AV 29th November 2025

Nagrecha family’s generosity powers India’s largest elderly care project in Rajkot A T U R N I N G P O I N T I N B R I T A I N ’ S W E A L T H D R A I N

u No benefits for migrants before citizenship Page – 7

u Parekh family’s philanthropy elevates rural health and development Page – 9

u Obesity, much more than just a life-style disease Page - 28

Anusha Singh Billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal has become the latest to leave the UK following Labour’s overhaul of taxes on the super-rich, as the Autumn Budget unfolds After three decades in Britain during which he became

homes, invested in Queens Park Rangers and donated millions to charities and even £5 million to Labour; the Rajasthan-born mogul has shifted his tax residency to Bollywood’s beloved ‘He-Man’ passes away at 89 Page - 29

, published after three and a half years of hearings and expected to cost more than £ 2 0 0 m i l l i o n , c o n c

u

s that around 23,000 people died unnecessarily because

B o r i s Jo h n s o n ’ s g

e r nment failed to act with the urgency the crisis demanded

B a r o n e s s He a t h e r

H a l l e t t , w h o c h a i r e d t h e inquir y, found that Johnson

“f a i l e d t o a p p r e c i a t e t h e calamity facing the nation” and repeatedly postponed decisions that could have

d r a m a t i c a l l y

death toll in the f irst wave

A substantial section cond e m

t m o s p h

e inside No 10, characterising i t a s “t ox i c , s e x i

d chaotic” Scientif ic advice, too, is judged to have been flawed M

d against locking down early d

whelmed While lockdowns “undoubtedly saved lives”, the inquir y notes they left “lasting scars ” on society

Rishi Sunak’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme is singled out for increasing transmission risk and being devised without scientif ic scrutiny T

a l , meanwhile, is said to have badly damaged public conf idence in the government

at a critical moment

The report sets out 19 recommendations, including earlier inter vention in

contingency plans and an

Contingencies Act

Cr i t i

w

t h i n t h e Conser vative Party accused the inquir y of relying too heavily on modelling and of

report in a newspaper article, arguing those involved in the Covid response were “doing our level best”

The inquir y now shifts to examining the economic f

Rishi Sunak and Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey in the coming weeks

Starmer’s deal-maker heads for Washington

Varun Ch andra has em erged as the lead ing contender to b ec o m e th e U K ’ s nex t ambassado r to Washington

C h a n d r a , fo r m e r l y t h e head of strategic consultancy Hakluyt and now Sir Keir

St a r m e r ’ s c h i e f b u s i n e s s adviser, is widely expected to secure the post, according to people briefed on the process His key role in landing the US-UK trade deal earlier this year has strengthened his position

Although Chandra is not a career diplomat, f igures within the FCDO say he is well regarded for his contribution to the trade negotiat i o n s w i t h Wa s h i n

n Ho w e v e r, h i s p o t e n t i a l appointment comes during a p e r i o d o f s w

restructuring at the departm

strained morale

C h a n d r a ’ s u n c o n v e ntional background sets him apart from previous ambas-

s a d o r s He h a s w o r ke d across dozens of countries and spent several years living in New York during his t e n u r e a t H a k l u y t , a London-based consultancy founded by former MI6 off icers

Earlier in his career, he w o r ke d a s a n i n v e s t m e n t banker at Lehman Brothers a n d l a t e r s p e n t s i x y e a r s working closely with Tony Bl a i r, w i t h w h o m h e remains well connected

“Never Here Keir” spent a sixth of premiership abroad

S ir Ke ir St a r m e r is f ac in g g rowing criticism from withi n g o v e r n m e n t o v e r t h e a mount of t ime he has spe nt ov erse as during his f irst 17

m o n t h s i n of f ic e , wi t h pollin g indicat ing t hat more t han a third of vot er s belie ve he is t rav elling too fr eque ntly

B y t h e e n d o f t h i s month, the prime minister will have spent the equivalent of one-sixth of his premiership abroad, visiting 44 countries across 37 trips and completing six laps of the globe, travelling farther than any previous British leader

n o f f

same stage in off ice T

trips has prompted unease

within Labour Some ministers have begun referring to the prime minister as “Never Here Keir” and are urging

d Lammy, the deputy prime minister, and Yvette Cooper,

the foreign secretar y Po l l i n g b

Common suggests that concerns about Starmer’s travel

, with focus groups repeatedly raising the issue However, some Labour MPs argue that Starmer is at his strongest on the international stage and that voters appreciate seeing Britain represented globally A

records shows that, contrasti

Si

Ke

countries in his

about 55 days abroad, and a total of 95 days in his f irst

, meanwhile, made 24 overseas trips during his entire

countries

Ministers do not have to reveal criminal convictions

G

whethe r they hav e

(ICO) dismissed an appeal by The Times seeking to compel the Cabinet Off ice to reveal how many ministers had declared a prior conviction before joining the government Off icials refused to conf irm or deny whether such records exist, and the ICO concluded that minis-

ters’ privacy outweighed the public interest in disclosure The ruling follows the resignation of former transport secretar y Louise Haigh last year, after it emerged she had failed to declare a

cabinet following Labour’s election victor y, had previously pleaded guilty to falsely claiming her work phone had been stolen Her departure prompted

may have undisclosed convictions

UK expands visa-fraud campaign in India

T h e U K g o v e rnm ent i s expand ing its campaign to combat v isa fraud in Ind ia, launch ing a new phase in Tam il Nadu aimed at stopping illeg al migration at its source

Vision 2035 framework to tackle criminal exploitation and reduce irregular migration It also coincides with

s between the two countries after the signing of a land-

T h e i n i t i a

announced by Indo-Pacif

during a visit to India this week, follows a successful pilot in Punjab and forms part of a broader effort to secure Britain’s borders and curb asylum abuse The Tamil Nadu phase will include targeted outreach in high-risk districts a n d a Ta m i l - l a n g u a g e WhatsApp chatbot designed to help potential travellers i d e n t i f y s c a m s a n d a v o

Mahmood unveils a major overhaul of the UK asylum system (page 5)

scores the deepening partnership between the UK and India, building on commitments under the UK–India

mark Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

D u r i n g h e r v

s i t , Malhotra met British companies operating in Chennai a n d B e n

i n c l u d i n g Tesco, BT and Revolut to discuss how the new FTA is helping f irms expand in one of the world’s fastest-growi n

m i e s S h

a l s o inaugurated Tesco Business Solutions’ newly established g l o b a

o n

h u b

n Bengaluru, part of a wave of UK corporate investment in India totalling £3 6 billion “The government is acting to stem illegal migration at its source, preventing visa f r

d w h i l e s

c u r i n g o u r borders,” Malhotra said “At the same time, our landmark Free Trade Agreement is creating jobs and bringing new investment back to the UK ”

Britain’s millionaires depart ahead of the Autumn Budget

As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Autumn Budget on Wednesday 26 November, an increasing number of wealthy individuals in the UK are making plans to move abroad Since the Labour government assumed office, the departure of high-net-worth individuals has accelerated significantly

From July to December 2024, following Labour’s rise to power, 257,000 British citizens emigrated While this trend began in 2021, recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that nearly 992,000 Britons have relocated overseas in the past four years

The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025 offers further insight: it forecasts that 16,500 millionaires will leave the UK in 2025, taking with them an estimated £91 8 billion in personal wealth In 2024 alone, around 10,800 millionaires departed, a remarkable 157% increase compared to 2023

This surge in wealthy individuals leaving the UK highlights growing concerns about the nation’s economic, political, and social environment among high-net-worth citizens What was once a gradual trend has now intensified, raising alarms among policymakers, economists, and business leaders The UK’s increasingly complex and burdensome tax system is a key factor Proposed changes to the non-dom regime, potential inheritance tax reforms, discussions of a mansion tax, higher income tax brackets, and increased capital gains tax have all prompted affluent Britons to seek greater stability elsewhere

Frequent changes in government economic policy have also

played a role Political instability - first within the Conservative Party and now with uncertainties under Labour - has made long-term financial planning more challenging for the wealthy

Additionally, the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing pressure on public services have become major sources of frustration

Many high earners feel that, despite paying substantial taxes, the quality of public services has declined Concerns over law and order, union activity, and rising employer national insurance contributions have further diminished the appeal of doing business in the UK Countries like the UAE, Switzerland, Singapore, Monaco, Portugal, the US, Italy, and Malta are drawing UK millionaires due to low taxes and favourable conditions

Meanwhile, a sugar levy on pre-packaged milkshakes and lattes will be the first in a series of tax increases outlined in Rachel Reeves’ upcoming Budget

Wednesday, likely announcing tax increases to address a £22bn deficit Reeves reportedly plans to lower the cash ISA limit from £20,000 to £12,000 Additionally, a new ‘mansion tax’ will target thousands of high-value properties in Britain

The departure of wealthy individuals like Lakshmi Mittal from the UK is largely due to higher taxes, policy uncertainty, strained public services, and better prospects overseas If Rachel Reeves raises taxes for high earners in the Autumn Budget, this trend could increase, making her upcoming announcement crucial for Britain’s affluent residents

The power of philanthropy

The UK has a philanthropy sector worth more than £100 billion, but the lack of targeted policies means that charities and social impact organisations miss out on as much as £5 billion of philanthropic income each year

The UK Giving 2025 Report provides an overview of charitable giving in 2024 Charities are currently dependent on donations from only 50% of the population, a decrease from 58% in 2019 representing roughly four million fewer donors

During The Beacon Philanthropy and Impact Forum 2025, Charity Commission CEO David Holdsworth highlighted the importance of philanthropy and referenced CAF’s vital role in researching the sector He noted that recent reports indicate a continuing decline in donor numbers

While CAF s latest findings show that the total value of giving remains stable in real terms, the proportion of people participating in charitable giving is decreasing Furthermore, the most recent UK Giving Report reveals that some of the least affluent regions in the country demonstrate notable generosity

Philanthropy in the South Asian community in the UK covers a wide range of initiatives, from health and education to social development and heritage preservation Key organisat i o n s t a c k l e c h a l l e n g e s

entrepreneurship, and celebrate cultural traditions

There is also an increasing emphasis on giving circles, community-driven solutions, and efforts targeting issues such as air quality in the region Individual families, including the Nagrecha and Lord Bhikhu Parekh families, have made significant contributions, particularly supporting elderly care within the community London-based philanthropist and industrialist Hasubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha has donated £10 million (₹116 crore) towards a landmark project of old-age living homes, on the Rajkot - Jamnagar Road, which will bear the name of his brother, Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha The Nagrecha brothers emi-

grated from Uganda to Britain, where their dedication and entrepreneurial spirit earned them widespread respect (see P8) Likewise, the Parekh family, led by Chandrakant and Lord Bhikhu Parekh has been instrumental in supporting SEWA Rural, a voluntary organisation founded in 1980 to advance welfare in the rural and tribal communities of Jhagadia, southern Gujarat Established by professionals in health and education, SEWA Rural draws inspiration from Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi To date, the Parekh family has donated roughly ₹10 crore (£860,000) [see p9]

Hindujas and Anil Agrawal are among the most recognised names, but they are far from alone Over the years, countless families and charitable foundations have stepped forward

Charitable Trust, the Vadera, Kansagara and Madhvani families, along with Yogesh Mehta, Joginder Sanger, Westcombe Foundation, ISSA Foundation UK, the Sunita & Surinder Arora Family, Shantaba Foundation, Kantaben Prabhakant Patel, Bharat Shah family, the Nanji Kalidas Mehta family and many others have all played a significant role in supporting vital causes

Equally noteworthy is the Karma Yoga Foundation, funded by a single family, which has contributed over half a million pounds in addition to a substantial amount in kind Their collective efforts, alongside many other big and small contributors, reflect the depth of compassion and commitment within the community

This list only scratches the surface, as many others continue to make a profound impact for communities locally and globally Especially during times of economic hardship and political uncertainty, helping those in need is fundamental to human progress It strengthens community bonds, builds

groups to give back to causes they value

Dear President Trump, time and tide wait for none

Upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Johannesburg for the G20 summit, he conveyed a strong message to Washington and the broader developed world: multilateral cooperation should not be hindered by the decisions of any single nation In contrast to President Donald Trump's decision to abstain from the first G20 summit held in Africa, citing disputed claims regarding the treatment of white farmers in South Africa, Prime Minister Modi participated without reservation His attendance highlighted the principle that addressing global challenges does not require prior consent from the United States

President Trump’s boycott was more than a diplomatic gesture; it reflected a broader trend of disengagement from multilateral frameworks previously supported by the United States Since returning to office, President Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement, left UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and now opted out of the G20 summit

During the Johannesburg summit, representatives from developing nations leveraged the gathering to urge action on climate change and rising debt burdens, issues acutely affecting less affluent countries These delegates also emphasised their potential as economic partners in sectors such as mining, technology, and artificial intelligence

South Africa received considerable recognition for its efforts to promote an inclusive agenda during its tenure as G20 president, prioritising the reduction of global inequality and advancing the interests of poorer nations

President Trump’s initial decision to boycott the G20 Summit in South Africa Speaking at the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) 2025 Founder’s Lecture in Pretoria, Professor Sachs addressed the evolving influence of Western nations and the global political climate surrounding the summit He observed that President Trump’s refusal to attend stemmed from a reluctance to accept a role among multiple leaders rather than one of dominance He reportedly said, "because he has a four-year-old mentality and he is having a tantrum"

tantrum: That the rest of the world is saying We don t want a king’ He would come here as just one of 20 or 21 leaders And he doesn't want that, so he is having tantrum"

According to IOL News, President Trump had previously announced his administration’s intention to boycott the twoday summit, reiterating statements concerning alleged persecution of a white minority under South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government Prior interactions between President Trump and President Ramaphosa had been marked by tension, including a contentious meeting in May

On last Thursday, President Ramaphosa said that the United States had reconsidered its position and expressed interest in participating in the summit, reversing its earlier decision to boycott South Africa received notice from the US delegation at the last moment and had to work to accommodate their attendance The United States is scheduled to assume the rotating G20 presidency following South Africa’s term

Thought for the week

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world"

- Nelson Mand ela

Political Sketchbook

Alpesh Patel

Why Is Britain Panicked About Migrants Arriving, Yet Calm About High-Value Migrants Leaving?

British politics treats migration with a strange asymmetry

Small boats crossing the Channel spark headlines, press conferences, and promises of crackdowns Yet the departure of high-value individuals entrepreneurs, doctors, investors, technologists, and non-dom taxpayers barely registers in national debate

This imbalance tells us something important: Britain responds emotionally to the migration it can see, and economically ignores the migration it cannot

The panic over arrivals is driven by visibility A dinghy landing on a Kent beach is dramatic, photogenic and symbolic It produces a sense of disorder, even when numbers are low by global standards The story writes itself: “Britain is losing control ” In contrast, a billionaire or a surgeon leaving through Heathrow generates no viral image, no front-page headline, no political opportunity Departure is invisible - and politically silent

The second reason for the imbalance is cultural framing In Britain, the word migrant is rarely applied to wealthy or highly skilled people leaving the country They become “expats,” “relocators,” or “global citizens” - not

resources are coded as migrants in the political imagination One group triggers anxiety; the other triggers indifference This linguistic double standard shapes public emotion far more than economic reality

And here is the economic reality: the departure of highvalue migrants hurts Britain far more than the arrival of low-income newcomers

• The top 1% of earners pay nearly 30% of all income tax

• Non-dom residents have contributed over £12 billion per year to the Treasury

• Many of Britain’s fastest-growing companies were founded or scaled by immigrants

When these individuals leave - often for Ireland, Dubai, Singapore, or Portugal - Britain loses tax revenue, investment, and skills The fiscal impact is quiet but enormous Yet there is no political panic, because the damage is invisible and gradual, not dramatic

The deeper explanation lies in political incentives Talking tough on immigration wins votes; talking seriously about retaining wealthy taxpayers does not Immigration is emotionally charged; emigration is technocratic

A politician gains by denouncing boats but gains nothing by warning that innovators, investors and job-creators are slipping away The result is policy driven by emotion, not economics

Public psychology also plays a role People respond to immigration as a question of identity, not numbers They fear cultural change more than economic cost By contrast, the loss of revenue from wealthy emigrants is abstract - it does not threaten identity, only the Treasury’s balance sheet Cultural anxiety beats economic rationality every time The irony is sharp: the migrants Britain fears often strengthen its economy; the migrants Britain ignores often sustain it Britain fixates on the visible inflow at Dover but overlooks the quiet outflow from Heathrow

Until the country learns to distinguish visibility from value, and symbolism from substance, it will continue fearing the wrong migration - and losing the migration that matters most

Thank you for your continued support for the Essay Competition!We’re delighted by the fantastic number of entries received so far.This week marks the final opportunity to send in your submissions.

The deadline is 30 November, so if you haven’t submitted your entry yet, or wish to make any last-minute changes to one you’ve already shared, please do so without delay For more details,

Please refer to Page 11

Welcoming India’s next generation of scholars to the UK

Dhiren Katwa

L

U K an evening that combined culture, g uidance, and commu nity in equal measu re

h i g h l i g h t e d p a t h w a y s f o r professional and academic

g

D u b e y , G u r b i n d e r S a g g u , a n d P r o f e s s o r D e v e n d r a Kodwani

A special highlight was v

working opportunities for those beginning their journeys far from home

T h e e v e n i n g

d i a t e d energy, warmth, and optimism Beyond cultural perf

speeches, the event was

Murugan, India’s top diplom

regard the Embassy as their “home away from home ”

His words set the tone for a thoughtful and supportive e

diaspora plays in fostering connections between students and institutions

The event, compered by students Ramdas Pai and D h a n e s h r e e , f e a t u r e d k e y n o t e s p e e c h e s , t w o panel discussions, Q&A sess i o n s , c u l t u r a l p e r f o rm a n c e s , a n d a d i n n e r showcasing flavours from a c r o s s I n d i a T h e f i r s t p

n e l , “ L i f e i

U K : C h a l l e n

e s & W a y F o r w a r d , ” e x p l o r e d t h

p r a c t i c a l a n d e m o t i o n a l realities of studying abroad, with contributions from Dr Rohit Sharma, Sunil Kumar

M a h a y , a n d A n d r e w Monksfield, HM Inspector for Immigration

T h e s e c o n d p a n e l , “ C o n n e c t i n g E d u c a t i o n , Work & Student Welfare,”

Khan and Raveena Tandon, who encouraged students t o “ s t a y g

n d e d , s t a y ambitious, and stay true to your values because the w o r l d w i l l s e e I n d i a through you ”

W i t h a p p r o x i m a t e l

currently enrolled in UK higher education 11,400 o f t h e m i n t h e W e s t M i d l a n d s a l o n e s u c h events provide crucial supp

tance of community and m e n

o r s h i p f o r i n t e r n ational students navigating new environments For these students, and f o r t h e i n s t i t u t i o n s w e lcoming them, events like this are more than ceremonial: they are a practical a n d e m o t i

l b r i d g e between two nations, offering reassurance, advice, and i n s p i r a t i o n a s s t u d e n t s begin the next chapter of their lives

Four officers face misconduct over Harshita Brella case

H ar sh it a Bre ll a, 24 , f ro m

C orby, w as fou nd dead in the boot of a car in Ilford, ea st L o nd on, ro u gh ly 10 0 m il es ( 1 60 km ) f ro m h er h ome in November 2024

F o l l o w i n g h e r d e a t h , f o u r p o l i c e o f f i c e r s h a v e been placed under investigat i o n f o r m i s c o n d u c t o v e r their handling of the abuse allegations she had reported

N o r t h a m p t o n s h i r e

P o l i c e ’ s A s s i s t a n t C h i e f

C o n s t a b l e , E

confirmed that four officers are now facing misconduct

p

c

investigation

A manhunt is underway

f o r M s B r e l l a ’ s h u s b a n d , Pankaj Lamba, 23, who is believed to have fled to India after being charged with her murder The IOPC stated that Ms Brella had reported

a b u s e b y L a m b a t o N o r t h a m

on 29 August 2024 H e w a s

o n 3 September and released on bail with conditions not to c o n t a c t M s B r e l l a , a

protection order

Her body was found on 14 November in the boot of a V a u x h a l l C o r s

, w i t h investigators believing she was strangled in Corby on 10 November

Conman jailed for defrauding 24 victims of £560,000

In a report from B BC new s, Jeetand ra “Jeet” Patel has co me forward to warn o th e rs a bo u t s ca m s a ft er a conman drained h is bu si ness o f funds, forcing it into adm inistration

The 56-yearo l d s p o k e o u t following the jailing of Mital Mehta, who is estimated to have defrauded 24 victims of £560,000, receiving a sentence of over five years in May

Jeet, who previously spoke anonymously, has now gone public to warn others about fraud The scam cost him his business and forced him to sell cars to pay staff, leaving him in “financial difficulties more severe than I h a d e v e r a n t i c i p a t e d ” H

against offers that seem “too good to be true ”

From Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, Jeet said he first met Mital Mehta in 2016 at a pub, which led to meetings at his office

“At the time, we ran a window company called EAS Windows Oadby,” Jeet explained “He kept talking about investing in profitmaking schemes He didn’t seem pushy, he was very good at what he did ”

The scheme involved buying and selling Premier League tickets, with rewards like hospitality passes Jeet initially invested £1,500 and got £2,000, but Mehta soon demanded larger sums, siphoning money from him and his business, which collapsed Another victim lost over £19,000 in a protein bar scheme

Jeet lost over £100,000 and put his business into administration by 2017 Mehta, who used fake documents to gain trust, was later jailed for five years and three months for 21 counts of fraud

Jeet warns: “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is Do your background checks, once you fall in, it’s hard to recover ”

Missing Bradford man Ismail Ali found safe

Ismail Ali, who went m issing five years ag o, has turned up at a Yo rkshire po lice statio n just days after fiv e p eop le were arrested on suspicion of h is m urd er

He was last seen leaving his workplace on Cumberland Road, Bradford, on 29 May 2020

IN B R I E F COVENTRY

BUSINESSES HAND OUT SECURITY ITEMS AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS

Residents in Coventry are being offered free safety devices to help protect them from thieves while shopping this Christmas The initiative includes 4 000 purse bells that ring if stolen 3 000 card defenders 1 000 purse and bag security cables and 450 personal alarms with built-in torches The group representing local businesses will be at the fountain in Lower Precinct from 10:00 to 13:00 GMT Chief executive Joanne Glover said Christmas is when street thieves are “most prevalent and added, “We want everyone to enjoy the city centre safely and small precautions can make a real difference ” Banks and building societies in Coventry will also help distribute the items Leanne Reeve, Lloyds Bank branch manager, noted, “Customers ask for the sleeves and bells throughout the year ”

FATAL VAPE BATTERY FIRES ON THE RISE IN WEST MIDLANDS

Firefighters in the West Midlands have issued a warning following a sharp rise in fires linked to lithium-ion batteries which are commonly found in devices such as vapes e-bikes escooters phones and laptops Tragically a Coventry house fire last year killed Karlo Bogdan, 24, Natasha Johnson-Mall, 27, and their two dogs after batteries on a converted e-bike ignited Fires linked to lithium-ion batteries are rising sharply in the West Midlands, with 65 incidents reported by October 31 this year, up 6 6% on last year and more than double the 2023 figures E-bike battery fires have risen from six in 2023 to 16 so far in 2025 West Midlands Fire Service launched the ‘Fast Fierce Fatal campaign to highlight lithium-ion battery dangers Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Ball said: “Our thoughts are with Karlo and Natasha’s families With Black Friday and Christmas approaching, we urge caution when buying and charging devices The campaign promotes safe use charging and storage with advice online and through partners to reach e-bike and e-scooter users aiming to save lives ”

WASTE REFORMS

EXPECTED TO SAVE COUNCIL OVER £10,000 A YEAR

referral to the IOPC The watchdog reviewed the con-

sergeant and a chief inspector linked to the domestic abuse investigation The IOPC said the two detective constables have a case to answer for gross misconduct, while the supervis-

inspector face misconduct proceedings It found failures in case review, investigative planning, supervi-

with Ms Brella

Campbell said the investigation examined the force’s r

guarding and communicat

four officers should face dis-

will

arrange

On Monday, three women aged 47, 54, and 55, along with two men aged 27 and 51, were taken into custody on suspicion of murder following warrants executed at addresses on Beckside Road and Cumberland Road They have since been released on bail, Yorkshire Live reports

In a surprising turn, West Yorkshire Police announced on November 20 that Ismail Ali had come forward to a police station on W

well ” A spokesperson said his family has been informed and he is being safeguarded while checks are carried out

Monday’s arrests, searches at three properties recovered a significant amount of cash, and several of those arrested remain on bail for money laundering offences

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed that Bradford man Ismail Ali, missing since 2020, came forward to a police station on November 19, reporting himself safe and well His family has been informed, and he is being safeguarded while checks are carried out Following Monday’s arrests, searches at three properties led to the seizure of a large amount of cash Several suspects remain on bail for money laundering, with enquiries ongoing Police also thanked the public for their support in the investigation

A Leicestershire council will introduce weekly food waste collections from autumn 2026 to comply with new government rules Melton Borough Council’s cabinet has approved changes to its waste and recycling services including reducing the size of standard black bins The authority said the move is intended to boost recycling cut general waste and reduce costs The new service will operate alongside the two existing weekly collections with Councillor Margaret Glancy noting the council had avoided moving to three-weekly collections, as some authorities have done The proposals, designed to help the borough reach the national 65% recycling target, depend on the outcome of a government funding settlement Under the changes, new or replacement black bins will be reduced from 240 to 180 litres, with new homes receiving the smaller bins and existing households keeping theirs until replacement is needed Larger families or those with specific needs can request extra capacity A new clinical-waste booking system and reduced sack allocations for communal properties are expected to save more than £10,000 a year Councillor Margaret Glancy said maintaining a “clean and green” borough remains a priority and confirmed the council will keep its alternate weekly collections

Cameron

discloses cancer battle as government unveils men’s health plan

David Camero n h as rev ealed that he w as diagnosed with p rostate cancer, urging the

g o v er nm e nt to i n tro d u c e targeted screening for men at h igher risk

The former prime minister told The Times that he sought testing after encour-

a

pelled to speak publicly to

efforts

“I would feel bad if I didn’t come forward and say that I’ve had this experience

I

cancer, with a biopsy confirming the result He is now

Research’s call for a targeted

gramme

His disclosure comes as the government announces a major overhaul of prostate cancer care under its new men ’ s health strategy

Enfield ex-mayor faces council reprimand

BBC New s reports that the former mayor o f E nfield has apologised to the council for w ri ti ng let ters s u p p or ti ng v isa applications fo r family and friends

Independent councillor Mohammed Islam stepped down from Enfield Council last August after being sanct i o n e d f o r a c t i o n s t h a t brought his office into disrepute

have affected public confidence

He said he had requested a date to complete the Code of Conduct training and remained committed to ensuring his future conduct met the responsibilities of public office While accepting the committee’s find-

d something was wrong, and it gave me the chance to deal with it,” he said Cameron was diagnosed

Patients will be offered video consultations and athome blood tests as part of a wider plan to tackle leading

proteins linked to prostate

Second MP quits crisis-stricken Your Party

Iqbal Moh amed, the MP for D ew sbu ry and Batley, h as announced his resignation from Your Party, alleg ing he h as been the target of “false allegations and sm ears ” His d ep arture follows a recent clash with fello w MP Zarah S ultana ov er his gend er-critical v iew s

Mohamed’s exit comes

j u s t a w e e k a f t e r A d n a n Hussain quit the party, citing concerns about internal f a c t i o n a l i s m a n d w h a t h e described as “veiled prejudice” against Muslims I

, Mohamed said, “The many false allegations and smears made against me and others and reported as fact without evidence have been surpris-

patiently, and in good faith throughout ” He thanked supporters of Your Party, wished them “ s u c

T h e c o u n c i l ’ s c o n d u c t committee ordered him to i s s u e a w

p o l o

complete code of conduct training, and stop wearing his former mayoral badge Islam accepted the findi n g s b u

about the committee’s pro-

cess and plans to approach the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman I

councillor suspended from the Labour Party, apologised to the council for his con-

his actions fell short of the

about the process through the appropriate channels

A legal adviser told BBC London that they plan to refer the case to the

Councillor apologises over disabled bay parking

Hounslow C l l r F a r h a a n R e h m a n will remain a Labour councillor and continue as a cand i d a t e f o r t h e 2 0 2 6 e l e ctions, despite concerns from some local councillors over “unfair” deselections

G e n e r a l P u r p o s e s Committee and will volunt a r i l y d o n a t e £ 1 6 0 t o t h e Mayor’s charity instead of paying a fine T h e £ 1 6 0 d o n a t i o n matches the usual fine for parking in a disabled bay w i t h o u t a b l u e b a d g e i n

O n 2 4 N o v e m b e r , h e said, “I have written to the Leader and Chief Executive to apologise While this is not a public car park, counc i l l o r s s h o u l d u p h o l d t h e highest standards and set an example I will donate £160 to the Mayor’s charities and have resigned as Chair of the L i c e n s i n g a n d G e n e r a l Purposes Committee ”

Cllr Farhaan Rehman

Hounslow Labour confirmed it had investigated t h e m a t t e r , a c c e p t e d h i s a p o l o g y a n d r e s i g n a t i o n , and reminded him of the high standards expected of councillors

60? So what ? Carry on regardless…Keep going A S I S E E I T

With the bo untifu l sup port, go odwill and bles sings o f my elders, d ea r r ea de rs , we ll - wi s h e rs , m y dedicated team, my family and above all, the infinite grace of the Almighty, I have now entered the 60th year since I first arri ved in Britain

I n t h e e a r l y h o u r s o f 1 9 November 1966, I stepped onto the soil of London carry ing just a few belonging but a heart full of hop

There was, of course, touch of fear and unce

t a i n t y , a y o u n g m a entering a new country, new world and a new lif

The land was unfamilia the faces around me we new, but the spirit with me was streadfast

T h e r e i s a t i m e l e line from the 1972 fi

Shor: “J eevan c ha lne naam, chalte raho su b s h aam ” Li fe me a

m o vi n g f o rw ar d; ke go i ng, fro m mo rni ng e ve ni n g I n m a n y w a knowingly or unknowi

l y , t h i s s i m p l e y e t p found message has sha my entire life It enco aged me to keep walk even when the path uncertain, to stay ste through storms and to c tinue serving, learning growing each day

Six decades later, reflect on that young

s t e p p i n g i n t o H e a t h with dreams and doubts in equal measure, I feel deeply grateful The journey has been long, but it has been enriched by people, experiences, challenges and blessings that I could never have imagined at the beginning

The first of these books is 'Broken Mirror – T uṭelu Darp aṇ ' , an innovative contribution to the publishing world What makes it truly unique is its bilingual format: Gujarati on the left page and E n

e English is not a translation, it is phonetic Every Gujarati word is mirrored exactly in English phon e t i c

young Gujaratis who speak the language fluently but cannot read the script It is a thoughtful and t i m e l y c

generation The authors, Vasuben and her husband Babulal Gandhi, are a couple I have known for many years Their dedication

cial edition, chronicling the farreaching and philanthropic initiatives undertaken by the Munshi Trust over the past 25 years, was sent to me by Hanif Patel, a resident of Ilford in East London I am genuinely grateful to him for sharing it with me

The third book arrives with a

Dineshkumar Devchand Pethraj Shah has graciously sent me a sub-

Knowledge – A Biograph

, it narrates the life journey of his late

Kaushal Mahatre, the book serves not only as a record of an

to literature and to t h e c o m

t y h a s a l

Whatever I have achieved has been possible only through the affection and encouragement of family, many friends who joined along the way, my colleagues past and present and of course, the boundless grace of the Almighty Even today, at this stage of life, I consider it a privilege that I can continue contributing actively to the enduring publication journey

o f A s i a n V o i c e a n d G u j a r a t Samachar, while also remaining involved in community and public life Truly, what more could one ask for? As I walk into the years ahead, I do so with humility and hope I earnestly seek the continued good wishes and blessings of my elders, readers and well-wishers, so that the road before me stays filled with meaningful work, service, and a sense of purpose

A gift o f Go d

By a lovely coincidence, on t h i s v e r y d a y I r e c e i v e d t h r e e books as gifts, something I consider a special blessing from Goddess Saraswati, the divine source of knowledge and wisdom It felt like a gentle reminder that Her grace continues to guide me and it filled me with renewed optimism for the future of our community

s b e e n u n w avering and this new e x p e r i m e n t r e f l e c t s t h e i r c o m m i t m e n t beautifully I warmly congratulate both of t h e m f o r t h i s c o mm e n d a b l e e f f o r t I have only taken a brief look through the book so far, but once I read it more thoroughly, I look forward to sharing a deeper reflection The second book is t h e S il ve r J u b i le e

A n nu a l R e p o rt o f Munshi Vidyadham, a

r e s p e c t e d a n d w e l lestablished educational i n s t i t u t i o n i n t h e

B h a r u c h – A

e s h w a r r e g i

n S i t u a t e d n e a r the Dahej bypass on the o u t s k i r t s o f B h a r u c h t h i s V i d y a d h a m h a been carrying out trul t r a n s f o r m a t i v e w o r k p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r t h M u s l i m c o m m u n i t y

And I say this not jus b

evements but also as a ply heartfelt tribute to memory I have yet to hrough it page by page, even the brief passages I e read so far reveal the th, dignity and inspiran her life embodied Vibhaben was a daughof the Oshwal commuy and even as I write s, it feels difficult to use word “ was ” She was rn in Nairobi in 1953 and rried Dineshkumar in 7 8 G i f t e d w i t h a n ceptionally sharp mind, e went on to achieve markable academic disn c t i o n S h e c o m p l e t e d r M Pharm, qualified as F C C A ( C h a r t e r e d c c o u n t a n t ) a n d l a t e r rned an MBA A woman such brilliance did not op there, in 2019 she chieved her Doctorate, a milestone that reflected er lifelong commitment o learning But, as desny would have it, an ncurable illness emerged

r e a d e r s a r e w e l c o m e d w i t h a g l i m p s e o f V i b h a b e n ’ s o w n thoughts, penned in her elegant handwriting, a reflection not only of her intellect but also of her k i n d n e s s , s e n s i t i v i t y a n d d e e p commitment to service And just as Vibhaben devoted herself to h i g h e r s t u d i e s a c r o s s v a r i o u s f i e l d s , i t i s e q u a l l y t r u e t h a t

D i n e s h b h a i s t a n d s s h o u l d e r t o shoulder with her in scholarship

describes; many years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the campus myself and witness their work

soon after and in 2021 she departed for her heavenly abode, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom, grace and inspiration

This book offers a vivid and beautifully illustrated portrayal of the Shah couple’s 42 years of married life At its very beginning,

B o r n i n N a i r o b i , h e h o l d s d v a n c e d d e g r e e s i n

E c o n o m i c s a n d

t a t i s t i c s , b r i n g i n g h i s own depth of learning to heir shared journey

Dear readers, books

h a v e a l w a y s b e e n t h e m i r r o r o f o u r s o c i e t y and as an Editor, I have o n g f o u n d j o y i n o b s e r v i n g t h e m a n y s o c i a l c u r r e n t s t h a t s h a p e o u r l i v e s

Receiving three books on the milestone date

o f 1 9 N o v e m b e r f e l t e s p e c i a l l y m e a n i n g f u l , a l m o s t l i k e a s i l e n t blessings

T ale of legacies

In the iconic film

Sh ree 420, brought to l i f e b y t h e g r e a t e s t showman Raj Kapoor a n d t h e l u m i n o u s Nargis, there is a timeless song, “ Pyaar Hua, Iqraar Hua ” One of i t s m o s t m e m o r a b l e lines says: “ Hu m n a ra h en ge , tu m n a ra h o g e, p h i r b h i rah engi ni sh aaniyan” even when we are no longer here, our footprints, our memories and legacies will continue to live on These and many more s u c h p u b l i c a t i o n s , w h i c h g i v e form and voice to precious memories, gently remind us of that very sentiment

Recently, your beloved news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat

S a m a c h a r c o m p l e t e d a v i b r a n t journey of 53 years and entered their 54th year To mark this milestone, the Soneri Smrutigranth was published, a commemorative v o l u m e c r e a t e d w i t h t h e v e r y intention of preserving memories in words, capturing the shared history, emotions and moments that define our community’s journey We earnestly hope that the s a m e a f f e c t i o n , e n c o u r a g e m e n t and steadfast support you have so warmly given us over the years will continue to guide and inspire us in the years ahead

W h e n

w

b e g i n a n e w journey, our minds naturally fill with uncertainties, but we must never let fear take charge It’s our willingness to try, to take that first step, that carries us forward in life The path is never straight; it’s a roller coaster with twists, turns, highs and lows Yet when the ride finally slows and comes to a halt, what matters is that we ’ re still standing, steady, strong and wiser It was the same inner resolve that had always pushed me to face challenges head-on and overcome whatever life placed before me

learn The beginning is always the hardest, but those who persist and persevere are the ones who rise to t

h a s taught me And just as important is the way we connect with people Keep meeting, keep communicating, keep building meaningful bonds wherever your journey takes you Life will continue to m

u r hands to leave a lasting mark, so that long after we are gone, we live on in the memories of those whose hearts we have touched Looking back, I can say without hesitation that this attitude has carried me through every phase of my journey

Dr Param Shah

UK’s New ‘Earned Settlement’ Plan: What it means for Indian businesses and professionals

As the UK moves toward a tougher, contribution-based settlement system, Indian companies and professionals must prepare for major shifts in workforce planning, talent mobility, and long-term residency pathways

Dr Param Shah

T

he UK Go vernment’s new ly released con-

s u lt ati o n p ap e r, “A F ai re r P ath w a y to S ettlement, ” represents one of the most consequential sh ifts in the country’s m igration system in more than a d ecade The prop osal introd uces a new “earned settlement” m odel that significantly leng thens the p athw ay to perm anent resid ency and places a stronger emp hasis on contribution, integration, and com pliance

For the rapidly expanding India–UK b u s i n e s s c o r r i d o r , t h e s e c h a n g e s c o u l d shape talent strategies for years to come Indian companies are now among the UK’s largest overseas investors, and Indian professionals make up one of the fastest-growing segments of the Skilled Worker and Health & Care routes As a result, any policy affecting longterm settlement will have a direct impact on both operational and strategic decisionmaking

A longer, m ore conditional path way to settlem ent

Under the proposed model, the standard qualifying period for settlement will double from five years to ten years For roles below RQF Level 6, including many care, support, and mid-skill technical roles, the qualifying period may increase to 15 years

This marks a major departure from the current system, where settlement is available to most workers after five years of lawful stay

T he new mod el introd uces tough er m andatory requirements:

• English proficiency at B2 level

• A clean criminal record

• Demonstrated annual earnings above the income tax and NIC threshold for 3–5 years

• No NHS, tax, or government debt

• Potential No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition even after settlement

I m p o r t a n t l y , t h e s e p r o p o s a l s c o u l d apply to all migrants already in the UK who have not yet obtained ILR, meaning many Indian professionals approaching their fifth year may soon be assessed under entirely new standards

Imp lications for Indian businesses in th e U K Indian businesses rely heavily on predictable talent pipelines, especially across IT, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and professional services The UK’s proposal may influence several dimensions of their operational planning:

1 Talent Attraction and Competiti veness The extended settlement timeline could make the UK less attractive compared to talent- friendly markets

like Canada, Australia, Germany, or the UAE particularly for mid-career professionals who prioritise family stability and long-term certainty

2 Wo rkforce Stability and Retention

Longer pathways may lead to higher turnover, requiring companies to invest more heavily in retention, upskilling, and incentives to maintain workforce stability

3 P lanning Challenges fo r Mid-Skill

Ro les

Sectors that depend on Indian workers in roles below RQF Level 6, especially social care, may face the greatest disruption The consultation explicitly notes the high volume of Health & Care visa entrants between 2022–24 and signals a desire to slow long-term settlement for this cohort

4 Dependants and family decisions

Dependants will no longer automatically settle with the main applicant Instead, they will have independent qualifying periods, a major shift that may influence relocation decisions for Indian families

A brigh ter path way for h igh -skilled Indian talent

Not all outcomes are restrictive The proposed system gives accelerated settlement to:

• High earners (£50,270+ or £125,140+ for 3 years)

• Innovators and Global Talent visa holders

• Senior contributors to public services

This aligns well with India’s emerging strengths in AI, deeptech, consulting, R&D, fintech, and digital public infrastructure

founders may find the UK’s new model more rewarding than before A defining moment for the UK –Indi a co rridor

As India and the UK deepen economic cooperation, talent mobility remains central to business growth, bilateral investment, and innovation partnerships The UK’s proposed settlement reforms mark a critical juncture Whether they ultimately strengthen or constrain the corridor will depend on how actively industry voices participate in this consultation

Indian businesses, diaspora leaders, and sector bodies should engage proactively to ensure the final framework reflects both Britain’s economic needs and the realities of a modern, interconnected workforce

The next chapter of UK–India mobility is being shaped now and the stakes have never been higher

PM pledges full, thorough grooming gang investigation

S ir Keir Starmer has insisted that th e national inquiry into grooming g angs will “leav e no stone u nturned ” , reaffirming th at its work will extend to L ond on desp ite earlier com ments by Mayo r Sadiq K han

The clarification follows criticism aimed at Khan after he said in June that while London faces “serious issues” involving child sexual exploitation and abuse, the nature of cases in the capital differed from those seen elsewhere in the country

His remarks prompted a

sharp backlash, with Susan Hall, the Conservative leader on the London Assembly, accusing him of “taking the mickey” out of victims and urging him to apologise She argued that survivors deserved full acknowledgment of the risks and realities across London

Asked whether the Labour mayor was effectively gaslighting victims, Starmer rejected the suggestion, emphasising that the inquiry will be comprehensive and evidence-driven Speaking

No benefits for migrants before citizenship

Many Indians and South Asians come to the UK with jobs in hopes to settle and build a better life in this country But under Labour’s new laws, are they expected to live in uncertainty for 25 years?

Migrants to the UK could face decades-long waits for the right to stay, work and acces s basic s upport, under sweeping new rules unvei led by H ome Secretary Shabana Mahmood

In one of the most hard-hitting immigration overhauls in modern times, Mahmood declared that “settling in Britain is a privilege, not a right”, and that it must now be earned Under the proposed system, benefits and social housing would only be available once a migrant becomes a British citizen, stripping eligibility from those who merely hold settled status

For many, that milestone could be pushed far into the distance Overseas health and care workers who came during the so-called “Boriswave” of post-Brexit arrivals could face up to 25 years before being allowed to apply for settlement if they or their dependants have claimed benefits Smallboat arrivals and visa overstayers could be waiting as long as 30 years

before they can even request residency, placing long-term security far out of reach

While the toughest rules fall on low-income migrants, others will see the opposite: NHS doctors and nurses could settle after five years, while high earners and entrepreneurs may qualify in just three Mahmood framed the overhaul as a response to an “unprecedented scale of arrivals”, aiming to reset a system she says has broken public trust The government’s new contribution-based model rewards community

volunteering, strong English skills and financial independence

The plans, now out for consultation, arrive as Labour faces pressure from Reform UK and as Mahmood herself gains prominence within her party If enacted, Britain’s path to settlement will become one of the most demanding in the Western world, reshaping the lives of more than 1 6 million people who arrived under Boris Johnson’s relaxed post-Brexit rules

Under new proposals, migrants would only be able to access benefits and social housing after becoming British citizens, replacing the existing rule that allows eligibility once settlement is granted The measures could also see small-boat arrivals waiting as long as 30 years to obtain residency status Mahmood insists that these reforms are essential to restore order and rebuild trust Whether they will deliver the results she promises, or deepen divisions within her party, remains an open question

to reporters en route to the G20 summit in South Africa, he said the investigation must follow all leads

“Whether in London or anywhere else, my view has always been that any evidence capable of being investigated by the police, historic or new, should be acted on immediately,” he said “If evidence allows offenders to be brought before the courts, that must be the priority ”

He added that the national inquiry “will leave no stone unturned across the country ”

Nagrecha family’s generosity powers

India’s largest elderly care project in Rajkot

Hasubhai Nagrecha of London donates £10 million

Kokila Patel

A t a tim e when the struggles o f eld erl y i nd iv i d u als w ho a re fra i l, u n w el l o r l i v i ng w ith disabilities are g row ing ever mo re serious across the w orld, Rajkot in Gujarat is p reparing to witness th e creatio n of wh at will beco me the largest old-age or retirem ent home anywh ere in the g lo be world

been made in beloved memory of Vinubhai, who departed unexpectedly on 22 April 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and service that continues to inspire Vinubhai Nagrecha,who r a n t h e w e l l - k n o w n Nagrecha Cash & Carry in East London’s Leyton area, had earlier built a beautiful and imposing structure gor-

passing last year, his younger brother Hasubhai Nagrecha

chose to honour his memory

humanitarian project, fulfilling the aspirations he held close to his heart

Morari Bapu’s ‘Manas Vande

In a remarkable act of h u m a

L

a i Nagrecha, a proud member of the Lohana community,

Nagrecha Hall’ in honour of his late parents This venue h

gious, cultural and musical g

Hasubhai and Umiben spoke w

Gujarat Samachar about the upcoming old-age home project They said, “Our entire community knows the deep bond between my two broth-

( 108 crore) This landmark project, rising on the Rajkot–

Nagrecha

The Nagrecha brothers, who migrated from Uganda and went on to build a successful life in Britain, earned

revered for his gentle nature, humility and lifelong com-

Londoners Vinubhai’s generosity, humility and dedication to community welfare earned him deep admiration, not only in the UK, but also across Africa and India He lived by a simple yet profound principle: ‘When God blesses us with abundance,

H

generosity, he believed, is a virtue one is born with; it c

values of service and comp

the Nagrecha family

every moment We are determined to fulfil his dreams His heart was always devoted to serving society and working for the welfare of others, and we will do everything in

pujan scheduled between 8 and 15 February, construction will begin at full speed

The project will consist of seven towers, each rising 11 storeys high, with more than

zens entirely free of charge At this old-age home, residents will be looked after with the utmost dignity and warmth Their daily routine will include morning tea and breakfast, fresh fruits and a wholesome lunch featuring

our power to carry that mission forward ” U

i b e n a n d H a s u b h a i further shared that a sprawli

has been designated for the

Vinubhai left us so suddenly that the pain still remains in our hearts He was sincere, affectionate and a truly noble soul His goodness, simplicit

treated everyone will keep him alive among us forever W

showed us

Speaking to us, from his

Hasubhai said in an emo-

ever take the place of my brother Vinubhai He may

accommodate around 5,000 elderly residents, especially

unwell, or in need of physical support

For those who are disabled or unwell, caregivers will provide therapeutic foot massages, a gesture of tenderness and respect that even one ’ s own family may struggle to offer The service here is rooted in humanity, without any barrier of caste, community or background

Umiben added that this home will open its doors to elderly labourers working on the roads, street vendors, the poor, abandoned senior citizens and anyone who has no one to care for them, including those living with disabilities The ‘Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha’ Elderly Home aims to be a haven where every forgotten elder finds comfort, dignity and belonging

A remarkable contribu tio n to o ne ’ s birthp lace, workp lace and moth erland

I n O c t o b e r 2 0 2 3 , t h e N a g r e c h a C h a r i

£100,000 to the NHS to support medical research and development

The cheque was formally handed over to a senior NHS official by Gujarat Samachar’s Publisher and Editor, CB Patel At the time, Vinubhai had said, “NHS doctors, nurses and staff work tirelessly for all of us, ” reflecting his deep respect for public service

Speaking about this same spirit of seva that defined her brother, Umiben shared, “Once we return to London, we plan to make further donations to the NHS We also intend to dedicate a ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital named after Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha ”

She recalled how, during Vinubhai’s years in Uganda, he had witnessed newborn babies losing their lives at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, a memory that stayed with him forever “He always wanted to make a meaningful contribution there, so we have decided to donate towards that cause as well,” she said

The family’s philanthropic vision extends further Plans are underway to build a gaushala (cowshed) near Gondal and Rajkot, with 1 5 crore (£129,500) already earmarked for the project To support the safety and education of school-going girls in the Gondal region, two school buses will also be donated in February in the name of Vinubhai Nagrecha

It is also noteworthy that during the recent Navratri celebrations in East London, the Nagrecha family launched their communityfocused initiative, ‘Nagrecha Radio’, a testament to their continued commitment to cultural and social upliftment

Expression of good will becom es leg acy

Sharing details with us over the phone on Saturday, Vijaybhai Dobariya, founder of the Sadbhavana Charitable Trust which runs

t h e S a d b h a v a n a V r u d d h a s h r a m , s a i d , “ W e e s t a b l i s h e d t h e Sadbhavana Trust in Rajkot on 15 August 2015 What began with just 10–15 senior citizens has today grown into a home for 700 elderly residents Among them, around 300 rely on diapers Many others suffering from cancer, paralysis, kidney failure or limb loss are also receiving care here ”

Mitalbhai Khetani, advisor to the Trust, added, “We are deeply grateful to Hasubhai Nagrecha His generous support strengthens our mission to create a world-class model of elderly care for the entire nation ”

The grand ‘Vinubhai Bachubhai Nagrecha Bhavan’, envisioned as a landmark project for Rajkot, will be developed across 30 acres along the Rajkot–Jamnagar Highway This extensive elderly care complex will welcome people of every community, caste and religion It will feature a temple, community hall, clinic, library, yoga and gym facilities, landscaped gardens and various recreational spaces

Subhash V Thakrar OBE, B Com, FCA, FRCA told the newsweeklies, "Hasubhai Nagrecha asked me to especially accompany him and his family to Mumbai to oversee the arrangements for the vast project and the disbursement of their donation It is going to be a remarkable project and the Nagrecha donation, which is probably the biggest donation out of UK from a single family to a single charity and also the biggest ever received by Sadhbhavna Trust This has broken many records and marks the Nagrecha family as a genuine , well hearted philanthropists in UK Asian community As a founder of Charity Clarity I salute them "

To meet the total project cost of 300 crore (nearly £26 million), the Sadbhavana Trust organised a major Ram Katha by Pujya Morari Bapu in Mumbai, from 22 till 30 November 2025 The ‘Manas Vande Mataram’ Katha has been arranged in Ghatkopar by Mumbai MLA Paragbhai Shah for the benefit of the Vruddhashram and environmental causes, with large-scale public fundraising is expected Ahead of the Katha, a yagna was held at Pujya Morari Bapu’s place in Ghatkopar A large portrait of the late Vinubhai was placed at the venue and Hasubhai, Umiben, Niluben (wife of Vinubhai), Artiben (wife of Hasubhai), along with sisters Jayaben and Ushaben and the entire Nagrecha family, paid ahuti (sacred offerings) Noted Kathakar Sharadbhai Vyas also attended the ceremony and paid ahuti

Parekh family’s philanthropy elevates rural health and development

SEWA Ru ral (So ciety

fo r E d u c at io n , Welfare and A ction–Ru ral) is a vo luntary develo pment organi

rural and tribal areas of Jhagadia block in so

rat

Founded by profes-

tion sectors, its work

ed by

Mahatma Gandhi

With a focus on the holistic develop-

ment of poor and tribal

Bharuch district, SEWA Rural operates a general hospital, communi-

reach, a comprehensive eye-care programme, a health training centre,

for rural youth and a women

s development centre

The Parekh Family,

major supporter of this

(£860,000) so far They encourage fellow Indians to join them, noting that meaningful contributions are within reach for many in the community Lord Parekh paid particular tribute to the great contribution of his brother, Chandrakant

“A contribution roo ted in tru st and continuity”

D r P an kaj P ann al al S h ah , Manag ing Trustee, and Dr Sh rey

A ni l D e sa i, T r u st ee, e m p h a s i s e d that Lord Parekh and his family’s contribution to SEWA Rural has been both generous and rooted in deep mutual trust “The support has been remarkable not just in scale, but in its continuity across health and skill-development initiatives,” they said “He remains meaningfully engaged during his visits without b e i n g o v e r l y i n s t r u c t i v e , w h i c h reflects the trust between us Dr Jayashree Mehta was instrumental i n i n t r o d u c i n g a

s t a b l i s h i n g partnership with Lord Parekh Dr Mehta took deep interest to sustain the partnership over the years and we are grateful to her ” As doctors leading SEWA Rural,

they noted that their medical backg r o u n d s s t r o n g l y i n f l u e n c e t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n ’

health and education “Our training h

m

t e d resources Our motto has always been ‘Ultramodern healthcare for the ultrapoor ’ The medical team feels better supported under medic a l l y t r a i n e d l e a d e r s h

w e equally value the contributions of non-medical professionals, governm

q u

t y c a r e i s always a collective effort ”

Reflecting on the current chall e n g e s i n r u r a l h e a l t h c a r e , t h e y highlighted rising non-communicable diseases among an ageing population and the shortage of doctors in r u r a l a n d t r i b a l r e g i o n s “ W h i l e India has made significant progress, rural areas still face critical gaps At SEWA Rural, our hospital and community programmes address a wide range of health needs, our training centre builds capacity among health w o r k e r s a n

scalable

, t h e y e x

s e d a shared vision for the next phase of SEWA Rural’s work “Over the coming decade,

and community prosperity

Above all, we remain committed to staying authentic, value-driven, and genuinely community-focused ” Dr J ays h r ee M eh t a praised Lord Parekh and his

SEWA Rural, saying, “Their support is truly remarkable SEWA Rural works for the poorest communities, offer-

development to those who need it most Through the

Centre, they select young people from village families, train them free of cost, provide them accommodation, and prepare them to work as skilled professionals in nearby industries It is an extraordinary initiative Another impactful

woman ’ s first delivery be provided free, ensuring maternal care reaches those who cannot afford it Many of the dedicated people working there, including Ashwinbhai, were once my students, and I am proud to see the difference they are making ” SEWA Rural works to serve the

needs Its approach balances social service, scientific methods and

focus on vulnerable groups, especially women, children, the elderly and tribal populations The organi-

communities, donors, government agencies, industries and academic institutions to ensure that the benefits of development reach those most underserved

A political storm Labour can no longer pretend away

British politics is no longer a disciplined duel it has morphed into a sprawling brawl The traditional Labour–Conservative rivalry has shattered, replaced by a restless five-party skirmish The Conservatives are limping Labour is wavering Reform UK is swinging above its weight The Liberal Democrats have rediscovered their nerve The Greens have pushed their way into national relevance with a boldness unimaginable a decade ago Westminster feels

d

watching squirm Labour should be the stabilising force in this political disorder, yet it is instead fracturing under its own weight

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, once promoted as the adult in the room, now faces a mounting internal revolt Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, has emerged as the focal point of this discontent, moving with the instinct of someone who senses weakness at the top This is no quiet

d

uncertain about its purpose, and its opponents can see the fissures widening

The loss of a Welsh seat that Labour had held for a century has stripped away any illusion of permanence Wales was supposed to be immovable terrain; now it feels as though the political ground is giving way beneath Labour’s feet The upcoming Welsh Assembly election will not simply be a test but a full reckoning Should Labour stumble there, its national authority may erode rapidly, inviting rival parties to seize the space Many voters now speak openly of s h

sentimental loyalty

This moment is not mere turbulence, it is the early phase of a political realignment redrawing the national landscape Communities once dismissed as predictable now hold decisive influence Parties previously treated as fringe actors are shaping the conversation with unexpected force Labour is hesitating at the very moment it should be projecting command, and that uncertainty is aggravating public frustration The months ahead will reshape British politics in ways no strategist can confidently foresee And unless Labour regains its footing quickly, it may find that the voters it relied upon have already moved on for good

Dr Narsinhbh ai Patel

The misuse of freedom and privilege

Kapil Dudakia’s comments on the BBC (AV dated 22-28 November 2025) are absolutely correct The BBC have misused its power to publish news and form public opinion in the direction it wants Freedom and privilege should not be misused The respect the BBC used to command years ago has now eroded

Since Donald Trump is one of the most powerful men on earth, he can fight with the BBC The BBC’s anti-India, anti-Modi Modi and anti-Israel stance is well known The BBC has become an uncontrollable giant, which they think is untouchable and can do whatever they want, including political interference in countries like India by systematically promoting anti-India and anti-Hindu news India should ban BBC journalists from visiting certain sensitive areas Freedom of the press is to be respected as long as they are impartial and give balanced views Political interference of any kind or hatred towards a particular community should be dealt with firmly

As long as the BBC plays within the boundary, it is okay, they are not supposed to serve as a mouthpiece of a certain community or create trouble in other countries by misusing the licence fee collected from the British public

Hitesh Hing u

New parking rules threaten cultural hub

I read about the Asian Voice campaign on the proposed CPZ D parking restrictions and fully share the community’s concern As a regular visitor and with my grandson attending classes there, I know firsthand how vital The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has been Since 1978, it has been a cultural hub in West Kensington, welcoming around 1,000 students, teachers, and visitors weekly and enriching London’s arts and cultural life

My grandson attends classes there, and like many families who travel with instruments, young children, or elderly relatives, we rely on accessible parking, especially for sessions that last well over an hour Extending enforcement to 8am–10pm, seven days a week, with only a one-hour parking limit, would make it extremely difficult for students, teachers, performers, and audiences to attend

I u r g e t h e l e a d e r s o f H a m m e r s m i t h a n d F u l h a m Council, local MPs, and the Mayor to support this plea and reconsider these restrictions I also invite members of the community to stand with this important campaign and help protect The Bhavan, a much-loved institution that has served generations, including my own family

Bhavna M irchand ani

Ethnic minority organ donations rise despite fewer transplants

Organ donations from e thnic minority commun it ie s r ose last year , b ut the numb er of tra nspl ants t he y re ceived fel l sl ightly

In 2024/25, there were 96 deceased and 144 living donors from these communities, up 9% and 13%, while 1,201 people

from 1,233, largely because 80%

white donors, whose numbers dropped 10%

Amrit Paul

By 31 March 2025, 2,526 ethnic minority patients were on the transplant waiting list, nearly a third of all kidney patients Matching donors by blood group and tissue type improves outcomes, and people from these communities often wait longer, with 61% of Asian and 46% of Black recipients receiving organs from donors of the same ethnicity

Amrit Paul, 24, from London, has had chronic kidney disease since age four and has been on the transplant list for five years He undergoes nine hours of home dialysis daily “Not knowing when the call will come is really hard my life is on hold,” he said

None of his Indian Punjabi family members were suitable donors, so Amrit is appealing to the South Asian community to consider organ donation People from ethnic minorities face longer waiting times, with black patients waiting up to six months longer on average than white patients

France honours spy Noor Inayat Khan with new stamp

Noor Ina ya t Khan , a d escend a n t o f Ti p u S u lt a n , h a s become the on ly In dian -or igin woma n t o be fe a tur ed on a Fr e n ch co m m e m or a t i v e post age sta mp for her se rvice in the Fre nch Re sista nce a s a Brit ish un der cove r a gen t durin g the S econd Wor ld Wa r

France’s postal service, La Poste, has included her in its new “Figures of the Resistance” series, one of a dozen heroes honoured this month to mark 80 years since the end of World War II

“I am delighted that France has honoured Noor Inayat Khan with a postage stamp, especially on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, ” said Shrabani Basu, Londonbased author of ‘Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan*\’ “Noor gave her life fighting fascism She grew up in Paris, joined the war effort in England, and it is wonderful to see her image now carried on letters across France ” Born Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan in Moscow in 1914 to an Indian Sufi father and an American mother, Noor grew up in London and studied in Paris before fleeing to England after France fell to the Nazis She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and, on 8 February 1943, was recruited into the Special Operations Executive (SOE) Noor Inayat Khan

Campaigners criticise police policy on suspect ethnicity

Racial justice cam paig ners say the p olice’s p olicy of revealing suspects’ ethnicity and nationality in hig h-profile cases is having a “d ev astating effect” and fueling p rejudice

In a letter to the home secretary and police chiefs, the Runnymede Trust and 50 other groups called for the policy in England and Wales to be scrapped

Their research shows the term “asylum seeker” has appeared in serious crime coverage five times more since the policy began in August, creating a harmful perception that links criminality to ethnicity or migration status and deepening societal divisions

Campaigners warn that guidance allowing police to disclose suspects’ ethnicity and nationality in high-profile cases is “having a devastating impact” and harming communities Introduced in August by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the policy has revived a focus on race and migration reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s

Southport attack have fuelled accusations of two-tier policing, with ethnicity often prioritised over the crime or victims Research shows terms like “asylum seeker” now appear five times more in reporting

SinceK A P I L’S K H I C H A D I

Putin Wins, Trump

Humiliated – Ukraine Loses

the war started between Ukraine and Russia in February 2022, I have been saying that no matter what the EU or the USA do, ultimately the fighting will only stop when Russia gets mostly what it wants. In this time, billions of dollars have been expended, more than 1 million people have died, Ukraine has lost control of some 45000 square miles of its territory (that’s 19% of its total land mass), and 100s of thousands of tonnes of explosives have been detonated And Russia has managed to humble more than 30 western nations

The biggest mistake Zelensky made was to believe the western rhetoric and think Ukraine could win against Russia Common sense was tossed out of the window Had they asked just one simple question, i e is there any scope of a major nuclear power accepting defeat from a minor state? And the answer would always be, never In their collective hate for Putin and Russia, the west promoted a dictator in the name of Zelensky to do their bidding

Zelensky’s bust up with Trump earlier this year was a clear signal that all was not well The Europeans to grab attention (and show relevance) conjured up the ‘ Coalition of the Wil ling’ Once again, no one bothered to ask, ‘wha t are they will ing to do’? The answer, nothing The best they could do was give money and keep the war going, but no one from this pathetic coalition was willing to enter the war on the ground

So when Trump released his 28 point ‘ pea ce ’ plan for Ukraine, I was not surprised with its content The long and short of it, America is willing to sell Ukraine to the Russians, and in that process, Trump wants to make billions for America and American companies In the end, this was, and is, all about money and very little to do with the sovereignty of Ukraine I have had a look at this draft plan, and the following points caught my eye: a Ukraine's sovereignty will be confirmed I think this is the b iggest joke Af ter a ll, the plan ensures Russ ia keeps the gains of w ar I n whi c h uni ve r s e d oe s t ha

s over eignty?

b It is expected that Russia will not invade neighbouring countries and NATO will not expand further Wel l, if onl y NATO had kept their wor d given to Gorbachov in 19 90 of it not ex panding, then m aybe Ukraine woul d not have been in this m ess now

c Ukraine agrees to enshrine in its constitution that it will NOT join NATO, and NATO agrees to include in its statutes a provision that Ukraine will NOT be admitted in the future This is a mas sive win f or Russ ia

d The U S guarantee: If Russia invades Ukraine, in addition to a dec is ive coordinated military res ponse, all global sanctions will be reinstated, recognition of the new territory and all other benefits of this deal will be revoked

Is there anyone who s till believes NATO and the USA would m ake a ‘dec is ive c oordinat ed m il itary res pons e’?

e Russia will be reintegrated into the global economy:

The lifting of sanctions will be discussed and agreed upon in stages and on a case-by-case basis

The United States will enter into a long-term economic cooperation agreement for mutual development in the areas of energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centres, rare earth metal extraction projects in the Arctic, and other mutually beneficial corporate opportunities

Russia will be invited to rejoin the G8

This is a total win f or Rus sia

f Territories:

• Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk will be recognized as de facto Russian, including by the United States

• Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be frozen along the line of contact, which will mean de facto recognition along the line of contact

• Russia will relinquish other agreed territories it controls outside the five regions

• Ukrainian forces will withdraw from the part of Donetsk Oblast that they currently control, and this withdrawal zone will be considered a neutral demilitarized buffer zone, internationally recognized as territory belonging to the Russian Federation Russian forces will not enter this demilitarized zone

This is a total win for Russia

g All parties involved in this conflict will receive full amnesty for their actions during the war and agree not to make any claims or consider any complaints in the future Which means Putin and the Russian army personnel cannot be taken to the courts This will really hurt all those in the EU who have promised to prosecute Russia for war crimes

The 28-point plan will no doubt change as further discussions take place The Europeans (or the ‘Coalition of the Willing’) will want to change the language such that it does not look like a total win for Russia However, the substantive elements will have to be preserved if they wish an end to the war Trump failed on Ukraine the day he was elected and could not stop the war immediately So, getting a deal done now at any cost is nothing more than face saving There is nothing more important to Trump, than Trump It’s also a fact that Ukraine had lost the war the day it started Billions given to Ukraine but all it did was prolong an already lost war

No matter how you slice this cake, we can say that Putin has won, Trump has been humiliated, and Ukraine has paid a heavy price to make Zelensky a very rich man

Multilingualism linked to healthier, slower ageing

Kn owing mult iple la ngua ges

m ay he lp slow down “ a cce l-

e ra ted a geing , ” a ccord ing to

a m a j o r n e w s t ud y

R e se a r c he r s f o un d t ha t

wh ile being biling ua l offe rs a

m

st ron gest prote ctive effects

a ppea r in people who spea k

t hre e or more la nguag es

The study, published in Nature Aging, reported that multilingualism was consis-

t e n t l y l

a

Independent experts review-

findings show that multilingual people age more slowly, while monolingual individuals face a higher risk of faster biological ageing

“Kn owin g man y langua ges

shar pen s t he br ain”

Speaking to Asian Voice about how multilingualism

s u p p o r t s c o g n i t i v e h e

Ex per t in G ujara ti L it er atur e

a nd Professor Ja gdish Dav e shared his own experience

“I am Gujarati but was raised in Pune, Maharashtra, where Marathi is spoken I never

f o r m a l l y s t u d i e d M a r a t h i ,

y e t s i m p l y b y l i s t e n i n g , I learned it well enough to

plays and discuss literature fluently Linguistics shows that when you know your mother tongue well, learning other languages becomes much easier ” “ I n c o n t r a s t , m a n y

British people remain monolingual, learning other languages only when necessary

During my travels, I saw how d

r local languages, whether in France, where people continued speaking French even if they knew English ” On the social and developmental benefits of multilingualism, Prof Dave said, “The difference is very clear i n

h children grow up monoling u

English alongside Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, Punjabi or other languages This gives

‘haath’ in Hindi, Marathi

learning related languages easier ”

He added that multilingualism opens doors professionally “Knowing more than one language helps in interpretation, translation

When I came to the UK in 1984, I found many British-

struggling with their language, so I developed new

experience later led to several offers from universities and institutions ”

are often mentally sharper than monolingual speakers

At SOAS and similar institutions, people from across the world come to study

valuable this skill is ”

Kumar Mangalam Birla receives honorary Doctorate from University of London

Kuma r Manga lam Birla is among five distinguished re cipients of a

H on or ary

Sir Ter

Waite, Susan nah Schofield MBE, and The Reve rend Philip Goff

London’s Foundation Day

Birla a Doctor of Science (Economics)

Board of Trustees, said, “We are proud

One in five skip travel cover despite medical issues

A growing number of trav-

medical condi tions are cutting back on travel insur-

A l l C l

a r T r a v e l Insurance’s fourth annual travel insurance and safety a b r o a d s t u

y f o u n d t h

o n e i n f i v e p e o p l e w i t h medical issues would skip cover altogether for shorthaul trips

More than one in five p e o p l e s u r v e y e d ( 2 1 % ) admitted travelling without any insurance, while a quarter said they would with-

hold parts of their medical history to reduce their prem i u m s N

y 3

% a l s

chose the cheapest policy available, even though lowcost plans often exclude the v e r y c o n d i t i o n s t r a v e l l e r s need cover for The findings come from AllClear Travel Insurance’s online survey of over 2,000 UK respondents conducted between April and June this year

T h e s t u d y f o u n d t h a t many travellers underestimate the cost of medical c a r e a b r o a d , w i t h 5 1 % believing they could cover

Nelson, head of corporate

Insurance, who said such costs could even threaten s

c

a n g e rates are making overseas hospital bills even steeper The trend of travellers cutting back on insurance comes as “experience” holidays, often involving higher-risk activities, continue to grow in popularity

The Bhavan, ‘a bridge to our heritage, source of comfort and belonging’ celebrates Diwali

Rupanjana Dutta

T h e b an qu et in g h al l at No bu Hotel, Portman Square w as filled with anticipation as g uests arriv ed in eleg ant attire to celebrate The Bhavan’s Diw ali Gala on Satu rday

2 2 No v e m b er D es p i te th e unpleasantness o f the inclement weather o utside, the ho sp itality of The Bhav an created a welcom ing atmo sp here, as Director Dr M N Nandakum ara MBE , waiting by the entrance, g reeted attend ees with his usual warm th and courtesy The reception area was lively

a s g u e s t s e n j o y e d d r i n k s a n d

canapés Once seated, the evening commenced with a musical per-

f o r m a n c e b y s t u d e n t s o f T h e Bhavan, composed and conducted

lution of this relationship She a c k n o w

f her mother Sudha Murty, in shaping her connection with the institution, and recounted her introduction to and family during her early travels in Europe She said,

by resident sitar teacher U stad Mehboob Nad eem This was fol-

l o w e d b y a p r a y e r l e d b y D r Nandakumara with English translations

T h e G u e s t o f H o n o u r w a s

Akshata Murty Sunak, businessw o m a n a n d p h i l a n t h r o p i s t , accompanied by her father P ad ma Vibhushan N R Narayana M urthy CBE, Founder of Infosys, and her p a r e n t s - i n - l a w , D r Y a s h v i r a n d Usha Sunak The Chief Guest, His E xcellenc y V ikram D orai sw am i, High Commissioner of India to the UK, attended with his wife, Sang eeta The event was expertly

c o m p e r e d b y R a g h u Nandakumara Some of the key guests included L ord Pop at, L ord Nav nit Dholakia and Lady Ann Dholakia, S unita Sang er w ith son Girish Sanger, C llr Ameet Jo gia

M B E , De ep ak C h o u d h a ry, M i ni s te r C o o rd i na ti o n, Hi g h Co mmission of India and h is wife, C B P ate l, P u bl i sh e r/ Ed it o r o f Asian Voice and Gujarat Sam ach ar to name a few

C h a i r m a n S u b h an u S a xe na w e l c o m e d g u e s t s , p a t r o n s a n d supporters and acknowledged the ongoing efforts of The Bhavan to promote Indian arts and culture

H e c o m m e n d e d D r S u re kh a Mehta for organising the event so well and expressed gratitude for t h e c o n t i n u e d s u p p o r t o f t h e Murty family He then went on to highlight the challenge posed by parking restrictions at their West Kensington premises and requested support for their petition to the local Council to reconsider the decision (see Asian Voice for full story, issue 15-21 Nov 2025, P5) A growing bond throug h three g enerations

G u e s t o f H o n o u r A k sh a ta Mu rty S unak addressed the audience, reflecting on her longstanding association with and the evo-

supported her as she established a family in the UK, including their move to No 11 Downing Street and celebrating Diwali at No 10 “I knew whether I needed nourishment of any kind, spiritually, emotionally, culturally or even nutritionally, The Bhavan was there for m e , ” s a i d A k s h a t a

, Rishi, the girls and I had newly moved into the Chancellor's resi-

Street It was a big move for our

Covid-19 restrictions at the time, Nandaji blessed our new home and our new life with shlokas, but he also reminded us of our dharma, our duty, a most important

upheaval for our nation and a time of evolution for our family We still treasure the dried flowers we had at the puja that afternoon in a summer s day in June “The Bhavan, t

“ Age 20, I was a somewhat a late blooming rebellious teen traveling t h r o u g h E u r o p e M y p a r e n t s refused to let me embark on this trip without being in regular contact with some of their friends And of course, in London, my mother thought of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan It was a safe place, it was friendly It was also an inexpensive place to stay But most important of all, it was also a home away from home I was, of course, annoyed I just wanted to be at some of the junky youth hostels with some of my friends, but h e r e I w a s

too, with friends of my parents, and I was not very happy, but that all changed It changed when I m e t N a n d a u n

n d a m u c h younger Raghu and his cool sister

Sita, and, of course, Janaki auntie and I knew what my mother was talking about Their warmth, their affection, and yes, even their ability to keep an eye out on me I was indeed home I also realised, for a young person travelling through a foreign land, the familiar smells and sounds were exactly what I needed ”

Nandaji blessed her wedding and

(The Bhavan) reinforces learning, of course, of Indian arts and culture, it disseminates ‘Vidya’, or k n o w l e d g e i n n u m e r o u s d i s c iplines across different age groups, from music to dance to language i n s t r u c t i o n s H o w e v e r , f o r s o many of us, it does something even more fundamental,” she said “It brings people together, and it inspires them to engage in universal values, respect for the land, service to one's community, celebrate harmony and promote compassion And now that we re building

for so many of you in the audience, it holds that same meaning

“Organisations such as the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, which uplift the community, educate young minds, build tangible skills and spread good values are indispensable Today more than ever in a world of complexity and polarisation, their work is vital I thank all of you here for joining m

Bhavan in so many special and unique ways ”

n my life, has given me and thereby m y f a m i l y t h e c o n f i d e n c e t o stay true to our traditions and to o u r c u l t u r e I t h i n k t h e r e a l test of one's conf

d

n c e i s whether we can express ourselves

f u l l y a n d c o mfortably in front of others Can we be proud of our culture? Can we own it and can we showcase it w

leged to experience that t

d there, when my husband

m i n i s t e r There we had the opportunity to celebrate our t

s openly by staying true to who we are and to our culture Whether it was lighting the diyas at the front door for the very first time, creating rangoli patterns outside No 11, or even making Rasam upstairs in the No 10 flat We've never shied away from our heritage This kind of confidence has been inspired by the values and the teachings of my f a m i l y o f c o u r s e , b u t i t ' s a l s o because of institutions like The Bhavan,” she added Akshata highlighted the core values of a ‘Vidyalay’ (educational centre), emphasising its role in fostering learning, cultural engagement, and community spirit “It

a new life as not such a young family anymore, I have come to The Bhavan again, this time via the next generation While one strong woman in my life introduced me to The Bhavan, another equally strong woman, a young woman, I might add, has opened my eyes to T h e B h a v a n ’ s w o r k i n a m u c h more personal way My younger daughter Anushka has been studyi n g K u c h i p u d i u n d e r A r u n i m a K u m

B h a v a n V i a A n u s h k a ' s j o u r n e y w i t h d a

, I found my way back to The Bhavan to learn this dance form as a 45year-old and not a 15-year-old like most of Mrs Kumar’s students ” she added with a smile Highlighting the transforma-

Promotion and preservation of c ulture

C h i e f G u e s t , H

am Dorais wam i, then delivered an eloquent and inspiring speech, which was warmly received by all He appreciated The Bhavan’s relentless efforts to promote and preserve Indian arts and shared p e r s

experiences with the institution

Murthy’s contribution to India’s tech industry and referred to him as the “real tech rockstar ” Before the vote of thanks, S

Connolly spoke about the outreach work The Bhavan is under-

Bhavan, Dr Surekha Me hta, who

tive impact of The Bhavan in s t r e n g t h e n i n g c o m m u n i t y t i e s and fostering a deep connection to cultural roots, Akshata concluded her remarks by saying, “For so many of us here today, living away from our homeland, it brings a great deal of excitement and opportunity, of course, but it also leaves us yearning for t h a t d e e p c o n n e c t i o n t o o u r r o o t s , t o o u r m o t h e r , t o o u r home To me, that is what The Bhavan represents A bridge to our heritage, a source of comfort and belonging, and I know that

gratitude to the Chief G

and support

remembered and paid

Sanger,

prominent patron, who recently

with Lord Swraj Paul and G P Hinduja The evening also showcased captivating classical dance performances: Kathak by

concluded with an ensemble of Odissi, Kathak, and Kuchipudi,

Kumar, and Katrina Rute Th e event was sp onsored by Chellaram F oundation

Conservative Friends of India launches ‘Ambassador Programme’ at Diwali celebration in Leicester

As part of its ongoing missi on to engage with British Indian communities across the UK, Conservative Friends of I ndia (CF India) hosted a grand D iwali celebrati on in Leicester, home to one

speeches and warm hospitality, complemented by authentic Indian cuisine provided by Sanjay Foods

supporting engagement activities, and showcasing the shared values and connections between the UK and India

A turning point in Britain’s wealth drain

Labour; the Rajasthan-born mogul has shifted his tax residency to Switzerland and is expected to spend much of his time in Dubai

Dr Koolesh Shah, CoChair of CF India, said: “This programme is an

of the largest In di an diasporas in the country

The event brought together over 140 prominent guests, including senior members of the Conservative Party, community leaders, and business leaders, to celebrate the Festival of Lights and strengthen the enduring friendship between Britain and India

Attendees included Shadow Health Secretary Stuart Andrew MP, Shadow Minister Neil O’Brien MP, Leicester East MP Shivani Raja, Baroness Sandip Verma, and CF India Co-Chairs

Rt Hon Sir Oliver Dowden MP and Dr Koolesh Shah

The Indian High Commission was represented by Mohd Shahid Alam, attending on behalf of the Indian High Commissioner

Guests enjoyed an evening of inspiring

A key highlight of the evening was the launch of the Conservative Friends of India Ambassador Programme, a national initiative designed to engage community leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals in shaping CF India’s work and strengthening its grassroots presence

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition said, “The Conservative Friends of India have made an enormous contribution to strengthening ties between our Party and India The new Ambassador Programme is an exciting opportunity for more people to get involved and make a real difference locally and with Brits of Indian origin ”

The Ambassador Programme enables volunteers to represent CF India in their local areas, building community relationships,

open invitation for anyone who shares our vision and passion We want to empower British Indians nationwide, amplify their voices, and strengthen our national network Leicester will always remain at the heart of our mission and ambition to make a lasting difference ”

Speakers also paid tribute to Shivani Raja MP, recognising her significant contributions in Leicester East and emphasising the importance of supporting her continued leadership and engagement within the community

The Leicester celebration marks another milestone in Conservative Friends of India’s mission to connect, celebrate, and champion the contribution of the Indian diaspora to Britain’s social, economic, and political life

MP Tan Dhesi backs funding reforms for Slough

Labour MP Tanmanj eet

S i n gh Dh es i ( T a n Dhe s i )

h a s w e l c om ed t h e

G ov e r n m e n t’ s p

e t o prioritis e tack ling deprivati on in c ounc il funding an d p l ed g e d t o c a m p a i gn f o r f air funding for Slough

T h e n e w s y s t e m w i l l allocate resources based on the latest deprivation data and local need, replacing the outdated model left by the Tories Under the previous system, councils in deprived areas faced cuts, rising bills, and crumbling

councils built up reserves

T h e L a b

r Government’s changes aim to correct this imbalance, ensuring communities with the greatest needs receive

changes, Housing Secretary

reforming

funding system

divides and postcode lotteries Our reforms will allocate council funding fairly

ference ” Welcoming the council funding reforms, Tan Dhesi

He is far from alone Earlier this year, Norwegian shipping billionaire John Fredriksen relocated to Dubai, bluntly declaring that Britain had “ gone to hell” Last year, German investor Christian Angermayer branded the non-dom reforms the UK’s “death blow” before moving to Switzerland Tech innovators Herman Narula (Improbable) and Nik Storonsky (Revolut) have also chosen Dubai, each voicing deep concerns about the UK’s increasingly stringent tax landscape

A h istoric w ealth exod us fro m Britain

The UK is witnessing an unprecedented flight of wealth In 2024, an estimated 10,800 millionaires left the country, a 157% surge on the previous year, in what analysts describe as one of the sharpest outflows anywhere in the developed world The exodus has been driven largely by sweeping tax reforms, including the abolition of the non-dom regime and anticipated increases to capital gains and inheritance taxes Many high-net-worth individuals are now relocating to more favourable jurisdictions such as Switzerland, Italy and the UAE

This shift is already visible at the top end of the wealth spectrum The 2025 Sunday Times Rich List recorded a dramatic drop in the number of UK-based billionaires, down to 156, the steepest fall in the list’s 37-year history As Rachel Reeves prepares an Autumn Budget shaped by caution and political calculation, her message is clear: restoring economic credibility requires fiscal discipline, and the wealthiest must contribute more

But whether the ultrarich are willing to shoulder this new burden appears increasingly doubtful Britain now tops the global ranking for millionaire exits, with Henley & Partners projecting as many

as 16,500 departures following the scrapping of tax breaks for foreign residents And when the rich leave, the fallout is wider than headline numbers The UK has long depended on affluent investors, entrepreneurs and globally mobile families to fuel capital inflows, support innovation and anchor London’s status as a premier financial hub

Fewer wealthy individuals mean less private investment, reduced tax receipts and a growing perception that post-Brexit Britain is becoming a difficult place for high-networth residents to call home

Expert v iew : M ore tax rises likely, but stability matters most

The exodus of the super-wealthy poses an uncomfortable question: can Britain afford to lose its richest residents, or is this the price of a fairer tax system? Experts predict she will be forced to explore alternative ways to raise revenue

Arbinder C hatwal, Partner and Head of Ind ia Ad visory S ervices at BDO UK, says the government’s economic challenges have narrowed Reeves’s options “Since the 2024 Budget, spending cuts, tax receipts and economic growth have not materialised as the Chancellor had hoped,” he explains “It now seems likely that to meet her ‘ nonnegotiable’ fiscal rules, Rachel Reeves will need to raise taxes ”

With income tax, national insurance and VAT politically untouchable, Chatwal expects a “smorgasbord” of other tax rises aimed at those deemed able to pay more While speculation continues around a potential wealth tax, he believes such a move is unlikely given the high risk of driving wealthy individuals overseas Instead, he anticipates increases in indirect taxes on wealth such as new higher council tax bands, curbs on capital gains relief for expensive homes or a levy on high-value property sales

“A modest rise in CGT is also possible,” he says, noting that it could boost

revenues ahead of the change without discouraging property sales afterward Reforms to inheritance tax may also be on the table, particularly measures to limit the use of lifetime gifts to reduce estate size

But above all, Chatwal argues that stability, not low taxes, is what internationally mobile individuals value most A BDO survey found that policy certainty ranks higher than tax rates when choosing where to live For that reason, he urges Reeves to publish a longterm personal tax roadmap, similar to the business roadmap released last year “This would allow people to plan with confidence,” he says, “and encourage more wealth creators to invest, spend and pay their taxes here in the UK ” Budget exp ectatio ns and quiet pressu res

With the Labour government under pressure to restore credibility and prove that Britain’s finances are being handled with discipline and restraint, the Chancellor now faces the formidable challenge of sticking to the strict fiscal rules she set for herself Markets are alert, voters are expectant, and political pressure is at its peak The Chancellor is navigating one of the most delicate economic moments of her tenure

So, what exactly can we expect from this Autumn Budget? It is expected to confirm substantial rises to the National Living Wage and Minimum Wage, part of the government’s push to give workers an immediate income boost amid persistent cost-ofliving pressures But for small businesses, rising costs to hire people is a massive challenge However, along with frozen rail fares, prescription charges and the preserved Triple Lock, the most striking move is a new surcharge on the wealthiest homeowners

Behind the scenes, the Treasury has urged major banks to publicly endorse the Budget and to refrain from criticising the government, especially as Reeves appears set to spare the sector from a longfeared tax raid

Reeves has also privately warned business leaders that failing to support the government risks boosting Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Could this amount to soft coercion; encouraging public endorsements in exchange for gentler treatment at budget time?

A FESTIVE STORY

Every winter, as our cities glow with twinkling lights and homes fill with the comforting scents of warm spices and seasonal cooking, we step once again into a period shaped by centuries of celebration. The festive season marked through Christmas, New Year, cultural traditions, and the simple joy of gathering has always been a time for reflection, and connection

W h a t w e recognise as the m ern festive period a

diverse customs

y Christian obser-

festivals

Rome and Yule

across Asia, Afric the Caribbean ad own colours, flavo als Over time, these layers formed a global season of light, giving, family and gratitude

Caribbean parang music, lantern festivals, midnight services and New Year gatherings that stretch long past midnight

In this spirit of shared celebration, Asian Voice brings you a Festive Special Feature that captures the very best of this season

Whether you are planning a winter getaway, seeking calm amid the holiday rush, or looking for inspiration to make

The Victorian era left an especially lasti n

cards, carols echoing through winter nights, and stories that placed hope at the heart of the holidays Across the world, communities continued to infuse the season with their o w n t r a d i t i

ngful, we ’ ve gathideas and stories

December and the beginning of your new year

and Europe and for those craving

etaways in the UK d India As costs

tions grow more g on our wallets, g practical advice on budgeting for the season And because the festive period can be as overwhelming as it is joyous, we include expert guidance on wellbeing and how to enter the new year refreshed and grounded

The festive season is, at its heart, a bridge between past and present, tradition and reinvention, home and hope We hope this special edition brings you inspiration, comfort and a spark of magic as you welcome the holidays and the new year ahead

Stay healthy and gorgeous this holiday season

The festive season descends like a glorious, glittering avalanche, bringing with it a whirlwind of late-night soirées, bottomless bubbly, and mountains of mince pies But beneaththe tinsel and jolly cheer lies a hidden battleg for your health and beauty

The relentless schedule, coupled with rich foods and erratic sleep, can leave you physically exhausted, dehydrated, and prone to those dreaded partyseason breakouts

Your skin loses its natural glow, and yo immune system tak battering, often resu that familiar post-Christmas slump Surviving this marathon requires a strategic approach

For your health and well-being, the key is mindful moderation and protection

Prioritise a solid seven to eight hours of sleep whenever possible, it is nonnegotiable for recovery For every alcoholic drink, follow up with a glass of water; hydration is your best defence against the

toll of indulgence When grazing at buffets, opt for protein and vegetables first before sampling the naughtier treats Incorporate brisk winter walks into your routine to manage stress and offset the caloric nally, keep a soothing cuppa handy to wind n after the hectic pace the day

To maintain your holidayglow, focus on quick, effective beauty maintenance The best weapon againstwinter skin is a thorough evening cleanse, no matter how late you get in sleeping in your makep is a cardinal sin Use ch moisturiser or ight mask, paying ttention to your er-eye area to combat fatigue For a quick glow-up before an event, prep your skin with a hydrating sheet mask, and focus your make-up efforts on a high-quality primer and a touch of liquid highlighter A bold red lip is always chic, but remember to condition your pout with lashings of balm to prevent chapping in the cold air Stick to these few simple rules, and you’ll shine brighter than the star on the Christmas tree

Create a calm, cosy and ‘merry’ home

With diaries filling up, parcels arriving by the hour and living rooms doubling as gift-wrapping HQs, December can feel more chaotic than magical

But according to Danielle Louise, a beauty and wellness expert on the Fresha platform, a peaceful home this Christmas isn’t about pictureperfect décor; it’s about sensory cues, gentle lighting and tiny rituals that help the body exhale

pots all work, just avoid blending too many scents at once

Start with scent, the fastest way to influence mood Choose festive fragrances including cedarwood for instant cosiness, frankincense for grounding, orange and clove for a grown-up Christmas warmth, and peppermint for energising busy mornings Diffusers, wax melts and simmer

Next, create a noclutter zone in the room you use most Clear surfaces, warm lighting and a blanket turn it into a reset corner- you have a place to breathe when the festive frenzy peaks As evening falls, switch your lighting strategy Warm white bulbs, lamps and tree lights help mimic dusk and reduce overstimulation

Even the kitchen can stay calm with a simple two-tray rule: one tray for today’s essentials and one for hosting day Everything else stays tucked away Finally, build in “micro-spa moments”, from magnesium baths to peppermint tea rituals, to restore balance throughout December

The magical, monumental, and modern Christmas tree

Formillennia, civilisations battling the bleakest winter chill sought a sign of life, finding it in the defiant green of the evergreen tree This was no mere decoration; for the Norse and Romans, bringing fir and holly indoors was a powerful, pagan ritual, promising the sun’s return Centred in Germany, this deeprooted tradition evolved into the medieval 'Paradise Tree', laden with apples and wafers to tell the Christian story of Adam and Eve The custom finally conquered Britain after 1840, when a famous engraving showed Queen Victoria

and Prince Albert admiring their decorated tree, instantly sealing its royal approval Today, the once-sacred fir is a canvas for pure fantasy Wander through London and find a towering 31-foot homage to wizardry at King’s Cross, enchanted with scarlet and gold baubles in tribute to the Harry Potter world This spirit of spectacle is global, from the colossal 2,000-foot silhouette of lights illuminating the side of Mount Ingino in Italy, to the floating marvels found in Rio

These

the Christmas tree plantations where millions of trees begin life These farms, majorly concentrated in places like Oregon and Denmark, operate as serious agriculture, taking up to a decade to cultivate a standard tree

However, the most profound twist in this festive tale is the necessity of survival Faced with a real-world shortage and soaring prices, the eternal tree is now a symbol of thrift and foresight Families are choosing living, containergrown firs, a single investment that guarantees three to five years of celebrations Even the logistics are part of the evolution, with frost-proof, selfwatering planters making the indooroutdoor transition seamless As Christmas arrives, the most enchanting story of all is how we are ensuring this beloved tradition endures, responsibly and beautifully

The most magical Christmas markets, home & away

There’s a moment each year, ju st as dayli ght

fa des and the fi rst frosty evenings rol l in, when the UK

b egi ns to gl ow. Fai ry l i ghts

stretch across town squa res, the smel l of cinnam on and m ul led wine hangs i n the air, a nd the gentle hum of festi ve mu sic drifts b etween rows of wooden chalets

S uddenl y, Chri stm as i sn’ t j ust on its wa y It’s here Al i ve

Across the country, Christmas markets turn cities into storybook scenes, each one offering a blend of nostalgia, indulgence and pure festive joy Whether you ’ re browsing for handcrafted gifts, meeting friends for a hot chocolate under twinkling lights, or planning a winter weekend with the family, these markets promise a magical escape from the everyday Manchester Chri stm as Markets (7 Novemb er –22 December)

Manchester transforms into a sprawling winter village, with more than 300 stalls scattered across Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens and St Ann’s Square Sip, shop and stroll through one of the UK’s largest and liveliest festive events

Bi rmi ngham Frankfurt Christmas Market (Early November – Just before Christmas)

Britain’s most authentic German-style Christmas market brings the spirit of Frankfurt to Victoria Square and New Street

traditional bratwurst, pretzels, wooden toys and plenty of glühwein

Edi nburgh Chris tmas Market (15 Novemb er –4 January) Few backdrops compete with Edinburgh’s Nestled in Princes Street Gardens, this market glows beneath the castle, offering classic chalets, fairground rides and atmospheric winter lighting

A European Chri stmas escape If your festive spirit stretches beyond the UK, Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets are just a train ride away Brussels’ W inter Wonders (2 8 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026) , regularly voted one of Europe’s best markets, offers a dazzling blend of light shows, skating, shopping and over 200 chalets; all just 1 hour 53 minutes from London

Strasbourg Christmas Market (26 N ov – 24 Dec 2025), known as the “Capital of

with more than 300 stalls and the magnificent Great Christmas Tree in Place

Kléber The journey from London takes just over five hours with a simple change in Paris

Amsterdam (15 Nov 2025 – 3 Jan 2026) delivers canals shimmering with lights, ice rinks and cosy markets; all reachable in 3 hours 57 minutes on a direct Eurostar

Tips for a merrier visit

¯ Pick your moment: Weekdays or early evenings help you dodge the heaviest crowds

¯ Bring cash: Most stalls take cards, but not all Cash keeps things simple

¯ Eat adventurously: Warm yourself with bratwurst, mulled wine, hot chocolate and seasonal favourites

¯ Mix and match: Pair your market visit with ice-skating, a light trail or a scenic winter walk.

¯ Go greener: Use public transport big city markets are well-connected

¯ For Eurostar trips: Book early; seats fill fast during the festive rush

Winter escapes beyond the bustle

ThisChristmas, some of the most enchanting experiences unfold not in crowded shopping districts, but in unexpected pockets of calm and creativity

Whether you ’ re craving soulful music on the water, a luxurious culinary escape or a festive city break wrapped in tradition, this year ’ s holiday highlights promise moments to savour long after the lights fade Skip the standard celebrations and dive into experiences that feel truly magical

Harbour ni ghts with Chris tmas jazz : This Christmas, St Katharine Docks offers a calmer, more enchanting escape from London’s festive rush On 14 and 18 December, the city’s only marina will be transformed for the St Kat’s Sessions Christmas Jazz Series, where singer Olivia Swann will perform on a candlelit floating pontoon Designed as intimate, unplugged performances, the sessions promise a rare blend of jazz and marina magic for those seeking a quieter, more atmospheric

celebration this season

A magi cal fea st a t the

Ta j: As London sparkles with festive lights, St James’ Court and Taj 51 Buckingham Gate have launched an indulgent seasonal programme featuring curated festive menus, themed afternoon teas, lavish brunches and exclusive Christmas Eve and New Year’s celebrations at their award-winning restaurants, TH@51 and House of Ming Guests can also explore bespoke gifting experiences and elevate their celebration with a festive stay in the hotel’s elegantly decorated

rooms, designed to capture the magic of the season Ab erdeen’ s wi nter magi c: Aberdeen has been crowned Scotland’s best city for a Christmas getaway Throughout the festive season, visitors can enjoy a true winter experience with festive rides, market stalls, and an open-air ice rink set against the striking backdrop of Marischal College The much-loved Twister ride returns for 2025, while younger visitors can delight in the Helter Skelter, Candy Cane Bungee Trampolines and the Bavarian Fun House

India’s warmth beckons the diaspora

For many in the U K’s Indian diaspora, winter is mo re than a festive seaso n – it is a tim e of return, reunion and rediscov ery As fam ilies prepare to fly hom e, Ind ia readies itself with a v ibrant mix o f cultural festivals, food experiences, spiritual traditio ns and winter getaways that offer a sense of belonging no o ther destination can match For culture lovers, C hennai Music & Dance Festiv al during the Margazhi season transforms the city every December into a global stage for Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam With hundreds of concerts, bustling sabhas and traditional South Indian cuisine, many travellers plan their entire holiday around this cherished artistic pilgrimage

If you're seeking a scenic escape, the White Desert of Kutch offers one of India’s most surreal winter landscapes Between November and February, Rann U tsav delivers moonlit desert walks, folk performances, handicrafts, luxury tents and unforgettable cultural nights – perfect for an Instagram-worthy adventure

And for returning Bengalis, the Bengal Global Co nnect Meet on 22

December 2025 at the Calcutta Rowing Club promises an afternoon of adda, music, food and meaningful global connections

Those craving a festive buzz will find Ko lkata’ s Park Street sparkling with live music, street food, lights, decorations and artisanal markets Often described as “India’s closest version of a European Christmas street party”, it’s a diaspora favourite for families

Double festive costs put pressure on South Asian families

Bud geting can become especially challenging for Sou th

A s i an f am i li es d ur ing th e

C h ris tm as seaso n, co m ing

so so on after the celebra-

t i on s an d ex p en se s o f Diw ali

W i t h D i w a l i o f t e n involving gifts, gatherings, travel and festive shopping,

m

t h e m

v e s a l

d y stretched when Christmas arrives The close timing of both festivals means families may have less time to recover financially, making careful planning and prioritising even more important

t o m a n a g e c o s t s w i t h o u t compromising on the joy of either celebration

M

Speaking to Asian Voice,

Money and Pensions Service

( M a P S ) s

d , “ D i w a

d Christmas can be expensive times of year, and if you celebrate both, it can be tricky

t o m a n a g e y o u r f i n a n c e s My first tip is to be open about what you can afford

R e c e n t M a P S r e s e a r c h found only half of people (52%) feel comfortable talking to their families about

m o n e y , b u t t a l k i n g a b o u t what you can afford during

t h e s e o c c a s i o n s c a n h e l p

P l a n t h e m e n u t o g e t h e r , making suggestions of who brings what Try to have this conversation early to ensure everyone has time to plan ” “ M y s e c o n d t i p i s t o agree on the costs for gifts

Diwali and Christmas are important times for families to come together; it shouldn’t be a time to worry about money My final tip is trying not to feel pressure to overspend Your loved ones will still love and care for you, no matter how much money is spent on gifts Try not to compare yourself to others a n d e n j o y s p e n d i n g t i m e with your families during this special time If you are worried about money during this time of year, you ’ re p r o b a b l y n o t a l o n e , ” s h e added

Holiday treats that warm hearts and homes

Christmas arrives with a sparkle of joy, and plenty of sweet treats From cookies to festive cakes and chocolates, people eagerly indul season’s flavours. It’s a time whe homemade goodies and enjoying comforting bakes becomes part the celebration itself

Santa cookies and playful Elf-on-the-Shelf designs in traditional red and green I also introduced Paintkies, which quickly became a ourite, inviting both children ults to add their own artistic before enjoying each sweet

Speaking to Asian Voice, Janannie Ra ng aswamy who owns a sma ll bu sine ss na med ‘A Baker ’ s Confe ssion’ in Basing st oke said, “As the festive season draws near, my kitchen once again becomes the heart of my home A place where familiar aromas return, memories are reawakened, and new creations begin to take sh Christmas has always been my favourite time to bake, and eac a new chance to share tradition through creativity

“My 2023 Christmas collection celebrated classic holiday charm with fondant-covered sugar cookies embossed with “Merry Christmas,” alongside mini

This year, I am proud to fer my signature Christmas uit cake They are rich, spiced ake packed with soaked fruits and matured slowly to develop a deep, festive flavour Dense, moist, and fragrant, it is the ind of cake meant to be voured during quiet cember moments or shared at day gatherings Christmas, to about connection; connecting mory, with creativity, and with ho welcome my bakes into their celebrations It is a season that reminds me why I began baking in the first place: to create not only desserts, but experiences that linger long after the last crumb is gone, ” she added

A concert of heartfelt ‘Confluence’

On Su nd ay 2 Nov ember, the stag e at the Bharatiya Vid ya Bh av an in West Kensington came alight with electrifying performances by almost 50 artistes, in a unique, creative and p ath breaking production by The Tagoreans to celebrate their 60 th anniversary

Curated in English, this one-of-a-kind musical, ‘Confluence: Rabi & Salil’, paid a homage to the creative works of the timeless genius Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore whilst commemorating the birth centenary of legendary Indian composer Salil Chowdhury, two towering figures whose songs continue to stir hearts across generations

This production was beautifully conceptualised and scripted by The Tagoreans, the oldest Bengali cultural organisation in the UK (established in 1965), showcasing the extent to which both these maestros were hugely impactful and influential in their times –as lyricists and composers par excellence; masters of innovation, experimentation and effortless fusion: and pioneers, who helped create their own, unique musical genres that have remained hugely popular and relevant through the years

The programme opened with a moving choral rendition of “Dui Haatey Kaaler Mondira Jey’’ by Tagore reminding that the cymbals of time in a steadfast rhythm pulsate through creation eternally This was followed by its

contemporary echo in Salil Chowdhury’s 1958 composition “Duronto Ghurnir Ei Legechhey Paak” where the imagery of a cosmic dance was portrayed accompanying the constant rhythm of time The performance by the dancers was nothing short of mesmerising; their dynamic choreography perfectly complementing the powerful vocals The stage design featured an original visual backdrop by resident artist Arka Mukhopadhyay

In one of the most poignant song pairings of Tagore’s iconic composition “Krishnakoli” and Salil’s “Shei Meye” the audience was mesmerised with a pulsating performance by Aniruddha ‘Sasha’ Ghoshal, one of the most versatile musical performers of today’s generation

The highlight of the second half was the children’s segment portraying a beloved Bengali fairy tale the story of seven princes turned into champa flowers and their sister Princess Parul’s quest to save them This timeless narrative was beautifully

reimagined through Tagore’s poem enacted by child artistes who stole the hearts of the audience Salil Chowdhury’s contemporary song version, Saat Bhai Champa jago jago re, based on the same fairy tale, performed by two young artistes evoked a wave of nostalgia across the audience

All the dancers were skilled and brilliant and mesmerised the audience with Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Rabindrik and folk dance styles The incredibly talented accompanying musicians included local talents of first and second generation Indian and Bangladeshi accompanists as well as visiting musicians from India

The production was also unique in the sense –daughters danced with mothers, two young brothers sang a duet of Tagore song soulfully, two second generation sisters made a heartfelt rendition of a Salil Chowdhury composition, and a father and a daughter enthralled the audience with their expressive recitation, making the production truly inter-generational

Founded in 2014, BVG and SHIVA are the UK’s first Indian choirs, bringing together over 60 adult and 30 youth singers

T h e p r o g r a m m e f e atures a rich blend of ragabased tārana, Vedic chants, f o l k m e l o d

pieces, celebrated poetry and songs inspired by the four seasons Dr Rakesh Joshi, who trained under P

HABS Tabla and Strings Ensemble shine at Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall

After

Ajoy Chakrabarty, Shri Brj J

Fadnis and the late Shri Dinesh Majmudar, draws creative inspiration from both Akashvani Radio and Classic FM

formed extensively across the UK and in India They

bansuri, Hemant Bhatt on tabla and Rutik Joshi on harmonium

Schools on the grand stage

e v , V e e r S u m a r i a ,

Arjun Patel, Kaylan Sodha, Dhyaana Haria, Kaiden Li, L u c a s M i a o , D h r i s h a a n

P a n d e y , A l i k S u b d i n a n d Pranay Rajput, Their artistry

d r e w w a r m p r a i s e f r o m audiences and adjudicators alike

Music For Youth is one of the UK’s leading youth

m u s i c p l a t f o r m s , b r i n g i n g t o g e t h e r o v e r a t h o u s a n d young performers each year

A f t e r p r o g r e s s i n g t h r o

i o n a l s t a g

, i n c l u d i n g t h i s y e a r ’ s v

finalists earn the opportunity to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall T h e E n s e m b l e , k n o w

Exploring strength, beauty, and rebuilding through painting

Th e internati onally recogni s ed art is t Za ra M u se , know n for her bold , sculptural painting s that explore i d en ti ty, tra ns fo r m at io n , and the luminous spirit of Diwali, sh owcased her latest collection at Diw ali Reverie Fairmont Windsor Park hosted an evening celebrating art, culture, and community spirit Muse’s new works, inspired by her journey and travels in India, capt i v a t e d g u e s

s w i t h t h e i r vibrant energy and emotional depth

Hosted by Meera Syal, the event included a Q&A w i t h M

inspired dinner, and a charity art auction led by Edward R

, including £6,037 50 for The A

a C h a r i t a b

e Foundation Her work continues to gain international a t t e n t i o n , i n c l u d i n g h e r portrait of Malala Yousafzai, which sold for £51,200 at B o n h a m s i n A p r i l 2 0 2 5 Asian Voice spoke to Zara M u s e a b o u t t r a n s i t i o n t o a r t i s t , h e r w o r k p a i n t i n g strong female figures and more

1)

You’ve had an extraordinary transition from a City of London trader to an internationally acclaimed artist. What prompted that life-changing shift?

Life has a way of guiding you back to your true self My years in the City gave me structure and discipline, but t h e y a l s o r e q u i r e d m e t o quiet a more instinctive, creative side When my mother fell ill, painting began as an o u t l e t , a w a y t o p r o c e s s e m o t i o n s I d i d n ’ t h a v e

w o

transformed me Art didn’t just give me purpose; it gave me peace After that, there was simply no returning to who I had been before

2) Your portrait of Malala Yousafzai selling at Bonhams for over £51,000 is a remarkable achievement. What does that moment represent for you personally and professionally?

That was incredibly spec

Having my work associated w i t h h e

o f o u n d l y humbling When the piece sold, it wasn’t just a personal moment of validation, but a reminder of what the painti n g s t o o d f o r : r e s i l i e n c e , e d u c a t i o n , a n d e m p o w e rment It reaffirmed for me that art can carry messages far beyond the canvas

3) Many of your works celebrate strong female figures and the power of resilience What draws you to these narratives? Because that’s the story I know best The women in m

r , m y

daughter, my friends, have shown strength in ways that a r e n ’ t l o u d b u t a r e p r ofoundly powerful I’m endlessly inspired by that kind o f q u i e t r e s i

honouring women who rise, r e b u i

find beauty in the process

4) How do you see the relationship between art and cultural celebration, particularly in the context of events like Diwali Reverie? A r t a n d c e l e b r a t i o n come from the same place, e m o t i o n ‘ D i w a l

overcoming darkness is universal, and art has the power

When culture and creativity meet,

5) As an artist with global reach, how important is it for you to represent South Asian identity and heritage through your work?

Dear

Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel

The advantage of this paper is I can speak directly to you about things that matter Not who is the next Strictly Come Dancing host But pensions Is the real pension problem low saving, low returns, or low financial literacy?

Britain’s pension crisis is almost always framed too

investment returns, or a lack of financial literacy as if one alone explains the shortfall

In reality, the problem is not a single weakness but a system where all three feed into one another Low savings reduce the potential for compounding Low returns erode the value of whatever is saved Low financial literacy prevents people from recognising and correcting both The crisis is therefore structural, behavioural and educational at the same time

The first weakness is low saving Auto-enrolment has

misleadingly high Once the band of qualifying earnings is accounted for, most workers are saving closer to 5 or 6 per cent of salary This is well below the 12 to 15 per cent required for a moderate standard of living in retirement Insecure work, high housing costs and wage stagnation make long-term saving difficult Behavioural factors also play a part Present bias and procrastination mean that

making adequate contributions Low saving is therefore a

considering the next problem

The second weakness is low returns Even when people save enough, their pension pots often grow too slowly Defined-benefit schemes of previous generations delivered s

contribution pensions often deliver real returns of only 2 to 4 per cent after fees Many savers sit in conservative default funds that overweight bonds and cash These models were designed when annuity purchase was expected, not when flexible drawdown became the norm

Fees are another silent drag A total fee load of 1 to 2 per cent a year can halve the value of a pension over a lifetime Low returns therefore compound the effects of low saving and make the gap between expectation and outcome wider

The final weakness is low financial literacy, which makes the other two problems far harder to solve Surveys by the OECD show that fewer than half of UK adults can calculate compound interest or explain diversification

Misunderstanding leads to chronic under-saving and overly cautious investment choices Many savers associate volatility with danger and view equities as gambling rather than long-term wealth creation They also struggle to recognise the cost of high-fee products or poor advice Low financial literacy is not merely a lack of knowledge It is a force multiplier that deepens both low saving and low returns

The real pension problem is therefore not one of these factors alone It is the interaction among them Each weakness reinforces the others and traps savers in a cycle of inadequate contributions, poor investment outcomes and limited understanding of how to fix the problem

Solving the crisis requires a combined response Higher contributions, better default investment pathways, lower f

together Only then can savers achieve the long-term security that modern retirement requires

I have created free online apps/tools for you to play around with to benefit your planning Yes – all free www campaignforamillion com/tools

Heathrow third runway gets official backing

B rita in has for mall y e ndorsed H eat hrow Airport

£4

e xpansion plan as the founda tion for b uil din g a l on g-a wa

ed t hir d runway a t the country ’ s busie st av ia tion hub

The government opted against a cheaper rival proposal put forward by hotel entrepreneur Surinder Arora, concluding that Heathrow’s own blueprint offered the clearest and most realistic path to delivery

T r a n s p o r t S e

deliverable option” and the one most likely to secure full development consent by 2029 The announcement follows the government’s position set out in January, when it declared a third runway essential to boosting economic growth, s

decades of political stalemate over Heathrow’s expansion Under the endorsed plan, Heathrow will construct a new 3,500-metre runway to the northwest of its existing runways

The project is expected to lift the airport’s annual passenger capacity to around 150 million

While the runway and related terminal work are projected to cost approximately £33bn, the overall bill rises to £49bn once upgrades to existing infrastructure are factored in

Anusha Singh

Prenuptial agreements gain ground in British Asian communities

Prenuptial agreements, once viewed as the preserve of the ultra-rich, are becoming a mainstream safeguard for young couples in Britain New research shows that one in five newly married adults aged 18 to 35 have already signed a prenup, marking a dramatic cultural shift from the 1970s, when just 1 5 percent of couples opted for one

The poll, commissioned by the Marriage Foundation, surveyed 2,000 young adults and found that of the 599 who were married, 18 per cent had formalised a prenup The trend echoes earlier findings: since 2000, around 20 percent of couples have used prenups before tying the knot, compared with just 5 per cent in the 1980s and 8 per cent in the 1990s

Although the Marriage Foundation cautions that interest does not always translate into signed agreements, the appetite is clear Around 60 per cent of men and 58 per cent of women surveyed said they might consider one before marriage

Sohinni Sanghvi, Senior Associate at JMW Solicitors specialises in divorce and matrimonial work including Pre and Post Nuptial settlements and she has noticed a particularly sharp increase among Indian and other Asian clients seeking a PNA before marriage According to her, today, around 20% of Asian couples enter into a PNA, an extraordinary shift from the 1970s, when only 1 5% of surveyed marriages included such agreements Meanwhile, 58% of women now say they would routinely consider a PNA

Socioeconomic status remains a factor Nearly half of married respondents from higher-income households said they would sign a prenup, compared with 37 per cent of those from lower-income groups Asian families, usually male, high net worth clients who are keen to protect his pre-acquired wealth and may have had an unpleasant experience with the breakdown of a previous marriage are keen on this as well, explained Sohinni She said, “Whilst a PNA is still sought after by those who fall into such a category, like the many families I work with, these contracts have evolved and progressed with the passage of time, to account for the needs of modern family structures and dynamics

“PNAs are now increasingly common, often forming a regular part of the wedding planning and they can regulate more than just premarital or inherited wealth particularly where families are spreading internationally, whilst retaining their grass roots in the UK ”

Meena Kumari, Director and Solicitor at Duncan Lewis solicitor also shares her opinion adding, “As the wealth of British Asians increases and reaches new heights so does the necessity to protect investments and assets With many British Asians marrying later in life, they often have acquired more assets ”

What does this trend reflect?

As with many areas of family law, shifting attitudes toward PNAs closely

expressed Sohinni “The growing use

anthropological lens through which

practicality, and the reasons behind this trend are genuinely fascinating ”

According to her, apart from a

generational wealth, PNA now helps both partners protect pre-acquired savings or investments in a way that simply wasn’t needed two decades ago

She further expressed that while some in the community still view p r e n u p s a s o v e r l y c o m m e r c i a l o r culturally uncomfortable, they in fact provide clarity, reduce future conflict a n d e a s e p r e s s u r e

families Far from undermining trust, PNAs encourage openness and allow

Meena also adds to this adding that as the taboo around divorce has fallen, so will the choice not to marry P

strategic assets planning will become the norm “Marriage will continue falling out of favour as the battle

she said

Joining forces across continents

Albury Associates joins KHI Partners, rebrands as KHI

Harrow-based accountancy practice

Albury Associates has formally joined forces with KHI Partners, the Australian-headquartered professional services group founded by Chartered Accountant Munzurul Khan KHI Partners has grown into a multidisciplinary platform spanning accounting, tax, legal, wealth and lending services, with a strong focus on business owners and property investors

Albury Associates began as

numbers and make better decisions The firm prided itself on hands-on

through to management accounts, systems and succession planning

advisory capabilities into a wider global

thousands of clients in Australia and beyond

“For clients, the promise is “ more capability, same people-first service”

change

you still deal with the same

administrative In a tougher economic climate, real-time reporting, cash flow forecasting and scenario planning are no longer “nice to haves” They are what allow business owners to move quickly, refinance where needed and negotiate confidently with banks and landlords

So why merge? According to Kiran Patel, Director, Albury Associates: “The business has become borderless,

entrepreneurs now have links to

more than one jurisdiction, children

time zones By joining KHI Partners, we are plugging our UK audit and

team in Harrow – but we can now pull in specialist input from colleagues in areas such as cross-border structuring, finance raising, property development,

s That means, for example, a family with UK commercial property, Australian children and a business in South Asia

than piecemeal opinions from multiple advisers who never speak to each other

“In practical terms, first, treat your finance function as strategic, not just

“Second, structure for the next generation Many of our clients are f

professionals in their own right G

companies, holding vehicles, trusts and shareholder arrangements – is

wealth tax-efficiently while keeping the family aligned

“Third, think globally but stay compliant locally Whether it is UK audit regulation, Australian tax laws or anti-money laundering rules, the

scrutiny, not less A joined-up team across jurisdictions can help you stay on the right side of regulators while still pursuing growth

“For me and for Munzurul, this merger is about more than scale It is about building a platform that reflects

A strategic inflection point for UK and global businesses India’s Labour Code Reforms

Gursheen Kaur Sahani (GKS)

When a market th e size of India rewrites the rules o f work, the ripple effects are global The Go vernment of India’s decision to im plem ent fou r consolid ated L abo ur Co des covering wages, industrial relatio ns, so ci al s ecu rity, and oc cu pati o nal saf ety effective 21 November 20 25, is not just a regu latory upd ate It is a structural transform ation that will redefine h ow bu sinesses eng ag e with o ne o f the world’s fastest growing econo mies

For UK businesses and multinational investors, this is more than compliance, it’s a strategic opportunity to build resilient, future-ready operations in a market that increasingly mirrors global standards

Why This Matters

India has long been a paradox: a powerhouse of talent and innovation yet burdened by a labyrinth of labour laws that often-deterred foreign investment By consolidating 29 fragmented laws into four streamlined codes, India signals its intent to simplify, modernise, and compete on a global stage For British firms, this means fewer barriers, greater predictability, and a regulatory environment that speaks the language of international business

1 Simplification That Drives Scale

The new framework introduces single r e g i s t

return, a game-changer for companies

n a v i g a t i n g I n d i a ’ s c o m p l

ecosystem Standardised definitions across employment categories and faster dispute

r e s o l u

bring clarity and speed For UK firms accustomed to structured compliance cultures, this alignment reduces friction and accelerates growth

2 Formalisation and Transparency: The New Currency

Mandatory appointment letters, universal minimum wages, and stricter payment norms elevate India’s labour market to global benchmarks This isn’t just about compliance, it’s about trust Clear documentation reduces legal risk, while transparency strengthens ESG ratings and supply-chain integrity For businesses sourcing from India, this means easier audits and stronger alignment with the UK and EU sustainability mandates

3 Social Security as a Strategic Lever Extending Employees State Insurance (ESI), Provident Fund (PF), and insurance coverage to gig and platform workers is a bold move It mitigates operational risk, lowers attrition, and enhances resilience during economic shocks For companies managing distributed workforces, logistics, retail, e-commerce, this reform is a competitive advantage The introduction of a Universal Account Number for gig workers adds portability, a critical enabler for panIndia operations Extending social security to gig workers may shift compliance costs, though the overall impact remains uncertain

4. Unlocking Gender Equity at Scale Women can now legally work night shifts and in all roles, including hazardous ones, with mandatory safeguards This is not just a compliance update, it’s a talent revolution It unlocks a diverse, skilled workforce for advanced manufacturing, IT, R&D, and global service centres It also reinforces commitments to gender equity and diversity values that resonate with investors and consumers alike

5. Safety and Standards: Raising the Bar

U

mandatory health checks, and site-level safety committees reduce operational risk

and align India with ISO, UK HSE, and EU frameworks For sectors like chemicals, construction, and heavy engineering, this means fewer disruptions and greater predictability, a cornerstone for long-term investment

6. Supply Chain Integrity: A Competitive

Edge

MSMEs the backbone of India’s supply chain must now adhere to modern wage and facility standards For UK firms sourcing textiles, apparel, electronics, and food products, this translates into easier audits, improved traceability, and compliance with UK import regulations on labour rights and sustainability India is positioning itself as a credible, responsible sourcing destination

7 The Bigger Picture: India as an Investment Magnet

reforms enhance India’s attractiveness for:

• Global manufacturing relocations

• R&D centres and digital economy hubs

• Clean energy and sustainability projects

• Global Capability Centres (GCCs)

This is India’s invitation to the world: invest in a market that is not only large but increasingly aligned with global norms

The Strategic Imperative

For UK and global businesses, the question is not whether these reforms matter, they do The question is: Are you ready to lev erag e them ?

Now is the time to:

• Audit HR policies and vendor contracts

• Align ESG frameworks with India’s new compliance landscape

• Invest in workforce diversity and safety standards

India’s Labour Codes are more than a regulatory milestone, they are a blueprint for a modern, inclusive, and globally competitive economy For businesses that act now, the rewards will be significant: operational efficiency, stronger ESG outcomes, and a resilient footprint in one of the world’s most dynamic markets

India is changing the rules of work. The real question is, will you change the way you do business?

Author

India's defence production hits new high

I ndi a has achieved a record defence production of £15 4bn in the financial year 2024-25 ( FY 25), reflecting strong progress towards

in

Concurrently, defence exports reac hed

I ndi a's growing role as a global defence supplier

The total indigenous production saw a substantial increase, marking a 174% rise compared to FY15 Defence Public Sector

accounting for approximately 77% of the total output, with the private sector contributing 23%

However, the private sector outpaced PSUs in exports, commanding a larger share at over £1 52bn, while public sector

India, Canada agree to resume free trade deal talks: Goyal

P ar t ne r s h ip Agr e em e n t (C EPA) and do uble the trade between the tw o natio ns by 2 0 30 , ” Go

Bu s ine s s c hamber

The minister said a CEPA or FTA has many strategic elements and it’s the demonstration of trust between the two countries He said it gives confidence to investors and businesses in both the countries

Goyal said message is that b o t h P M s h a v e s o u g h t t o strengthen strong foundation of friendship between both v i b r a n t d e m o c r a c i e s a n d t r u s t e d p a r t n e r s , w o r k i n g with each other over decades “There is a lot that we can learn from Canada and a lot w e c a n o f f e r t o C a n a d a

There is a lot of potential on critical minerals and its processing technologies There is a good possibility on nuclear energy - particularly with our engagement with Canada on U r a n i u m s u p p l i e s , ” s a i d Goyal, adding, “ we can diversify our supply chains on both sides ” The minister said Canada and India are natural allies and complement each other “The strength of Canada and the strength of India together can become a force multiplier for businesses, for investors ” Goyal said the recent meeti n g s t h a t P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a M o d i a n d Canada’s PM Mark Carney had, including the one at t h e G 2 0 s u m m i t , c l e a r l y gives a direction for future of the Canada-India ties

Indians are world's top mobile data users

A new E ricsson Mobility Repor t r ev eals th at India no w leads the world in mo bile data consump tion, with the averag e active smartp hone user consu ming a st ag gering 36 GB of data each month This f ig ure is notably high er th an in m atu re eco no mies like th e US and Ch ina, driven by aff orda bl e in

stream ing ecosyst em f av our ing video consump tion

This colossal appetite for digital content is expected to nearly double, with analysts forecasting monthly usage per user to hit 65 GB by 2031 This explosive trajectory and the massive consumption patterns in India were primary contributors to the 20% growth in global mobile network data traffic recorded between the third quarter of 2024 and 2025

The rapid rollout and swift uptake of 5G technology are fuelling this growth,

R e l ia n ce In d us t r ie s ( R IL ) ,

impor ting Russian oil at its Jamnagar

efiner y for e xpor t purpose

sector amid the Ukr

The decision follows repeated allegations by US President Donald Trump that India's p u r c h a s e o f R u s s i a n o i l w a s f u e l l i n g Moscow’s war efforts In August, the Trump a d m i n i s t r a t i o n d o u b l

imported from India to 50% for continuing the purchases,

solidifying India's position as a key global telecommunications hub The report pred i c t s t h a t 5 G s u b s c r i p t i o n s w i l l s w e l l rapidly to 394 million by the end of 2025, accounting for 32% of all mobile connections By the close of the decade, this figure is expected to surpass one billion, capt u r i n g 7 9 % o f t h e t o t a l m a r k e t Furthermore, the rise of affordable Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) devices, providing high-speed broadband, is playing a crucial role, with combined connections from major providers already reaching 12 million While the immediate focus remains on infrastructure optimisation and investment to sustain this unprecedented wave of consumption, the Ericsson report even forecasts the future, projecting that global 6G subscriptions will reach 180 million by 2031, with India expected to be among the first adopters of the next-generation technology

ing major Russian exporters Rosneft and Lukoil, with a wind-down deadline set last week Reliance, which had a long-term agreement to buy up to 500,000 barrels per day from Rosneft, has confirmed it completed the transition ahead of schedule

from

be

US ARRESTS MAN WANTED FOR MURDER IN INDIA

A 22 year old Indian citizen wanted for murder in India and who illegally entered the US has been arrested by border authorities Vishat Kumar was arrested by US authorities at the Port of Buffalo, Peace Bridge border crossing after he was denied entry into Canada Kumar has an Interpol Red Notice against him and is wanted by law enforcement in India for murder Kumar, who illegally entered the US in 2024 and failed to attend an asylum interview, was found to be concealing his identity during inspection

Biometric technology confirmed his true identity

TORONTO POLICE ARREST INDIAN-ORIGIN FUGITIVE

Toronto Police have arrested Nicholas Singh a 24-year-old man from Toronto who was listed among Canada’s 25 most-wanted fugitives Police took him to custody while he was sitting in a car at Dupont Street in Toronto During the search they recovered a loaded handgun with an extended magazine and extra ammunition He has been charged with several serious firearm offences He was wanted across Canada for violating parole conditions Owing to his criminal history, he had been placed on the BOLO Top 25 list until a public tip led police to him

10 KILLED AS QUAKE ROCKS BANGLADESH

Two minor tremors hit Bangladesh on Saturday a day after a powerful earthquake struck outside the capital Dhaka and killed at least 10 people A 3 3-magnitude jolt was recorded in Narshingdi district east of Dhaka, in the morning, followed by a 4 3-magnitude quake that struck the capital around 6 pm, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department Friday’s deadly earthquake was felt in Dhaka and neighbouring districts, causing widespread destruction The govt has activated Bangladesh’s emergency operation centre to assess the scale of the damage and to coordinate relief and rescue operations

RAJAPAKSA WARNS LANKA GOVT

Accusing the National People’s Power (NPP) govt of failing to deliver on its pre-election promises, Sri Lanka’s principal opposition party, led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has warned that it would move to topple the administration at the “first opportunity ” Since sweeping the 2024 elections NPP led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pursued cases against members of the previous Rajapaksa administration We are ready and we warn the govt that we will topple the govt at the first opportunity Namal Rajapaksa, Mahinda s son, told a political rally in Colombo suburb of Nugegoda

PAK FIRM TO BUILD ISLAND TO BOOST OIL EXPLORATION

Pakistan Petroleum Ltd , a state-owned energy company, is reclaiming land from the sea to create a launchpad to ramp up oil and gas exploration The artificial island will come up 300kms off the coast of the southern Sindh province, PPL’s general manager Arshad Palekar, said Planned with a height of six feet, the platform will prevent high tides from interrupting round the clock exploration work Palekar said Pakistan s drilling efforts are gaining momentum after US President Trump indicated an interest in the country’s massive oil reserves” in a social media post in July

V I E N

Swamin

BAPS and India mission host Diwali celebration at UN office in Vienna

San

ha (BAPS), in

Per mane nt Mission of India to th e Un it ed Na tion s, host ed a

Diwali ce le bra tion a t t he UN Office in Vien na

The event marked two historic milestones

30 years of

Council, and the 25th anniversary of His Holiness Pramukh

World Peace Summit at the UN headquarters in New York

D

from Afghanistan, Egypt, India, I n

Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the USA joined UN officials and interfaith representatives in lighting the ceremonial lamp, symbolising hope, harmony, and renewal

V

ethos of Diwali, BAPS, and the UN: unity, inclusion, and collective progress

P

the UN’s Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), appreciated the “uplifting themes of Diwali,” adding, “It’s fitting that BAPS celebrates Diwali here, bringing together the UN community in Vienna ” Noting BAPS’s services for the

refugees in Ukraine and other activities in the United States,

she added, “Hearing the work of BAPS feels like home again ” Y u k o Y a s u n a g a , D e p u t y Director General of the UN’s I n d u s t r i a l D e v e l o p m e n t Organisation (UNIDO), emphasised collaboration between civil society and public institutions f o r s u s t a i n a b l e d e v e l o p m e n t ,

Curfew imposed in Nepal as fresh Gen-Z protests erupt again

K A T H M A N D U : Cu r fe w h a s be en impose d in N epa l 's B ar a distr ict after yout hs ident ifying themse lves a s Ge n Z ret ur ned to the st reet s a day a fte r cla shing wi t h CP N -U M L c a dr e s

Protest ers cont inued to gat her on t he stree ts of Sima ra, engagin g i n c l a sh e s wi t h po l i ce "Curfe w ha s been reimposed followin g the clash with t he pol ice to b ring t he sit ua tion under control, " assistant chief district office r Chhab ir aman Sub edi said

a day after six Gen Z protestors w e r e i n j u r e d i n c l a s h e s

According to to a report, tension began in the district after UML (Unified Marxist-Leninist) leaders planned to visit the district ahead of the election scheduled for March 5, 2026

A clash erupted when a flight carrying CPN-UML general secr e t a r y S h a n k

Kathmandu for Simara, where

they were scheduled to address an anti-government rally

As the confrontation escalated, the police fired teargas at the demonstrators, forcing the airport to halt operations

In September, at least 76 people were killed during demonstrations that were triggered by anger over a brief government ban on social media and led by protesters under the loose "Gen Z" umbrella title The protesters had forced then-Prime Minister and Chairman of UML KP Oli to step down from the post Former Nepal Chief Justice Sushila Karki, 73, was sworn in as the country’s first woman prime minister of an interim government

reiterating BAPS’s commitment

of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in A b u D h a

neighbours, hand in hand ” Y a n n D u b o s c , M a y o r o f B u s s y - S a i n t - G

celebrated BAPS’s growing role i n p r

t i n g i n t

u r a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g i n E u r o p e t h r o u g h t h e f o r t h c o m i n g m a n d i r i n P a r i s Brahmaviharidas Swami, head

through Partnership,” inspiring selfless service and open-heartedness The programme concluded with blessings from His H o l i n e s s M a h a n t S w a m i M

everyone to “become a lamp of g o o d n e s s t h a t b r i g h t e n s t h e world around us ”

20 killed in blast at Pak chemical factory

LA HO R E: At least 20 people wer e kill ed and se veral in jure d f ol l ow in g a e x p l o si on i n a chemical fact or y in Pa kist an ’ s Punjab pr ov in ce, officia ls sa id The incid ent took pla ce in t he Faisala bad dist rict of Punjab

A report of the district administration said the incident took place after a boiler at the factory exploded, causing the collapse of the nearby structures

However, the Punjab Emergency

S e r v i c e s R e s c u e 1 1 2 2 a n d Faisalabad Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar later attributed t h e e x p l o s i o n t o a g a s l e a k Anwar said four factories were operating in the Malikpur area of Faisalabad when a fire erupted in one of the factories due to gas leakage and engulfed the other factories as well “Rescue teams have found 20 bodies, including s i x c h i l d r e n a n d t w o w o m e n from the rubble so far, and seven injured have been shifted to the hospital ”

He said most of the people

killed in the blast were the residents of the houses adjacent to t h e c h e m i c a l f a c t o r y A f i v emember inquiry committee has been formed to probe the matter, he added

Police said they arrested the factory manager and were looking for the factory owner who fled shortly after the explosion

Poor safety standards are a frequent cause of industrial accid e n t s a n d f a c t o r y f i r e s i n Pakistan In 2024, a dozen workers were injured in a similar boiler explosion at a textile mill in Faisalabad Also last week, a blast a t a f i r e c r a c k e

Pakistan’s port city of Karachi killed four people

Pak defence minister warns India of all-out war

I SL AM AB AD : P ak is ta n ’ s d ef e n c e m in is t e r

Khaw aja Asif h as issu ed a stark warning, s tating th at Is lamabad “cannot rule o ut an all -o ut war ” with India and mus t remain o n “full alert” amid sp iralling regio nal tensions Speaking in a t el e v is i o n in te r vi ew , As if s t r es s ed t h a t Pakistan neith er trusts nor ignores I ndia, su gges ting a h ostile strategy, inc luding border incu rsions, rem ains a dis tinct po ssibil ity

Asif’s comments follow a statement from India’s Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi The General had referred to May's four-day military confrontation, Operation

Islamabad had demanded action against militants allegedly operating from Afghan soil, leading to retaliatory cross-border airstrikes

The Pakistani defence minister has repeatedly suggested that India is playing a role in the attacks originating from Afghanistan, claiming New Delhi is trying to prevent Islamabad and Kabul from resolving their disputes Asif alleged that "Kabul is fighting a proxy war for Delhi,"

fears

Sindoor, as merely an “88-hour trailer,” warning that the Indian armed forces were fully prepared to “teach them [Pakistan] how to behave responsibly ” The exchange of threats comes against a backdrop of serious violent incidents, including a deadly car explosion in New Delhi on November 10th and an earlier attack in Pahalgam this year Adding complexity to the friction, Asif’s renewed warning is set against intensifying clashes between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government on its western border Last month, heavy fighting broke out, leading to casualties on both sides before Turkey and Q

Trump–Mamdani bonhomie confounds political world

Zohran Mamdani conc luded

impending political cataclysm,

billionaire’ and a ‘democratic s

public display of unity The two

communist lunatic and fascist

emerged from the Oval Office not as political adversaries, but as an unlikely, almost paternal, pairing

F o r t h e P r e s i d e n t , h i s sudden reversal from painting the 34-year-old Mamdani as a 'harbinger of urban doom' was

b r e a t h - t a k i n g T h e e x p e c t e d shouting match and funding

f r e e z e n e v e r m a t e r i a l i s e d I n s t e a d , t h e

cooperation, and were seen to t

v e n sharing a private chuckle over

the epithets they had flung at one another Standing before a s t u n n

“He’s a very rational person who wants New York to be great again,” sounding almost like a proud father The sheer warmth of the exchange led

media sentinel of their shared h o m e t o w n , t o c o m p a r e t h e political tango to both a “ romcom ” and a “buddy movie ”

Key takeaways and unexpected alliances

The White House meeting was marked by its surprising cordiality and the unexpected discovery of common ground between the ideological opposites President Trump was notably supportive of the mayor-elect, stating he “could end up being the best mayor New York has ever seen ” and pledging, “I expect to be helping him, not hurting him ” This protective tone was evident when Trump jumped in to defend Mamdani during questioning from reporters When the Mayor-elect was asked to clarify his past comments calling the President a “fascist,” Trump interjected, “That’s okay You can just say yes OK? It’s easier It’s easier than explaining it ” He also shut down claims from allies, such as Elise Stefanik’s assertion that Mamdani was a “jihadist,” by describing the mayor-elect as a “ very rational person ” Mamdani, a naturalised citizen from Queens like the President, used the high-stakes diplomacy to repeatedly steer the conversation back to the affordability crisis in New York City He noted that many of his voters, who had switched from the Democratic Party to support Trump, did so because they desired an end to forever wars and a solution to the rising cost of living Mamdani stated that working people had been left behind, with one in five unable to afford the subway fare Ultimately, both leaders found agreement on core issues such as reducing crime and lowering the cost of living

Ukraine 'agrees' to peace proposal as US meets Russia in UAE

The Ukrain ian governm ent has

r eportedly a greed to a pe ace dea l brokered by the Donald Trump admi nistration to stop the w ar that has be en going on f o r n e a rl y f o ur y

S offi cial and Uk rai

national s ec ur i t y a d

s

, R us t e m U merov, s aid that a common un de rsta nd in g on a prop osal had been reac hed, with details s till to be worked out Meanwhile, a US delegation is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to meet Russian officials to discuss the peace plan The

going well and we r

Secretary Driscoll is closely synchronized

talks progress,

US

c o n d i t i o n s K y i v h a s l o n g

r e j e c t e d a s t a n t a m o u n t t o surrender

Ukraine to accept the

growing concerns, especially

in brief

INDIAN -ORIGIN TECHIE KILLED IN SYDNEY ACCIDENT

An Indian-origin techie who was 8 months pregnant died after she was hit by a car in Sydney city Samanvitha Dhareshwar 33 was walking with her husband and their threeyear-old son when a Kia car slowed at the entrance of a parking space to let the family pass Moments later, the car was rear-ended by a BMW car, causing it to surge forward and hit the woman The 19-year-old BMW driver and the 48-year-old Kia driver were not hurt Police later arrested the teenage driver

PAK ARMY KILLS 30 MILITANTS NEAR AF BORDER

Pakistani security forces killed 30 militants in several operations near the Afghan frontier in recent days, the army said after a suicide bombing last week killed 12 people in Islamabad The militants belonged to the Pakistani Taliban or its affiliated groups the military said Twenty-three militants were killed in raids in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province the military said In a subsequent statement the military said another seven militants were killed in three separate operations in Mohmand, Lakki Marwat and Tank districts in the same province Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out (the) menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country the military said

DEATH TOLL IN VIETNAM FLOODS REACHES 90

n officials in Abu Dhabi, reports said “ L a t e M o n

Colonel Jeff Tolbert, a spokesperson for Driscoll, said U S P r

d throughout Tuesday, Secretary Driscoll and team have been in discussions with the Russian delegation to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine The talks are

Indian -origins may benefit as Canada gears up to revamp citizenship act

OT TA WA : Canada is gearing up

f o r a m a jo r re v am p o f i ts citizenship laws, a m ove that could benefit th ousands of Ind ian-orig in families Bill C -3, which amends C ana d a ’ s C it iz en s h ip A ct , h as

r ec en tly r ec ei v ed ro y al a ss en t, m arking a key step tow ard s i ts im plem entation

The law is not yet in force - the federal govt must still fix the effective date, but the assent signals that Ottawa intends to move quickly The bill addresses a longstanding problem known as the “second-generation cutoff ” Under current rules, a Canadian citizen born outside the country cannot automatically pass on citizenship to their child if that child is also born abroad

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country’s immigration agency, explains that the first-generation limit to Canadian citizenship by descent was introduced in 2009 On Dec 19, 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that key p a r t s o f t h e C i t

unconstitutional

The Mark Carney-led govt did not appeal the ruling, agreeing that the law had unacceptable outcomes for children of Canadians who were born outside the country

“The second-generation cut-off created an unfair, second-class citizenship for Canadians born abroad Bill C-3 finally removes this unconstitutional barrier,” stated CILA Bill C-3 restores citizenship to individuals who lost it under old rules Going forward, it also establishes a “substantial connection test”, which allows a Canadian parent born abroad, who has a meaningful connection to Canada, to pass on citizenship to their children born outside Canada

point peace plan last week to end the Russia-Ukraine war

T h e p l a n w o u l d r e q u i r e Ukraine to cede more territory, accept curbs on its military and bar it from ever joining NATO

willing to push Ukraine to sign a p e a c

, w h

could visit the US in the next few days, said the process of p r o d u c i n g a f i n a l d o c u m e n t would be difficult

Punjabi-origin crime blogger arrested in US-Canadian crackdown on drugs

snow board er Ryan James Wedding Bal, co-founder of the “Dirty Newz” website, was one of seven

“Operation Giant Slalom” - a cross-border sting that officials call “ an unprecedented clampdown on transnational narco-terrorism ”

According to reports, Bal was reportedly paid $10,000 not to post about Wedding and Clark, and was instead given a photograph of the witness and was paid to post it so that he could be found and killed, the indictment claims On November 5, 2024, Bal reportedly posted a story on Instagram depicting the victim and wrote: ‘This guy single-handedly (rat emoji) out one of the strongest underworld networks that this (earth emoji) has seen Good chance he’ll never be found again ’”

Federal authorities allege that Bal’s actions led directly to the murder of the key witness, identified as Jonathan Acebedo-Garcia, who “ was shot and killed at a restaurant in Medellín, Colombia, in January 2025 ”

According to reports, evidence against Bal includes social media posts and encrypted messages seized by the FBI and RCMP; filings note that an undercover RCMP officer contacted Bal in August 2025, as the investigation tightened around the perpetrators US DOJ documents state that Bal and his alleged associates “face life imprisonment if convicted” and that the FBI has now seized “The Dirty Newz” blog as part of the case

At least 90 people have now died in floods and landslides in central Vietnam triggered by heavy rains earlier this week, state media reported, citing the country s disaster prevention agency The deluges wreaked widespread destruction across a region already battered weeks ago by floods from record rainfall and the powerful typhoon Kalmaegi The rains triggered multiple landslides on major routes in Central Highlands Railway lines and roads were submerged, leaving thousands stranded

NIGERIA SHUTS SCHOOLS AS 300+ KIDS ABDUCTED

More than 300 students are confirmed missing after armed men attacked a Catholic school in northern Nigeria the latest in a series of mass abductions in Africa’s most populous nation Gunmen who attacked St Mary s School in Papiri Niger state kidnapped 303 students and 12 teachers, the Christian Association of Nigeria said It ranks as one of the worst abductions in the country and increases public scrutiny on President Bola Tinubu who critics say has been insipid in his approach to dealing with such incidents since taking office twoand-a-half years ago Authorities shut dozens of schools across the country Students in 47 boarding schools owned by the federal govt were asked to vacate, according to a circular from the ministry of education

MISS MEXICO WINS MISS UNIVERSE TITLE

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch was crowned 2025 Miss Universe in Thailand, strutting to victory after several dramatic missteps before the final round, including staging a walkout when an organiser of the beauty pageant chastised her Contestants from Ivory Coast, the Philippines, Thailand and Venezuela also made it to the final stage, selected from more than 120 women vying for the title Bosch said that she would like to be remembered as “a Miss Universe who wasn’t afraid to be herself” and “a person who changed a little bit the prototype of what is

A day af t er an In d ian

woman cl aimed th at sh e

was st opp ed by imm ig ra-

t io n p e r s o nn e l at t h e

Shangh ai air por t ov er her

p as s p o r t , w h i c h m e n -

tioned h er pl ace of birth as Arunach al Pr adesh , China

r ef u t ed t h e al l e g at io n s, saying the act io ns t aken by Ch ine se im m ig r at ion of ficials were as per laws and regu lat io ns

I

T

P r e m a W a n g j o m

China denies harassment of Arunachal woman at Shanghai airport

who was travelling

November 21, had

scheduled layover turn into an 18-hour-long ordeal during a transit at Shanghai Pudong Airport

O

allegedly singled her out and took her aside, following which they pointed to the birthplace entry in her passport and told her that Arunachal Pradesh “is a part of China”, and therefore her Indian passport was “not valid ” She said the officials kept her passport, blocked

flight to Japan despite a valid visa, and made her

food or reliable information She somehow man-

from the consulate helped

flight from the Chinese city

Affairs said the Indian side told the Chinese side that

grounds” and highlighted

Bangladesh asks India to extradite former PM Sheikh Hasina

Banglades h h as again as ked

I nd ia t

H a s in a,

M

s entenced to death in absen-

c rackdo wn agains t a studentl ed up rising

T o u h i d H

holds the foreign affairs portfolio in Bangladesh’s interim

a d m i n i s t r a

o n

D

had sent a letter two days ago, urging New Delhi to hand over the fugitive ex-leader Hasina, 78, has been in hiding in India after her rule was overthrown in a mass uprising in August 2024, in which more than 1,400 people were

Dhaka convicted Hasina of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death, fulfilling a key pledge by the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus

Following the court ruli n

Ministry said in a statement that India had an “obligatory responsibility” under a bilateral extradition treaty signed in 2013 to facilitate the former leader’s return

The ministry said keeping H

and called it

a travesty of justice for any other country to grant asylum to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity ” I

Ministry responded by saying it had “noted” the Hasina verdict But India has so far not commented on the prospects of her extradition B a n g l a d e s h i n e w s p a p e r

civil aviation

Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory, and its residents are perfectly entitled to hold

source

Thongdok was not subjected to any compulsory

Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls Zangnan or South

Prothom Alo says Dhaka has m a d e a t l e a s t t h r e e s u c h extradition requests so far India’s past support for Hasina has frayed relations b

Borders can change, Sindh may return to India: Rajnath Singh

I nd i a' s De fe nc e M in i st er

Rajnath Singh said that while Sindh is not part of Ind ia tod ay, bo rders can ch ang e and the region may “return hom e ” to Ind ia T h e P a k i s t a n i M i n i s t r y of Foreign Affairs criticised

S i n g h ’

S

comment at an event of the Sindhi community in Delhi Singh noted that former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani wrote in his book that members of the Sindhi Hindu c

accepted the separation of Sindh from India

consider the Indus River sacred,” Singh said “Many Muslims in Sindh also believed that the water of the Indus was no less sacred than the Aab-e-Zamzam of Mecca This is Advani ji’s quote ” He added: “Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India ” The minister said that “ as far as land is concerned, borders can change”

“Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again,” he said, adding that the people of Sindh who consider the Indus sacred will always be our own “No matter where they are, they will always be ours, ” said Singh

Singh had claimed that Pakistan was expanding its military infrastructure along the Sir Creek, an estuary that s

“misadventures” in the area

Asian neighbours since her o v e r t h r o w B u t t e n s i o n s appear to have eased slightly this week after Bangladesh’s N a t i o n a l S e c u r i t y A d v i s e r

K h a l i l u r R a h m a n v i s i t e d India for a regional security summit, where he also met his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval Sheikh Hasina

Delhi conspirators plan blasts across several Indian cities

The probe i nto the Delhi

b l as t c as e h as re ve ale d a nefarious plan by the Jaishl i nk ed w hi te -c ol la r ter ror module to carry out blasts ac ross several Indian cities O ne of the terror acc used has confessed that the plot was hatched i n 2023, as the i n ves ti ga tors dec ode d the c onspiracy behind the 10/11 b last

At least 13 people died in the blast in an i20 car near the Red Fort, in what is being seen as a panic detonation while the larger conspiracy was of a serial blast

Dr Muzammil Shakeel, a n a s s o c i a t e o f s u i c i d e bomber Umar Mohammad, h a s c l a i m e d d u r

n

Agency that he had been preparing for the blasts for two years During these two years, he had been collecting explosives, remotes, and other bomb-making materials, sources added

The doctor was tasked with purchasing urea and ammonium nitrate, a com-

a

p o u n d t h a t c a n e x p l o d e w h e

volatile substances and detonated externally

M u z a m m i l a l s o p u rchased 26 quintals of NPK f e r t i l i s e r f r o m G u

m and Nuh in Haryana Other

e

bought from Nuh while the

were purchased from two d

n Faridabad The doctor had also bought a deep freezer to store the chemicals in a stable environment

H i s a s s o c i a t e , U m a r , was responsible for processing the fertiliser for its use i n t h e

x p

r a n g i n g c h

s i v e s

m

c a l s a n d other ingredients, sources said A flour mill that was used by Muzammil to grind urea to prepare chemicals has also been recovered Fund for blasts

The Delhi blast conspiracy was funded by the terr o r a c c u s e d t h e m s e l v e s , sources said The members of the terror module raised Rs 26,00,000 in cash for p

materials The amount was then handed over to Umar,

200,000

Muzammil gave another Rs 500,000, while other members of the terror mod-

Muzaffar Rather contribut-

from Lucknow chipped in with Rs 500,000

Sources also confirmed that a fight had broken out b

Muzammil at the Al Falah U

After this, Umar had given M u z a m m i l h i s R e d EcoSport car The vehicle

m Faridabad

While Umar blew himself up during the blast, the other accused are in custody and are being quest i o n e d T h e y w o r k e d together at the Faridabadbased Al Falah University that is also under the scann

l irregularities

The 96-km estuary is the site of a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan While New Delhi holds that the boundary between the two countries lies in the middle of the creek, Islamabad claims that the boundary lies on the eastern bank

“If any attempt is made from Pakistan’s side in the Sir Creek area, it will receive such a robust reply that both history and geography will be altered,” Singh had said

ED allows sale of 4 Mumbai flats linked to Mehul Choksi

The Enforcement Directo rate (ED) has handed over fou r flats in M umbai linked to money laundering accused M ehul Ch oksi to the liquidator to proceed with monetisation fo r the benefit of victim s, secured credito rs and other leg itimate claimants

The flats had been attached in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case So far, immovable and movable properties in Mumbai, Kolkata and Surat, collectively worth £31mn, have been handed over to the liquidator of Gitanjali Gems Ltd, the firm controlled by Choksi In all, assets worth £256 6mn were attached or seized in this case, and three prosecution complaints have been filed According to ED, Choksi connived with his associates and bank officials of PNB between 2014 and 2017 to fraudulently obtain letters of undertaking and foreign letters of credit, resulting in a wrongful loss of £609 8mn to PNB He had also taken a loan from ICICI Bank and defaulted on that loan

During the probe, ED conducted searches at more than 136 locations across India and seized valuables and jewellery worth £59 8mn related to the Gitanjali Group

Gangster Anmol Bishnoi in NIA custody after his deportation from US

The Nati onal Investi gation Agency (NIA ) has s ecured the custody gangster A nmol Bi shnoi after his deportation from US In a statement, the U S Embassy in New Delhi sai d Wash ington values i ts p artnershi p wi th I nd ian security agenci es , highli ghti ng joint effo rts to d is mantle tr an s nat i o n al c ri mi nal ne t wo r ks a nd counter terror-li nked acti vi ties

Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother a n d c l o s e a i d

Lawrence Bishnoi, was detained by US authorities before being deported to India The NIA arrested Anmol on his

arrival at Delhi international airport

Anmol had been on the run since 2022, and is the 19th accused to be arrested for his alleged involvement in the terror syndicate led by Lawrence He was also wanted for his alleged involvement in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique in October last year as well as the shooting incident that occurred outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence earlier this year His name also surfaced in the

Sidhu Moosewala

According to the NIA, Anmol was

investigations "established that he had

Bishnoi in the commission of various acts of terrorism in the country during the 2020-2023 period " NIA mentions that Anmol is operating closely with various Bishnoi gang associates, and he "continued to run terror syndicates and execute terrorist acts from the US for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang "

NORTH-EAST

Karnataka power tussle intensifies

t u s s l e i n K a r na

atch of Congre

M inis ter DK Shivakum ar re ached

c om mand to transf

m in is t

was reportedly holding a series of one-on-one meetings with state ministers and senior leaders A

the c hief

’ s p os t f r om Sidda ramaiah to Shiva kum ar

Two batches of MLAs had t r a v e l l e d

putting renewed pressure on the

C o n g r e s s g o v e r n m e n t i n

Karnataka crossed the halfway mark of its term

Sources said an estimated six to eight legislators landed in the capital late last night, seeking an

Congress high command

M

However, Congress president

K

expected to travel to Delhi, has stayed back in Bengaluru Kharge

demand or discussion on a leadership swap As the discussions

president Kharge said

veteran

d developments, Shivakumar also met minister KJ George,

Rahul Gandhi as well as Kharge

Shivakumar and the minister are reported to have discussed the ongoing developments

Chief Minister in May 2023, the party leadership had promised to hand over the post to Shivakumar after 2 5 years The Shivakumar c

arrangement

rejected suggestions of any such

command would take a call on any leadership change, adding that he had nothing to say on the matter at present His remark came a day after he held a meeting lasting over an hour with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru

Speaking to reporters after

second such interaction between

the talk of a leadership change

Govt won't bring Chandigarh bill in winter session: home ministry

N E W DEL H I : A mi d the poli tical row kicked up by the p ro posed cons ti tutional amendment to bri ng Chand igarh under t h e am bi t o f A r t i c l e

s e ek s t o al

C h a nd i gar h ’ s governance o r admi ni strati ve structure” no r “ c h a nge th e tr a d i t i o na l arrangements between Chandi garh and the s tates o f Pu njab and Haryana ” In a post on X, the home ministry

h

n o f introducing any Bill over the issue in

t h e u p c o m i n g w i n t e r s e s s i o n o f Parliament

T h e s t a t e m e n t f o l l o w e d p r o t e s t s from political parties in Punjab which claimed that the proposed amendment

t o p u t t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f

C h a n d i g a r h u n d e r a l i e u t e n a n t g o v e r n o r , i n l i n e w i t h o t h e r U n i o n territories which don't have assemblies,

was an attempt to weaken Punjab’s control over the UT The parties were reacting to a Lok Sabha bulletin listing the bills the govt could consider moving in the Winter session Chandigarh is currently governed by an administrator, a p o s i t i o n v e s t e d i n t h e P u n j a b governor The home ministry’s post said the intention behind the proposal was to only simplify the central govt’s lawmaking process for the Union territory of Chandigarh “The proposal is still u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n ” a n d “ n o f i n a l decision has been taken,” it stated The ministry added that a suitable decision on the proposal shall be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh “There is no need for any concern on this matter,” it said while ruling out any plans to b r i n g i t b

upcoming session

Meanwhile, Shivakumar said

legislators travelling to Delhi to meet Kharge

The Opposition BJP seized

Congress, saying that governance

Nagaland names UK as Hornbill festival country partner

Nagal and positioned the Hornbil l fe stival f or a st ronger gl oba l s potlight aft er nam ing t he United Kingdom as its country partner f or t he 2025 edition Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Brit is h Counc il India Dir ector Alison Barrett form al

rs hip in New D elhi, wit

Cam eron in attendanc e Of ficials said

and

N E W D E L H I : B uoy e d b y it s decisive victory in t he recent Bihar Assembly election s, t he B JP’s central l e ad e r s hi p i s g ea r i n g up fo r an aggressive, high-pr ofil e campaign in W e st B en g al fr o m n e x t mo n t h ahead of the 2026 Assembly poll s, f ea t ur in g b ot h Pr im e Mi n is t e r Nar endr a Modi and union Home Minister Amit Shah

According to party sources, the i n i t i a l p l a n i n c l u d e s t w o m e g a public rallies every month until the

E l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n a n n o u n c e s p o l l d a t e s O n e r a l l y w i l l b e addressed by the Prime Minister, the other by the Home Minister

“ O n c e t h e p o l l d a t e s a r e d e c l a r e d , t h e f r e q u e n c y o f t h e s e public meetings will increase Our s t a t e p r e s i d e n t , S a m i k Bhattacharya, will be in Delhi this week to finalise the tentative dates and venues The effort will be to c h o o s e l o c a t i o n s t h a t c a n s i

committee member said A c c o r d

party, the Bengal unit has already

approached the local administration seeking permission to hold a rally in A r a m b a g h , H o o g h l y d i s t r i c t , o

either December 13 or 14

If the Prime Minister’s Office clears the proposal, the Arambagh rally will effectively kick-start the BJP’s Assembly election campaign Amit Shah is expected to visit the state towards the end of December,

guide the state unit on poll

B

victories in Odisha (2024) and Bihar (2025), the BJP has sharpened its slogan: “After Odisha in 2024 and Bihar in 2025, it will be Bengal in 2026 ”

Political observers say the early mobilisation of both Modi and Shah underscores that the slogan is not mere rhetoric but a reflection of how seriously the central leadership views the Bengal battle Alongside physical rallies, the BJP’s Bengal unit is also placing

mobilisation

instead of changing the Chief

want the Congress government to be removed

‘Holy city’ status fails to impress Anandpur Sahib residents

RO PA R: The Punjab Gov ernment decla red An andpur Sahib a hol y city, passing a r esol ut ion during a special a ssembl y se ssion in t he historic t own t o commemorat e t he 35 0th mart yrdom an niv ersary of Gur u Tegh Ba ha dur H owev er, the announcement has l eft ma ny residents feel ing frustrat ed, as it fell short of their expectat ions

L o c a l s h a d a n t i c i p a t e d m a j o r d e v e l o p m e n t a l declarations or the elevation of Anandpur Sahib to district status, but the move has been criticised as a “symbolic gesture” without substantive benefits BJP s

Anandpur Sahib’s sanctity has long been recognised and didn’t require government certification

Many residents contrasted the announcement with t

y celebrations of the birth of Khalsa in 1999, when the then SAD-BJP government unveiled landmark projects that continue to attract tourists Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Anandpur Sahib, recalled how the 1999 celebrations transformed the city

The disappointment among residents may provide fresh ammunition for opposition parties to target the AAP government over unmet expectations and lack of tangible development in the region B E N G A L U R U : A s t he p ow er

BLOs hit streets of Kolkata in protest against SIR stress

KO LKA TA: Hundreds of booth level officers ( BLOs) marc hed on the streets of Kolkata against what they called excess ive work press ure and systemic lapses in the Speci al I ntensi ve Revisi on ( SIR) of electoral rolls underway ac ross the country i ncluding Bengal

The BLOs, comprising teachers, assistant teachers

government funded agencies, marched from College street in central Calcutta to the Election Commission’s office at the Balmer & Lawrie building under the banner of BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee Since the SIR exercise rolled out early this month, three women BLOs have died in Bengal, two of them by suicide The last such death happened in Nadia’s Krishnanagar on Saturday morning The deaths of BLOs are not restricted to Bengal alone They have b

Rajasthan and Gujarat

Mukesh Jangid, 45, allegedly jumped in front of a speeding train in Jaipur last week The family members claimed that he had been working nonstop for 12 hours a day since the SIR exercise started in the state

On the same day in Kerala’s Kannur, BLO Aneesh George died by suicide Since then, three more deaths – two in Bengal and one in Gujarat – have been reported H a r i O m B a r w a , 3 4 , a C l a s s I I I t e a c h e r i n a government school in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur, collapsed and died last week The family reportedly said he was under tremendous stress since the SIR exercise started

Dimapur Airport The Hornbill festival, held annually at Kisama from December 1 to 10, remains Nagaland’s flagship tourism event, drawing large domestic and international crowds Officials said the new partnerships are expected to improve accessibility, widen

visitor experience

ZUBEEN DEATH PROBE: DEADLINE TO FILE AFFIDAVIT EXTENDED

The Judicial Commission investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of renowned singer Zubeen Garg has extended the deadline for filing affidavits by an additional 21 days The new cut-off date for submissions has now been set for December 12 The earlier deadline, which expired on November 21, marked the end of the initial period allocated for individuals and stakeholders to submit sworn statements However following multiple requests and the large volume of pending affidavits the Commission has formally approved an extension to ensure comprehensive participation from all concerned parties The Commission was formed to thoroughly examine the events leading to Zubeen s sudden death and to determine whether any negligence, foul play or procedural lapses were involved In a parallel development, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has intensified its probe by sending two bags belonging to the late singer for forensic examination According to sources, the bags -one trolley bag and one handbag, were seized from Zubeen’s Kahilipara residence during a search operation Both items were transferred from the CID office to a forensic laboratory for detailed analysis

BUDDHIST MONK FOUND MURDERED IN ASSAM

The chief monk of a Buddhist monastery in Assam s Tinsukia was found dead on his bed, with a blood soaked axe beside his body and wounds reinforcing suspicions of murder Police confirmed a murder probe had been started and a hunt launched for the killers of Indrabonsho Bhikkhu, a revered figure who presided over the 140-year-old Inthem Mungong Buddha Vihar in Tinsukia’s Margherita With multiple deep cuts on his face police suspect the 58-year-old may have been murdered in sleep “The body has been sent for postmortem We are examining all angles and collecting evidence ” a senior officer said Community groups voiced outrage This is unprecedented in our peaceful area A holy man dedicated to spiritual pursuits brutally killed in his own monastery - it s unthinkable We demand a thorough investigation, said Sashidhar Shyam, general secretary of All Assam Buddhist Association s Tinsukia unit

Nitish Kumar sworn in as Bihar CM for the record term

V eteran p olitician Nitish Kum ar has o nce ag ain taken the oath o f o ffice, beginning a record 10th consecutive term as the Chief Minister of Bihar

The grand swearing-in ceremony in Patna marked the formal induction of a new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, following a decisive victory in the recent Assembly polls The new administration, a coalition including the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with other smaller allies, has

responsibilities and balancing political power

M

P

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J P Nadda and a host of other NDA alliance leaders were present during the swearing in ceremony

The new cabinet features 26 ministers alongside the chief minister, with the BJP notably gaining greater prominence in the key departments This

Kumar's decision to relinquish the vital

Choudhary of the BJP Vijay Kumar

Sinha, the other deputy chief minister,

including the mines and geology portfolio Other major assignments includ-

M

health and law, and Dilip Jaiswal being appointed as industry minister Whilst the cabinet has achieved a considerable balance of caste and community repre-

female ministers were sworn in: Leshi

Singh JD(U)), Rama Nishad (BJP), and Shreyasi Singh (BJP) Leshi Singh continues her tenure, handling the food and consumer protection department Meanwhile, Rama Nishad was appoint-

extremely backward class welfare, and the internationally acclaimed shooter Shreyasi Singh was handed the portfo-

focus on youth-centric areas

Trump Jr, Jennifer Lopez among celebrities attend Mantena family wedding

T he City of L akes, U daip ur,

w as re ce ntl y tra ns fo r m ed

i n to a th e atr e o f g lo b al celebrity and extrav ag ance, p laying ho st to o ne of the

y ea r ’ s m o st t al ked -a bo u t

w edd ing s Netra M antena, d au ghter of U S-based ph arm aceu tical m ag nate Ram a Raju Mantena, tied the knot

w it h te ch en tre p ren eu r V amsi Gadiraju in a mu ltid ay celebration that d rew a s e ns ati o na l m i x o f Hollyw ood, Bollyw ood, and p olitical royalty

The opulent festivities culminated in the main ceremony at the historic Jag Mandir Island Palace, following South Indian Hindu tradition The guest list was truly international, featur-

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

n d e e s such as Donald Trump Jr

i t y c o o r d i n a t i o n between local police and the US Secret Service The sheer scale of the event instantly d r e w c o m p a r i s o n s t o t h e f a m o u s l y l a v i s h A m b a n i nuptials, cementing its sta-

tus as a monumental occasion in India's social calendar

E n t e r t a i n m e n t f o r t h e elite gathering was equally s t a r - s t u d d e d , t u r n i n g t h e wedding into a private concert series Pop icon Jennifer Lopez flew in specially to perform, joining an incredible lineup that reportedly included Justin Bieber and i n t e r n a t i o n a l D J s Meanwhile, Bollywood's Al i s t , i n c l u d i n g R a n v e e r S i n g h , M a d h u r i D i x i t , S h a h i d K a p o o r , a n d K r i t i Sanon, delivered high-ener-

g y p e r f o r m a n c e s a t t h e

s a n g e e t c e r e m o n y , w h i c h w a

Karan Johar A viral moment

Donald Trump Jr and his

adding an element of playful spontaneity to the meticulously organised affair

The three-day celebration, spread across luxurious venues like The Leela Palace and the City Palace, perfectly merged traditional Indian

event not only marked the

families but also served as a lavish showcase of India’s c

weddings

being

Supreme Court judge in May 2019 He has been the chairperson of

Internal dissent and party discipline

On the political opposition's side, the aftermath of the election has been characterised by severe internal turmoil, particularly within the Congress party The state unit of the Congress recently took stern disciplinary measure, expelling seven of its leaders for a period of six years due to documented anti-party activities This move highlights the deep-seated factionalism and struggles facing the opposition as it attempts to regroup and hold the new government accountable following their electoral defeat The expulsions underscore the challenge of maintaining party unity in a state where coalition politics and swift political realignments are common

Prashant Kishor's view

Amidst the formation of the new government, political

landscape Prashant, who failed to translate his public outreach into a major electoral force, acknowledged the NDA’s performance but maintained a cynical outlook on the state’s developmental trajectory He had previously made a bold, albeit inaccurate, prediction that Nitish Kumar would not return as chief minister and that his party would win fewer than 25 seats, while the JD(U) secured 85 Despite the setback to his electoral prediction, Kishor has restated his commitment to focusing on core developmental issues, such

traditional reliance on caste

Top leaders among 13 Maoists killed in police encounter

A major anti-Ma oist offensive, code na me d Operat ion Sambhav, has se verel y cripp l e d t he ou

w e d C P I (Maoist) command hierar chy in Andhra Pr adesh, resulting in the de aths of 13 Na xalite s over two conse cutive days in the Mare dumill i forests

The operation launched

p movements, began with the g u n n i n g d o w n o f s i x Maoists Among the casualties were the most-wanted commander, Madvi Hidma, carrying a £100,000 bounty and notorious for masterminding nearly every deadly Maoist ambush over two decades, and his wife, Raje (alias Rajakka) Hidma was a central committee member, and his death leaves a s i g n i f i c a n t s t r a t e g i c v o i d , according to security agencies The offensive continu e d w h e n t h e e l i t e Greyhounds unit engaged w i t h a s e c o n d g r o u p o f

M a o i s t s b a r e l y 5 k m f r o m the initial encounter site

This gunfight resulted in the deaths of seven more c a d r e s T h e m o s t s i g n i f icant loss for the rebels in this clash was Metturi Joga Rao (alias Tech Shankar), a senior member of the special zonal committee and t h e M a o i s t s ' c h i e f e x p l

P e o p l e ’ s L i b e r a t i o n

G u e r r i l l a A r m y ( P L G A )

D i v i s i o n a l c o m m i t t e e member Sita (alias Jyothi), formerly a guard commander to a top Maoist chief, was also killed Police recovered

in

mines, and detonators from the encounter sites Officials believe Hidma’s group had

larger swathe of the region, includi

der, as some Maoists

The growing concert economy of India

Linkin Park for their debut performance in the country, a moment long awaited by a generation of fans

T h e y w i l l b e j o i n e d b y influential rap star Playboi

y y et o f th is glo ba l shif t Fa r f rom bei ng a ni ch e lu xury , an

u n p r e ce d e n t e d a r r a y o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l mu s i c a l i cons a re ma ki ng Ind ia the centre st age of the ir world

t o u r s , t r a ns f o r m i n g t h e l i v e s ce n e i nt o a m u l t i -

ge nr e cultur al spe cta cl e The Lollapalooza India 2026 festival in Mumbai

w i l l a n c h o r t h i s m o n um e n t a l s e a s o n , f e a t u

C a r t i a n d o t h e r g l o b a l l y renowned acts like YUNGBLUD and Kehlani Adding t o t h e r o c k e x c i t e m e n t , Linkin Park has extended t h e i r h

i c i p

d visit with a separate, standalone concert scheduled for Bengaluru B e y o n d t h e f e s t i v a l stage, the country is geari n g u p f o r a s e r i e s o f incredible solo debuts and returns The new year will kick off with the soulful blues-rock of John Mayer, who is set to bring his gui-

tar wizardry to Mumbai The Lumineers, known for their captivating folk-rock a

their debut with a show in D

c superstar Calvin Harris is slated for a debut threecity tour across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi This line-up, spanning

highlights India’s diverse a

a l appetite The country is no longer merely hosting concerts; it is demanding and a t t r a c

n g t h e w o r l d ’ s biggest names, showcasing its dynamic transition into a global music hub

PM Modi advocates new vision for global growth

Pri m e M ini ster Narend ra M o di utilised the Grou p of 20 ( G20)

Summ it p latform in Joh annesbu rg to p i tc h a co m p reh e ns i v e n ew vision for global coop eration, one centred on inclusive progress and India’ s civ ilisatio nal etho s In a broad-ranging add ress, Mod i not only urg ed for a collectiv e g lo bal effort to dism antle the d angerou s drug-terror nexus but also pushed fo r a f u nd am ent al ov erh a ul i n

h o w e c on o m i c s u c ce ss i s m easured , arg u ing th at cu rrent para me ters h av e d ep ri v ed larg e sectio ns o f th e p opulation and led to the o ver-exploitation of nature

The successful inclusion of the A f r i c a n U n i o n

n t G20 member, a move in which Modi was instrumental, provided

t h e b a c k d r o p f o r t h e P r i m e

M i n i s t e r ’ s e m p h a s i s o n t h e c o n t i n e n

s

e w e d g

o

p r i o r i t i e s H e proposed the concept of ‘integral h u m a n i s m , ’ a n i d e a a s s o c i a t e d with the governing BJP’s ideology, as a path forward, requiring the integrated consideration of the individual, society, and nature to a c h i e v e t r u e h a r m o n y b e t w

progress and the planet

Reimagining development and global threats

To secure global welfare, Modi t a b l e d s e v e r a l m a j o r p r o p o s a l s

These included the creation of a g l o b a l t r a d i t i o n a l k n o w l

r e p o s i t o r y b u i l t u p o n I n d i a n knowledge systems, intended to preserve the collective wisdom of humanity He also called for the formation of a global healthcare

response team composed of G20 experts for swift action in health emergencies and natural disasters

Crucially, Modi announced the a m

programme, operating on

trainers across Africa over the next d

strengthening local capacity and c

long-term development

singled out the rapid spread of

fentanyl, labelling the drug-terror

major source of terror financing H

G20 initiative, bringing together

essential to effectively weakening this economy Separately, he also s

auditable, with effective human

oversight and strict restrictions on their use in deepfakes, crime, and terror activities He invited all G20 nations to an AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India next year Diplomacy and institutional reform B

Innovation (ACITI) Partnership,

counterparts, Mark Carney and Anthony Albanese This alliance

i e s , c l e a n e n e r g y , s u p p l y c h a i n d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n , a n d t h e m a s s adoption of AI

At the IBSA Leaders’ Meeting, a t t e n d e d b y S o u t h A f r i c a a n d Brazil, Modi stressed that reform of the United Nations Security Council was now not an option but an imperative, noting that g l o b a l i n s t i t u t i o n s n o l o n g e r reflect 21st-century realities He said that there to be ‘ no room for d o u b l e s t a n d a r d s ’ i n t h e f i g h t against terrorism, proposing an i n s t i t u t i o n a l i s e d N S A - l e v e l meeting to strengthen security cooperation

The resulting G20 declaration

reaffirming commitment to the UN Charter and issuing a singleline condemnation of terrorism

two-day talks and the ceremonial handover of the G20 presidency The Trump administration stated

Pr oje ctile s for an estimat ed cost of $47 1 million

According to a statement by the Defense

S e c u r i t y C o o p e r a t

o n A g e n c y ,

e n c y w i t h i n t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f W a r , I n d i a requested 100 FGM-148 Javelin missiles, one fly-to-buy missile, 25 command launch units, and 216 Excalibur tactical projectiles

The statement added that the proposed sale would “strengthen the India-US strategic relationship” and improve the security of a “major defense partner ”

“ T h i s p r o p o s e d s a l e w i l l s u p p o r t t h e f o r

objectives of the United States by helping to

relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner, which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the IndoPacific and South Asia regions The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its

threats,” it noted

The sale comes weeks after Washington and New Delhi announced a 10-year defense cooperation framework aimed at expanding

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production, and information sharing

Weapons found during raid at Kashmir Times office in Jammu

The State Invest igation Agenc y (SIA), a s pec ial wing of the J&K pol ic e, c onduc ted s earches at t he l o ng -s hut t e re d o f f ic e of t he

hm

Times news paper in Jamm u, following an FIR a l l e gi n g a " c r i m in a l c o n s pi r ac y wit h sec ess ionist and other anti-nat ional entities " A paral lel s earch was exec uted at t he res ide nc e of editor Prabodh Jamwal in the c it y The FIR against the 71-year-old Englishl a n g u a g e n e w s p a p e r a n d i

kashmirtimes com, alleges they have been p r o p

i n g

t

i s t a n d s e c e s s i o n i s t ideology " The complaint claims the platform pushed "inflammatory, fabricated and false n

content Furthermore, it accuses the media outlet of challenging India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity Jamwal and his wife, m

moved to the US several years ago and were abroad during the operation, have rejected the allegations outright

An official spokesperson confirmed that investigators, in the presence of an executive magistrate, seized a significant cache of items f

recovered items included a revolver, 14 empty AK-series cases, three live AK rounds, four "fired bullets," three grenade safety levers, three pistol rounds, documents, and digital devices The spokesperson stated that these seizures suggest possible unlawful possession and suspected linkages with "extremist or anti-national elements " The probe focuses on the alleged misuse of the newspaper's platform to promote harmful ideologies The investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy

Jain Acharya Lokesh Muni pays homage to Guru Teg Bahadur’s legacy

Jain Acharya Lo kesh Muni add ressed a Sarv Dharam Samelan ( interfaith conference) held at Guru Ka Bagh in A nand pur S ahib held on the occasion of the 3 50th martyrd om anniv ersary of Guru Teg Bahadur He said, “T he Guru g av e h is life not for his ow n c o m m u ni t y bu t f o r th e rel i g i o us freed om of others T his is th e true spirit o f Sikh ism On behalf of the Jain com munity, we bow our head s on his 3 5 0 th m ar tyr d o m ann i v er sa ry, ” h e added

S p i r i t u a l a n d r e l i g i o u s l e a d e r s f r o m

S i k h i s m , H i n d u i s m , B u d d h i s m , J a i n i s m , Christianity, Islam and Judaism attended the function They paid homage to the ninth Sikh Guru, remembering him as a universal emblem of righteousness and an eternal protector of religious freedom

T h e e v e n t , o n e o f t h e m a n y , w a s organised on the opening

d a y o f t h e t h r e e - d a y c o m m e m o r a t i o n o f t h e

3 5 0 t h m a r t y r d o m anniversary of the Guru

S

S p i r i t u a l l

Singh Dhillon, the head of the Radha Soami Satsang

B e

even today “Guru Teg Bahadur Ji gave his life for humanity and religious freedom In an age when people convert for money or under emotional pressure, Guru Ji taught us never to give up our religion and also inspired us to stand for the rights of others,” he said Baba Balbir Singh, chief of Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal, said the Guru’s l e g a

h representatives of Sikh sects and Muslim shrines They emphasised that the Guru’s m

humanity, underscoring the Guru’s universal message of protecting human rights and freedom of conscience Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, and their family members also paid obeisance at the event Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria was also present on the occasion

S r i S r i R a v i S h a n k a r s a i d t h e G u r u ’ s martyrdom ‘sends chills down your spine’

s generations of the need to u

n d religious freedom even in the face of adversity

Chishty, the chairman of

, Gaddi Nasheen of Ajmer

, encapsulated the essence of the ninth Guru’s teachings

Bhikkhu Sanghsena Ji from the Buddhist community hailed the Sikh community as the pride of the nation, He highlighted their

pandemic “The spirit of Sikhism must be integrated into our educational curriculum to inspire future generations toward selfless service,” he urged the central government, while Father John, representing Bishop Jose Sebastian, defined martyrdom as a rare act of sacrificing one ’ s life for the faith of others

A p r o fo u n d an d st i rri ng

w a v e o f e m o ti o n s w ep t across Ind ia on Tu esday as P rim e M i nis ter Narend ra

M o d i p re si d e d o v er a d eeply sym bol ic and h istoric mom ent in A yod hya

A gainst a spiritual symph ony of Vedic chants and the resounding peal of temp le b ell s , t h e ce rem o ni al Dharm a Dhwaj was hoisted hig h atop the mag nificent

S h ri Ram J anm ab h o o m i

Temple

This Dhwajarohan ritual, performed during the a u s p i c i o u s A b h i j i t

Muhurat, signified the formal culmination of a long-

c h e r i s h e d , c e n t u r i e s - o l d

n a t i o n a l r e s o l v e , t r a n sforming the structure from a construction site into the f u l l y r e a l i s e d , s o v e r e i g n divine abode of Lord Ram F o r m i l l i o n s o f d e v o t e e s worldwide, this day marked n o t j u s t a n a r c h i t e c t u r a l milestone, but a powerful spiritual renaissance

Prime Minister Modi, j o i n e d b y R a s h t r i y a Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, cond u c t e d t h e s a c r e d r i t u a l , watched by thousands of d i g n i t a r i e s a n d d e v o t e e s The date itself was chosen for its spiritual resonance, c o i n c i d i n g w i t h V i v a h Panchami, the traditional c o m m e m o r a t i o n o f t h e d i v i n e w e d d i n g o f L o r d

Ram and Sita The event, which Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed as a “renaissance of Sanatan culture,” symbolises a powerful moment of cultural and civilisational pride for the nation

The sacred banner is a sight to behold: a large saff r o n f l a g ,

n d the elements atop the 161f o o t - h i g h N a g

- s t y l e shikhar (spire) Its design is rich in spiritual meaning,

Emotional farewell marks Tejas pilot’s final journey

W i n g C o m m a n d e r N a m a n sh S y a l , w h o d ie d piloting a Teja s aircr aft during an ae rial displa y a t the Duba i a ir show on N ov 21 , wa s crem ate d wit h full st ate hon our s in his a ncestr al v illage of Pat ia lk ar in Himachal Pr ade sh’ s Ka ngr a distr ict on S u n d a y F a m i ly m e mb e r s , r ela tive s, officia ls, an d hundr eds of locals bid an emot i o n a

w

l l t

t

3 4y ear -old IAF office r, whose f un e r a l p y r e w a s l it by a cousin

E a r l i e r , S y a l ’ s m o r t a l remains were brought from Dubai on board IAF’s C130 a i r c r a f t a n d r e c e i v e d w i t h full military honour at Sulur Air Base, Coimbatore There, IAF officers - including Syal’s wife Wg Cdr Afshan - and Coimbatore SP and district collector paid floral tributes homage to the late officer IAF accorded Syal a guard of honour, following which his remains were flown on an IAF aircraft from Sulur Air

Subedar Jagan Nath (retd), an Army Medical Corps vete

D

, wife Afshan and the couple’s six-year-old daughter, who were in Sulur, also travelled on the same aircraft

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the late officer’s house in Patialkar village, in K

mortal remains, a commotion erupted as his mother became inconsolable

Syal died when India's

Tejas Mark-1 fighter was on

demonstration sortie when it could not properly recover from the “negative G-turn” being executed and plum-

exploding in a ball of fire in front of

International Airport This is the second crash of the

embroidered symbols: the radiant Sun, which represents Lord Ram's ancient S

vibration; and the Kovidara

Rajya

Following the hoisting, P M M

gathered throng, declaring that the "wounds and pain o

B a s e t o G a g g a l a i r p o r t i n Kangra and brought to his ancestral village that aftern o o n S y a l ’ s f a t h e r N a i b

today," and asserting that the saffron flag was a testament that truth ultimately

He urged the country to u s e t h e e

h e moment to build a developed India by 2047, stressing the need to take pride

i n I n d i a ' s h e r i t a g e a n d "break free from the mentality of slavery" inherited from its colonial past The ceremony was, in essence, a final, monumental declarat i o n , A y o d h y a h a s reclaimed its historic centrality, ushering in a new c h a p t e r o f c u l t u r a l a n d spiritual unity

Syal’s father said India had lost an excellent pilot “It’s a loss for the country and me as a father But it’s important now that I put m y

need to take care of my

wife,” said Jagan Nath

Aeronautics and powered by an American GE-F404 turbofan engine, since it was

years ago

Rampant misuse of wheelchair assistance at airports

So m et h i ng u tt e r l y b iz a r re is u n f o l di ng a t th e a ir p o r t s

Acco rding to frustrated airline bos ses and w eary c abin crew, a m edica l mir acl e is regu l arl y t a ki ng p l a c e , p a r t ic u l a r l y o n ro utes to and f ro m India Th e p eculiar scenario invol ves pass engers requ esting w hee lch air ass is tanc e fo r their jou rney throu gh th e airp ort, a servic e w hich h andily allow s them to s kip th e length y qu eues at secu rity and p assp ort control and board th e aircraft first Yet, up on l anding at their des tinatio n, many o f th es e s am e p eo pl e miraculo usl y get u p and wal k of f u naided, seemingly "healed " T h e s e p a s s e n g e r s h a v e e a r n e d t h e scathing, tongue-in-cheek nickname "miracle walkers" in the UK, or "jet-stream Jesuses" across the pond The issue was thrust into the global spotlight this week after a video showing a long queue of wheelchair users at a gate went viral, amassing over 13 million views This prompted a sharp response from pree m i n e n t I n d i a n e n t r e p r e n e u r K i r a n Mazumdar-Shaw, who suggested on X that authorities should “charge an additional 5,000 rupees per airport then they will see how many genuine passengers there are ”

overall wheelchair requests is genuinely soaring - it has more than doubled at UK airports since 2010 -aviation

and Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle have publicly decried the trend, with Biffle joking that “We are healing so many people,” after a flight saw 20 people wheeled to the gate but only three requiring a

widespread that it is being touted as a “travel hack” on platforms like TikTok Indian airports are particularly affected, with Air India reportedly receiving as many as 100,000 wheelchair user requests monthly Industry analysts believe this is often a cultural issue, with elderly passengers travelling for the winter preferring non-stop Indian carriers and seeking to use assistance solely to fast-track security and immigration One flight attendant confirmed the frustration, explaining that family members often book the assistance, but upon arrival, passengers refuse to wait the half-hour or more for a wheelchair, choosing instead to become “miracle walkers ”

Menopause symptoms could qualify as a disability, EHRC says

Women experiencing severe menopause symptoms may be able to sue employers for discrimination if they are not given appropriate support, according to new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

The watchdog says symptoms such as hot flushes,

significantly affect

woman

ability to work If these symptoms last more than a year and substantially impact daily activities, they could be treated as a disability under the Equality Act, giving women the right to workplace adjustments

The menopause, which typically occurs between 45 and 55, is preceded by the perimenopause, a transition period that can last several years In guidance shared with

potential hidden impairment, alongside mental health conditions and neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and autism

The regulator says women could bring claims of disability, sex or age discrimination, as well as harassment, to tribunals or courts However, the EHRC stresses that for many women symptoms may be mild and manageable, and therefore not qualify for disability protection

Research shows two thirds of women aged 40 to 60 say menopause symptoms negatively affect their work To improve support, the government will add menopauser e l a t

Obesity,

much more than just a life-style disease

Britain

is currently battling a crisis that is both chronic and crippling, yet its causes are often tragically misdiagnosed This is the epidemic of obesity, an scale is nothing short of staggering According to a cost estimate study, the total burden of excess weight already costs the UK an estimated £126 billion per year, a figure that includes over £12 billion in direct NHS costs alone This is not a failure of individual willpower, but a predictable, for adults and children alike, the economic and social environment makes consuming excess energy the and most heavily marketed option

c

benefiting nearly five million women The primary engine of this national weight gain is economic reality As the cost-of-living crisis

The powerful health benefits of ajwain

Ajwain, or carom seeds, has long been a staple of Indian kitchens, but its value goes far beyond flavour

Packed with essential oils such as thymol, ajwain

inflammatory properties that make it one of the most trusted natural remedies in South Asian households

O n e o

d

digestion A pinch of ajwain can help relieve indigestion, bloating and gas by stimulating digestive enzymes and supporting faster breakdown of food It is also widely used as a natural remedy for acidity, with warm ajwain water offering quick relief from heartburn

Ajwain’s medicinal qualities extend to respiratory health as well Its warming properties help ease nasal congestion, coughs and mild chest discomfort, making it a go-to during seasonal infections Many also rely on ajwain to ease menstrual cramps, thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation and relax muscles

Beyond digestion and pain relief, ajwain supports immunity with its rich antioxidant profile It also helps manage joint pain from arthritis and improves oral health by combating harmful bacteria

Whether consumed as seeds, tea or infused water, ajwain continues to prove why this humble spice remains an enduring pillar of traditional Indian wellness

Nature’s quick stress cure

Spending even a short time in green spaces has a profound impact on mental and physical wellbeing

Studies show that just ten minutes in nature, whether it’s a park, garden or tree-lined street, can lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This brief exposure helps calm the nervous system, improve mood and enhance focus Regular contact with natural environments can also boost resilience, making everyday stress easier to manage.

Beyond the financial pinch, many working families are caught in a different kind of scarcity, time In modern Britain, adults juggling multiple jobs or long commutes experience ‘time poverty’ that directly impacts the family’s health Where time for scratch-cooking is absent, and the motivation to supervise active outdoor play is depleted, convenience foods become the default solution

As a study on social, cultural and ethnic determinants of obesity confirms, obesity develops within a complex range of biological, social, and environmental influences Compounding this, children are growing up in an environment saturated with aggressive marketing for high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt products, further limiting a family's capacity to prevent obesity, even with the best medical advice Experts confirm that children with obesity face higher rates of serious non-physical symptoms, including low self-esteem, social stigmatisation, and bullying

A system that is failing

British neonatal physician, Dr Neena Modi, speaking with Asian Voice states, “Overweight and obesity have serious mental and physical consequences Among the former are low self-esteem, social stigmatisation, bullying and psychological distress leading to poor learning ability Among the latter are a range of chronic diseases in every organ system ”

“Actions are required in all sectors but current responsibility at government level is split across departments, making effective action difficult Actions shown to work include taxes on unhealthy foods; child education about healthy lifestyles; and good urban planning that promotes walking, running and cycling The most important point of all is that prevention in early childhood is key ”

Finally, Dr Modi warns that, “The costs will be enormous For example, the increase in overweight and obesity that occurred during Covid in children aged 10-11 was twice as high in the most compared with the least deprived areas, and the additional lifelong healthcare cost in this cohort alone will amount to £800 million with a cost to society of £8 7 billion "

Speaking with Asian Voice, Dr Megan Rossi (PhD, RD) said, “Sustainable change requires reshaping the environments children move through every day Strong evidence supports improving school food quality through strict nutrition standards, more funding for nutritious meals, and removing reliance on low-quality, ultra-processed options Meanwhile, community-level strategies such as healthier retail zoning, safer active-transport infrastructure, and reduced HFSS marketing exposure can all help to make healthier choices more accessible and affordable "

“If childhood obesity continues to rise, the long-term societal costs will be profound The research shows children with obesity are far more likely to enter adulthood with obesity, leading to earlier onset of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, NAFLD and musculoskeletal problems These conditions significantly increase lifetime healthcare spending In the UK alone, excess weight already costs an estimated £126 billion per year, including more than £12 billion in direct NHS costs Add to this reduced productivity, higher sickness absence, lower educational attainment, and intergenerational disadvantage, and the economic burden expands substantially ”

a global surge in chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, leading nutrition researchers have warned

ingredients

t

f o o d s h

b e e n sociated with a higher risk of h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n s , f r o m cancer and type 2 diabetes to c a r d i o v a s c u l a r d i s e a s e a n d

the early days of tobacco control” They write, “The rise of ultraprocessed foods in human diets is a leading cause of the diet-related chronic disease pandemic

Some

Ranveer Singh hails ‘Dhurandhar’ co-star Sara Arjun as a ‘prodigy’

The casting of 40-year-old Ranveer Singh opposite 20-year-old Sara Arjun in *Dhurandhar* initially drew scepticism, but the teaser and now the trailer have won over netizens, who feel the duo looks great onscreen A video from the launch also shows Ranveer warmly praising Sara and thanking her for making him look better

At the Dhurandhar trailer launch, Ranveer Singh heaped praise on Sara Arjun He said, “Sara, this is such a s p e c i a

h o n o u

prodigy, some people are gifted from childhood She beat thousands to land this role, and it feels like she was born for it It’s as if she’s already done 50 films She’s one of the finest actors I’ve worked with and even makes me look better After showing her potential in Mani Ratnam sir’s films, the world will now see her on the big stage I’m very proud of you, Sara ” Ranveer also praised Arjun Rampal, w h o p l a y s t h e a n t a g o n i s t i n D h u r a n d h a r H e s a i d , “ A r j u n s i r i s known as one of the most good-looking men on earth, and people are finally seeing his depth and range as an actor I d o n ’ t k n o w h o w A d i t y a ( D h a r ) i m a g i n e d t u r n

absolute monster On set, girls would still go, ‘Oh my God, Arjun!’ and I’d ask, ‘You find him hot even in this look?’ T h e y ’ d s a y , ‘ H e ’ s A r j u n R a m p a l ! ’

Beyond looking the part, his acting has been outstanding And sir, thank you for uplifting me on set It was tough, injuries, falls, blood and sweat Even he would trip, hit his head, then stand up saying, ‘Nothing happened, let’s go ’ He was a beast, and we ’ re honoured to have him in the ensemble ”

O L L Y W O O D ’ S B E L O V E D M A N ’ P A S S E S A W A Y A T 89

Dharmendra,

one of Bollywood’s most enduring and beloved actors, has died at age of 89

B

njab, he rose from modest beginnings to ome one of the most recognisable faces Indian cinema After winning a talent ntest in 1960, he moved to Mumbai and

c

mantic hero, making his debut in ‘Dil Bhi a Hum Bhi Tere’ Over the next six ades, he appeared in more than 300 films d

ersatility, effortlessly shifting between action, comedy, emotional dramas and later character roles

He remains best remembered for the 1975 classic ‘Sholay’, where his portrayal

ollywood’s most iconic screen pairings rime Minister Narendra Modi led the ributes, calling his passing “the end of an era ” and praising his charm, warmth and ability to connect with millions

Dharmendra also served

Ambani family hosts Pran Pratishtha in Gir; celebs and cricketers attend

The Ambani family gathered in Gir, Saurashtra, for the Pran Pratishtha of a newly built Shiv Mandir, marking the occasion with traditional rituals and a strong display of devotion Mukesh and Nita Ambani attended with their children; Akash, Anant, and Isha, their spouses, and grandchildren

The ceremony also drew prominent guests from Bollywood and cricket, including Aamir Khan with Gauri Spratt, Deepika

Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni

chanting Shiva mantras and taking part in various rituals Ranveer Singh was seen raising his hands enthusiastically during the chants, while Deepika Padukone wore a red saree for the occasion

The event featured sacred offerings and a communal havan led by Mukesh Ambani, with Nita Ambani and the family participating in the aarti and other Pran Pratishtha rituals Guests also witnessed the Bhasma Aarti, a distinctive part of Shiva worship

Soon after the ceremony, the Ambani family hosted US President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, in Jamnagar

He visited the Vantara wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre and later joined the Ambanis for an evening of garba Videos on social media showed Trump Jr arriving in Jamnagar with his girlfriend, where they received a grand welcome According to reports, the couple landed around 7:30 pm and travelled to Reliance Greens under tight security Trump Jr also offered prayers at the Ganpati Temple with Anant and Radhika Ambani before taking part in the traditional Garba-Dandiya festivities

politics with his ongoing film commitments

attention With his first wife, Prakash Kaur, he had four children, including actors Sunny

blossomed into a real-life romance, and the two married in 1980

contribution to cinema, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2012 He continued to act well into his late 80s, with his final film, ‘Ikkis’, scheduled for release next month

Following the news of his death, crowds

heartbroken that they could not get

antim darshan’ (final glimpse) A host of industry stalwarts attended the funeral at

Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh and Gauri

Padukone, Govinda, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and many others who came to honour the legendary actor’s memory

Karan Johar opens up on loneliness and finding love

Karan

Johar has long been open about his personal life, often discussing loneliness and the highs and lows of his love life

He has even said that films like ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ were shaped by his own experiences with heartbreak Now, speaking to Sania Mirza on her podcast ‘Serving It Up With Sania’, he once again reflected on feeling lonely, so much so that even close friends have urged him to move abroad to find companionship

“There was a time I really wanted love; companionship, a relationship,” Karan said “I went through everything: a broken heart, one-sided love I even made a film about it; it helped me heal But then you wonder, ‘Will someone love me for who I am or for what I bring to the table?”

He added that friends often urge him to “put himself out there” or even move abroad “I don’t know where this ‘there’ is,” he joked “And abroad, where? My life, my mom, my kids are here I do get lonely sometimes ”

Karan said loneliness hits him hardest during moments of success, like the night he won his National Award with no one to celebrate with “The love of a partner is very different We’re meant to be a unit of two,” he shared

Adding a filmy touch, he joked, “Rab ne mere liye jodi nahi banayi But never say never; when it happens, my arms will be wide open like Shah Rukh Khan!”

He also admitted that being around couples often amplifies his loneliness “Sometimes I want to call someone, but most of my friends are married, so I don’t want to impose New Year’s is the worst Anyone doing PDA, I just feel like saying, ‘Please get a room!’”

Karan’s latest directorial, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, won him his National Award earlier this year

Nagarjuna warns against cybercrime following iBomma arrest

Actor Nagarjuna spoke to the press following the arrest of Immadi Ravi, the admin of the iBomma pirate website, addressing the growing threat of cybercrime He revealed that a family member of his was recently targeted in a fraudulent ‘digital arrest’ scheme, where they were held for two days before contacting the police

This type of cybercrime has been on the rise, with fraudsters impersonating law enforcement or government officials via audio or video calls, intimidating victims, and extorting money Nagarjuna shared that his relative experienced such an incident about six months ago

Speaking to the press, Nagarjuna said, “About six months ago, one of my family members was digitally arrested for nearly two days These fraudulent groups track us and exploit our weaknesses My family member had to approach the police, and as soon as they logged on, the fraudsters vanished and couldn’t be traced ”

A police official told PTI that Nagarjuna did not file a formal complaint

He praised Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar and his team for arresting the iBomma admin and other film piracy offenders, cautioning that free online movies are often traps to collect personal data “It’s a huge international racket Nothing is free, and piracy is illegal Please be careful,” he said, echoing SS Rajamouli and Sajjanar Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Rajamouli, and Dil Raju met Hyderabad police to thank them for the arrests

Upasana Kamineni clarifies egg-freezing advice amid backlash

Afterher suggestion that women “freeze their eggs” to focus on careers sparked controversy, entrepreneur Upasana Kamineni Konidela clarified her stance. Critics claimed she was promoting her family-run Apollo Hospitals’ fertility services, but Upasana said she underwent the procedure elsewhere, stressing she was merely highlighting its benefits.

In a social media note, she addressed the backlash and explained oocyte cryopreservation, opening with rhetorical questions: “Is it wrong for a woman to marry for love instead of societal pressure? To wait for the right partner? To choose when to have children? To focus on her career rather than marrying or having children early?”

Upasana addressed each criticism, noting that she married at 27 “for love and companionship” by choice She revealed she froze her eggs at 29 for personal and health reasons, emphasizing, “[It’s] something I’ve always spoken about openly to encourage other women (for the record, not at Apollo) I welcomed my first child at 36 and am now expecting twins at 39 ” She added, “I’ve balanced my career and marriage because a happy, stable environment is crucial for raising a family Marriage and career aren’t competing priorities, they’re equally meaningful But I decide the timeline! That’s not privilege, it’s my right!”

Excited that her words sparked debate, Upasana said, “Stay tuned as I discuss the pleasures and pressures of privilege And to sound employers, let’s get more women into the workforce ”

Daughter of Apollo promoter Shobana Kamineni and granddaughter of founder Prathap C Reddy, she is vice-chairperson of CSR at Apollo

At IIT Hyderabad, she added, “The biggest insurance for women is to save your eggs Then you choose when to marry, have kids, and be financially independent ” Her remarks drew mixed reactions, prompting the statement

‘Dude’ director criticised for ‘cheap’ response, asks

influencer not to message

Debutant

director Keerthiswaran, who recently earned praise for his film ‘Dude’ starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju, is now facing backlash for his reaction to an influencer’s review

Influencer Roshini Karthikeyan shared (and later deleted) an Instagram Story showing her message to the director with her criticism of the film In a screenshot now circulating on X, Keerthiswaran allegedly replied with laughter emojis, saying, “Go and have some life rather than sliding into my DMs ” Sharing the screenshot on her Instagram stories, Roshini wrote that after watching the film and an interview clip, she decided to give the director honest feedback as a paying viewer She said she expected an upcoming filmmaker to be open to criticism but was disappointed by his response “If this is how a new director handles feedback, it says a lot about his mindset and intentions,” she remarked

Once the exchange went viral, more X users slammed Keerthiswaran for his “rude” reply Comments ranged from, “She asked politely; his response was not fair,” to “Have a healthier attitude towards women, her point was completely valid ” One user even compared him to Sandeep Reddy Vanga, saying he “ can’t take criticism head-on ” Others noted, “She simply shared her opinion, and he responded rudely ”

Keerthiswaran has not addressed the backlash yet Dude, starring Pradeep, Mamitha and Sarathkumar, released on October 17, earned 113 25 crore worldwide, and is now streaming on Netflix

Actor Kamal Hassan urges creative freedom for indie films at IFFI 2025

Veteranactor Kamal Haasan highlighted the challenges faced by indie films, saying, “Independent cinema is as free as India,” while speaking at this year’s International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa

Walking the red carpet ahead of his film ‘Amaran’, produced under Raaj Kamal Films International, the 71-year-old told PTI, “Independent cinema is very independent don’t confine it within the space of commercialised cinema ” Kamal Haasan, one of Tamil cinema’s most acclaimed actors, has long bridged the gap between experimental and mainstream films, delivering hits like ‘Apoorva Raagangal’, ‘Nayakan’, ‘Thevar Magan’, and ‘Sadma’

Emphasising the need for creative freedom, he said independent cinema shouldn’t be forced into the commercial mould On indie films struggling to secure theatre space, Haasan remarked, “Yes, that's been my complaint for about 40 years ”

At the 56th IFFI red carpet, Kamal Haasan was joined by ‘Amaran’ leads Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi The film, which opened the festival, is based on Major Mukund Vardharajan, who was killed during a counter-terror operation in Kashmir in 2014 Directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, ‘Amaran’ is adapted from a chapter of the book ‘India's Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes’ Haasan was last seen in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Thug Life’, their first collaboration in nearly four decades, though the film underperformed at the box office

BeingArchy Jay, known as India’s first professional female bagpiper, is a trailblazing musician celebrated for her unique Indian fusion music Now based in Canada, she blends the powerful sound of Scottish bagpipes with Indian folk and contemporary styles, creating a genre that bridges cultures and traditions

India’s first professional female bagpiper is an incredible distinction, how did your journey with the bagpipes begin?

“Indian fusion music deserves the world stage”

by: Subhasini Naicker

Priyanka calls Nick her “answered prayer” in new post

Actor

Priyanka Chopra and singer Nick Jonas remain one of the most adored celebrity couples, never hesitating to express their love publicly. Over the weekend, Priyanka took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post, writing, “I'll always be my husband's girl Not because it's easy, but because it's sacred He's not just my partner He's my answered prayer,” reflecting her deep admiration for Nick

Recently, Nick Jonas left Priyanka blushing when he went gaga over her stunning look at the Varanasi title and teaser launch Dressed in an ivory lehenga with gold jewellery and a braid, Priyanka channelled Princess Jasmine vibes, and Nick couldn’t stop praising her, calling her “breathtaking” and his “desi girl ”

The couple went public with their relationship after their engagement in July 2018 and tied the knot in a grand Christian and Hindu wedding at Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace that December In January 2022, they welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie, via surrogacy Priyanka has an exciting slate of projects ahead She will star in The Bluff, an action drama directed by Frank E Flowers and featuring Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green, and Temuera Morrison

The film is slated for a 2026 release She also has Citadel Season 2 line with Richard Madden

T

Prithviraj Sukumaran a the antagonist, Kumbh

W

m a under wraps, the teaser sparked speculation abo

a element The film is set a Sankranti 2027 release

That’s a question I’m often asked I’ve always been drawn to things rare and unconventional, not to stand out, but because it feels authentic to me That instinct to take the road less travelled aligned perfectly with the spirit of the bagpipes, bold, distinctive, and unlike anything else My journey began after my alternative metal band broke up, leaving me a bit lost Then, one day on YouTube, I discovered a folk metal band using bagpipes and was instantly captivated What started as fascination soon turned into determination I spent weeks researching, only to realise how complex the instrument was and how rare both the bagpipes and teachers were in India

For two years, I taught myself through an e-book, reaching out to around 50 bagpipers worldwide for guidance Only one, Sean, replied, and became my mentor, patiently teaching me through long email exchanges Eventually, I bought my first full set of bagpipes and travelled to Scotland for ten days of training to refine my skills That’s when my journey as India’s first professional female bagpiper truly began

Konkona Sensharma to direct a new comedy series

Konkona

Sensharma has carved a niche for herself not only as an actor but also as a filmmaker After ‘A Death in the Gunj’ (2016) and her segment in ‘Lust Stories 2’, she has now confirmed her next directorial venture.

Sharing an update, Konkona said, “I’m co-writing and co-directing a comedy series with my college friend Jaydeep Sarkar I’m a little nervous, but the idea is to have fun, that’s really what it’s about ” Many actor-directors choose to star in their own projects, but Konkona Sensharma isn’t one of them Recently seen in ‘Search: The Naina Murder Case’, she said she has no plans to act in her upcoming directorial “I don’t think I’ll be starring in it I already have so many wonderful actors, why make things harder for myself? I know some artistes write and direct for themselves, but I don’t have the guts to do that,” she laughed

Konkona has had a busy 2025 She marked 20 years of her Hindi debut ‘Page 3 ’ , and also reunited with Anurag Basu for ‘Metro In Dino’, the sequel to the 2007 hit ‘Life In A Metro’ She was the only actor from the original cast to return, this time paired opposite Pankaj Tripathi

In the original film, Konkona starred opposite the late Irrfan Khan In an earlier interview with us, she fondly recalled working with him: “I had a wonderful time with Anurag the first time, but this time I missed Irrfan so much While shooting certain scenes, we kept remembering him In the first movie, I was the one who gave him the name Monty I got quite emotional during ”

Doyou find similarities between the emotional depth of Indian classical or folk instruments and the haunting tones of the bagpipe?

Working closely with both Scottish and Indian music, I’ve noticed so many similarities Having been to Scotland, I feel the spirit of its people and music is quite like ours warm, lively, honest, and full of heart Both Scottish and Indian folk traditions are vibrant, rhythmic, and deeply rooted in celebration They share similar time signatures and an “outlaw” energy that makes them raw yet joyful When blended thoughtfully, the mix of bagpipes with Indian folk creates an incredible burst of sound and emotion that I absolutely love

Couldyou tell us more about your creative process and musical collaborations?

When I started learning the bagpipes, I loved experimenting with sounds the instrument wasn’t known for from Skrillex and EDM to Indian folk tunes One day, I played ‘Choli Ke Peeche’ on the bagpipes, posted it online, and people loved it That response inspired me to explore Indian-Scottish fusion, and my first Punjabi-Scottish track later went viral with over 13 million views That’s when I realised I’d found my niche blending Indian and Celtic sounds into something truly unique My creative process is spontaneous; ideas strike anywhere, and I quickly record them before developing them with my producer

How do you envision the evolution of Indian fusion music on the global stage and what role do you see yourself playing in that movement?

I absolutely see Indian fusion music reaching the world’s biggest stages Many artists are already doing it, and I feel so proud to see that I can easily imagine performing at Coachella one day with my own band, bringing my unique blend of Indian and Celtic sounds to a global audience Indian fusion music has so much depth and flavour, it deserves to be experienced worldwide Being South Indian, I’ve also been exploring Carnatic influences by incorporating instruments like the mridangam and showcasing Bharatanatyam in my recent music video instead of the usual Punjabi elements The response was amazing, and it’s inspired me to keep expanding and representing the rich diversity of Indian music

Ahaan rejects ‘star kid’ tag despite film family links

Ahaan Panday has enjoyed the kind of Bollywood debut many dream of. His first film, ‘Saiyaara’, has been a massive success, earning 580 crore and becoming the highest-grossing romantic film in Indian cinema. While critics and fans have praised his performance, some have pointed out that coming from a film family may have eased his path

In a recent GQ interview, Ahaan acknowledged his privilege but rejected the ‘star kid’ label, saying, “I can’t speak from experience because Chikki Pandey is not a star But if I have to speak on behalf of my friends, I think each has their own trials and tribulations ”

Ahaan is the son of businessman Aloke ‘Chikki’ Pandey and Deanne Pandey Though his parents are not from the film industry, his father’s close friendship with Shah Rukh Khan and his uncle Chunky Panday’s long acting career meant Ahaan grew up around Bollywood, something he openly acknowledges

“I ve always felt like I come from behind a fence I could reach out to the industry but never quite touch it,” he said “Even as a child, I was surrounded by film personalities but never really part of that world My privilege was getting to observe it all up close and learn from the people excelling on the other side ”

Ahaan is currently riding high on Saiyaara’s massive success The Mohit Suri film is among 2025 ’ s highestg r o s s i n g I n d i a n r e l e a s

opportunities for the newcomer His next project, also under the YRF banner, is an action romance directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and co-starring Sharvari Aaishvary Thackeray, who also debuted this year, will play the antagonist in the yet-untitled film

Indian women lift T20 world cup for blind

Relying o n instinct, rhyth m and the rattle of a ball they could not see, an Ind ian contingent led by D

inaugural Wom en's T20 World

the Blind with a

C

h oisted the wo men's ODI World C up

Chasing Nepal's 114/5, India cruised to 117/3 in just 12 1 overs at the P Saravanamuttu Stadiu in Sri Lanka Phula Saren, who comes from a Santhal village in Odisha, anchored the innings with a match-defining 44 off 27 balls

Blind cricket is played with

track it by sound Teams include a

impairment), B2, and B3 players, balancing the field with varying levels of vision Bowlers deliver the ball underarm so it skims or bounces along the pitch, and batters rely on sound, timing, and spatial memory rather than s

F

Lanka, Australia, and the US also in the fray, India had topped the round-robin stage unscathed In their run to glory, the women in blue decimated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets, Nepal by 85

Pakistan by eight wickets before

Lakshya wins Australian open badminton title

P e rs i st in g th r o u g h

f ai l ur es o n and o ff th e

c ourt, badm inton p layer

L akshya Sen ended h is 12m onth title d roug ht with

a 2 1 -1 5, 2 1 - 1 1 v i c to ry against Yushi Tanaka of Japan in the final of the

A u st ral i an O p en BW F

S uper-500 tournam ent in S yd ney Laksh ya ’ s last title w as the Syed Mo di BWF

S uper-30 0 tournament in

L ucknow on Dec 1, 2024

The Sydney final lasted 38 m i n u t e s a n d t h e 2 4 - y e a r - o l d from Almora became the only Indian this year to win a Super-

s h i V a l i s h e t t y ( S u p e r100) were the other Indians to

w i n a t i t l e t h i s y e a r T h e

t r i u m p h d o w n u n d e

m u c h - n e e d e d b o o s t f o r Lakshya, who missed out on a medal in the Paris Olympics and w e n t t h r o u g h a l e a n p a t c h thereafter It’s his third Super500 title after the Canada Open (2023) and India Open (2022) Despite a sapping 86-minute

Lakshya Sen

semifinal, Lakshya dominated Tanaka in the final Executing cross court smash winners with ease and controlling the net, Lakshya was at his best

Playing the first Super-500 final of his career, 26-year-old

T a n a k a , w h o s t u n n e d s e v e r a l top-ranked shuttlers on way to the final, tested Lakshya briefly in the first game But Lakshya controlled the game by engaging h i s r i v a l i n l o n g r a l l i e s a n d finding gaps to secure winners

H i s d i v i n g r e t r i e v e s w e r e a delight to watch for fans, who came in good number to cheer for the Indian

South Africa eye clean sweep against India

I nd i a o p en er

mbl ed i n t

a mammoth 54 9-run target to end day fo ur of second Tes t a

p r e ca r i o u s 2 7 f o r 2 i n G uwahati o n Tues day

Trailing 0-1 in the twomatch series, India lost Jaiswal (13)

t o p a c e r M a r c o J a n s e n i n t h e seventh over and KL Rahul (6) to spinner Simon Harmer in the 10th over At stumps, Sai Sudharsan (2 not out off 25 balls) and night watchman Kuldeep Yadav (4 not out off 22 balls) were at the crease with India requiring another 522 runs to win and level the two-Test series It was a day when Proteas batters Tristan Stubbs (94 runs off 180 balls) and Tony de Zorzi (49 off 68 balls) defied India's spin

crushing Australia by 209 runs Then, on Nov 23, they sealed the

fiercest rivals in blind cricket with a nearly two decade head start in the game

“The girls cried happy tears and so did I,” said Mahantesh Kivadasannavar, the chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the cricket wing of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, which organised t

Lanka as co-host

“Many of the players come f

discovered cricket through blind schools, NGO-led camps, and s

pockets, parents don’t send their girls out of the house,” he said

Indians win 20 medals at World Boxing Cup final

nd doubl

champion

Nikhat Zare en (51kg) shone

B ox in g Cup fin al at Great er Noida wit h 20 meda ls (9 gold, 6 s il v e r , 5 b r o n ze ) w it h women pocketing seven gold meda ls A m o n g m e n , S a c h i n Siwach (60kg) and Hitesh Gulia

( 7 0 k g ) f i n i s h e d o n

Championships

Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Abhinash Jamwal

( 6 5 k g ) , A n k u s h ( 8 0 k g ) , a n d Narender (90+kg) going down in the summit clash

India had made 15 of the 20 p o s s i b l e f i n a l s , e i g h t a m o n g women and seven among men, and the result comes as a shot in the arm for elite boxers who had endured a forgettable last year following a medalless run at the Paris Olympics India’s success, e x p e c t e d l y , w a s d r i v e n b y women boxers who came into competition on the back of three gold medals at the World Cup Stage II in Astana and two gold medals at the Liverpool World

This is the first time that I n d i a h a s w o n i n a l l w e i g h t c a t e g o r i e s i n a g l o b a l championship of the sport The w o m e n ’ s t e a m f i n i s h e d w i t h seven gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, while the men ’ s team finished with two gold, five silver, and three bronze medals T h e W o r l d B o x i n g C u p F i n a l s i s a t o u r n a m e n t incorporated for the first time in t h e c a l e n d a r o f t h e n e w international body of the sport t h a t a l l

c

m p e t

y c a t e g o r y , starting from the quarter-finals However, the tournament lacked s u b s t a n t i a l c o m p e t i t i o n a n d participation from the top brass of amateur boxing in the world

Rahul to lead India in Gill’s absence

With Shubman Gill still r ec o v er i n g f ro m h i s n eck in jury, KL R ahul was named captai n of the I ndi an team for the t

attack before the visitors declared their second innings at 260 for 5, giving the hosts a mountain of runs to climb After Ravindra Jadeja (4/62) and Washington Sundar (1/67) got e a r l y b r e a k t h r o u g h s i n t h e morning session, Stubbs and de Zorzi batted resolutely to stitch t o g e t h e r a 1 0 1 - r u n s t a n d t o consolidate their team s position

Stubbs also put on another 82 runs with Wiaan Mulder (35 runs) for the fifth wicket

Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the ODI series in Australia due to personal reasons, returned to the s q u a d , t h e n a t

n

l s e l e c t i o n committee decided to drop leftarm spinning all-rounder Axar

P a t e l w h i l e r e s t i n g p a c e spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj Rahul, who captained India in 12 ODIs between 2022 and 2023, returns to the role after two years The ODIs will be played on Nov 30 in Ranchi, Dec 3 in Raipur and Dec 6 in Visakhapatnam, before a five-match T20I series

AUSTRALIA SCORE 8WICKET VICTORY OVER ENGLAND

Makeshift opener Travis Head scored a brilliant century and paceman Mitchell Starc claimed a 10-wicket haul as Australia ran out eight-wicket victors against England inside an astonishing two days during the Ashes opener at Perth Stadium The manic style of cricket which produced the shortest Ashes test by overs-bowled to deliver a result since 1888 kept the crowd enthralled as both sides gained and relinquished the ascendancy throughout That was incredible to witness, Australia s stand-in captain Steve Smith said after Head struck a match-winning 123 off 83 balls England had set Australia a target of 205 after being bowled out for 164 by tea on Day Two losing nine second-session wickets in the wake of a Scott Boland masterclass of 4/33 Head, replacing opener Usman Khawaja, who gingerly left the field in England’s 27th over with back trouble got Australia’s run chase off to a rollicking start, giving the tourists a taste of their own Bazball’ medicine in the third session “I was just pleased with the way I started and when we got around that 40 50 partnership, it felt like it was right there for the taking ” Head said The fourth innings raced to a conclusion with Head clubbing four sixes and 16 boundaries before launching Carse to Ollie Pope at deep midwicket hugging Labuschagne and soaking in the applause as he walked off Brief scores: Aus 132 & 205/2 (Head 123 Labuschagne 51*, Carse 2-44) beat England 172 & 164 (Atkinson 37, Boland 4-33, Starc 355) by eight wickets

INDIA WIN WOMEN’S KABADDI WORLD CUP

The Indian women s kabaddi team secured its second consecutive World Cup title with a 35–28 win over Chinese Taipei in Dhaka India emerged on top in a tournament involving 11 countries Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the many who lauded the women s team for the remarkable achievement “Congratulations to our Indian women’s kabaddi team for making the nation proud by winning the Kabaddi World Cup 2025! They have showcased outstanding grit, skills and dedication Their victory will inspire countless youngsters to pursue Kabaddi, dream bigger and aim higher,” the Prime Minister wrote on X Unbeaten India were in sublime form throughout the tournament They had beaten Iran 33-21 to enter the summit clash Chinese Taipei on the other hand beat hosts Bangladesh 25–18 in the semifinals Home Minister Amit Shah too was quick to congratulate the team

s t a r t i n g D e c 9 M e a n w h i l e , R i s h a b h Pant, Ruturaj Gaikwad a n d T i l a k V a r m a a l l made ODI comebacks Gill’s injury not too serious

A c c o r d i n g t o reports, Gill’s injury is not “serious” and unlikely to rule him out for long Selectors hope the 26-year-old will be fit for the five-match T20I series beginning Dec 9 Gill recently consulted spinal specialist Dr Abhay Nene in Mumbai S

Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (capt &

INDIAN ATHLETES SO FAR WIN 20 MEDALS AT DEAFLYMPICS

A total of 73 Indian athletes - 45 men and 28 women - are competing for medals across 11 sports at the ongoing Deaflympics 2025, being held in Tokyo, Japan from November 15 to 26 Shooting features the biggest Indian contingent with 12 athletes, followed by athletics with 11 The shooters won India s first medals with Dhanush Srikanth defending his men’s 10m air rifle title with a new world record score of 252 2 and Mohammad Vania winning the silver in the same event Mahit Sandhu and Komal Waghmare, meanwhile, won the silver and bronze medals respectively, in the women’s 10m air rifle event minutes later Anuya Prasad set a new world record in the women's 10m air pistol event Abhinav Deshwal clinched gold in the men s 25m pistol event and also equalled the world and Deaflympic record in the qualification round Pranjali Dhumal did the same in women s 25m pistol