feature in the festival’s ‘Treasures’ section, which celebrates global cinematic gems

According to Variety, the restored ‘Umrao Jaan’ will be unveiled to an international audience in December 2025, following its limited theatrical re-release in India on June 27 The Red Sea lineup also includes restored classics like Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Spellbound’, Luc Besson’s ‘The Big Blue’ (1988), and silent comedies by Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Laurel and Hardy, accompanied by live music from Neil Brand Egyptian classics ‘Aida’ (1942) and ‘Song of Hope’ (1937) will also be featured

Reflecting on the re-release, Rekha said, “‘Umrao Jaan’ isn’t just a role I played she’s a part of my soul Watching it return to the big screen feels like opening an old love letter for a new generation ”

Director Muzaffar Ali said, “Rekha didn’t just act, she embodied Umrao Jaan and made her immortal I’m thrilled it’s being rediscovered by a new generation ” The Red Sea International Film Festival (December 4–13, 2025, Jeddah) has hosted stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone; this year, ‘Umrao Jaan’ brings India’s cinematic heritage to the global stage

Indian origin UK chess prodigy beats world champion

Cup

Rh odes, Greece

Born in London in 2015 to

Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu,

Master in 2024 In July 2025, at age 10, she achieved the status of the youngest chess player to e

record holder was Hou Yifan,

who accomplished it as an 11year-old in 2005 Last week, The schoolgirl took up chess d

this year became the youngest female player in history to beat a grandmaster - the highest title

victory over Mariya Muzychuk was a step up from any previous win The 33-year-old Ukrainian

Rohit, Virat power India to 9-wicket win at the SCG

Roh it Sharm a and Virat Ko hli

t u rne d bac k t h e cl o ck a nd flattened Australia in the th ird ODI to lead Ind ia to a ninew icket win at th e SC G Kohli hit the w inning runs and he finish ed u nbeaten on 74 off 81, Rohit on 1 21 o ff 1 25 T h e p art ner s h ip between the p air ended on 168* o ff 170 balls

Rohit scored his 33rd ODI century while Kohli has scored h i s 7 5 t h h a l f - c e n t u r y i n t h e format The pair each broke a few big records as well and the partnership between the veteran pair has gone well past 100 Josh Hazlewood earlier picked up Shubman Gill in the 11th over to end his opening stand with Rohit Sharma on 60 However, Australia have since had to contend with Rohit and Kohli turning back the clock a little bit Rohit has gone past his 60th ODI half-century

Harshit Rana’s 4/39 helped India to bundle out Australia for 236 runs Earlier, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bat first against Shubman Gill’s India in the 3rd ODI After a seven-wicket defeat in Perth and a narrow two-wicket loss in Adelaide, the team will be looking to end the tour on a high

India win 20 gold medals at SAAF Senior Athletics Championships

India reaffirmed its regional ath letic dominance by em erging as the o v era ll c h am p i o n i n th e 4 t h S o u t h A s i an S e ni o r A th l eti c s C hampionships 2025, which conclud ed at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi on S und ay

The Indian contingent topped the medals tally with 20 gold medals and a total of 58 medals, followed by Sri Lanka, which delivered an impressive performance with 16 gold medals in a total of 40 Nepal secured the third position with two silver and four bronze medals, while Bangladesh (3 bronze) and the Maldives (1 bronze) f i n i s h e d f o u r t h a n d f i f t h , r

championship without a medal

T h e f i n a l d a y o f t h e c h

o n s h i p s w i

s s e d s e v e

l outstanding performances and new meet records across multiple events In the Men's 400m Hurdles, India's Ruchit Mori clinched gold with a new meet record time of 50 10 seconds, followed by Kuda Liyanage Ayoma (Sri Lanka) and Karna Bag (India)

In the Men's Long Jump, India's Mohd Sazid claimed gold with a 7 68m jump, followed by Unagolla Yeswesmi (Sri Lanka) and Sarun Payasingh (India) In the Women's High Jump, Reet Rathore (India) secured gold with a jump of 1 76m, followed by Gamage Ranindi (Sri Lanka) and Supriya (India)

In the Women's Javelin Throw, Sri Lanka's Hatarabage Leka Nadeeka created a new meet record with a throw of 60 14m, surpassing the previous mark of 51 70m (2008) India s Karishma Sanil and Deepika won silver and bronze, respectively

In the Men's 10,000m, Abhishek (India) won gold with a time of 30:29 46, followed by Rajan Rokaya (Nepal) and Prince Kumar (India) In the Men's Hammer Throw, India's Damneet Singh won gold with a 66 99m throw, followed by Ashish Jakhar (India) and K K Damith Mad Dhar (Sri Lanka)

with Muzychuk “in her prime

grandmaster every week now English chess has been in the doldrums for so long We’ve had good players coming through, d

haven’t had great players Now we have players coming through who are actually quite exciting ” David Howell, England’s No 1 grandmaster and the Times c h e s s c o l u

“incredible win” He added: “It’s n

INDIAN-ORIGIN NAMED HEAD COACH OF US TEAM

New York assistant Sonia Raman has agreed to become the head coach of the Seattle Storm of NBA Sonia was an assistant with Memphis Grizzlies for four years before coming to the New York Liberty this past season She ll make history as the first person of Indian descent to be a head coach in the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association of USA) Sonia’s coaching career started at MIT where she was a head coach from 2008-20 She led the school to the Division III NCAA twice and remains the winning coach

grandmaster has twice won her national championships and in 2015 she became the women

Muzychuk has a much higher

Bodhana

YouTube channel described the

former world champion in such style ” A

Bodhana said: “I’m happy to win but hopefully I do even better in the future games This will inspire me to keep doing better and trying harder to win more games ”

Mandhana, Abhishek named ICC Player of the Month for September

S tar India openers A bh ish ek S harma and S mriti Mand hana w on th e IC C P layer o f the M onth awards for Sep tember

4 runs in seven m atch es during the p eriod at an av erag e of 4 4 8 5 a nd an o u

nd i ng strike-rate o f 200 T

tournament in the Asia Cup, also achieved the highest rating points ever in the T20I batting

r a n k i n g s H e w o n a h e a d o f teammate Kuldeep Yadav and Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett

“It feels great to win this ICC award and I am happy that it has c o m e f o r s o m e i m p o r t a n t matches that I could help win I am proud to be part of a team that can pull off victories from the most difficult of situations Our recent track record in T20Is reflects our outstanding team

culture and positive mindset,” Abhishek said M a n d h a n a , o n t h e o t h e r hand, was outstanding in the h o m e O D I s e r i e s a g a i n s t Australia, scoring 58, 117 and 125 in the three matches The Indian w o m e n ’ s t e a m v i c e - c a p t a i n scored 308 runs in four ODIs during the period at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 135 68 M a n d h a n a h a d s t r u c k t h e f a s

WPL-4 AUCTION LIKELY IN LATE NOV

The Women’s Premier League-4 (WPL) auctions will be held in New Delhi in late Nov this time, a source in the BCCI said The Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions meanwhile will be held in mid-Dec “The WPL auction will be conducted either on Nov 26 or Nov 27 in Delhi For the IPL auction we are exploring two or three cities both in India and abroad and will finalise one eventually ” the source revealed With the last mega auction being conducted three seasons ago this will be a mega auction which is likely to involve a complete reshuffle of the squads

WILLIAMSON TO BE NAMED LSG’S STRATEGIC ADVISER

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson 35 will be the new strategic adviser of IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants He will replace Zaheer Khan who was the team s mentor for the season 2025 Williamson will join the team for the coming season The batting maestro has not retired from international cricket but has not taken New Zealand s central contract to pursue a career in franchise cricket Among others, the team has retained Australian Justine Langer as the head coach English cricketer Carl Crowe has been appointed as the team’s spin bowling coach Carl had earlier served in the same capacity with IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders Earlier, LSG had appointed former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun to work with the pacers in the franchise

SOUTH AFRICA LEVEL SERIES WITH PAKISTAN

h r e e

batter during the Australia series w

figure mark off just 50 deliveries in the 3rd ODI

Spleen laceration lands Shreyas

Iyer in Sydney hospital

T w o da ys a ft er S h r ey as I y er walked off th e S ydney Cricket Gro und (S CG) with an injury to his lo wer left rib cage, sustained wh ile fielding du ring the th ird OD I agains t Au strali a, i t h as now emerged that India’s vicecaptain is still recovering at a h o s p i t al i n S y dn ey f ro m laceration inju ry to the spleen

I y e r , w h o h a d t a k e n a

brilliant catch to dismiss Alex Carey, had suffered the injury in the process as he fell down awkwardly The Indian cricket board (BCCI) said he is now medically stable and is being m o n i

d a y basis by the Indian team doctor Rizwan Khan who has stayed back with Iyer in Sydney

Sources said Iyer collapsed in the dressing room after he walked back from the field and h i s b l o o d p r e s s u r e s t a r t e d falling at an alarming rate It could have been fatal but he was rushed to the hospital in time to revive him “Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen

H

C C I

s medical team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status The Indian team doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his

statement added

South Africa won an 8-wicket victory over Pakistan on the fourth day of the second Test in Rawalpindi to level the two-match series The home side were dismissed cheaply in the opening hour collapsing from 94-4 overnight to be all out for 138 South Africa then took 12 3 overs to reach the 68-run target with captain Aiden Markram scoring 42 before being trapped leg before wicket by Noman Ali Tristan Stubbs was out in the same over without scoring, leaving Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi to complete the job It was an 11th win in 12 Tests for South Africa Brief scores Pakistan 333 & 138 (Azam 50; Harmer 6/50, Maharaj 2/34) lost to South Africa 404 & 73/2