AV 30th August 2025

GCSE results 2025 P17

The RSS marks 100 years of Hindu nationalism P23 ---------------US issues notice to impose 50% tariff on India P25 ----------------

Pujara retires from all forms of cricket after illustrious test career P32

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

Many second and third-generation immigrants still recall that day in 1979 when Southall, home to thousands of South Asian migrants who had built their lives and businesses against the odds, stood face to face with the National Front as it marched its hatred into the heart of their community

The Southall riots laid bare a harsh truth: Britain s far-right was emboldened, its institutions often complicit and recent events across the country serve as a stark reminder of that past and compels us to ask: where is this nation truly headed?

Asking this question and reflecting on it has become vital for citizens, politicians and opposition leaders both here and abroad In the UK, anti-immigration protests have intensified Just recently, clashes erupted between anti-fascist activists, anti-migrant demonstrators and police officers Fights broke out as counter-protesters and police confronted each other; officers drew their batons and ordered crowds to “get back” while trying to separate the opposing groups The unrest in the southwest city centre was one of about 30 demonstrations held nationwide, including in Exeter, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Tamworth, Cannock in Staffordshire, Horley in Surrey, and Canary Wharf in central London

Additionally, Keir Starmer and the Labour Party s position on immigration remains deeply inconsistent On one hand, the Prime Minister celebrates Britain’s diversity at No 10; on the other, he warns about the nation becoming “an island of strangers ” While the ruling party tries to match Reform UK’s “Britain First” rhetoric, it continues to struggle with controlling illegal migration British Asians expelled from Uganda in 1972 left behind generations of wealth, history, thriving businesses, and vibrant communities to rebuild their lives in the UK Arriving to a cold climate, stark cultural differences, and often open racism and hostility, they could never have imagined that decades later they would once again witness a similar rhetoric around race and immigration

Modi’s Gujarat push

EVs, minerals and

‘Make in India’ milestones

Subhasini Naicker

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to Gujarat on August 25-26, inaugurating and laying the foundation for development projects worth over Rs 5,400 crore in Ahmedabad These projects span urban development, energy, roads, and railways, highlighting the government s push for infrastructure and connectivity

Airport from Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister B

President C R Patil, and senior state officials

From the airport, PM Modi headed to Naroda for a two-kilometre roadshow from Haridarshan crossroads to Khodaldham ground in Nikol, where thousands lined the streets to greet him.

On August 25, at 6 PM, he addressed a public gathering at Khodaldham ground, dedicating multiple projects to the nation and laying foundations for others The next day, he visited Suzuki’s Hansalpur plant to inaugurate localised production of hybrid battery electrodes and flag off exports of Suzuki s first global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the e-VITARA, to over 100 countries, including Europe and Japan

In the rail sector, projects worth over Rs

Angela Rayner may bar Sadiq Khan’s MP bid

A ng ela Rayner is facing criticism over p lans that cou ld blo ck London M ayor Sadiq

K h a n fro m ret u

n g to P ar li am ent w h

s ti ll i n o ff ice

Un d e r t h e E n g l i s h

Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill tabled by the deputy prime minister,

m a y o r s w o u l d

e d from ser ving as MPs simultaneously The change, also a

Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham, would prevent Sir Sadiq from contesting a seat before the next general election, effectively ruling out any leadership bid should Sir Keir Starmer step down

R a y n e r ’ s d e p a r t m e n t insists the move is about

s

However, critics accuse her of political manoeuvring A Tor y strategist, according to The Sunday Telegraph, said, “Fresh from tr ying to undermine Wes Streeting, Angela

R a y n e r i s a g a i n k n i f i n g potential rivals She should

countr y last ”

Boris Johnson previously ser ved as both mayor and MP, using the dual roles to raise his prof ile ahead of his leadership bid Sir Sadiq has d

n s h e wants to lead Labour, stating he has “ no interest at all” i n r e t u r

Commons

f irst year for Starmer, with some MPs urging Rayner to c

something she has repeatedly denied In a recent Sky Ne

“Absolutely not I don’t want to be leader of the Labour Party I’m honoured to be deputy prime minister and focused on delivering for the countr

“Mayors who ser ve as police

being MPs This change simply makes the rule consistent for all mayors so they can focus fully on their role ”

Offenders to avoid jail under sentencing reforms

Tens o f t h o u sa nd s o f

o f fen d ers , in c lu d i ng

s h o p li f te rs , d ru g d ea ler s, v iolent offenders and some s e x o ffe nd e rs , are se t to avoid prison und er sweeping sentencing reform s due to be p resented to MPs next m onth

The government’s new Sentencing Bill will direct judges to presume against p r i s o n t e r m s o f u n d e r 1 2 months, except in “ excep-

t i o n a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s ”

Ju s t i c e S e c r e t a r y S h a b a n a Mahmood f irst outlined the plan in May as part of efforts to tackle Britain’s chronic p r i s o n o v e r c r o w d i n g Instead, most offenders will f a c e t o u g h e r c o m m u n i t y -

based penalties

The shake-up, the most signif icant in 30 years, follows recommendations by T h e T i m e s Cr i m e a n d Justice Commission and an independent review led by fo r m e r j u s t i c e s e c r e t a r y

David Gauke It also introduces a Texas-style system allowing prisoners to earn early release through good behaviour

Other measures include tougher banning orders to keep offenders away from pubs and football matches, wider use of electronic tags, deportation of foreign criminals, and the expansion of intensive super vision courts fo r v u l n e r a b l e o f fe n d e r s

such as women and those with drug addictions A g o v e r n m e n t s o u r c e s a i d m a k i n g c o m m u n i t y sentences

more restrictive

strengthen their deterrent effect Ministers warn that without reform, the prison e

space within months

Polling by YouGov for T

found 47% of the public support community sentences fo

favour prison Experts have warned that short custodial terms often lead to a cycle of reoffending and place extra strain on the justice system

UK risks falling behind on cancer care

Britain is in dang er of trailing other co untries on cancer surv ival unless the NHS p ays m ore fo r cutting -ed ge m ed icines, ind ustry lead ers h ave warned Pharmaceutical companies say outdated NHS drug

investment and clinical tria

s m o v e o v e

T h e Na t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e fo r Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which decides which drugs the NHS can buy, values an extra year of good-

unchanged since 1999 By c

Corbyn’s party can attract quarter of L abour members

Nea rly o ne i n fo u r L a bo u r m

they wo uld cons

ng Je rem y C o rby

s forthcom ing leftwing party at the next g eneral electio n, acco rding to a new Surv ation poll

The sur vey of 1 , 0 2

LabourList, found 28% were open to supporti n g C o r b y n ’

launch off icially this autumn alongside MP Zarah Sultana The poll will buoy the pair, as it also revealed 59% of Labour members want Sir Keir Starmer to adopt more left-wing policies Only 2% favoured a shift to the right, while 35% said Starmer should speed up his current agenda

However, 51% of respondents warned that a new Corbyn-led party risked splitting the left and boosting the Conser vatives or Reform UK Another 14% believed it would have no i

Greens were most at risk of losing votes

Corbyn, who unveiled his new political project earlier this month, welcomed the poll “For too long people have been denied a real political choice Not anymore This is just the beginning we are an unstoppable movement ”

The polling comes amid falling Labour membership f igures The party shed nearly 200,000 members over the past f ive years, d r o p p i n g f r o m a p e a

3 2 , 0 4 6 u n d

Corbyn in 2019 to 333,235 by the end of last year, with 37,215 leaving in 2024 alone Me a n w h i l e , R e fo r m U K h a s r e p o r

surging membership, with fee income rising to £4 3m and donations jumping from £1 3m in 2023 to £5 8m last year

Arrests made after suspected arson attack on London restaurant

Germany spend up to 17 percent of their healthcare budg e t s o n m e d

c

n e s , c o mpared with 9 per cent in the UK D r u g

that

No

the

patients missing out on lifeextending treatments available in dozens of countries

“hard to champion” Britain for research or manufactur-

abandoning the NHS Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network shows nearly 96,000 cancer admis-

per cent

since 2020, with demand for private chemotherapy up 9

Police have arrested tw o p eople, a 1 5-year-old boy and a 54 -year-o ld m an, ov er a susp ected arson attack at a Indian restaurant in east Lo nd on that left f ive peo ple seriously injured Emergency ser vices were called to the p r e m i s e s

n Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill, Ilford, around 9pm on Friday Off icers said a man and a woman remain in hospital with life-threatening injuries, while three others are also being treated

Detectives believe the blaze was started deliberately CCT V footage obtained by PA appears to show several masked individuals entering the restaurant, pouring liquid on the floor and, seconds later, flames engulf ing the building

Sunday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remain in custody Police are also tr ying to trace two other people believed to have fled before off icers arrived

According to the London Fire Brigade, f ive people were rescued from inside while nine others escaped unaided Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers of the Met’s Central Specialist Crime unit said the investigation was progressing “at pace ” and urged witnesses to come for ward “ T h e c o m m u n i t y i s u n d e r s t a n d a b l y shocked by this incident,” he said “While two arrests have been made, we are determined to establish exactly what happened on Friday evening ” Anyone with information is asked to contact the Met

I N B R I E F

BRITAIN BACKS DOWN ON APPLE DATA ACCESS DEMAND

The UK government has dropped its demand that Apple grant authorities a back door to access encrypted files of foreign users, following pressure from the Trump administration The Home Office issued the order in January under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, seeking blanket access to data uploaded by Apple users worldwide Apple challenged the order legally and suspended its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) tool for UK customers, insisting it would never create a “master key” to its systems US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, warned the demand would breach Americans’ civil liberties President Trump reportedly raised the issue directly with Sir Keir Starmer, likening the proposal to Chinese -style surveillance While the order is expected to remain in place for British users meaning ADP is unlikely to return in the UK officials say the UK has caved” to US pressure The Financial Times noted the withdrawal has yet to be formalised A government spokesman declined to comment

LORDS SHAKE-UP WITH AGE , ATTENDANCE RULES

Labour will move to cull inactive peers from the House of Lords and introduce a mandatory retirement age of 80 as part of wider reforms Angela Smith, the Lords leader, wrote in The Telegraph that a crossparty select committee will examine the next stage of reform once the abolition of hereditary peers is complete The final bill removing the remaining 86 hereditary seats is due this year Smith stressed that ending hereditary membership was “by no means the limit ” of Labour ’s ambitions The committee will explore how to measure participation fairly and how to phase in retirement without creating a cliff edge” She said most peers accept the Lords is too large and some rarely attend Contributions in debates and committee work will be considered Smith added that reforms should be collaborative and ensure the Lords remains an effective revising chamber, “Ongoing improvements must keep it fit for purpose and serving the public ”

REFORM LEADER

, 2 2 ,

OUSTED AFTER THREE MONTHS

At just 22 , Reform UK councillor Joseph Boam has been ousted as Leicestershire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Lead for Adult Social Care after only three months No official reason was given but reports suggest a clash with Reform leader Dan Harrison Boam vowed to continue serving Whitwick saying nothing’s changed” and pledging support for Reform and Nigel Farage His exit has fuelled criticism of the Reform-led council Conservative leader Deborah Taylor called the administration a shambles, claiming Boam was wholly unqualified for one of the council s most demanding roles, overseeing services that make up 70% of its £616m budget She said the portfolio needs experienced leadership, not “instability and poor judgment ” Reform UK thanked Boam for helping establish its council group and said he will take up another role Concerns remain about the youth and inexperience of Reform leaders, with 19-year- old George Finch heading Warwickshire County Council Critic s warn such posts require deep expertise supporting vulnerable communities

Thought for the week

Trusting China is a dangerous illusion

India is at a crossroads With US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian imports, New Delhi has been pushed to look for new options Some signs suggest a softening towards China Flights between the two countries have resumed, visa restrictions have been lifted, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Beijing soon for the first time in seven years. But the question must be asked: is it wise for India to put trust in China once again?

History says no In 1962, China launched an invasion of India while speaking of friendship and the Panchsheel Agreement Since then, China has repeatedly acted against India’s interests From the Galwan Valley clash to repeated incursions in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, Beijing has shown it does not respect India’s sovereignty At the United Nations, China has often blocked India’s attempts to designate Pakistan-based terrorists, protecting Islamabad from accountability During Operation Sindoor, China even gave major military and strategic support to Pakistan

Beyond the border, China’s behaviour in Tibet and Xinjiang shows the nature of its politics President Xi Jinping recently marked 60 years of Chinese control over Tibet with large-scale celebrations, while Tibetans were prevented from carrying out traditional prayers and monks faced restrictions The government has steadily tried to erase Tibetan culture and identity In Xinjiang, around 10 m

mosques demolished and communities forced into assimilation This is the same government that India is now being

urged to trust

Economically, the relationship is also risky India’s trade deficit with China stands at around 100 billion dollars India relies heavily on Chinese imports for semiconductors, rare earths and machinery This makes the trade one-sided and creates vulnerabilities that could be exploited in the future By contrast, India runs a trade surplus with the United States. Leaning towards China may give some shortterm relief from American tariffs, but in the long run, it could deepen India’s dependence on a rival that has never hidden its ambitions

For British Asians, the lesson is familiar Many of us have seen how promises of cooperation can hide deeper risks China’s economic strength often makes the world stay silent about its human rights abuses, but silence should not mean trust

The tariffs from Washington are a challenge But turning towards Beijing is not the answer India’s future depends on resilience, reform and balanced partnerships, not on relying on a power with a history of hostility PM Modi and his government are fully aware of these challenges and are expected to take a cautious and strategic approach Strengthening alliances with trusted partners, reducing economic dependence on any single country and focusing on self-reliance through initiatives like Make in India will likely be central to India’s response Blind trust in China would be a mistake A neighbour that has invaded, deceived and suppressed should not be seen as a safe partner

India’s growth and progress achieved under democracy

For many years, China was not seen as America’s enemy That changed only when China grew into an economic superpower Now, as India rises on the global stage, it too is facing the same kind of pressure and scrutiny

US President Donald Trump’s new tariff threats, some as high as 50 per cent, are aimed at scaring countries into submission China has already shifted under the strain of tariffs India, however, has stood firm As The Economic Times noted recently, Indian businesses remain “optimistic” and see India as a promising hub for growth despite these tariff shocks

The difference lies in India’s steady path towards s e l f - r e l i a n c e P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d

Atmanirbhar Bharat programme, along with reforms such as revised GST rules, has boosted domestic demand and helped Indian companies stay competitive Even as tariffs hit some sectors, India has not bowed to pressure Instead, it is focusing on making its economy more resilient

At the same time, the BRICS group of nations is taking steps to reduce dependence on the US dollar Trade i n l o

increasing A new cross-border payment system called BRICS Pay is being developed to cut costs and give members more financial independence India’s central bank governor, Shaktikanta Das, has described this shift as “de-risking trade” rather than abandoning the dollar completely This shows that India is aligning with a

broader trend while keeping its own interests in mind

Despite Trump’s tariffs, global institutions remain confident about India’s strength Fitch Ratings recently reaffirmed India’s credit rating at BBB- with a stable outlook The agency said that while tariffs are a risk, India’s “robust growth and solid external finances” help to limit the damage This reflects the resilience of the Indian economy at a time when many other countries are struggling

The impact of tariffs is real Analysts estimate that Indian exports worth billions of dollars, from textiles to gems and seafood, could be hit But the government is responding with measures such as support for exporters and domestic reforms These steps show that India is not waiting for others to decide its future It is shaping its own growth path

The bigger lesson here is about trust and resilience Trusting China as a long-term partner proved risky for many nations once Beijing used its economic power more aggressively India, in contrast, is showing that resilience built on self-reliance and reform can provide a more stable path

India is not giving in to tariff intimidation It is strengthening its economy from within, building global partnerships and positioning itself as a reliable and independent power That is why India today is seen not as a country under pressure, but as one moving forward with confidence

Blaming immigrants will not fix Britain’s problems

In towns and cities across Britain, protests outside asylum hotels are becoming louder People shout at refugees to “ go home”, and politicians on the far right say migrants are to blame for crowded hospitals, fewer jobs and unsafe streets But this view is misleading The real problems come from weak economic policies and poor government decisions, not from people seeking safety

Take the example of Afghan families staying in hotels near Cardiff They arrived legally through a resettlement scheme after Britain withdrew from Afghanistan They are not criminals They are people who had to flee war, a war in which Britain was deeply involved The same is true for many Syrians, Iraqis and Libyans who come here

These refugees are here because of conflicts that Britain also played a part in

H i s t o r y s h o w s t h a t m i g r a n t s h a v e m a d e B r i t a i n stronger In the 1970s, Ugandan Asians came here after being forced out by Idi Amin At first, there was fear and resistance Yet those families went on to open shops, create jobs and become some of the country’s most successful business leaders Names like the Hindujas, Mittals, Dhamechas and many others have shown how migration has actually added wealth and opportunity to Britain

The current anger about immigration is actually linked to other issues Taxes are high, and many wealthy families and companies are leaving the country Jobs are harder to find, and hiring freezes make people anxious The cost of living has risen sharply, putting pressure on

families But instead of facing these challenges, politicians find it easier to blame migrants The far right uses asylum seekers as scapegoats, pointing to the NHS and public services, when the truth is that these services are under strain because of years of underfunding

There is also a cultural side to this problem Hate crimes against Muslims and other minorities have more than doubled in recent years At the same time, political arguments over how to define Islamophobia or antisemitism have created confusion This has allowed extremists to spread division more easily Attacking refugees and minorities does not solve prejudice It only fuels it

Britain has a proud history of correcting itself The success of Ugandan Asians and the contributions of many other migrant groups prove that immigration has been good for the country Blaming immigrants will not fix the NHS, cut food prices or bring down energy bills It only distracts from the deeper need for better economic management and stronger leadership

For the diaspora, this debate feels personal Our families often faced suspicion when they first arrived Yet we have become part of the fabric of this nation, contributing in every field from business to culture The truth is simple: immigrants are not Britain’s problem They are part of its solution Britain’s future will be stronger if it looks to fairness and reform rather than fear and division

“In

three words I can sum up everything

I've learned about life:

it

goes on ” - Robert Frost

Political Sketchbook

Alpesh Patel

While Uncle Sam Flirts with Pakistan, Britain Should Be Wooing the Real Comeback Kid: India

As th e United S tates gets ever more into bed with Pakistan spanning military su ppo rt, bu ying US p lanes, intelligence co-op eration (where have we heard all th at befo re?) , mini ng, o il, and c rypto liai so ns- the Uni ted Kingdom finds itself at a cros sro ads Does it fo llo w Wash ington’s wallet-tilting ch arm o ffensive, or lean into th e far stu rdier, far more strategic embrace o f India? Th e answer sh ould be as clear as a S cotch in the Co mmons

1 The U S –Pakistan Pivot: A Strategic Grey Zone

Just last week, U S Secretary of State Marco Rubio a n n o u n c e

Pakistan spanning critical minerals and hydrocarbons, tied in with burgeoning counter-terrorism collaboration and reduced tariffs He can says what he likes, and put Intel into Pakistan now that Microsoft have pulled out and Apple and Tesla are ever deeper into India

And it's not just polite diplomacy this is flattery turned policy The U S has already lowered Pakistani tariffs under the banner of trade appeal, while bolstering crypto and rare-earth alliances

It isn’t merely opportunistic it’s theatrical The over-

Pakistan’s offers oil reserves, crypto ventures, rare-earth partnerships shine on paper but flicker when faced with economic and security instability Pakistan will play the harlot between two suitors – China and America and milk both for as much as she can get

2 India: Your FTA Partner, Not Just Another Trade Friend

Meanwhile, Britain isn't just standing around The I n d

Agreement (CETA) signed in July 2025 slashed tariffs across 99% of trade lines, unlocking not just deals but £6 billion in fresh investments and over 2,200 British jobs This is the UK's most ambitious trade pact postBrexit and it's already paying dividends

Put simply: while the U S flirts with flashy promises, the UK has sealed a serious, long-term deal with substance, job creation, and mutual grwth But the UK is no fool, it knows India is independent minded Their biggest concern will be India does something on UK soil as it is alleged to have done in Canada – and it gets out – and then the relations is really kaput

3 Defence and Tech: Forging Tangible, Not Transactional, Bonds

This deepening partnership runs deeper than balance-of-payments charts In early 2025, the UK inked pacts with India’s Bharat Dynamics, supplying advanced air-defence systems, missiles, and next-gen naval propulsion systems On the tech front, the UK-India Strategic Partnership extends into AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotech, and critical minerals fledgling but focused collaborations across innovation corridors define the Vision 2035 future roadmap

4. Crypto Cold War: India’s Margin for Error Has Shrunk

It’s not just dollars and missiles in play blockchains are too As Pakistan, Bhutan, the U S , and UAE race into crypto ecosystems as geopolitical tools, India is notably cautious, teetering on regulatory ambivalence a position that may leave it outpaced in this digital arena

Aston University research to guide ethnic minority business policy

proposals from the ‘Time to Change’ report, produced by the University’s Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME)

NatWest Group

T

minority businesses, includ-

c c e s s t o finance, markets, and pro-

f

R e s e a r c h e

s e s t i m a t e t h a t addressing these challenges

c o u l d a d d £ 7 5 b i l l i o n i n Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy It sets out

1 0 e v i d e n c e - b a s e d r e c o m -

m e n d a t i o n s t o

inclusion in policy, finance, and business support, with

C R E M E ’ s r e s e a r c h b a c k e d by NatWest Published in 2022, the

study will inform the gov-

SMEs, introducing tailored growth services and involv-

making

Professor Monder Ram O B E , d

Business at Aston Business School, said: “We’re thrilled

Business and Trade will help

Change’ report, embedding its recommendations across

ecosystem

“The government’s new

strategy marks a pivotal step for inclusive entrepreneur-

now formally part of national policy, a shift from advocacy to action

shape its strategies

Derby killer faces life term after guilty plea

A man has admitted mur-

d e ri n g a c us t

t a L l oy ds B a n k b

D erby

H a y b e C a b d i r

Nur, 47, of Western Road,

D e r b y , p l e a d e d g u i l t y t o fatally stabbing 37-year-old Gurvinder Johal at the St Peter's Street branch shortly after 2:30pm on 6 May

H e e n t e r e d h i s p l e a a t Derby Crown Court with a Somali interpreter, in front of the victim’s family and friends

Judge Shaun Smith KC set a provisional sentencing date of 29 October, con-

firming Nur will receive a life sentence with a starting point of 25 years, subject to m i t i g a t i n g o r a g g r a v a t i n g factors He told the defend a n t : “ Y o u w i l l b e s e ntenced on 29 October Until

then, you are remanded in custody ” Mr Johal had gone to Lloyds with bank holiday takings from his Hen and Chickens Bar and Grill in

S h e l t o n L o c k , a f a m i l y friend said He had recently returned from a family trip to India

D e t I n s p T o n y O w e n said he was glad the guilty plea spared Mr Johal’s family a trial CPS prosecutor Janine McKinney called it “ a t r u l y s h o c k i n g c r i m e i n broad daylight” and offered condolences to Mr Johal’s family and community

Speeding driver jailed for killing unborn baby

A speed ing d river who killed an unbo rn baby after h itting

t h e c h i ld ’ s m o th e r o n a z eb ra cr o ss i ng h as be en jailed for 13 years

Ashir Shahid, 23, struck 31-year-old Renju Joseph in

B a m b e r B r i d g e , n e a r Preston, Lancashire, while driving a Toyota Prius at up to 71mph in a 30mph zone

o n S e p t e m b e r 2 9 M r s Joseph, five months preg-

n a n t , w a s w a l k i n g t o h e r night shift with colleagues

w h e n S h a h i d a c c e l e r a t e d a n d s w e r v e d , h i

g h e r She was thrown into the air and landed on another car

An emergency C-section was carried out, but her son Olive died five hours later

J u d g e I a n U n s w o r t h K C described Shahid’s driving as “appalling,” comparing his acceleration to “ a Formula 1 race track ” He noted Mrs Joseph never saw her baby alive

V i d e o f o o t a g e f r o m Shahid’s and his 17-year-old b

showed them driving recklessly, laughing and filming stunts, including Sam leaning out of the window while Shahid removed his hands f r o m t h e w h e e l S h o r t l y after the crash, the brothers abandoned and attempted to hide the car

P o l i c e l a t e r f o u n d Shahid had searched online for “charge for hit and run

Rotherham man jailed for historic child sex abuse

A man has been j ai led for 15 years for grooming and repeatedly raping a sc hoolgirl in Rotherham nearly 2 0 years ago Paul Richardson, 63, was convicted of four counts of rape and one count of attempted rape following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court The case was brought by the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit after an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) under Operation Stovewood, which probes historic abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013

The court heard Richardson groomed the victim in 2004, when she was 14, exploiting problems at her home He sent her letters, gave her a phone and later drove her to hotels in Bassetlaw and Rotherham and a house in Nottinghamshire, where he raped her despite her protests

Prosecutors praised the victim’s courage in coming forward years later NCA officer Kath Blain said Richardson “manipulated her trust and fear” and urged other survivors to report abuse regardless of how long ago it occurred

Drugged driver kills young man on Aston Expressway

Poli ce have rel eased the fi rst image of a spe edin g dri nk - and drug -impai red dri ver who k illed a y oung man on the A ston Exp ressway b efore flee ing

h u m a n ” a n

Snapchat video joking about

also captured Sam rapping callously about the crash

w

weeks in a coma and awoke to learn her baby had died She and her husband Nyjil Jonn, both nurses, had been planning a baby shower and g e n d

later

Shahid made no comment when arrested

Saqlane Zafar, 28, was over the limit and high on nitrous oxide when he smashed a rented Audi SQ7 into the back of 21-year-old Ryan Sandhu’s Ford Fiesta shortly after midnight on June 2 last year Zafar had been driving at more than 80mph in a 50mph zone, weaving through closed lanes to undertake queuing traffic Mr Sandhu, on his way home, died at the scene from a severe head injury

Zafar, of Woodlands Road, Saltley, has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving Following a Birmingham Crown Court trial, a jury also found Muhammad Hamza, 25, of Grantham Road, Sparkbrook, guilty of dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice CCTV showed Hamza driving a rented Nissan Qashqai in convoy with Zafar moments before the fatal crash Afterward, Hamza picked up Zafar and his passenger, made a U-turn and fled

The Nissan hit 80mph, veered onto the wrong side of the road and crashed into a lamppost in Small Heath Both men ran but were arrested soon after DNA from the Audi’s airbag confirmed Zafar as the driver; CCTV placed Hamza behind the wheel of the Nissan

Hamza’s claims that a man called “Maff” was driving and that he knew nothing of the crash were rejected by jurors after about an hour of deliberation Both men are due to be sentenced on November 7 and face substantial prison terms

I N B R I E F

DRIVERS RISK SIX PENALTY POINTS AS POLICE TIGHTEN RULES

Drivers face increased risk of fines and penalty points as police crackdown on mobile phone use at the wheel Motorists caught using phones can receive six points on their licence Police and local councils plan to deploy more digital cameras on UK roads to detect offences, making punishments more likely Other offences, such as not wearing seatbelts and speeding, can also result in points and fines with three points for seatbelt violations under government road safety plans Advanced ‘smart’ and bi-directional digital cameras being gradually rolled out can monitor traffic in multiple directions and detect phone and seatbelt offences making it harder for drivers to evade punishment The government also plans to cut the drink-driving limit in England and Wales and introduce mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70

LEICESTER ONE OF 5 MOST UNDERRATED CITIES

Leicester has been named one of the UK’s five most underrated cities by the Express Reporter Emily Wright highlighted cities offering travellers “a richer quieter beauty” compared to popular hotspots like London, Edinburgh, Oxford, and Brighton Wright noted that while famous cities’ landmarks attract crowds and high prices underrated cities provide rewarding and surprising experiences She described Leicester as anything but ordinary” and said visitors willing to venture off the beaten path would find sights more memorable than typical travel guides suggest It highlights six of the UK s most underrated cities and what makes them special Leicester in the East Midlands, often overlooked, offers 2,000 years of history, from the Roman-era Jewry Wall to King Richard III s visitor centre and the new Roman Experience The city also features top-tier sports teams, the National Space Centre, a vibrant multicultural food scene, a busy festival calendar, the Elephant Trail, links to David Attenborough, and the birthplace of veganism

BIRMINGHAM

COUNCIL TOPS LOCAL AUTHORITY DEBT

Birmingham City Council remains the most indebted local authority in the UK despite a 4% reduction over the past year Its debt stood at £3 35bn at the end of 2024-25 while UK councils collectively added £7 8bn a BBC investigation found UK councils now owe a total of £122 2bn, or £1,791 per resident, a 7% increase, according to MHCLG data Birmingham City Council said debt per resident, a more suitable measure given the city s size, places it 49th among councils While its £3

Leading British indu strialist and philanthropist Lord Swraj Paul passed away on Thursd ay 21 Au gust, in a London hospital at the ag e of 94

He had recently celebrated his birthday with the community at the Indian Gymkhana Club, in west London, with much pomp and gaiety In March 2025, during Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee s visit to the UK, Lord Paul joined the Business Summit at Taj Hotel in London, organised by FICCI and the Bengal government He was seen sitting in a wheelchair, speaking to the CM, before the formal events started

He served as Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton and was appointed a Labour life peer as Baron Paul of Marylebone in 1996 In 2008, he became the first person of Indian heritage to serve as Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords

He stood by Indira Gandhi, the then Indian prime minister after she lost the general election in 1977

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Lord Paul on X, saying he was “deeply saddened” by his passing

Business titan Lord Swraj Paul passes away at 94

Prof Ebrahim Adia, vice-chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, described Lord Paul as “ a person of great humility, generosity, and integrity” whose contributions to industry, philanthropy, and public service, as well as his support for UK-India ties, will always be remembered

Lord Paul, who arrived in the UK in 1966 and

founded the Caparo Group in 1968, served as the university’s chancellor since 1999 and held 15 honorary degrees for his contributions to business and philanthropy Prof Adia added, “Lord Paul has left a profound and lasting impact on the university, always encouraging ambition and value-driven leadership,” highlighting his commitment to social mobility and education

Lord Rami Ranger said, “We pray for the departed soul May the noble Lord rest in peace ” From Jaland har to global business lead er Born in Jalandhar, India, in 1931, Lord Paul studied at Punjab University and MIT He co-chaired the India-UK Round Table (2000–2005) and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1983 In July 2009, he was appointed to the Privy Council, becoming The Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone PC He chaired the Olympic Delivery Committee, part of the London Development Agency including acquiring lands to build new venues and complete or deliver the project on time

Though in 2010, Lord Swraj Paul was suspended from the House of Lords for four months over his expenses claims, though the Privileges and Conduct Committee found his actions not dishonest or in bad faith, and he was ordered to repay £41,982 He resigned as Deputy Speaker in November 2010, citing concerns about the process, and returned in 2012, sitting as a nonaffiliated member

Lord Paul was married to Lady Aruna Swraj Paul, who passed away in 2022 at the age 86 They married

within a week of meeting in Kolkata and had three children After their twoyear-old daughter Ambika was diagnosed with leukaemia Lord Paul with family moved to the UK for her treatment He established the Ambika Paul Foundation, after she died at the age of four, which has donated millions worldwide to support children’s education and health

Lord Paul recalled, “The London Zoo was where she was happiest,” during the annual commemoration at the Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo in London, as a key beneficiary of the foundation After losing his son Angad in 2015 and his wife Aruna in 2022, he continued similar philanthropic work in their memory

A regular on the ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, he was ranked 81st this year with an estimated wealth of £2 billion, largely from the steel and engineering multinational Caparo Group Headquartered in London, Caparo operates from over 40 sites globally, including the UK, North America, India, and the Middle East His son, Akash Paul, serves as Chairman of Caparo India and Director of the Caparo Group

Ludhiana man duped, jailed in the UK

and

Shauki,

for England According to Pyara Singh, Manpreet’s father and

benefits Pyara alleged that his own brother introduced them to Shauki, who boasted of successfully sending

October 2024 and arrived in England on October 22 “The

trolled by the agent, so my son didn’t realise,” Pyara said Stranded, Manpreet stayed in a hotel for a month at his own expense before British

papers and jailed him

Police to get honour-based abuse training in new crackdown

T h e U K g ov er n m en t announced a new crack-

d ow n o n h on o ur - b a se d abuse, tr aining police to

r ec og n is e w a r n in g s ig n s a nd encour aging vict ims

t o come for war d

p

Recent data show that

d Wales recorded 2,755 such offences, defined as crimes

"honour "

The government said

s u c

forced marriage, have long

will be trained to identify

quickly, while the Home Office will pilot a study on its prevalence and launch a community campaign to

encourage victims to come forward

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said these offences are often misunderstood,

added, “We will use every

and victims are protected

the move, which includes a new legal definition of

Natasha Rattu, executive

Nirvana, said the changes, alongside awareness campaigns, training, and the

Javed, mother of Fawziyah Javed, who was murdered by her husband, praised

memory

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips admits to the BBC that the main tool used to

victims in urgent need of support “doesn’t work ”

East London Indian restaurant loses licence over underpaid staff

A restaurant in East Ham

h as lo st its prem ises licence for three m onths after staff

r ep o rt ed to H o m e Of f ic e

o f f ic i al s t h at t h ey w e re being paid below the minim um wage accord ing to The S tand ard

The Home Office asked Newham Council to revoke Udaya Restaurant’s licence

f o l l o w

s Katherine Road premises in June 2024 Some employees told officers they were earn-

i n g w e l l b e l o w t h e m i n i -

mum wage, with several saying they were provided only with food and accommoda-

tion The Home Office said four of the seven employees it interviewed were working “ i

Restaurant, which has been operating in East Ham for

employing four people with no right to work in the UK

A licensing sub-committ

August The owner, Parjeesh Kumar, told the panel he had struggled to give the business enough time and train staff but acknowledged

changes were needed and p

time personally

noting he had “accepted full responsibility” and cooper-

, adding it was a first offence and “not deliberate ” Kumar had warned that revoking the licence could force permanent closure due to the £180,000 fine Since openi n g i n 1 9 9 9 , U d a y a h a s b e c o m e p o p u l a r w i t h TikTok food influencers for its authentic Keralan cuisine

Preston honours long-serving councillor

C o u nc il lo r J o nat h an

S a ks en a, w h o h as s er v ed

P r es to n f or 3 9 yea rs , h a s

b ee n m ad e an H o no ra ry F reem an of the city, becomi ng o nly th e tw enty -s ixth recip ient since 1902

The 74-year-old retired Lancashire County Council Library Services Officer was first elected in 1984 and has served on numerous committees, including the Guild Committee for the memorable 2012 celebrations, and has also been Deputy Leader of the Council He currently c h a i r s t h e C r i m e a n d Disorder Committee

P r e s t o n M a y o r ,

C o u n c i l l o r S u e W h i t t a m , led the ceremony at Preston

T o w n H a l l , s a y i n g :

“Jonathan Saksena has been

a wonderful ambassador for Preston, and we thank him for his years of service I am delighted to welcome him to the distinguished group of H o n o r a r y F r e e m e n a n d

Freewomen of the City of Preston ”

The Honorary Freedom of the City of Preston recog-

nises residents’ outstanding contributions and achievements Recipients receive a Freedom Scroll, featuring a sealed copy of the Council Resolution admitting them

meaningful to them

Two-thirds of adults use devices during meals

talk at the table, with many noting mealtime conversations have declined

Dhesi calls for reforms to protect NRIs in

Punjab

in g reforms in Punjab t o p ro te ct NRI interests, imp rov e c onnecti v ity, and b

po tential

Phagwara, Dhesi, who represents Slough for a third term and chairs the UK Parliament’s Defence Committee, stressed that land disputes, illegal property occupations, and extort i o n t h r e a t s f a c e d b y r e t u r n i n g N R I s a r e widespread problems that must be addressed seriously

D h e s i h i g h l i g h t e d t h e e m o t i o n a l a n d financial impact of unresolved issues for NRIs, calling for a time-bound redressal system with a single-window mechanism to cut bureaucratic delays

“ T h e d i a s p o r a c o n t r i b u t e s g r e a t l y t o

Punjab’s economy and global image but faces red tape when investing or visiting This must change to encourage deeper engagement,” he said

Dhesi also urged better international air c o n n e c t i v i

Amritsar and Chandigarh, to boost trade, tourism, and diaspora access He expressed c o n c e r n o v e r t h e c l o s u r e o f A m r i t s a r International Cargo Port amid India-Pakistan tensions and called for reopening key trade routes

E m p h a s i s i n g t h e K a r t a r p u r S a h i b

Corridor’s significance, he urged both governments to ensure its continued accessibility for Sikh pilgrims

Husband mourns wife who sacrificed herself for daughter

T he hu sband of a woman wh o died after pu shing h er d au g h te r o u t o f the way o f a falling t re e b ra nc h h as p a i d tri b u t e t o “the mo st beau tiful woman i n th e world ” Wasim Kauser s

Blackburn, “did everything for our two children, cared for everyone, and brought smiles wherever she went ” Mrs Kauser was struck while walking with her husband and children in Witton Country Park, Blackburn, on 11 August Blackburn with Darwen Council, which owns the 480-acre (195-hectare) park, has since felled the beech tree from which the branch fell

The study found that

E

e , Britons rarely converse A study of 1,000 adults found 55% watch TV or scroll on their phones while eating, meaning two-thirds (66%) typically use screens during dinner Only 24% regularly

The survey also found 74% finish dinner in under 30 minutes, with 10% taking less than 15 minutes

Socialising is limited: 18%

dinner, 12% do so once a year or less, and 11% host weekly

Mr Kauser said: “We lost my wife, a mother of two, daughter, sister and friend, in a tragic incident on our way home from a family day out She was my comfort, my partner, and the love of my life I feel completely lost without her and cannot put into words how much I miss her presence My one and only ” Lancashire Police, investigating the incident with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), have appealed for witnesses Det Insp Iain Czapowski said: “This is a tragic loss We especially want to hear from anyone who saw what happened and urge them to come forward

I N B R I E F

HOSPITALITY FACES 89,000 JOB CUTS SINCE LAST OCTOBER

Hospitality bosses report that over half of UK job losses since last October have occurred in their sector Restaurants, pubs, hotels, and bars have seen a “staggering” 89,000 jobs cut, according to UKHospitality’s analysis of Office for National Statistics data The group blames Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ tax increases for employers in last year’s Autumn Budget While the government plans to extend business rate relief for hospitality venues industry leaders say it is insufficient UKHospitality representing over 123 000 venues nationwide noted that at least 53% of job losses since last October have come from hospitality Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality chair, warned the UK risks losing its vital spark as a third of hospitality businesses cut hours, one in eight close sites, and 60% reduce staff, with part-time roles most at risk A Treasury spokesperson said support includes cutting licensing costs, extending business rates relief, and reducing alcohol duty

GEN Z CRAVES OFFICE LIFE OVER REMOTE WORK

Research shows young adults are increasingly seeking traditional office jobs after growing unhappy with remote work Four in ten aged 16–24 report feeling lonely or socially isolated higher than any other age group Many in Gen Z began their careers during Covid lockdowns missing out on office bonding activities like post-work drinks A Bupa survey of 8,000 UK adults found loneliness is especially high among young social media influencers Nearly half of young adults said working alone made them lonely, and a third plan to return to full-time office jobs within five years Overall 45% are seeking roles with more social interaction, compared with 27% across all age groups Experts say employers must offer opportunities for learning and relationship-building to retain Gen Z staff The Bupa Wellbeing Index also found 41% would consider jobs offering private healthcare

SUMMER 2025 SET TO BE UK’S HOTTEST ON RECORD, SAYS MET OFFICE

The UK is set for its warmest summer on record, the Met Office said, following four heatwaves The mean temperature is tracking at 16 13C (61 03F) surpassing the 2018 record of 15 76C While 1976 is remembered for its heatwave this summer would push it out of the top five warmest summers since records began in 1884 meaning all five hottest summers have occurred since 2000 Met Office scientist Emily Carlisle said provisional data shows summer 2025 will almost certainly be the UK s warmest on record, unless temperatures drop about four degrees below average in August, which forecasts do not suggest The official announcement will be made on 1 September, when the meteorological season ends June and July saw four heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 30C, while rainfall was minimal, leading to “nationally significant” water shortfalls and hosepipe bans across much of England

f

Kokila Patel

Divine discourse by Pujya Bhaishree in Preston

The Bhagwat Granth is the radiant source of Sanatan Dharma, a sacred vessel of eternal light

In Preston, Lancashire, the air was filled with divine energy as chants of “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna” resonated, and even the sun seemed to shine brighter to hear the stories of Lord Krishna

On Saturday, 23rd August, the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha by renowned spiritual speaker Pujya Rameshbhai Oza (Pujya Bhaishree) commenced with great devotion Organised by the Gujarat Hindu Society, Preston, as part of its 50th Golden Jubilee and the Pran Pratishtha Patotsav of the temple, the katha ran from 23rd to 29th August All proceeds were donated to support a hostel for the education and accommodation of tribal girls from Saputara, South Gujarat

A grand Pothi Yatra (sacred procession)

Saturday afternoon in Preston, accompanied by traditional dhols, manjiras, and devotional music At the Gujarat Hindu Society tem-

p

Pothiji Puja (worship of the sacred scripture) with flowers before the deities

Bhaishree and expressed deep reverence, saying: “Among all temples in England, the true Vrindavan lies here in Preston Though my ancestral home is Bhadran, I proudly call Preston my home in Britain When I first visited in 1976, the temple was just a small setup in a school, supported by Soma and Govind, later joined by C

P

Hosts Suresh Durlabhbhai

P r e s i d e n t D a s h r a t h N a y e e , Vice President Ishwer Tailor, Secretary Ashitbhai Jariwala,

Samachar Publisher/Editor CB P

m i s h r e e K e s h a v a n

n d j i from Dwarka, Chhagan Dabhi, and Bhupendra Kansagara of the Sanskriti Foundation also

p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e

F

m

y w

comed and honoured on the Vyas Peeth (sacred narration seat) with a floral garland, adding to the celebratory and devotional atmosphere In his welcome address, GHS President Dashrath Nayee said: Pujya Bhaishree has blessed Preston with his divine presence for the sixth time As part of our 50th annivers

whose contributions, though

immense Dedicated individu-

strengthened the society, making it transparent, resourceful,

aged In 1988, during India’s severe water shortage, the soci-

Moraribapu’s Ram Katha I am confident that your collective

Saputara for tribal daughters will be fulfilled ”

After honouring Pujya Bhaishree with a floral garland, GHS Secretary Ashit Jariwala welcomed the distinguished guests Vice P

noble initiative, quoting the Bhagavad Gita:

“When Arjun asks Shri Krishna whether Sannyas Yoga or Karma Yoga is superior, Shri Krishna replies that while Sannyas Yoga is excellent, Karma Yoga performed for society’s welfare is far more rewarding ” Bhupendra Kansagara, Trustee of the S

Gujarat Hindu Society Preston’s trustees and volunteers for their dedication and hard work Following speeches by society leaders and guests, Pujya Bhaishree, accompanied by m u s i c

Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah with a soulful Shri Harikirtan, marking the divine start of the week-long katha

During his discourse, Pujya Bhaishree reflected on current natural disasters world-

wide, explaining that while the Earth rotates on its axis and orbits the Sun, causing daynight cycles and seasons, the frequent climatic disturbances today are largely humaninduced He said, “The natural balance of the Earth has been disturbed by our actions Forests in Europe, America, and Australia are burning, while regions in India face unprecedented rains Cyclones devastate Vietnam Humanity is relentlessly draining the Earth of its resources: oil, water, and minerals ”

Bhaishree highlighted the Sun’s significance: “The Sun gave birth to the Earth, and life flourished here Our Vedas describe the Sun as the father and soul of the universe We must offer prayers to the rising Sun ” He added that Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh are

mantra “Om Shri Suryadevaya Namah ” He also noted that lack of sunlight can lead to Vitamin D deficiency, requiring supplementation

During the Bhagwat Saptah in Saputara, s

towards the benefit of the hostel for tribal girls The Hindu Council North UK led with a donation of £20,000, matched by Deepak Durlabhbhai Patel and Suresh Durlabhbhai Patel, who each contributed £20,000 Other notable contributions included £8,000 from Neha Shah and Ashish Gor, and £4,000 each

Parshotambhai Patel, and Yashwant Shukl

Bhagwat Katha, making it clear that all donations would be used solely for noble causes under his guidance Pujya Bhaishree kindly approved the katha during Maha Shivratri With support from Bhupendra Kansagara, Chairman of the Sanskriti Foundation, we arranged the katha in our own hall Pujya Bhaishree first visited Preston in 1983 and again in 1985, when the second katha was held in the temple car park ”

P u j y a B h a i s h r e e r u n s t h e r e n o w n e d Sandipani Vidyaniketan in Porbandar, where students learn Sanskrit pronunciation and are nurtured in spiritual and cultural values He is also building a 1,000-room girls’ hostel in Saputara, Dang district, to support tribal girls’ education, with 500 rooms already completed and the remaining under construction Heartfelt gratitude was extended to CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, for his pivotal role in making the Gujarat Hindu Society, Preston, widely recognised across England

In his address, CB Patel garlanded Pujya

Bhaishree and released the society’s 50thanniversary souvenir in his hands, priced at £2, with thanks to designer Samit for the cover Bhanu Mali and Jagruti, who have made fresh temple garlands daily for 50

y

Vidyaniketan for their flawless Sanskrit pronunciation, a source of pride compared to some temples abroad Bhaishree’s girls’ hostel project is one of his noblest initiatives, fully supported by the society without seeking funds personally He maintains strong ties with temples and organisations across India, the UK, the US, and Africa, and shares a close bond with Swami Keshavanandji of Dwarka Sanatan Seva Mandal

S w a m i K e s h a v a n a n d j i t o l d P u j y a

Bhaishree that his global efforts to spread Sanatan Dharma have made him a spiritual guide and inspiration for many, and that Sandipani Haridham has grown into a wishfulfilling Kalpavriksha nurturing spiritual growth He noted that while the event focuses on katha and satsang, it is also linked to a

Kokila Patel

A

Memorable evening of music with Maya Deepak

During her brief visit to L o n d o n , M a

a D

p

k , accompanied by Shashi Rana, enthralled the audience with classic Bollywood hits, keeping everyone swaying to the music Special family guests of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar’s Publisher/Editor

Jayshreeben, Rajendrakumar, K

Patel, traveled from London

soulful performances Among the London-based Gujaratis

Patel, Vimalji Odedra, Dhanu

m a , Anila Shah, Bhanu Nagda, Dr Pravin Patel, and many others At the programme ’ s conc

honoured with a bouquet by ABPL’s UK Operations Head, P o o j a R a v

Pravinaben Patel, celebrated for her soulful Pushtimargiya

bhajans, was felicitated with a bouquet presented by her sist e r s - i n -

, Vandanaben, and Vasantiben, who had specially travelled from the USA for the occasion

C B P a t e l p

P

Raval and her team for organising the event efficiently and for warmly serving everyone a d e l i c

l f r o m “Shayona" He also thanked K a n

Nagda, and Anila Shah of the Sangat Advice Centre for their support, as well as the talent-

, including Shashi Rana, tabla players Sunit Chandarana and Atulbhai, Vinubhai Vadgama, P

accompanying artists

Anoopam Mission Denham Mandir marks 10th anniversary

T o m ark th e 10th anniv ersary o f th e Anoopam Mission

D en h am M a nd i r, a g ra nd celebration was h eld fro m 13 to 17 A ugust, preced ed by a two-d ay International Y outh

C onvention on 9-1 0 Aug ust, followed by five days of special prog ramm es as part of the anniv ersary celebrations

The event drew nearly a

t h o u s a n d s a i n t s , d e v o t e e s , and dignitaries from India,

t h e U K , a n d c o u n t r i e s including Australia, America, New Zealand, France, and

C a n a d a I n s p i r e d b y S a n t

B h a g w a n t P a r a m P u j y a Sahebdada, the International Youth Convention guided participants on topics such as following a guru,

o v e r c o m i n g c o n f u s i o n , and the importance of obedience, using group

d i s c u s s i o n s , p o d c a s t s , Q/A sessions, interviews, a n d l e c t u r e s t o i n s t i l l meaningful life lessons and discipline

T h e f e s t i v a l b e g a n on the evening of 13th

A u g u s t w i t h a g r a n d i n a u g u r a l c e r e m o n y , featuring Sant Bhagwant

P a r a m P u j y a Sahebdada’s arrival in a Golden Peacock Chariot from the temple courtyard to the stage On stage, he was joined b y S a t i s h C h a t w a n i ( I n t e r n a t i o n a l P r e s i d e n t ) , p h i l a n t h r o p i s t P r a d i p D h a m e c h a , S a d g u r u P u j y a

Swamiji officially opened the c

Chatwani delivered the

Manojdasji, along with Sant B

M a n o j d a s j i , P u j y a H i m a t Swamiji, Vinu Nakarja (UK

P r e s i d e n t ) , A n o o p a m

M i s s i o n p r e s i d e n t s f r o m other countries, Pujya Rishi Shaunkadasji, youth leaders, and others for the ceremonial lamp lighting Pujya Himat

From 8:30 to 10:30 pm, t

Pathak From 14–17 August, Anoopam Mission celebrated the Mandir’s 10th anniversary and the 70th

Sadhu Himatdas Swamiji with a series of spiritual events On 14 August,

Premvatsaldasji, including the audio release of

Gujarati and English versions of ‘Seeds of Change Part-2’

Prakash Beej’, while Sadhu

Pujya Dilipdasji inaugurated

*Che Mahatmya Sabhar Vani

Sada-09*, highlighting Sant Bhagwant Sahebdada’s interp

Vachanamrut Evening ses-

Vadodaria (USA), and Shruti

sions focused on the teachings of Sadguru Shantidada

and Sadguru Ashwindada

On 15 August, nearly 300

with Sahebdada reflecting

journey and offering bless-

Day was celebrated with flag hoisting by Union Minister Ramdas Athawaleji (Indian f

Sahebdada (British flag), followed by a Kirtan Sandhya featuring devotional performances

i n c l u d e d a m o r n i n g p r ogramme attended by 51 devotees and an evening event w

The

Musical duo marks golden wedding anniversary

Ni tu and M ah esh Gad h v i celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary w ith fam ily and friends

The couple met in 1969 and married on 4 October 1975 at the Mandir restaurant on Tottenham Court

they have shared both personal and professional successes

As a husband-and-wife

albums, and contributed to Bollywood films, all while raising a family They are proud parents to Neha and Kunal and grandparents to

Dhilan, Tara, Rayan,

Echoes of Appreciation

Gratitude for celebrating th e Nag rech a fam ily’s leg acy

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for your touching and important story about the Nagrecha

f a m i l y a n d t h e H a r i b e n B a

Charitable Trust in your recent issue Your article isn’t just a piece of writing; it’s a guiding light that honours a legacy of faith, resilience, selfless service, and deep community commitment spanning generations and borders We’re deeply grateful for the way you portrayed our family and for sharing such an inspiring tale You beautifully captured the essence of this journey, starting at the roots with Smt Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha, the matriarch whose spirituality, selflessness, and kindness guided her children through hardship Recognising her enduring influence, even years after her passing, reaffirms that true legacies are built on values, not material wealth

The story of the Nagrecha siblings; Vinodbhai, H a s m u k h b h a i , J a y a b e n , U s h a b e n , C h a n d u b h a i , Pannaben, and myself, fleeing Uganda and rebuilding our lives in East London was told with great respect You acknowledged the challenges of resettlement while beautifully highlighting our determination to preserve our cultural and spiritual roots This reminder, that integration enriches a new home with one ’ s heritage rather than leaving it behind, is vital Our success in building homes, businesses, and community connections stands as a testament to the immigrant spirit At the heart of your article was how we institutionalised our mother’s values by founding the Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Charitable Trust in 1985 Your portrayal of the Leyton Road community hall as more than a building, as a sanctuary of shared memories and culture, captured its essence We are grateful you showcased the Trust’s mission of promoting Sanatan Dharma through religious discussions, education, and outreach The Trustees’ voluntary service, driven by honesty, humility, and commitment, reflects true seva (selfless service) Recognising our charitable work in India and Uganda further shows our global vision to uplift communities through Dharma

Your tribute to the late Shri Vinodbhai Nagrecha was heartfelt and respectful Describing him as a man of grace, compassion, philanthropy, and family devotion painted a vivid portrait of a life well-lived The Chalein Saath Milkar musical tribute in June 2025 beautifully showed how the Trust and community keep his spirit alive, turning sorrow into celebration The July 20 spiritual discussion further reflected the Trust’s role in fostering unity and shared faith

One of the most powerful moments in your piece was the coverage of the Nagrecha family’s donation to the NHS, specifically UCLH's Institute of Nuclear Medicine You rightly celebrated it as more than charity, a meaningful investment in the nation’s health and a statement of belonging and responsibility Praise from leaders like CB Patel underscored its value in uplifting society as a whole Your conclusion beautifully portrayed the Nagrecha family’s journey as a testament to how migration, grounded in strong values, can create lasting institutions for future generations The phrase “built from modest means but spilling worldwide, serving communities” perfectly captures our impact, from Gujarat to Uganda to East London, embodying health, philanthropy, family, community, and legacy

By featuring this story, you have provided an invaluable service You have:

C elebrated true legacy: You honored not wealth but the enduring legacy of faith, compassion, and service exemplified by Smt Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha and her remarkable family Highlighted community pillars: You brought attention to the essential work of the Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Charitable Trust, an important institution enriching East London and beyond

Docum ented inspiring strength: You shared a powerful story about how refugees show resilience, adapt successfully, and make valuable contributions to British society

High lig hted genero us g iving: You shone a light on remarkable acts of charity, like donations to the NHS, that serve the greater good

Em phasised sh ared values: You reminded your audience of important values such as humility, honesty, family ties, cultural heritage, and helping others qualities that our world truly needs

In an age of fleeting headlines, your commitment to deep, community-focused stories reflects the very best of journalism You’ve not only informed readers but inspired them, creating a “Timeless Treasure” built on kindness, compassion, and service For honoring the Nagrecha family’s journey and the remarkable work of their Trust, we offer our heartfelt thanks May you continue shining a light on stories that uplift people and strengthen communities

With great respect and heartfelt gratitude, Hasu bh ai Nagrech a and Umi Rad ia

I am thrilled and honoured to be featured in Soneri Smruti Granth, and would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity

I have purchased the magazine and am very impressed with it It is very well compiled, featuring all the prominent members in our community

I once again thank you for including me in such a prestigious magazine Kind regards,

Panna Raja Chairp erson of Trustees

Lohana Co mmunity United K ingd om

O U T & A B O U T

Don’t miss next weekend’s special episode of Out and About, featuring highlights from a historic occasion On Friday, 18th July 2025, at the prestigious House of Lords, Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice launched their souvenir, ‘Soneri Smruti Granth – A Timeless Treasure.’

Tune in to Zee TV on Sunday, 31 August 2025 at 5:30 PM Sky 707 Virgin 809

Rangeelu Gujarat returns to London to celebrate Gujarati culture

British South Asian com munities, yet m any second

and

arat is have grown up with lim

angu ag e, traditions, and history

To bridge this gap, Red Lotus Events was co-founded by Pritee Varsani, a vocalist immersed in Gujarati folk and devotional music, and

Rangeelu Gujarat, launched in 2016, celebrates Gujarati culture in a dynamic, inclusive, and modern way

This year, the festival is set to host “the only non-

e x p e r i e n c e s c e l e b r a t i n g

Gujarati culture The Kids’

V i l l a g e f e a t u r e s a r t s a n d

crafts, fashion shows, and cooking sessions for dishes

l i k e t h e p l a a n d d h o k l a

Highlights include kite flying, the Lagna Geet choir with 50 retired women performing traditional songs, Thali Tales village-style food

e x p e r i e n

performances like ‘Voyage of Legacy’, showcasing the Diu community’s migration through music and dance ”

about noise near Kingsbury H

have agreed to conditions: performances will start later on Friday, and sound levels will not exceed 65 decibels, ensuring a vibrant yet considerate celebration of culture

Speaking to Asian Vo ice, M ira Salat said, “Rangeelu Gujarat is designed for all ages, offering a variety of

“Performances include a

sand representing the Rann of Kutch and acts from the U K

y

d y , a n d shopping stalls from local a n d i n t e r n a t

o n a l v e n d o r s a d d t o t h e e x p e r i e n c e Daytime events run 11am–6pm and are included in the ticket price, while evening highlights feature an open-

air cinema on Friday, Garba on Saturday, and a Holi cele b r a t i o n o n S u n d a y , ” s h e added

On the importance of hosting events like Rangeelu G

Salat said, “For many UKborn Gujaratis, it’s easy to lose touch with the rich culture and heritage our grandp

d T o keep it alive across generations, the arts are the best

, dance, and visual arts, we connect communities, foster pride in heritage, and allow people to feel include

u Gujarat, launched in 2016, provide an open platform for everyone, regardless of caste or religion Since then, interest in Gujarati arts, language, food, and traditions has grown, showing the festival’s role in keeping our culture vibrant and accessible ”

Time to protect our biodiversity

Many Asian countries are now facing various big-ticket projects on public facilities involving the huge tracts of greenfield areas and green belts that will be ultimately destroyed So, such issues involving biodiversity should be handled with utmost care failing which, serious consequences will be on the cards

For this purpose, biodiversity and agriculture should be vigorously supported by all I have long been a big crusader/supporter of nature, supporting the agriculture

Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu

Recently I came across shocking sound bites on CNN First up, it is about the shocking reference to the air quality in Asian countries like India [in New Delhi] and Pakistan [in Lahore]

I, being a reader, have long been writing [Initially, I had started writing during my college time in the late 1990s] to most Asian English newspapers on various topics like economy, politics and environmental issues like climate crisis – not criticising any country in particular but encouraging all out there and focusing on good relationship between Asian countries despite differences of opinion I did write about the good things from the West – like the Amazon rainforest from the American continent Regarding the Asian region, it has been the beautiful hub of everything in the world like the Himalayas, dense forest areas, deeper seas, and broad rivers I have been positively talking about all these things around there in Asia apart from the West

There have been big rivers like Thamirabarani, dense trees, and plantation fields in my native areas like Korkai, T u t i c o r i n , T

Tamil Nadu In my strong opinion, environmental pollution is related to overcrowding and population that I have noticed in my professional areas like Mumbai How so? So, it is the collective responsibility of everyone out there in the world to look into the environmental hazards soon I think politicians are all speaking “off the record ” CNN and BBC have been into more commercial space in Asia on a par with the West They should only talk about legitimate things about Asia and not the other way around I have been keeping my passion and respect for all media houses like CNN

Here comes an interesting story on "the practice of sanitation " Sometime ago, I was working in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu I was an English trainer with a f a m o u s C h

Kanyakumari district

I was used to visiting many interesting places nearby Of course, all these areas like Kaliyakkavilai, Marthandam, Nagercoil and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu are being inhabited mostly by Tamils and Keralites The interesting fact is that I was always finding the roads and streets "spotless," free of human waste [I am not talking about filth on the streets] I mean 100 per cent sanitary conditions prevalent in these areas like Marthandam and Kaliyakkavilai Even the kids or children are not being allowed to defecate in the open It is their inborn culture and their inherent habit that have developed all these good things on the hygienic front The neighbouring Indian state of Kerala has now achieved many milestones in matters of keeping the environment clean

The people and authorities in Kerala, Marthandam, Kaliyakkavilai and Kanyakumari have set a fine example that is worthy of emulation by others In a nutshell, there is an interesting message originating from Kerala culture The people in Kerala are having a beautiful experiment with nature And they are living and working in a healthy way The message is very clear for all of us to learn from their culture Way to go!

P Senthil S arav ana Durai

Madras Day

Chennai’s vibrant Madras Day celebrations, marking the city’s 386th anniversary, unite us in love for our beloved Madras Over 75 events heritage walks through Fort St George, insightful talks, lively discussions, soulful music, and captivating films bring our city’s rich history and culture to life Chennaiites passionately embrace these festivities, celebrating the spirit of Namma Madras with pride and joy!

TS Karthik

We are grateful to all letter writers for more and more versatile letters well within word limit.

Please keep contributing as always

If you are new, then write to anusha at anusha.singh@abplgroup.com

Go green this Ganesha festival

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals in India It is believed that the one who worships Lord Ganesha with complete faith and devotion, will be blessed with happiness, knowledge, wealth and long life Lord Ganesha is considered to be the God of success and prosperity But some Ganesh Chaturthi practices are harming the environment However, after the celebration gets over, the seas, rivers and lakes are often left dirty, harming all the water creatures in them

Plaster of Paris is the most common element used to create the Ganesha idols POP is not a natural occurring material; hence it takes months, sometimes even years to dissolve in water The chemical dyes used to paint these idols are also harmful to the environment, as they result in water pollution They also contain poisonous and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, etc which enters the water as the idol dissolves and harms water life

Along with the idols, several other items are immersed in water such as flowers, banana leaves and coconuts making the water dirty and impure Items used for decorations are also dumped into the seas, rivers and lakes The toxic and heavy paints from the idols form a layer on the water surface which increases acidic content of the water and deprives fish and other aquatic animals of oxygen That is why many fish are found dead and floating on the surface of the water after the immersions take place

To avoid causing harm to the environment, here are a few tips and precautions you can take to ensure that the celebrations are eco-friendly:

- Buy eco-friendly idols for celebrating the festival Clay idols dissolve immediately, greatly lessening or completely preventing water pollution You can immerse the Ganesha idols in a bucket of water at home too If you are keen on buying POP idols, you can sprinkle a few drops of water symbolically and give it for recycling

- Avoid using chemical paints that contain harmful colours and dyes Don’t use materials like thermocol or plastics for decorations which are not degradable and do not dissolve in water Instead, you can use biodegradable items like plain or coloured paper for decorations

- Remove flowers, garlands and other decorative items before immersing the idols in water Distribute food items like coconuts and fruits to the poor Make a compost of all the biodegradable items, including flowers Flowers can be mixed with the soil which will help the plants in your garden to grow better All devotees of Lord Ganesha can celebrate the festival but they should take care not to harm the environment Take safety measures to avoid freak accidents during processions or at the sea-shore Avoid or minimise the use of loudspeakers because it causes noise pollution

Celebrating the festival is not about how big your idol is or how expensive your decorations are It is about the religious sentiments, emotions and feelings in your heart

Jube l D'Cr uz

Trump’s Ukraine show: Substance or spectacle?

The White House summit last week gathered Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump and Europe’s top leaders It was billed as a breakthrough for peace At times it looked like a show Trump joked about tans and haircuts, flattered European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and played to the cameras The setting felt more like reality TV than a war c

Europe’s security and the balance of global power

Two main outcomes emerged Leaders agreed to design security guarantees for Ukraine These would not mean NATO membership but would aim to deter Russia over the long term British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

alignment between Washington and Europe The second outcome was more symbolic The door opened, at least slightly, to negotiations involving Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin and Trump as mediator No plan was set, but even the suggestion was notable

The doubts were immediate Trump urged Europeans to carry most of the costs of reconstruction and security, echoing his old demand that allies pay their share More controversial were whispers that he hinted at territorial concessions in Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk Zelenskyy flatly rejected any deal that rewards invasion Sovereignty, he said, is not for trade European leaders agreed They warned that compromise too early would embolden Moscow and shred international law The clash between pragmatism and principle remains unresolved

History offers reason for caution In 1994 Ukraine

Memorandum in return for security assurances Those promises collapsed when Russia invaded two decades later The new guarantees raised in Washington face the same question Will they hold or will they prove as fragile as before For smaller states trapped between rival powers, survival rarely rests on fine words It rests on hard commitments that cannot be abandoned when politics shift

So the summit was both spectacle and diplomacy Trump cast himself as the indispensable deal maker Europe signalled it would not be pushed aside Zelenskyy won pledges of support but no firm timelines or binding guarantees Ukraine’s survival still depends on grit on the battlefield as much as choreography abroad The broader lesson is blunt Security does not come from photo opportunities or flattery It comes from alliances, hard power and credible deterrence Whether Trump’s show produces real substance is still unknown The stakes for Ukraine and beyond could not be higher

Dr Narsinhbhai Patel

India’s self-reliance moment

“Trump’s tariffs test India’s path to self-reliance” in Asian Voice, dated 23-29 August 2025, shows the grim reality of the emerging geopolitical situation The US is trying to “misuse” its “ superpower ” status against most countries, including India and China The US president must have calculated the benefits and risks of threatening countries like India with higher tariffs

Small countries and those having heavily export-oriented economies will have limited options, but India is not one of those countries Domestic consumption with patriotism is very high in India Indians can convert this into an opportunity to become more self-reliant for the products which are produced and available within the country The Indian middle class can easily get rid of using expensive foreign brands and go for equally good Indian made substitutes

A paradigm shift in mentality is required It is difficult but not impossible if the right message is percolated down the lines of our youth

This is the time to demonstrate that India is open to negotiation on an equal platform, but cannot be forced to accept something that is unjustifiable

While Uncle Sam Flirts with Pakistan, Britain Should Be Wooing the Real Comeback Kid: India

Continued from page 03 H

opportunity for the UK: it c

crypto footing regulatory

partnerships, fintech labs rather than letting policy paralysis become a strategic liability It won’t Not until there is a PM Farage who is a Cryptophile

B

i

s building infrastructure, not just headlines, with India

India isn't just another emerging market it is the

ambition, and stability the UK desperately needs From trade to defence, from tech

o i n n o v a t i o n , w e a r e n ’ t whispering opportunism

w e ’ r e s t r i d i n g i n , b o o t s dusting

B u t d e m o c r a c y i s n

And money talks India is getting richer

A mark of friendship –is not nominating the US President for a Nobel Peace

P r i z e b u t I n d i a t o a permanent seat on the UN

S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l a n d joining 5 Eyes intelligence

s h a r i n g w i t h U S , U K , Australia, New Zealand and

C a n a d a – n e i t h e r w i l l happen in our lifetimes

I f B r i t a i n w a n t s t o punch beyond its weight in

A s i a , i t s b a s e c a n ’ t b e

s t a n d i n g i n W a s h i n g t o n ’ s

h e r a l d e d c o r r i d o r b u t forging ahead, in New Delhi

– for selfish reasons – now we live in a selfish era led by the leader of the free world

Now’s the moment: let’s not just talk about the ‘ new

s p e c i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p ’ l e t ’ s a c t a l i t t l e m o r e l i k e i t When the British PM next v i s i t s I n d i a , a l l t h i s a n d more will come up I am

s u r e t h e d i a s p o r a h

Man guilty in London shooting that injured 9-year-old

A m an involved in a drive-b y s ho ot in g

London that lef

guilty

The Metropolitan Police said a jury convicted 33-yearold Javon Riley of attempted

d causing grievous bodily harm to the girl

A t t h e O l d B a i l e y , t h e court heard that Riley did not fire the gun but played a key role in planning and executing the attack on May 29, 2 0 2 4 ,

members

A nine-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting, suffering life-changing injuries from a s t r a y

head

“In a single moment, the future we imagined for our daughter was torn away She now has weakness on her left side, a titanium plate in her skull, and a bullet still in her

brain,” her mother told the Met Police

T h e f a m i l y , f r o m Birmingham, was dining at a T u r k i s h r e s t a u r a n t i n Dalston, Hackney, when the shot struck “This was not just an accident, lives were being targeted Nothing will ever be the same, ” her mother added Javon Riley will be sen-

tenced at the Old Bailey on September 12 The Met Police are offering up to £15,000 for information on the gunman Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway said Riley’s actions “changed a little girl’s life,” noting the shooter remains at large The attack last May i n v o l v e d a g u n m a n o n a stolen Ducati firing six shots; three men were also injured

Police ‘passing the buck’ amid soaring shoplifting cases?

P olice fo rces have been criticised for failing to tackle a

s u rg e i n s h o pl if tin g , w ith nearly 8 00 o ffences g oing

u nsolved ev ery d ay o ver the p ast year

Figures analysed by the Liberal Democrats show a

r e c o r d 5 3 0 , 6 4 3 s h o p l i f t i n g c a s e s w e r e r e c o r d e d i n England and Wales in the 12 m o n t h s t o M a r c h 3 1 , t h

i g h e s

v e l i n o v e r t w

e c a d e s Y e t o n l y 1 8 % o f recorded offences led to a charge

In 289,464 cases, no suspect was identified, an 18% rise on the previous year

T h e M e t r o p o l i t a n P o l i c e

fared worst, charging suspects in just 6% of cases, w h i l e 7 7 % o f i t s 9 3 , 7 0 5 investigations identified no perpetrator

“These shameful figures show that the police are failing to crack down on the shoplifting epidemic facing o u r c o u n t r y , ” s a i d J o s h u a Reynolds, Liberal Democrat MP for Maidenhead and a former retail worker

R e t a i l e r s h a v e w a r n e d

t h e f t i s “ s p i r a l l i n g o u t o f c o n t r o l ” M e a n w h i l e , Thames Valley police commissioner Matthew Barber told BBC Radio Berkshire t h a t s h o p p e r s c o u l d f i l m

thefts, shout at suspects or, in some cases, “physically intervene ” R e y n o l d s b r a n d e d t h e suggestion “frightening and dangerous,” adding: “Senior police chiefs should be protecting us, not passing the buck to the public ”

national lead for business and retail crime, admitted

depressing reading,” but said

results

Life abroad may be better for millionaires

S ix in ten m illionaires liv ing in Britain believ e they wou ld enjoy a better quality o f life o verseas, research sugg ests

A s u r v e y o f 1 , 0 0 9 U K residents worth at least £1 million found 29% felt life would be “significantly” better elsewhere and a further 31% said “somewhat” better

O v e r h a l f ( 5 3 % ) s a i d t h e y were more likely to leave if C h a n c e l l o r R a c h e l R e e v e s introduces a wealth tax

Arton Capital, the consultancy behind the study, warned Britain was at a “tipping point” Chief executive

A r m a n d A r t o n s a i d ,

“Uncertainty over the government’s proposed wealth tax mirrors wider economic i n s t a b i l i t y T h e l o n g e r i t persists, the greater the risk of losing capital, talent and l o n g - t e r m i n v e s t m e n t t o more secure countries ” R e s p o n d e n t s m o s t f a v o u r e d t h e U S ( 3 5 % ) , Canada (33%) and Australia ( 2 5 % ) a s d e s t i n a t i o n s ; t h e UAE, which has no income tax, ranked fourth at 17% R i s i n g l i v i n g c o s t s w e r e cited by 53% as making them feel less wealthy

D e s p i t e t h i s ,

view Britain as attractive for

Brazen theft highlights rising crime in pharmacies

Anusha Singh

Nearly nine out of ten U K pharmacies have faced a spike in shoplifting over the past year, acc ording to a new National Pharmac y Association (NPA) s urvey of around 500 independent chemists

The same report reveals that 87% of pharmacies have endured rising levels of aggressive or intimidating behaviour, and over one in five (22%) have suffered physical assaults on staff Yet when these crimes are reported, 73% of respondents say the police response is woefully inadequate

Representing over 6,000 independent pharmacies, the NPA has condemned what it calls the “unacceptable abuse of hard-working pharmacy teams” and is urging law enforcement to take tougher action The association warns that theft of medicine, particularly controlled drugs, poses serious health risks and may be driven by criminal exploitation Some stolen medicines, it notes, are being mixed into dangerous concoctions, making pharmacy theft far more serious than petty shoplifting

change that the Office for Budget Responsibility predicts could prompt up to

leave

Facing a projected £50

Pensioners overcharged as emergency tax

N PA c hair O li vi er Pi card shared his own recent experience on social media, describing how a man walked into Newdays Pharmacy in Reading, casually picked items off the shelves and left While Picard was speaking to a patient about vaccinations, the thief “walked out without a second thought”

Picard pursued the man outside and was met with threats and according to him, despite the incident being caught on CCTV, Thames Valley Police told him they would not send officers to the scene Instead, he was given a crime number and later informed a crime prevention officer would visit in the coming days

“While I appreciate the response, something feels missing,” Picard wrote on LinkedIn “My staff and

patients deserve to feel safe My pharmacy is in one of the most deprived parts of Reading, but that should never mean we accept theft as part of the job ”

The NPA said the shocking rise in theft highlights how exposed community pharmacies have become and stressed that pharmacies aren’t obliged to supply NHS medicines to anyone committing, or threatening, criminal behaviour It has called on the NHS to extend the same security support to pharmacies that GP practices have previously received, such as funding for CCTV, panic alarms and other safety measures Pharmacy owners speaks out

The NPA highlighted the experience of Sanjeev Panesar, a Birminghambased pharmacy owner, who has witnessed an alarming shift over the past year

“Over the last 12 to 18 months, we ’ ve seen a noticeable rise in petty theft across our pharmacies,” he explains “Some people try to be discreet, slipping items into pockets or bags when they think no one ’ s watching But others are shockingly brazen, filling bags openly and strolling out without the slightest concern about being caught ”

Panesar’s staff often spot the incidents themselves, but customers sometimes alert them too All of his premises have CCTV, and he has developed a system to share information internally “We circulate footage across our group so staff can be on the lookout,” he says “We also work with neighbouring businesses to share information on repeat offenders We’ve even discussed displaying photos of known thieves in our pharmacies and partner shops, to make it clear they’re being watched and will be reported ” Thefts are only part of the problem The abuse and intimidation directed at pharmacy staff are becoming more frequent

“My staff have been shouted at, intimidated and even physically threatened,” Panesar says firmly “Neither should ever be part of their role These are healthcare professionals here to serve their communities Facing hostility like that is disheartening It affects morale, job satisfaction, and, most importantly, how safe they feel at work ”

For pharmacy owners, there is a constant dilemma: should staff challenge offenders or prioritise their safety?

Panesar admits it’s a difficult balance “I’ve personally intervened and even chased offenders, not because it’s ideal but to show my team I stand with them I want to send a clear message: this behaviour will not be tolerated ”

In the past, he has hired security guards, a measure that worked but is not always sustainable “Theft dropped dramatically,” he recalls “But it comes at a huge cost, especially in a sector that’s already been underfunded for over a decade ” The frustration, Panesar says, is that these crimes divert focus from what pharmacy teams should be doing

His concerns are echoed by Dr Um es h Patel MBE DL, owner of Leema Pharmacy in Sunderland “There is a growing sense among victims of burglary and petty crime that the system does not adequately protect them,” Dr Patel says “Too often, those committing such offences face few consequences, leaving victims feeling helpless and disillusioned ” He points to systemic issues: underfunded policing, lack of direction, and a legal system perceived as prioritising offenders’ rights over victims’ needs Recalling a theft at his own pharmacy where staff were assaulted, he says, “Only when I insisted the incident be treated as an assault did the police take meaningful action This shows determined enforcement can work, but it should not require victims to demand action so forcefully ” Both pharmacists agree on the way forward: visible policing, proper resources, and a consistent approach to prosecution Without stronger deterrents, they warn, communities and frontline healthcare teams will continue to feel vulnerable

W ha t f uture a re we l ooking t oward s?

It never gets easier when a six-year-old is bullied for her Indian roots in Ireland , or an 80-year-old man loses his life to the racial hatred of teenagers in the UK

Six-year -old girl Nia Naveen, the young girl of Indian heritage comes from Kottayam, Kerala and was attacked while playing outside her home in Waterford City, southeast Ireland A group of children, reportedly aged between 12 and 14, allegedly assaulted her while hurling racist slurs, calling her “dirty” and telling her to “ go back to India ”

According to her mother, Anupa Achuthan, who spoke to the Irish Mirror, the attackers punched Nia in the face, struck her private parts with a bicycle,

hit her on the neck, and twisted her hair

Ms Achuthan, a nurse who

has lived in Ireland for eight years with her husband and recently obtained Irish citizenship, said her children were born in Ireland

On July 19, 2025, an Indian man was attacked in Tallaght, a suburb of Dublin, Ireland Since then, multiple assaults on Indians have taken place across the Emerald Isle, sparking fear within the immigrant community Rising antiimmigrant rhetoric among some politicians has further aggravated the situation If this is the current situation of tolerance and camaraderie, what future are we looking towards?

80-year-old Bhim Kohli lost his life after a brutal and unprovoked attack in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, last September The perpetrators? A 15-year-old

A NATION DIVIDED

boy, now sentenced to seven years in custody, and a 13-yearold girl, just 12 at the time, who received a three-year youth rehabilitation order with a sixmonth curfew and mandatory community service

The boy racially abused Mr Kohli, slapped him in the face with a slider shoe, and launched a violent assault while the girl laughed and filmed the incident on her phone The attack left Mr Kohli with three broken ribs and other fractures, but the fatal blow was a spinal cord injury caused by a fractured spine

Dev Sh arma , Me mbe r o f t he UK Youth Pa rliame nt, commenting on Mr Kohli’s death, previously said, “As a British Asian and someone who works closely with the community, I know how many of them already feel unseen They feel like their lives and their loved ones ’ lives aren’t protected equally And that’s dangerous It creates resentment It erodes trust It tells people they don’t matter ”

These two heart-wrenching cases are among many emerging amid a disturbing rise in violence against the Indian diaspora worldwide The similarities between the incidents point to a troubling trend: the shifting mindset of the youth The question? What is driving this hatred, and more

importantly, how do we prevent children from being drawn down a path of extremism and intolerance?

These tragedies force us to confront uncomfortable truths When children, barely in their teens, internalise hatred so deeply that they weaponise it against their peers and the elderly, it signals a deeper societal failure It is not just about individual acts of cruelty; it reflects the narratives they are

to have mastered a peculiar art: wielding identity when it wins votes, weaponising it when it threatens power Diversity is celebrated as long as it stays in its place " Inclusio n or isolat ion?

For a world that claims to value diversity, equality and progress, the treatment of diaspora communities is a litmus test of moral maturity

Immigration remains one of the most contentious issues for the UK electorate But facts matter: Indians overwhelmingly migrate to the UK legally They were the largest group to gain citizenship last year, followed by

exposed to at home, in schools, online, and through politics

At the same time, we must ask: are these attacks on the Indian diaspora isolated incidents, or part of a wider pattern linked to shifting global power dynamics? As India emerges as a major economic and geopolitical force, its growing stature may be unsettling some in the West Could this be fuelling resentment and insecurity that trickles down into overt hostility towards Indians abroad?

P olitics at pla y too

During last year ’ s antiimmigration protest, Balwind er Ra na , a ve tera n anti-racism a ctiv ist a nd o ne of th e f ounde rs o f S ikhs Against the ED L, in conversation with Asian Voice, pointed out that politicians have a significant responsibility in playing the rhetoric

“These MPs, many of whom are wealthy and never participated in these battles, are now exploiting our struggles for their gain and using their positions to blame asylum seekers, which in reality means targeting Black people, Asian people, and Muslims They use asylum seekers as a scapegoat to further their own agendas, ignoring the racial undertones of their rhetoric ”

Turns out his observations aged far better than we have Kemi Badenoch spares no theatrics when warning of the ‘perils’ of immigration and asylum seekers, yet never misses a beat to remind us of the racism she’s endured as the first Black woman to lead the Conservatives

And then there’s Sadiq Khan; hailed as a symbol of diversity, but conveniently boxed out by his own party when he dares to aim higher

Britain’s political class seems

they are the backbone of Britain’s multicultural identity

Calling us an “island of strangers” demeans decades of contribution If Indians, who overwhelmingly follow the rules, feel unwelcome, what does that say about the UK’s vision for its future?

Re thinking Britain’s fu ture

If Britain’s diaspora communities, who have for

Pakistanis and Nigerians Yet policies introduced in the name of control risk sending the wrong message Targeting illegal migration is one thing; deliberately curbing dependants and tightening skilled worker routes, measures the government knows disproportionately affect Indians, suggests something else entirely

The numbers tell the story

In the year ending June 2025, work-related visa grants fell 36% to 183,000, driven by fewer main applicants and dependants receiving Health and Care and Skilled Worker visas Family visas dropped 23%, with partner visas down a third Most strikingly, student dependant visas have collapsed by 81% to just 18,000 Many Indian postgraduates have traditionally brought dependants and these changes will inevitably hit future numbers further

Britain is grappling with what Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey describes as an “acute challenge”: sluggish growth and a shrinking workforce While tighter immigration rules may score political points, they risk worsening labour shortages and undermining competitiveness, a long-term goal

The growing exodus of the wealthy highlights this concern, with around 60% of Britain’s millionaires believing they’d enjoy a better life abroad

Families like the Tatas, Mittals, Hindujas and Aroras, who contribute significantly to the British economy, underscore what’s at stake if this trend continues

Sending the message that “British jobs are for Britons” is one thing but it should come with the understanding that British Asians are not outsiders;

decades contributed to its economy, culture, and global influence, must still constantly prove their loyalty, justify their presence, and live under the shadow of vilification and violence, can we truly claim that the nation is advancing?

Progress is not just about GDP figures or infrastructure; it is about the lived experiences of its people If entire communities feel under siege, can we honestly call that a forward-moving society?

This question becomes even more urgent against the backdrop of Britain’s volatile political landscape How does Labour’s vision for integration and equality truly differ from Reform UK’s rhetoric, which often flirts with populism and fear-driven narratives where Nigel Farage vows that the Human Rights Act would be ripped up should he become prime minister? Are we, knowingly or unknowingly, inching towards a Britain shaped by Farage’s Trump-inspired vision; a future defined by walls instead of bridges, exclusion instead of inclusion?

Steve Valdez-Symonds of Amnesty International UK criticised both Reform and the Prime Minister’s asylum policies as lacking principle and reality He condemned proposals for mass detentions, unfair claim processes, and scrapping the Human Rights Act, warning they harm refugees, waste taxpayer money, and fuel smuggling He urged the government to end its “ race to the bottom” and create a fair, efficient asylum system

The events unfolding across the Atlantic offer a sobering warning and if we fail to learn, Britain could be heading down a similar path

The question, therefore, is not abstract or distant; it is immediate and deeply personal

Is this truly the Britain we wantone where difference is weaponised? Or can we chart a different course, where diversity is seen as strength, and belonging is not up for debate?

T H E H I D D E N S U P P O R T

E V E R Y M O T H E R N E E D S

Subhasini Naicker

Bring ing a baby into th e world can be bo th exhilarating and ov erwhelm ing , and h a v i ng s o m eo n e by your side w ho truly under-

st and s th e j o u rne y c an

m ak e a ll th e d i f fer en ce

T h at’ s w h er e a d o u l a co mes in, a trained professio nal who offers continuou s p h y si c al , em ot i o nal , and informational sup port to m oth ers before, during , and after childbirth U nlike med ical staff, doulas focus so lely on the well-being of th e m o th er an d f am i ly , h elp i n g red u ce st res s , im p r o v e b ir th o u tc o m es , and create a m ore emp owering birthing exp erience

One such doula making a real impact is Trush a S o lan ke e, w h o s u p p o r t s families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

c a r e , w h i l e a l s o r a i s i n g a w a r e n e s s a b o u t t h e

u n i q u e c h a l l e n g e s S o u t h Asian women face within the birthing system

S p e a k i n g t o A s i a n

V o i c e a b o u t i n c o n s i s t e n t

s u p p o r t f o r p r e g n a n t women in the NHS, Trusha said, “Midwives and health professionals want patients to have a safe experience, but the system pressures them A midwife may care for many women at once, and after 37 weeks, induc-

t i o n s o r c a e s a r e a n s a r e often pushed due to limited staff or beds This pressure falls on the women, some are sent home the same day without proper

s u p p o r t , a n d a l a r m i n g warnings about the baby can be used to speed deci-

s i o n s W o m e n d e s e r v e proper care and time without unnecessary pressure ” “Doula suppo rt benefits mother, baby, and family”

On the research about disparities in childbirth for Black and Asian women,

T r u s h a e x p l a i n e d , “ S o m e t i m e s i t s s i m p l e

t h i n g s l i k e c o m m u n i c a -

t i o n I f c e r t a i n h o s p i t a l staff don’t understand an

accent or a patient’s language, it can create misun-

d e r s t a n d i n g s M a n y

w o m e n m a y n o t h a v e

English as their first language, and in those cases, they can be looked down

u p o n o r d i s m i s s e d

Unfortunately, there is still underlying racism toward Black and Asian women

Black women, for example, a r e o f t e n p e r c e i v e d a s s t r o n g e r , s o t h e r e ’ s a n assumption that they don’t need pain relief, which can have deadly consequences

A s i a n w o m e n m i g h t b e labelled as ‘drama queens ’ or misunderstood, which again affects the care they receive ” She added, “There’s a lot of training happening

a c r o s s N H S h o s p i t a l s , including unconscious bias programs and initiatives to i m p r o v e d i v e r s i t y a n d

i n c l u s i o n I v o l u n t e e r a t

some hospitals supporting breastfeeding, and I’ve seen

t h a t n e w s t a f f a n d m i dw i v e s u n d e r g o t h o r o u g h t r a i n i n g T h e r e a r e a l s o charities like Five Times

M o r e , w h i c h f o c u s o n Black and Asian women, and their work has helped reduce maternal mortality

r a t e s s i g n i f i c a n t l y F o r e x a m p l e , t h e f i g u r e f o r Black women, who were once five times more likely

t o d i e d u r i n g c h i l d b i r t h , has now dropped to four

t i m e s , w h i c h i s a m a j o r improvement But there’s s t i l l a l o n g w a y t o g o

T r a i n i n g n e w s t a f f i s important, but it’s equally

v i t a l t o r e t r a i n t h o s e already in the system, par-

ticularly when it comes to c h a l l e n g i n g u n c o n s c i o u s bias, prejudice, and ensuring that every patient is given the care, attention, and respect they deserve ”

Many South Asian families assume a large family network means extra support, so a doula isn’t necessary, Trusha explained “It’s wonderful to have family around, especially in villages where it really does t a k e a v i l l a g e t o r a i s e a child But often, the mother ends up trying to care for everyone, entertain guests, a n d m a k e s u r e e v e r y o n e gets time with the baby, which can limit her oneon-one bonding I didn’t have a doula myself and had a long, traumatic birth My mum was there, and she’s a physiotherapist, so knowledgeable, but when it’s your own child, emotions run high, and it’s hard to think clearly A doula can step back, provide calm emotional support to both the mother and extended family, guide them through options, and focus on crucial moments like breastf e e d i n g a n d s k i n - t o - s k i n contact, helping the mother and baby have privacy and care without the emotional overwhelm of relatives ” O

h Asian women and families

h e s i t a n t a b o u t h i r i n g a d o u l a d u e t o c u l t u r a l expectations, Trusha said, “ T h e W o r l d H e a l t h Organization recommends every woman have a doula It’s not a luxury, its essent i a l s u p p o r t W h

NHS doesn’t provide them, many charities do, helping s i n g l e m

s , r e f

s , and others A doula brings knowledge of birth, postpartum care, breastfeeding, and emotional support for both the mother and partn e r T h e y d o n ’ t r e p l a c e

f a m i l y t h e y s u p p o r t everyone and help ensure the mother gets the care and attention she needs ”

TikTok trend fuels misogynistic abuse in Manchester

S e cr e t v id e o s of wo me n filmed wit hout their consent in Manche st er city ce ntre are s t il l c ir c ul a t i n g o n l in e , a ttra cting hundreds of mill ion s of views an d horrific comme nts, the Manchester Even in g Ne ws reports

Clips, some with over 40 million views, have drawn a b u s i v e r e m a r k s c a l l i n g women “dogs” or “ easy to get” and comparing them to escorts, with others mocking their weight

Police are urging victims to come forward to investigate potential crimes, while Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor Kate Green called the clips and misogynistic comments “concerning ” The trend, which began

on TikTok, involves posting footage of women out with friends often in Deansgate

o r S p i n n i n g f i e l d s , w i t h o u t their knowledge, prompting p o l i c e w a r n i n g s o v e r t h e surge in incidents

F o l l o w i n g a 2 0 2 2 ‘Manchester Evening News’ report, one TikTok account w a s b a n n e d f o r “ v i o l a t i n g community guidelines,” but many others continue posting similar content online The videos often target young, sometimes intoxicate d w o m e n O n e Y o u T u b e page, unnamed by MEN, has g a i n e d o v e r 3 0 0 m i l l i o n views in under three months Many clips appear to be from 2023 and are billed as the “ u l t i m a t e g u i d e t o

UK Mothers earn £302 less weekly than fathers

Wome n with ch ildre n ear n

£ 3 0 2 l e ss p e r w e e k t ha n fathe rs, about on e-third le ss wee kly a nd n ea rly 20% le ss per hour , a ccord ing to ONSba sed an alysis

As a result, Mums’ Equal Pay Day falls on 1 September t h i s y e a r , n e a r l y t h r e e months earlier than Equal

P a y D a

a l l w o m e n , meaning mothers effectively work for free compared with f a t h e r s f r o m t h i s d a t e onward

“ T h e g e n d e r p a y g a p widens sharply after having children because starting

affects women ’ s earnings,” said Joeli Brearley, founder of Growth Spurt, an online

analysis is accurate, Brearley notes the situation is worse in reality, as it excludes parents who leave work due to

leave their jobs each year due to pregnancy or maternity leave, according to Brearley “Most mothers report facing discrimination or setbacks, from missed promotions to being sidelined,” she said C

availability continue to limit

ties, while flexible or parttime roles, often low-paid, c

Brearley added that outdat-

reinforce gendered expectations, with mothers taking extended leave and fathers

because of these challenges,” she added

Pregnancy and materni-

Leicester shop owner stars in Coca-Cola campaign

A Le icester b usinesswoman who discovere d “ une xpected st r e n g t h ” a ft e r a p e r so n a l

tra gedy is set to st ar in a major Coca-Cola campaign

Sunita Aggar wal , owner of SPAR store s in Wigst on and L e ice st e r , wa s c ho se n t o highl ig ht t he vital rol e corner shops and their owners play in local communities

Sunita took over her late husband Raj’s SPAR stores after he died from Covid-19 in April 2020 Having assisted him for 25 years, she had to quickly learn to run the business on her own while coping with her grief

She quickly taught hers e l f t o m a n a g e i n v e n t o r y , l i a i s e w i t h s u p p l i e r s , a n d handle wages Today, her son helps run the business, cont

They also honour Raj’s philanthropic work, fundraising for local communities, NHS

£250,000 annually

“Resilience means finding unexpected strength and meeting challenges head-on After my husband’s sudden

passing, I had to run our s h o p s a l o n e T h r o u g h resilience, I found my voice a n d b e g a n e m p o w e r i n g women in our community,” Sunita said

She will feature in a sixpart photography and mini d o c u - s e r i e s s p o t l i g h t i n g l o c a l c o r n e r s h o p o w n e r s a c r o s s G r e

n , launched as Coca-Cola celebrates 125 years of community presence Each corner shop boss in the series can nominate a local cause for a five-figure donation Sunita said, “I’m proud to work with CocaC o l

tions of corner shop owners and show their role as vital community hubs Together, we ’ re redefining leadership and proving corner shops are the heart of our neighbourhoods ” S u n i t a h a s b e c o m e a respected community figure and a champion for women in retail She is a member of ACS’ Women’s Independent R e t a i l e r N e t w o r k ( W I R N ) and Women In Convenience, where she mentors female o w n e r s t h r o u g h t r a i n i n g , workshops on public speaking, social media, and buildi n g t h e m s e l v e s i n t o “ t r

Genetic tests on IVF embryos boost chances for older women

Genetic

Manchester nightlife,” showing groups of women around the city One clip of women

w a l k i n g

r e a c h e d 4 2 m i

l i o n v i e w s , while another of two women talking has 43 million views

s i n c e J u n e T h e c h a n n e l falsely advertises “exclusive nightlife coverage ” to gain s u b s c r i b e r s I t s

r t i c a l YouTube Shorts, similar to TikTok and Instagram, have

s about women ’ s appearance, o u t f i t s , a n d w e i g h t o f t e n without their knowledge

V i e w e r s c r i t i c i s e d t h e

n

ethics of filming unsuspecting women at night

before implantation

A n e u p l o i d y , a g e n e t i c condition where cells have m i s s i n g o r e x t r a c h r o m o -

s o m e s , c a n c a u s e m i s c a rr i a g e s , b i r t h d e f e c t s , a n d conditions like Down’s syndrome Women over 35 face h i g h e r a n e u p l o i d y r i s k a s egg quality declines, though PGT-A testing isn’t offered on the NHS

A trial at King’s Fertility involved 100 women aged 35-42 undergoing IVF, with half receiving PGT-A tests Those tested became pregnant in fewer embryo transfers and had a higher live birth rate after up to three transfers, 72% versus 52% for the untested group Dr Yusuf Beebeejaun of King’s College London and King’s Fertility said: “More

women are starting families after 35, and embryos in this age group are more likely to have the wrong number of c h r o m o s o m e s , i n c r e a s i n g the risk of failed implantation and miscarriage Our

women conceive sooner and reduce the emotional toll of

Plane turbulence on the rise as climate shifts

Subhasini Naicker

Fl igh t t urbule nce is no

lo ng er ju st an occa sional inco nv enie nce , it’s becom ing more fr eque nt a nd se ver e, a nd climat e cha nge is a ma jo r culp rit

Rising global temperatures are intensifying atmospheric instability, leading to stronger jet streams and unpredictable weather patterns This means more “clear-air turbulence,” which occurs without visible warning signs like storms or clouds, making it harder for pilots to avoid Experts warn that as the planet warms, air travel could see a significant increase in turbulence incidents, posing new challenges for airlines and passengers alike.

Speaking to Asian Voice, Capt Raj Adh ikar y explained the surge in turbulence incidents, “The rise in turbulence

from air traffic control

Onboard radar is also used to identify convective turbulence linked to clouds or thunderstorms However, these systems have limitations, particularly when it comes to detecting clear-air turbulence, which is invisible and extremely difficult to forecast To bridge this gap, new technologies like LIDAR,

globally is primarily driven by climate change, which is reshaping atmospheric dynamics

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions are strengthening jet streams and intensifying wind shear, making clear-air turbulence (CAT) more frequent and severe Research shows turbulence frequency has climbed significantly between 1980 and 2021, with some regions seeing spikes of 60% to 155% Climate change is also blurring seasonal differences, making both winters and summers equally susceptible A key factor is the faster warming of the tropics compared to higher latitudes, which disrupts traditional turbulence patterns ”

On detecting and managing turbulence, Capt Adhikary said, “Pilots currently rely on multiple tools and techniques, including weather forecasts and turbulence charts, realtime PIREPs (pilot reports) from preceding aircraft, and advisories

using lasers to detect subtle changes in air density and wind speed, are being developed to provide earlier and more accurate warnings ”

Aviation industry a do pts te ch t o ta ckle t urbule nce

Airlines and aircraft manufacturers are stepping up efforts to prepare for increasingly turbulent skies, driven by climate change and rising cases of clear-air turbulence To tackle these risks, the industry is embracing advanced technologies, predictive analytics, and operational changes aimed at improving passenger safety and comfort.

On airlines and aircraft manufacturer can better prepare for and mitigate turbulence risks in the future, E UR ING D inuwan G alwat ta, CEO of Aero Launch Pvt Ltd and mentor at the University of Brighton, said, “To prepare for a future of bumpier skies, airlines are using IATA’s Turbulence Aware to share real-time data and create AI-driven

Campaigner warns islamophobia definition could fuel social unrest

Bri tain ris ks so cia l u nrest and the p erception of a twot ie r s o c i e ty i f mi n i st er s ado pt an official definition of Islamop hobia, a leadi ng campaign grou p has warned accordi ng to Th e T imes

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has reportedly tasked a working group w

“appropriate and sensitive language” to define “ unacceptable treatment, prejud

against Muslims ” B u t F

forecasts, helping pilots adjust routes dynamically Manufacturers are developing LIDAR and infrasonic sensors to detect turbulence early, while new aircraft designs like Embraer’s Praetor jets use active turbulence reduction systems

Combined with improved forecasting, route optimisation, and pilot training, these measures are making turbulence management safer and more efficient ”

Galwatta emphasised the importance of communication and safety protocols, saying, “Improving how crews communicate with passengers and reinforcing seatbelt use are key to reducing injuries and anxiety during turbulence

Passengers should be encouraged to keep seatbelts fastened whenever seated, not just when the sign is on Clear, timely announcements before turbulence, securing loose items, and reassuring passengers that modern aircraft are built to handle turbulence safely all help maintain confidence

Many airlines now adapt service protocols, such as ending cabin service early when rough air is expected, to keep everyone seated and safe Consistent messaging and calm, empathetic communication remain critical to managing turbulence effectively ”

M

h a l , founder of Tell Mama, an o

s

g a n

n m o n i t o r i n g anti-Muslim hate, is leading a campaign called Keep the L a w E q u a l r e p o r t e d l y opposing the move He fears the definition would have a “ c h i l l i n g e f f e c t ” o n f r e e speech and risk introducing a “ b l a s p h e m y l a w b y t h e

b a c k d o o r , ” T h e T i m e s reported

Although the definition would not be legally binding, Mughal has apparently warned police, prosecutors, p u b l i c a u t h o r i t i e s a n d employers might adopt it, leading to the suppression

o f l e g i t i m a t e c r i t i c i s m o f practices linked to Islam, c i t i n g c o n c e r n s i t c o u l d r e s t r i c t d e b a t e o n i s s u e s such as grooming scandals, w h e r e d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e

numbers of Asian men have been offenders, as well as on the hijab, niqab and sharia courts

“We are seeing unhapp i n e s s a b o u t a t w o - t i e r application of the law,” he r e p o r t e d l y s a i d “ P e o p l e ask, ‘Why are Muslims getting extra protection? Why do they need more laws?’

Existing laws are sufficient

Marking out one community risks major social divisions

” According to the report i n T h e T i m e s , M u g h a l argues that enforcing current laws would better prot e c t c o m m u n i t i e s t h a n adding new definitions He said, “This will only fuel the p e r c e p t i o n o n e g r o u p i s getting a better deal, raising tensions and anger ” H e a l s o r e p o r t e d l y w a r n e d t h e d e f i n i t i o n

could have “ a deeply problematic chilling effect” on free speech “People will be scared to discuss religion, w i t h d i g i t a l t r a c e s u s e d against them later,” he said E v e n i f n o n - s t a t u t o r y , judges and lawyers could cite the definition in legal arguments

A recent independent review by Baroness Casey o f B l a c k s t o c k f o u n d a u t h o r i t i e s h a d “ s h i e d away ” from acknowledging the ethnicity of grooming gangs, despite disproport i o n a t e i n v o l v e m e n t b y Asian men

According to the article by The Times, Mughal said even measured discussion of cultural factors could be misinterpreted as an attack on Muslims He also caut i o n e d t h a t e m p l o y e r s could adopt the definition, leading to lengthy investigations over Islamophobia allegations

T h e M i n i s t r y o f Housing, Communities and Local Government reportedly said, “We are absolutely committed to defending freedom of speech, and any proposed definition must b e c o m p a t i b l e w i t h t h e right to free expression ” Asian Voice has reached out to Tell Mama for an official comment

Anthony

Jacob:

On NILA

Senior

L ea ni ng i nto th e S o u thAsian cultural trad ition of deep regard and care fo r the el d erl y, A n th o ny i s th e

fo u n d er o f b ur g eo n i ng , new h ealthcare ap p NILA

w h er e th e p la tf o rm i s

no ta bl y p a rtn ere d w i th

A v iv a: th e i nternatio nally reputable medical and life

i ns u ran ce c o m p an y

Drawing from his w ealth of ex p eri en c e i n t h e rem i ttances industry, the w ell-

att u ned en tre p ren eu r noticed that “ a h uge chunk of p ayments by im migrants were being m ad e toward s ensuring h ealthcare abroad as well as inv estments and li v i ng ex p ens es ”

S p ec i fi c al ly, th ey : ‘ s p e nt around $850 billion g lobally each year Healthcare paym en ts r ep r es ent a lar g e pro portion of that, around 10-1 5% ’ A nthony has also personally experienced the stress of arranging care at hom e, to gether with his sister, during the outbreak of C o v i d fo r g r an d p are nt s w h o li v e i n S ri - L an ka –Antho ny ’ s co untry o f origin “I noticed that a lot of Ind ians, Nig erians and SriLankans liv ing in the UK and C anad a were having a similar issue, ” he comm ented “ We w e re th i nk i ng about our lov ed ones standing o ut in the op en in long qu eues trying to g et help and sim ply wanted a solution We were h av ing troubl e f in d i ng r ef err al s a nd finding qualified staff ” ***

Anthony himself travels

a s i g n i f i c a n t a m o u n t f o r work so that he is on the move The central goal then w a s ‘ t o b u i l d a p l a t f o r m

t h a t p r o v i d e d t h e s a m e level of care and assurance

a s y o u w o u l d g e t i f y o u were there yourself ’ This

r e s u l t e d i n t h e d i g i t a l h e a l t h c a r e m a n a g e m e n t app that is NILA today: it is a s t r e a m l i n e d e f f e c t i v e option for ensuring quality care for families of NRIs

a b r o a d I n d e e d , m u c h o f the genius lies in the integration of otherwise disp a r a t e s p e c i a l i s t s e r v i c e s such as organising qualified carers on the ground, individual finances, home visits

a n d r e g u l a r b e n e f i c i a l check-ups “Essentially, it is

a c o n c i e r g e - t y p e s y s t e m t h a t i s c o s t - e f f e c t i v e a n d p r o v i d e s r e l i a b l e q u a l i t y

c a r e ” H o w e v e r , t h e

founder also made sure to e m p h a s i s e t h a t N I L A ’ s unique training is a fundamental component of the b u s i n e s s a n d e n t r e p

l

“Our managers are trained in-house by the Nila team so that you know that loved ones are truly safe and that the care is reliable Sorting payment is also simplified

across currencies ” In terms of the biggest c h a l l e n g e t o l a u n c h i n g NILA, Anthony mentioned being able to successfully co-ordinate teams over separate time zones The app is operational in cities such as M u m b a i , C h e n n a i , a n d Hyderabad, with plans to expand in the future On the idea of what has been a common insight across the i n d u s t r i e s o f r e m i t t a n c e s a n d h e a l t h c a r e , h e c o m -

mented: “I have found that word-of-mouth works very well when raising awareness With my old job, for example, I would help people pay directly in dollars internationally If the concept is genuinely trusted by t h e c o m m u n i t y , y o u w i l l get more interest organical-

“Word-of-mouth works very well when raising awareness"

ly We found that public figures had a lot of sway by extension as opposed to the odd Google ad ” As a coroll a r y t o t h i s , t h e f o u n d e r states being able to retain and grow one ’ s clientele as a marker of strong business: “at NILA, we often have people signing up for the simple plan who then go on to invest in a more

complex one as they are incredibly satisfied with the service ” Finally, not only does t h e a p p ‘ b r i d g e a g a p ’ between the customer and a pain point, but also pertinently highlights the disparity socially of the general acknowledgement of the wellbeing of the elderly that could be better addressed: the UK is currently in the middle of a social care crisis where there is an increasing aging population in great need but a lack of the availability of attendance Here, A n t h o n y c o m m e n t e d o n his personal motivation as r o o t e d i n S o u t h - A s i a n identity: “I do think that the idea of looking after our e l d e r s i s c o n s i

respectful in culture and, in that sense, unique to our community This is not as much the case typically in the West – it is not so normal to put family in a care

themselves The app therefore not only demonstrates the power or technological progression but also that of g

o b a l s o l i d a r i t y a n d t h e intimate exchange of innov

y Anthony demonstrates the remedial overhaul that can be found within Healthtech as a sector itself

W: Nila Elder Care

Aldi set to overtake Asda

saw a decline, with sales down 3 2% as it continued to count the cost of an April cyberattack that left shelves empty, reducing its market share to 5 4%

The latest drop marks a setback for Allan Leighton, the former chief executive

a turnaround Since its 2021 takeover by private equity

Nostalgia and nectar

How the UK's Malayalis keep Onam alive

Swathi Anil

For Malayalis liv ing across the UK , the arrival of Onam is a bittersweet affair It’s a time wh en the h eart aches with a pow erfu l lo ng ing for hom e, for the sight of lush green fields and the scent of j as m i ne an d rai n -s o ak ed earth T he 10 -d ay festiv al, steeped in myth and trad itio n, i s a h om ec om ing in itself, a vibrant celebration of King M ahabali's annual return to his beloved state of Kerala Yet, for those tho usand s of miles away, the festival is a poignant rem ind er of the d istance, of the familiar w arm th o f fami ly and com munity th at is often so far

t i o n , rather than dampening the spirit, fuels a determination

becomes a powerful catalyst, driving communities across the UK to come together, to share in the joy and labour of keeping their traditions alive It's an emotional and communal effort, a beautif u l t a p e s t r y w o v e n f r o m

shared memories and a collective desire to pass on a rich cultural heritage to a new generation

One such person dedic a t e d t o r e c r e a t i n g t h i s s e n s e o f h o m e i s C h e f

Manoj Karnavar, the owner o f T i n d l i r e s t a u r a n t

Speaking with Asian Voice, Chef Manoj shared his passion for creating an authent i c O n a m e x p e r i e n c e

“There will be 10 days of celebration at the restaurant,” he said "From 29th onwards there will be an Onam feast a t t h e r e s t a u r a n t , w h e r e

p e o p l e w o u l d w e a r t r a d itional clothes like Mundu a n d S a r e e T h e r e w i l l b e Sadya with 34 dishes including authentic Kerala Onam dishes as well as varieties of sweets like Panchamritham

T h e r e w i l l b e c e l e b r i t y guests present for the feast "

H i s c o m m i t m e n t g o e s beyond mere business; it's a heartfelt mission to evoke a s e n s e o f b e l o n g i n g

"Authenticity is our speciality It is about creating a nost a l g i c m e m o r y , ” h e explained With 32 years of e x p e r i e n c e i n t o p h o t e l s , M a n o j u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t food is not just sustenance; it’s a cultural bridge “The feast is a get-together, not j u s t b u s i n e s s , ” h e a d d e d , capturing the very essence of Onam, a time for community, sharing, and rekindling connections

T h i s s e n t i m e n t i s e c h o e d b y S r e e j i t h

Sreedharan, the Chair of the Malayali Association of UK ( M A U K ) , a n o r g a n i s a t i o n w i t h a l e g a c y s t r e t c h i n g back to the 1930s He told Asian Voice that MAUK is organising three key events t o m a r k t h e f e s t i v a l T h e first is a grand Onam Sadya for 300 people, a monumental undertaking that relies on the collective spirit of the community "It is all about m a i n t a i n i n g t r a d i t i o n s , " Sreejith explained "All the families participate in the preparation of dishes, where s m a l l d i s h e s a r e p r e p a r e d from home by a few families and the rest is made at the designated venue, which is indeed a lot of work But in the end what matters the most is that we are still taking forward our traditions " T h i s a c t o f s h a r e d labour, of coming together to create a feast, is a powerful reminder of the commun a l h e a r t o f O n a m T h e MAUK's commitment also extends back to Kerala, with

a parallel event organised for orphanages and old-age homes, a testament to the f e s t i v a l ' s m e s s a g e o f g e nerosity and compassion

Beyond the feast, MAUK i s a l s o f o c u s i n g o n t h e f u t u r e A s p e c i a l e v e n t , "Piller Onam," is dedicated t o e d u c a t i n g t h e y o u n g e r generation about the significance of the festival A vital

effort to ensure that the rich cultural heritage is not lost but passed on to those who are growing up in a different l a n

, a vibrant display of games and c e

t h events which welcomes non malayalis as well, concludes the festivities, leaving attendees with cherished memories and a renewed sense of connection to their roots For many Malayalis in the UK, Onam is no longer just a festival; it is a prof o u n d a c t o f d e f i a n c e against distance and time It is a testament to the enduring power of culture and c

bring Kerala to them, to fill their homes and hearts with t h

spirit of Onam The yearni n g

beautiful celebrations, they discover that home isn't just a place, it's a feeling, a memory, and a community that they carry with them wherever they go

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations across the UK

laden Asda has struggled; its market share has slid from 15% to just one percentage point above Aldi’s By contrast, the wider grocery market grew

month, down from 5 2% in July, though analysts warn consumers are unlikely to feel much relief

and festivities T h

worldwide, including

Living longer, younger and stronger

Anusha Singh

Dr Al ka Pate l is a longe vity physician, life sty le me dicine pioneer , and a dvo-

ca t e fo r w ha t s he ca l l s Yo un g e r

Ageing the science and strat egy of l ivin g longer, y ounge r, and stronge r But he r journey to this work beg an with a deeply personal expe rience: her own burnout

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight and looking back, Dr Alka recalls the earliest clues “I wish I hadn’t normalised exhaustion,” she said Falling asleep tired and waking up tired had become her norm As a GP, mother of three, and business owner, she believed fatigue was simply the price of responsibility

H e r d a y s w e r e m e t i c u l o u s l y timetabled down to the minute Sleep

b e c a m e e x p e n d a b l e ; m e a l s w e r e skipped Micro-sleeps, a dangerously clear sign of exhaustion, were ignored “I never said no, I never asked for help,” she admits “I thought I had to do it all myself ”

The breaking point came when she ended up in the ER, then hospitalised for weeks “I felt like I had no energy left to go on and my near death, out of body experience confirmed it I saw the light, literally, running towards it, only to be stopped by and my children’s shadows telling me to come back ” It was her birthday and her children’s little hands on her face made her realise what she stood to lose this moment catalysed a profound life change

The hardest cha nge: Bounda ries

W h e n a s k e d w h a t t h e h a r d e s t lifestyle change was for her, Dr Alka doesn’t mention diet, exercise, or sleep “It was boundaries: learning to say no, not being ‘always available’ and allowing people to help without it making me feel as though I was incapable ”

As a doctor, caring is instinctive, but constantly being “ on ” is unsustainable Boundaries, she discovered, don’t reduce your impact; they increase it By intentionally saying yes, rather than by default, she found more energy and clarity in every aspect of life

Dr Alka’s own experience shapes how she guides her children “I don’t preach I model my own habits,” she explains And now my children inspire me Conversations about doing what you love without burning out are normal in her household Her key message: rest is not laziness; it’s active recovery

She encourages her children, and anyone listening, to understand the brain’s default mode network, which a c t i v a t e s w h e n w e ’ r e n o t “ d o i n g ”

Creativity and innovation flourish in those moments of being rather than constant hustle

High-achievers, especially young professionals and students, often feel i m m e n s e p r e s s u r e , c o m p o u n d e d i n some South Asian families by cultural expectations to excel Dr Alka urges a shift from hustle culture to what she calls aligned ambition

“You can have both peace and prosperity Health and success aren’t mutually exclusive,” she says Aligning ambition with personal values and identity is essential She uses a vivid metaphor: your body is the chariot, your senses are the horses, your mind the reins, and your intellect the driver “If you let the horses run wild, your chariot crashes But if you drive with intention and purpose, you stay on track ”

Her approach to productivity centres on simple yet powerful hacks such as building micro-breaks into the day with short, intentional pauses to reset, and reframing rest by seeing recovery as essential fuel for performance rather than a sign of diminished ambition

For Dr Alka, great health starts with sleep She reframes it as an active, not passive, function “Sleep is where your body repairs, your memories consolidate, and your brain clears toxins It’s your productivity engine ”

“We live in a world where daytime dominates and nighttime is sacrificed,” she says “We need to flip that and protect those eight hours as sacred ”

A jour ney back to the roots

When Dr Alka Patel reflects on her journey, she begins with her parents’

father was born in Vadadla, Gujarat, and trained as an electronics engineer Her mother spent her early years in N

childhood before political unrest in the 1960s forced the family to uproot Her grandfather, then a headmaster, brought the family to the UK around 1968, part of a wider wave of migration Her father followed a year later and began life in England with almost nothing

The struggles were immense Her

Dr Alka

worked in a cotton mill before eventually moving into entrepreneurship in the retail and residential care home sector Her mother abandoned her

grandfather couldn’t continue as a school headmaster “I have complete respect for anybody who immigrates, even now let alone in the 60s and 70s when it was so hard,” Dr Alka says

Growing up first-generation in the UK wasn’t without challenges “There felt like a distance between me and my cultural roots,” she recalls Yet, over time, she discovered that her heritage ran deep, influencing her values and the way she practises medicine today

This defining chapter came after her experience of burnout Feeling an unexplained pull towards India, she travelled solo to Kerala to volunteer in palliative care There, she met a 106year-old man, Motu, whose wisdom c

longevity, he replied: “I have been kind to my body; my body has been kind to me ”

For Dr Alka, this distilled what modern medicine often misses “In medical school, we ’ re taught about sickness, not health We’re not taught how to help people be kind to their bodies or minds ” It inspired her to integrate ancient practices like stillness, yoga fasting and breathwork with cutting edge testing and diagnostics for a more holistic approach to health Her mission is to empower people to live a million hour life of longevity, impact, vitality and energy that’s 114 years and she believes this is possible, “if," she says, "we are kind to our bodies "

Dr Alka’s “biohacks” for stress & sleep

6-60 Breathing : Take 6 breaths per minute for 60 seconds to reset your nervous system

7-70 Reset : Every 70 minutes, pause for at least 7 seconds of silence and inward focus

1-1 0 Morning Rule : 1 minute of morning sunlight + 10 seconds to set your daily intention

8-80 Sleep Ru le : 8 hours of sleep + 80 minutes device-free wind-down before bed

Elections Chief urges voting lessons from Age 11

S chools w ill need to teach d em ocracy fro m th e age o f 1 1 and ensure teachers keep t h ei r p o li ti c s o u t o f t h e classroom if 1 6- and 17-yearo ld s are to make informed v oting decisions, the head o f t he El ecto ral C o m m is si o n h as said Vijay Rangarajan, chief executive of the UK elections watchdog, said citizenship education will initially target pupils over 14 ahead of the next election, when the voting age will drop to 16 But to be truly effective, he said, lessons should start earlier

views at the door,” h

G

putting huge work into impartial materials so schools can debate real political issues without trying to sway

resources after complaints that political education in Scotland was patchy when

need guidance to handle controver-

help pupils identify misinformation online

rent curriculum fails to prepare teens to vote Nearly half of 16- and 17-year-olds feel similarly unprepared Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accused schools

Rangarajan stressed impar-

Ksamapana in Paryushana

Dr Mehool Sanghrajka MBE

Managing Trustee of Institute of Jainology

Paryushana is the most im po rtant annu al fest ival in Jainism , celebr at ed wit h gr eat devotion by bot h Shwet am bar a and Digam bara sects The term "Paryu shana" means "abiding" o r "com ing together , " symbol ising a time o f spiritual renew al and intense sel f-discipline It usuall y occur s in August or September , lasting eight days for Shwet am bar as and t en days for Digambar as, du ring the Indian ‘rainy seaso n ’ when monks and nu ns sto p travell ing due to their restr ictions of walking on rainwater

The festival is centered around purification of the mind and soul through fasting, meditation, prayer, and introspection It is not unusual to see fasts of up to eight days, limiting intake to boiled water only In the Shwetambara tradition, reciting the Kalpa Sutra, which contains the biographies of Mahāvīra and the other Tīrthankaras, and performing the daily Pratikraman, a ritual of repentance and asking forgiveness, are common activities

Forgiveness in Jainism is called Ksamāpana (from the Sanskrit, meaning "pacifying" or "appeasing "), and refers to the act of seeking forgiveness It is a deeply significant concept and the practice centered on asking pardon for any harm or offenses caused to others, intentionally or unintentionally Harm in Jainism can be in word, thought or deed, and all are considered equal The principle of non-violence (ahimsā) is central to Jain philosophy, and harm towards any living being is seen as sin (paap) The daily practice of Pratikraman during the Paryushana festival, is where Jains ask for forgiveness from family, friends, and all beings to cleanse themselves spiritually from past misdeeds and negative karma

Paryushana culminates on the last day with Samvatsari, known as the ‘Day of Universal Forgiveness’ On this day, Jains seek forgiveness from friends, family, and all living beings by greeting them in person and saying "Micchami Dukkadam,", an ancient Indian Prakrit language phrase, found in historic Jain texts with the meaning, "May all my improper actions be inconsequential" This embodies the spirit of reconciliation, peace, and non-violence

The practice reflects the Jain ethical emphasis on compassion, humility, and truth

By seeking forgiveness, one acknowledges their imperfections and the interconnectedness of all life, aiming to purify the soul and progress on the path to liberation (moksha)

spending a lot of time making sure materials are genuinely neutral ” Rangarajan also backed reforms to close loopholes on foreign money, protect female and minority candidates from deepfake abuse,

rules including cryptocurr

urged ministers to restore the Commission’s independence, warning, “A government shouldn’t instruct the referees of its own re-election ”

Ksamapana is not merely a formal ritual but a sincere internal attitude of remorse and a commitment to ethical living, which is fundamental to Jain teachings It is best described by the daily Jain prayer;

Khamemi S avva Jive, Savve Jiva Khamantu Me, Mitti Me S avva Bhu esu , Veram Majjha Na Kenai

Tr anslated: "I forgive o f al l l iving beings, m ay all o f them fo rgive me, m ay I have fr iendship wit h all beings and enmity wit h none"

G C S E R E S U L T S 2025 Pass rates hold steady as resit entries soar

GCSE results are ou t, marking a p ivotal

mo ment fo r tho usands of s tudents across England, Wales, and Northern I reland T hese results no t o nly reflect individu al ach ievement but also reveal wider trends and c hallenges in education

Most students collecting results have just finished Year 11, ending a secondary school journey that began in Covid “bubbles ” But an increasing number are older learners resitting English or maths after missing a pass previously, often during years when grades were lowered to curb pandemic inflation

This year ’ s overall pass rate has fallen again, with 67 4% of grades in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland at 4/C or above

The pass rate dipped slightly from 67 6% last year to 67 4%, as grading remains close to prepandemic standards after years of fluctuation Top grades spiked in 2020 and 2021 when exams were cancelled, but a phased return to 2019 levels was completed last year

England saw a small fall (67 4% to 67 1%), while Wales (62 2% to 62 5%) and Northern Ireland (82 7% to 83 5%) recorded slight increases Top grades (7/A or above) rose marginally from 21 8% to 21 9%, sparking warnings of tougher competition for sixth-form places

Nearly a quarter of GCSE maths and English entries this year were

from students aged 17 and older, up from 20 9% last year Most were resits, as those failing to achieve a grade 4 must continue studying alongside Alevels or T-levels

Pass rates for resits remain low: only 20 9% in English and 17 1% in maths reached grade 4 or above in England OCR chief Jill Duffy called it a “resit crisis,” urging fundamental reform, while education bodies say the policy is “demoralising” and undermines confidence

The DfE maintains that grade 4 should remain the goal and says its upcoming curriculum and assessment review will consider ways to support more learners

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson warned GCSE results would “ expose entrenched inequalities” in education While detailed data on factors like ethnicity and free school meals is yet to

come, regional trends are clear: London had the highest pass rate at 71 6%, and the West Midlands the lowest at 62 9% The gap narrowed to 8 7 percentage points from 9 4 last year, though still wider than pre-pandemic levels

The gender gap is now at its lowest on record, 6 1 points, down from 6 7 last year Girls still outperform boys, but their grades have fallen while boys’ have risen slightly Experts link girls’ decline to worsening mental health and social media pressures

In languages, Spanish has overtaken French as the most popular GCSE for the first time, with 136,871 entries versus 132,808 Experts cite Spanish’s global reach, holiday appeal, and cultural associations as driving factors, though the drop in French and German entries is causing concern

Bradford College celebrates exceptional results

Brad fo rd C ollege students joined thousand s across the cou ntry in receiving their GCSE, BT ec, and C am bridg e National results

Despite a national drop in pass rates, Bradford College achieved exceptional results Sixty-seven courses for 16–18-yearolds recorded a 100% pass rate, including 21 Level 2 and 20 Level 3 qualifications

Subjects like Hairdressing, Early Years, Beauty, Music, and Dental exceeded national averages, while trade courses excelled, Plumbing was 18 4% above national rates, Bricklaying 12 5% higher, and Motor Vehicle up 18 5% At Level 3, Motor Vehicle and Esports were 21 3% above national averages, with Business 18 2% higher

Among those celebrating was Hana Hussain, who completed a Foundation T-level in Health & Social Care and will progress to a Level 3 course “I was so happy with

Remarkable British Asian students with GCSE results

Behind every outstanding grade lies a story of determination, support, and ambition, these students have truly set the bar high Tunishq Mit ra achieved Grade 9 in all his GCSE subjects (formerly A*), includ-

which he studied outside of

Maths as he prepares to take on Further Maths Speaking to Asian Voice, Priyanka Mitra, mother of

Business Administrator said, “On results day, Tunishq's

Elizabeth’s told him 'Getting

doesn't happen by accident, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and focus to have an outcome like this ' This echoes our sentiments As a

Ji v i n Du ba l, a Y e a r 1 1

pupil at Sutton Grammar School, who has achieved Grade 9s in all 11 GCSE subjects, placing him in the top 0 01% of students across the UK

His father Yash Dubal said, “Our family migrated from Gujarat, India, around 20 years ago, seeking better opportunities and a brighter future in the UK Born in S t a i n e s a n d m o v i n g t o Sutton in Year 7, Jivin has grown up embracing both his British and Indian heri t a

pleased with his results His hard work, teachers' guidance and peers ’ support have all contributed to his success and we are grateful for that and hope that he builds on this momentum ” On strategies that con-

A l o n g s i d e h

s a c a d e m i c achievements, Jivin is a dedicated cross-country runner, a r e g u l a r g y m

g o e r , a n d proudly served as a ball boy at Wimbledon 2024 He has also won silver medals in d i s c u s t h r o w a t S u t t o n B o r o u g h c o m p e t i t i o n s i n Year 8 and Year 9 a true example of balance and discipline ” “ L o o k i n g a h e a d , J i v i n hopes to study Economics at Cambridge, LSE, or Oxford, with a vision to use his education and skills to make a positive impact His journey is not just a personal mile-

tributed to Tunishq’s exam

importance of paying attention in class, as he didn’t rely on any external tuitions He

syllabus with

for

challenging topics Peer support and group study motivated him, while teachers’

ing He also maintained

balanced school life by

Eton Fives

computer games which may or may not have helped!”

Jivin Dubal

s t o n e b u t a s t o r y t h a t reflects the values of hard work, resilience, and aspiration within the Gujarati and wider Asian community in the UK,” he added

Colchester teen excels in rare Astronomy GCSE

p i l at C olchester Royal Gramm ar Scho ol, passed h is GC SE in astronom y a year early, narrowly missing th e top grad e H i s f a t h e r , N i c k , s a i d Akshay was among a select group of seven or eight students who took the exam e a r l y G C S E a s t r o n o m

offered by few schools,

principles

my results, I was almost jumping for joy when I saw I’d passed my maths!” she said Sophie Drake, progressing from Level 2 Early Years to a Tlevel, celebrated passing GCSE English, saying: “Keep trying, even when it feels impossible ” The Progression to Learning & Work programme, supporting students with learning difficulties or no qualifications, achieved a 95% success rate

Vice Principal Sarah Applewhite praised outstanding results, including strong construction and motor vehicle performance, rising adult learner achievement, and the dedication of staff

Akshay earned a Grade 8 in astronomy, just shy of the top mark His father, Nick, s

limited past papers, just one

lessons, and was “predominantly self-taught ” Although hoping for a Grade 9, Akshay is pleased with his result, equivalent to a lower A*, and will sit 11 m o r e G C S E s n e x t y e a r Outside the classroom, he plays cricket, swims for the school, and recently started rock climbing Still undecided on a career, Akshay is considering corporate law His father praised the headmaster’s leadership, crediting it for the school’s continued success

Birbalsingh hails best GCSE results in school’s history

B ri tai n ’ s s tri c te st h e ad te ac h er , Ka th a

Birbalsingh CBE, is celebrating record GCSE results at

Scho

, Michaela continues to outperform many elite schools, h a v i n g t o p p e d n a t i o n a l Progress 8 scores last year M i c h a e l a ’ s s u c c e s s i s credited to its strict discipline

Dear Financial Voice Reader, Alpesh Patel

Wh y Returns A lo ne L ie – The Real S corebo ard Every Inv estor M ust See

When most investors talk about performance, they point to a number: the return Ten percent a year Fifteen percent if they are lucky But anyone who has sat across the table from a hedge fund manager knows this is only half the story The real question is: how much risk did you take to earn that return?

In the world of professional finance, we use something called the “Sharpe ratio” (AIt measures returns per unit of risk The higher the ratio, the more efficiently your money is working If you ’ re not looking at this, you ’ re investing blind

Let me give you an example The S\&P 500 – the benchmark index for the world – has delivered about 10 6% annualised returns over the past three decades Sounds good, right? Until you realise its Sharpe ratio is a measly **0 59** That means you were not paid very well for the rollercoaster ride At one point, in the 2008 financial crisis, you could have lost over half your wealth Try stomaching that when your pension is on the line

Now compare this with some of the portfolios I’ve

Programme One portfolio, nicknamed “Neil G”, has delivered **33 6% annualised returns** with a Sharpe ratio of **1 91** In English: three times more efficient than the S\&P 500, and with far less risk Another, “Lee James”, clocked in at 31% annualised returns with only a **-10% maximum drawdown** That means the worst-case fall was just 10%, compared with 50% for the S\&P Which would you prefer in your pension?

Every quarter, I publish what I call the **GIP League Table** It ranks portfolios not only by return, but by volatility, drawdowns and risk-adjusted performance In short, it treats your money the way a sovereign wealth fund or hedge fund would That’s the dirty little secret of finance – professionals always measure risk-adjusted returns The retail investor is fed only the top line, never the pain beneath it

Why does this matter to the British Asian community? Because we are savers by culture We love property, we put away for pensions, and increasingly, we are investing in equities But too often we mistake volatility for danger, or we are seduced by a headline return without asking what it cost in risk This leaves us underperforming – or worse, exposed in a crisis

What I’m arguing is simple: start demanding more sophisticated measurement of your wealth Don’t accept “10% a year ” at face value Ask: what’s the Sharpe ratio? What’s the maximum drawdown? How many positive months versus negative ones? These are the metrics that matter

In India, the cricketing greats are remembered not just for runs scored, but for averages, strike rates, and matchwinning performances Investing is no different If you only look at the runs, you miss the genius of the game

My message is clear: we need to raise our expectations If hedge funds and sovereign funds measure risk-adjusted performance, so should you After all, it’s your retirement on the line

discount sale of

buye

l arge st co ffe e cha in The US drinks giant, which bought Costa from Whitbread in 2018 for £3 9

b i l l i o n , i s w o r k i n g w i t h investment bank Lazard to review options and gauge interest from bidders, Sky

N e w s r e p o r t e d

P r e l i m i n a r y o f f e r s a r e expected in early autumn, though Coca-Cola may yet decide against a sale

A n a l y s t s s u g g e s t a n y deal could fetch about £2

b i l l i o n , n e a r l y h a l f w h a t Coca-Cola paid, resulting

i n a m u l t i b i l l i o n - p o u n d loss Rising costs, higher

c o f f e e b e a n p r i c e s a n d t o u g h e r c o m p e t i t i o n o n the high street have hit the chain’s performance

Chief executive James

Gupta secures Royal Navy steel deal amid business turmoil

S tee l m

Gup ta is set to play a piv otal role in building a fleet o

Royal Navy warship s, even as p arts o f his U K empire face collapse

Recently, Britain’s thirdlargest steelworks, Speciality Steels UK (SSUK), was placed under government control

The Liberty Steel subsidiary,

owes creditors hundreds of millions of pounds

Gupta is preparing to boost production at other UK sites

plate mill, purchased in 2016 with the support of then-

major contract with Harland & Wolff, the Belfast shipbuilder famed for constructing the Titanic

Harland & Wolff will build three Royal Navy logistics vessels The contract, crucial to the shipyard’s survival, will see Dalzell supply the steel Gupta’s team aims to

restart the site by February 2026

G

U K ’ s o n l y a l u m

n i u m smelter at Lochaber, near Fort William, bought from Rio Tinto in 2016 along with

vast estate Backed by a £586 m i l l i o n S c o t t i s h g o v e r nment guarantee, the plant now operates at about 80% capacity

M

hopes to regain control of S

business ahead of an auction For now, taxpayers are covering SSUK’s £4 milliona-month wage bill

G u p t a ’ s c a m p i

Quincey told investors last month that Costa had “not quite delivered” and was “not where we wanted it to b e f r o m a n i n v e s t m e n t hypothesis point of view”

He said the company was considering “ new avenues ” to grow in the coffee sector

C o s t a o p e r a t e s m o r e than 2,000 UK outlets and e m p l o y s a b o u t 1 8 , 0 0 0 staff In its 2023 financial year, it reported £1 2 billion in turnover, up 9% yearon-year, but swung to a pre-tax loss of £9 6 million from a £245 9 million prof-

t i o n a r y p r e s s u r e s a n d write-downs in asset values

C o m p e t i t i o n f r o m r i v a l s s u c h a s P r e t a Manger and Gail’s has also s q u e e z e d C o s t a ’ s m a r k e t share

Fi r o z and Z ah a n M is tr y, both in their 20 s, are among the world’ s youngest billionai res, acco rd ing to Fo rb es 20 25, with each worth $4 billi on ( €3 4 bi lli on) Desp ite being larg ely u nknow n i n Ireland , they have inherited a vas t fami ly fortune and now p lay a key role in their family’ s business empire T h e M

begins with their grandfa-

citizen in 2003 after marryi n g P a t “ P

p l e h a d four children, all holding Irish passports, including C y r u s M i s t r y , f a t h e r o f Firoz and Zahan Pallonji accumulated a

Sur

and hos pita

fortune of €14 2bn, primari l y t h r o u g h c o n s t r u c t i o n and as the largest private shareholder of Tata Sons T h e M u m b a i - b a s e d T a t a Group, established in 1868, spans 30 companies across s e c t o r s s u c h a s a u t o m obiles, jewellery, hospitality, chemicals, and steel, opera t i n g i n m o r e t h a n 1 0 0 countries Alongside Tata, Pallonji ran the Shapoorji P a l l o n j i G r o u p , a m a j o r

c o n s t r u c t i o n f i r m

After his passing in 2022, control of the f a m i l y b u s i n e s s p a s s e d t o h i s s o n S h a p o o r M i s t r y ,

Ireland’s richest resident with a $9 9bn fortune

T r a g e d y s t r u c k the next generation s o o n a f t e r F o l l o w i n g Pallonji’s death, Firoz and Zahan’s father, Cyrus, died in a car accident in 2022

This unexpected loss resulted in the brothers inheriting 4 6% of Tata Sons and a 25% stake in the Shapoorji P a l l o n j i G r o u p , a l o n g s i d e securing $3 3bn in credit for the company from five private funds These holdings catapulted them onto the global billionaire stage

BlackRock, though any loan is expected to come at steep interest Complicating matters, Gupta faces

Serious

scrutiny over the collapse of his former lender, Greensill C

explored to transfer SSUK into a trust for Gupta’s children, aiming to ease government concerns over return-

under investigation

spokesman said, “We know this will be a deeply worrying time for staff and their

n committed to a bright and sustainable future for UK steelmaking ”

Firoz and Zahan Mistry: Ireland’s youngest billionaires

Like their grandfather, Firoz and Zahan value priv a c y , r a r e l y g i v i n g i n t e rviews or appearing in public Little is known about their personal lives Firoz is believed to have studied at the University of Warwick i n E n g l a n d , w h i l e Z a h a n attended Yale University in the United States Despite their Irish citizenship, both brothers currently reside in M u m b a i , c o n t i n u i n g t h e f a m i l y ’ s g l o b a l b u s i n e s s legacy while maintaining a low profile

From a quiet Irish lineage to the helm of one of I n d i a ’ s m o s t i n f l u e n t i a l business empires, Firoz and Zahan Mistry exemplify a new generation of young, p r i v a t e , y e t i m m e n s e l y powerful billionaires

Surinder Arora expands property empire

pir

has gr own further with the £245

he Minis try of Just ic e headquarters near Buc kingham Pal ace

Mansions (QAM) from Land S

group told The Times it will

avenues

for redevelopment “This acquisition under-

investments in exceptional p

, founder and executive chairman of the group, told the newspaper “We will work closely with stakeholders to e n s u r e a n y r e d e v e l o p m e n t respects the site’s rich history while creating a modern,

high-value asset for London

Our focus remains on supporting the UK economynot just through bricks and m o r t a r , b u t b y c r e a t i n g meaningful, long-term jobs ” Arora’s portfolio already i n c l u d e s t h e L u t o n H o o H o t e l , G o l f a n d S p a , t h e Fairmont Windsor Park and t h e R a d i s s o n B l u a t H e a t h r o w , a l o n g w

number of commercial properties across London from K

Gatwick and Heathrow

n marks its first venture outside the UK

, Arora moved

A

Apple vows to boost iPhone production in India

ng c ap acity to ar o u nd 6 0 m

figure that has risen

e x p o n e n t

f r o m

u s t a decade ago This capacity is a

d i v e r s e m i x o f g r o u n dmounted solar farms (90 99 GW), rooftop systems (19 88

manufacturing capacity to

reducing reliance on foreign imports and strengthening its indigenous supply chain

This milestone positions India as a global leader in the green energy sector, where it already ranks fourth in both

nation is firmly on track to achieve its ambitious targets of 500 GW of clean energy

emissions by 2070

RBI allows Japan’s SMBC to acquire up to 25% in Yes Bank

T h e R BI h a s ap p ro v ed

S u m it o m o M it su i

B an ki ng C o rp o ra ti o n ( SMBC) to acquire up to

2 4 99 % in Y e s B ank 's

p aid -up sh are capital and v oting rig hts, a mov e that w ould make the Japanese l en d er th e l ar g es t sh areho ld er, ahead o f S BI

T he ap pro val also clarified th at S MBC wo uld no t be classified as a p rom oter The transactio n rem ains subject

t o cl ea ran ce fr o m th e C o m p et it io n C o m m i s si o n

o f I nd i a ( C C I ) a nd o t h er customary conditio ns

The deal involves SMBC p

, including 13 19% from State B a n k o f I

about $1 6 billion, would be t h e l a

i n v e s t m e n t i n a n Indian bank SBI will retain around 10 8% after the transaction, which is expected to c o n c

b y S e p t SMBC will also gain the right to nominate two directors to Yes Bank's board SMBC has expanded its India presence steadily since opening its first branch in New Delhi in 2012, followed b y M

G i f t C i t y , a n d r e c e n t l y secured RBI approval for a Bengaluru branch

Ministerial panel backs India's GST rate revamp

A ministerial panel on the G o o d s an d S er v i ce s T ax ( GST ) has backed a p ropo sal to overhaul India’s indirect tax system, recom mend ing a m ove to a simplified tw orate stru ctu re Th e p anel, c haired by Bihar's D ep uty

C h i ef M i n is te r S am r at

C h o u d h ar y, h a s p ro p o s ed scrapp ing the existing 12% a nd 2 8 % ta x sl ab s, a s i g n if i ca nt st ep t o w ar d s si mplifying th e eig ht-yearo ld regime

F o l l o w i n g a c r u c i a l

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

supported the Centre’s plan to rationalise the GST, which w

addition to a 40% levy on luxury and sin goods The recommendations have now b e e n r e f e r r e d t o t h e a l lpowerful GST Council, which includes representatives from all states and is headed by F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r N

a Sitharaman

T h e G S T C

expected to convene in the third week of September to

n d finalise product and servicespecific rates The goal is to implement the new structure ahead of the Diwali festival season This move is intended

environment for businesses

country

series of strategic acquisitions that consolidated UltraTech’s

company is now proceeding

market regulations

ll i on u ni ts an nu a lly , u p fr o m t h e c u rre nt 4 0 m i l li o n- p lu s units A large p art of th e expansion is being d one for ex po rt m arkets , es p eci all y for sup ply to custo mers in the U S T h e a s s u r a n c e c o m e s despite mounting pressure from US President Donald T r u m p t o r e s t r i c t t h e e x p a n s i o n o f i P h o n e production in India to meet the requirements of the US m a r k e t H i g h l y - p l a c e d

sources said, Apple, which

iPhone 17 range in India, has “ c a t e g o r i c a

CBI searches home of Anil Ambani, RCom premises

T h e C BI c arr ie d o u t s ea rc h es at A ni l A m b ani C uffe Parad e residence and Re li an ce C o m m u ni c ati o ns prem ises in co nnection w ith an alleged bank fraud that c au s ed a l o ss o f o v e r £292 9mn to SBI T he family m e m be rs w e re p res en t wh en a team of CBI officials f ro m D elh i ar ri v ed T h e search es concluded around afternoon In its complaint to CBI, S B I s t a t e d t h a t t h e f r a u d

c a m e t o l i g h t w h e n a forensic auditor appointed by it submitted a report in O c t 2 0 2 0 , c o v e r i n g t h e

e x a m i n a t i o n p e r i o d

b e t w e e n A p r i l 2 0 1 3 a n d March 2017

A s p o k e s p e r s o n f o r

A m b a n i d e n i e d t h e

a l l e g a t i o n s a n d s a i d t h e industrialist was “selectively

singled out” CBI issued a statement stating that the accused persons, in criminal conspiracy, misrepresented a n d o b t a i n e d s a n c t i o n e d credit facilities from SBI in f a v o u r o f R e l i a n c e

C o m m u n i c a t i o n L t d ” B y t h e s e a c t s , t h e a c c u s e d p e r s

c o m m i t t i n g o f f e n c e s o f c r i m i n a l c o n s p i r a c y , c h e a t i n g a n d c r i m i n a l breach of trust,” it further

said BoI classifies Am bani a/cs as fraud Meanwhile, the Bank of I n d i a h a s c l a s

its

a

Starlink, the s atell it e internet ser vic e ba cked by E lon M us k, has f orm all y partnered with the Unique Identificat ion Authority of India (UIDAI) t o use the country's Aadhaar digita l identity sys tem for customer verif ication The c ol laboration, whic h has been des cribed as a " po we r f ul s y n e r gy , " wil l s t r ea m l in e t h e onboa rding proc ess for ne w us ers , ensuring it is se cur e, c om pl iant , and pa perl ess The government has given its approval for S t a r l i n k t o b e g i n

c u r r e n t l y h a s t h e c a p a c i t y t o s e r v e

India, offering speeds of up to 200 Mbps

Minister of State for Rural Development and T

Reliance Telecom (RTL), and several directors, including Anil Ambani, as fraud following

forensic

directors, who were wholetime members of the board during the period, failed to prove that the transactions

Ambani, Manjari

Starlink to use Aadhaar for customer verification

Fitch retains its rating for India, sees growth at 6.5%

C redit-rating firm Fitch m aintained its longterm default rating on India at 'BBB-', citing the country's strong economic growth and resilient external finances "India's econo mic outlook remains strong relativ e to peers, even as momentum h as mo derated in the past two years," Fitch said in a statement The agency forecast GDP growth of 6 5% for the fiscal year ending March 2026 (FY26), unchanged from FY25, and well above the BBB median of 2 5% Fitch s rating comes

strong

growth, marking its first

upgrade in 18 years

Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha

agencies to take note of the factors behind S&P's upgrade and follow suit On US tariff threat, Fitch said, "US tariffs are a moderate downside risk to our forecast," adding that they will reduce India's ability to benefit from supply chain shifts out of China if tariff levels fail to be negotiated lower Proposed goods and services tax (GST)

Fitch added

Sikh teen tops Lahore board, scores high marks in Islamiyat and Quran

LAH ORE : A Sikh teenager, Onkar Singh , h as achieved a remarkable feat by excelling i

n th e T ra nslati on o f th e

H oly Q uran Th is acco m-

p li s h m en t i s p a rt i c u la rl y n otewo rth y given th at h e belongs to a different faith

a nd th at th e o ve rall p as s

r at e f o r t h e e xa mi n at i o n was a c hallenging 45%

W h i l e O n k a r s o u tstanding academic performance has been lauded for symbolising interfaith harmony and intellectual dedication, it has also sparked a d e b a t e o n s o c i a l m e d i a about the challenges faced by religious minorities in P a k i s t a n S e v

n e observers noted that despite his excellence, Onkar’s nonMuslim faith could prevent him from holding a top gove r n m e n t p o s i t i o n i n t h e country, highlighting institutional limitations

F

cess has renewed a decadesold debate about language

Onkar speaks Punjabi, the

Pakistan, the country’s edu-

teach it Urdu is officially imposed in Punjab's schools and government, a practice that has been widely critic

activists as a form of cultural suppression Onkar’s pers

fore stands as

poignant c

t r a s t

n g o i n g societal and political struggles faced by both ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan

Dhaka deepens ties with China, Pakistan amid strained relations with India

D H A K A : A g ai ns t a ba ckd rop of increasing diplom ati c st rai ns w i th I nd i a, B an g la d es h i s ac ti v e ly s tr en g th en i ng i ts en g ag em ent with both C hina and P akistan This no table shift is hig hlig hted by a series of recent high -level exchang es, u nd ersco ring a recalibration

o f Dhaka’s foreign policy

B a n g l a d e s h ' s c h i e f o f army staff, General WakerUz-Zaman, has travelled to China for an official visit aimed at enhancing bilateral m i l i t a r y c o

S

c a n t d i p l o m a t i c t h a w i s

underway with Pakistan In

for diplomatic and official passport holders from both countries, a measure of norm

the 1971 Liberation War

evidenced by a visit from Pakistan's federal minister for commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, who was in Dhaka to boost trade and explore new

Lanka ex-president Wickremesinghe hospitalised after arrest

C OLOM B O: Sri Lanka's jail ed former pres ident was rus he d to intens ive care unit at a s tate hospita l, a day after being charged with m is us ing gove rnment funds for foreign travel R a n i l W i c k r e m e s i n

e , w h o w a s remanded in custody, was severely dehydrated and required close monitoring, the d

INDIAN ORIGIN DOCTOR JAILED FOR 34 MONTHS

Illinois physician Dr Krishnaswami Sriram of Lake Forest has been sentenced to 34 months in prison after being convicted of health care fraud and for concealing assets and lying to the IRS The sentencing follows after he evaded payment of approximately $1 6 million in taxes penalties and interest According to documents Sriram engaged in a years-long scheme to evade federal tax payments From 2011 to 2017, he took several evasive actions, including transferring the ownership of two rental properties to his children without their knowledge while he continued to receive all income from the properties

SANGHA PLEADS GUILTY IN MATTHEW PERRY'S DEATH CASE

follows the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years, marking a concert-

tions While economic ties are expanding, Dhaka’s fore i g n a f f a i r s a d v i s e r M d Touhid Hossain confirmed t

including unresolved finan-

war, remain central to bilateral discussions This pragm

s h i s open to new partnerships, t h e p a i n f u l

Pakistan has not been forgotten

Indian students lead record enrolment at Arizona State University

T E M P E , A R I Z O N A :

A ri zo n a S t ate U ni v ers i ty ( A S U ) h as ann o u nc ed record -breaking enrolment for th e fall 20 25 semester, w i t h st u d en ts fr o m I nd i a m aking up th e larg est prop ortion of its international co hort M ore th an 4 2,0 00 n ew stu d ents h av e j o ined t h e u ni v e rs i ty th i s ye ar, including over 5,600 from India, a fig ure that solidifies India as the top cou ntry of o rigin fo r international stud ents for th e tenth co nsecutive year

T h e u n i v e r s i t y ’ s t o t a l i n t e r n a t i o n a l e n r o l

widespread US visa processing delays and stricter federal policies, which have create d s i g n i f i c a n t h u r d l

students seeking to travel D e

, ASU has offered a number o

n c l u d i n g o n l i n e p r ogrammes, deferred admission, or the option to begin studies at partner institutions abroad, ensuring that i m p a c t e d s t u d e n t s c a n remain on track with their academic plans

ASU's strong ties with

India are underscored by a decade-long trend that has seen Indian students constitute more than one-third of its total international student body The university now boasts a global alumni n e t w o r k

Indian nationals, reflecting

support the latest arrivals,

hand at Phoenix airport to

United States

Bus accident claims lives of two Indian origin tourists

N EW YO RK: A bus re tur ning

t o Ne w Yor k C it y from N iaga ra Fa lls cra she d, re sulting in five fa talities, includin g t wo ind iv id u a l s o f I n d i a n d

, a ccor ding t o police

Police identified the two Indian victims as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, a visitor from Madhubani, India, and Pinki

C h a n g r a n i , 6 0

Brunswick, New Jersey The other three persons killed were of Chinese descent

The bus, carrying 54 people, was traveling back to New York City after a tour of the famous falls straddling the US and Canada

The driver reportedly lost control, causing the bus to roll from the highway into a ditch The accident occurred about 70 km from

Niagara Falls and roughly 600 km from New York City The bus had an international group of sightseers on board, includ-

, China, the Philippines, and the US

Details of the injured have not been known and the exact number of other passengers from India remains unknown Some passengers remained in the hospital, while others had been discharged after treatment P o l i c

Authorities said the driver showed no signs of impairment and the bus had no mechanical failure Investigators are now looking into whether the driver was distracted and lost control of the vehicle

National Hospital said "He has to be closely observed and treated for acute dehydration to prevent serious complications," Rukshan Bellana said "He was a severe diabetic with high blood pressure when he was brought in " Bellana said Wickremesinghe s condition w a s s t a b l e O p p o s i t i o n p a r t i e s h a v e accused the government of jailing him over fears he could return to power Wickremesinghe lost the last presidential election in September to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, but has remained politically active despite holding no elected position Wickremesinghe stands accused of using state funds to finance a private visit to Britain in September 2023, while returning from attending the G77 summit in Havana and the UN General Assembly in New York

Imran Khan granted bail in May 9 cases but remains behind bars

I SLA MA BA D : Pakistan's Supre me Cour t has gra nted bail t o jailed for me r Pr ime Ministe r Imran Khan in e ight cases r elat ed to t he Ma y 9 , 2 0 23 , v io l e n ce , w h e n hi s s up po r t e r s stormed milita ry insta lla tion s foll owing his br ie f de tention H ailed it as a lega l victory b y his part y, Pakistan Tehreek -e -Insaf (PTI), t he rul ing offer s litt le immediate re spite, as Kha n re ma in s imprison ed due to his convict ion in the £190 mill ion Al -Qa dir Trust graft case The verdict comes amid a heightened p o l i t i c a l s t o r m f o l l o w i n g r e c e n t r e m a r k s attributed to Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir In comments that were widely circulated, Munir was quoted as saying that Khan should "apologise for the May 9 violence and let the present system complete its term " PTI leaders swiftly condemned the statements, arguing they proved that Khan's legal battles are being dictated from the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, rather than in courtrooms While the military's public relations wing later denied that the Army Chief made the remarks in an interview, the controversy has underscored the enduring civilmilitary imbalance in Pakistan The Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail came after Khan's previous applications were repeatedly rejected by a Lahore anti-terrorism court and the Lahore High Court, forcing him to appeal to the top court Despite this significant legal breakthrough, the PTI founder, who has been in prison for over two years, remains far from freedom with several other corruption and terrorism-related trials still pending

Jasveen Sangha, the 42-year-old dual US and UK citizen also known as the “Ketamine Queen,”has pleaded guilty to a number of federal charges linked to the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry This admission allows her to avoid a trial that had been scheduled for September She admitted to supplying repeated doses of ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to his death providing the final fatal dose just four days before the actor’s passing The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that acute ketamine toxicity was the primary cause of death for the 54-year-old Friends star

MAN SEEKS APOLOGY FOR FALSE KIDNAPPING CASE

An Indian origin man has demanded a public apology from law enforcement in Georgia after spending 47 days in jail on what turned out to be false kidnapping charges Mahendra Patel, 62, was arrested in March after a woman at a Walmart accused him of trying to grab her two-year-old son from a mobility scooter But surveillance footage later revealed Patel had only tried to stop the child from falling The charges were dropped earlier this month Patel described the ordeal as "harrowing" and said his life and reputation have been destroyed

HETAL DOSHI'S BID TO BECOME ATTORNEY GENERAL

Hetal Doshi, a first-generation American with over two decades of legal experience, has officially entered the race to become Colorado's next Attorney General Doshi’s campaign has received an early boost with the endorsement of the Indian American Impact Fund an organisation dedicated to supporting South Asian representation in US politics Doshi, a former federal prosecutor and Justice Department official, has made a compelling case for her candidacy by focusing on her record of taking on corporate giants She served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department s Antitrust Division with lawsuits against major companies such as Google, Apple, and Ticketmaster

SOUTH ASIAN ART SHOW IN COLORADO

The Colorado South Asian Artists Group is poised to host its debut exhibition, ‘Roots & Routes, providing a prominent platform for the region's South Asian creative community The landmark show, featuring the work of 22 visual artists from the diaspora, will open at the Englewood City Center on September 5 and run until October 5, with a free public reception to mark the occasion Co-curated by Bala Thiagarajan and Hadia Shaikh, the exhibition explores powerful themes of identity heritage and belonging through a diverse range of mediums including painting sculpture and photography

in brief

HOBOKEN MAYOR DEFIES FEDERAL ORDER

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has publicly defied a federal order to rescind the city’s immigrant protection laws, rejecting a direct demand from US Attorney General Pamela Bondi In a letter responding to the August 19 deadline, Bhalla confirmed the city’s refusal to abandon its "Fair and Welcoming City" policies, stating that “it would not capitulate to your demand that we rescind our policies and in this case our morals and values " The defiance comes in response to a stern letter from Bondi which had listed Hoboken among numerous jurisdictions warned for their sanctuary policies

EX-INTEL ENGINEER AVOIDS PRISON FOR TRADE SECRET THEFT

A former Intel engineer, Varun Gupta has been sentenced to two years probation and a substantial fine after pleading guilty to stealing thousands of confidential files from the semiconductor giant The 44-year-old, who had worked at Intel for a decade, admitted to the theft before he departed to join rival tech firm Microsoft in early 2020 The verdict saw him avoid a prison term that had been requested by federal prosecutors Court documents revealed that in his final days at Intel, Gupta copied approximately 4 000 proprietary files including sensitive pricing strategies product designs and manufacturing data to personal hard drives

BROTHER OF TRUCK DRIVER INVOLVED IN FATAL CRASH HELD

US authorities arrested Harneet Singh, a 25year-old from India, following an 18-wheeler crash in Florida that killed three people Singh was a passenger in the truck, which was driven by his brother, Harjinder Singh, who has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide According to authorities, the crash occurred when Harjinder Singh reportedly attempted an illegal U-turn through an “Official Use Only” access point on the Florida Turnpike causing the truck to block all lanes of the highway The resulting wreck killed three individuals

ALERT AGAINST INDIA MADE COOKWARE

An India made cookware sold in US has been found to leach dangerous levels of lead into food, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a public alert The FDI said that since it could not trace its distributor, it has warned the consumers directly against using this product for food storage According to the FDA testing by the agency and its state partners showed that cookware made from aluminum brass and certain aluminum alloys can release unsafe amounts of lead into food The agency urged consumers to discard any such products immediately, stressing Do not donate or refurbish this cookware

10 KILLED IN TORRENTIAL KARACHI RAIN

Pakistan ordered businesses, schools and offices in Karachi to shut after torrential rain left at least 10 people dead and the weather bureau predicting more rains in the coming days The rains caused widespread flooding as rainfall reached levels not seen in years in Pakistan’s financial capital and biggest city of over 20 million people The rains disrupted power, mobile services and flights The area around the airport received 163 5mm of rain, the highest recorded there since 1979 Some 178mm of rain was recorded in the northeast of Karachi the highest since the weather station there was set up five years ago

Millions of Indian nationals may face trouble as US tightens visa rules

United States g overnment has la un c h ed a c o m p reh

review of over

rocess that is expected to affect

lion visas held by Ind ian nationals This m ove, part of

given to those who despise the country This broad review is accompanied by a more specific

Nikki Haley warns Trump against treating India as an adversary

W A S H I NG T ON , D C : F o rm er

US Am bassad or to the U nited Natio ns, Nikki Haley, has issu ed a p o w er fu l w a rn in g to th e Tru mp ad ministratio n, urg ing it to avoid treating India as a rival am id esc alati ng tensi ons ov er trad e and Ru ssian oil pu rchases In an o pinion piece p ublished in New sw e ek, Ha ley e m ph as i sed that th e bilateral relationship is at serious risk and called for an u rg e nt c o u rs e co r rec ti o n to strengthen ties with New Delhi H a l e y , w h o p r e v i o u s l y e n d o r s e d D o n a l d T r u m p ,

argued that the US should not a l l o w d i s p u t e s , s u c h a s t h e threat of a 50% tariff on Indian goods, to fracture its bond with a key democratic partner She

c r i t i c i s e d t h e administration for its c o u n t e r p r o d u c t i v e approach, noting that w h i l e i t p e n a l

adversary like China, a m u c h l a r g e r consumer of Russian oil has been given a "free pass" from sanctions H a l

c o u n t e r i n g C h i n a '

importance in global defence, and its crucial role in providing

With its young workforce and fastest-growing major economy, India’s ascent, she argued, is the

shift since China’s rise Haley concluded that treating India as a partner, not an adversary, is

preventing a strategic disaster

India finalises Los Angeles consulate, signalling diplomatic push

LO S AN GEL ES: India ha s official ly signed a 10-year lea se to establ ish a n ew consula te in Los Angel es, final ising a long-awaited move to expan d it s diplomatic footprint in the United State s The new office, located on a full floor of the AON Center in d o w n t o w n L o s A n g e l e s , w i l l serve as a vital hub for consular services, cultural initiatives, and e

Indian diaspora across Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and

New Mexico This will be the

c

n s u l

i n California, complementing the e x i s t i n g m i s s i o n i n S a n Francisco The opening of the new consulate fulfils a promise m a d e b y P r

enhance services for the Indian American community The new facility will provide crucial services such as passport renewals, visa processing, and applications

O v e r s e a s C i t i z e n o f I n d i a

FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted' fugitive captured in India

W A S H I N G T O N , D C: In a m a jo r i n t e r na t i o na l l a w enforce me nt v ictory , a woma n o n t h e F BI ' s " T e n M o st Wa nte d" li st, Cindy Rodri gue z Singh , h as be en appre hende d in India a nd tr anspor ted back to the Unit ed St ate s Si ngh, wh o was ad ded to the list i n Ju l y , wa s wa n t e d f o r t h e alle ged ca pita l mur der of h er si x-ye ar-old son, No el Alvar ez, in Tex as According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the arrest was a d i r e c t r e s u l t o f t r e m e n d o u s field work and a closely coordinated operation between the FBI and Indian law enforcem e n t a g e n c i e s S i

n ' s whereabouts in March 2023, just before she fled the country with her husband and six other

c h i l d r e n N o e l A l v a r e z , w h o had complex health issues, was not with the family and has not been seen since October 2022 F o l l o w i n g h e r f l i

India, a federal arrest warrant was issued for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution She was

x a s

court The FBI had offered a reward of up to $250,000 for i n f o r m a t i o n l e a d i n g t o h e r capture Upon her return to the US, Singh was handed over to Texas authorities, where she will face charges in connection with her son's disappearance and presumed death

(OCI) cards Officials present at the lease signing included diplom a t K u l w a n t S i n g h a n d V i c e Consul Priyanka Tyagi, with Dr K J Srinivasa confirmed as the new Consul General The expansion is part of a w i d e r s t r a t

i n i t i a t i v e t o strengthen India-US people-topeople ties The Los Angeles consulate, alongside a new one in Boston, represents a significant m o v e t o i m p r o v e a c c e s s i b i l i t y and service delivery The new

office is expected to greatly benefit American business leaders in sectors such as entertainment, aerospace, and biotech, providing them with a direct point of c o n t a c t f o r t r a d e , i n v e s t m e n t , and cultural connections with India The new consulate’s prime location in the heart of downt o w n L o s A n g e l e s i s s e e n a s reflecting its prestige and miss i o n , p r o v i d i n g a w o r l d - c l a s s environment for all citizens and visitors

FBI raids former NSA's home after he criticises India tariffs

WA S H I NG T O N , D C : Fed eral B ur eau o f I nv e sti g ati o n ( F BI ) agents hav e conducted a hig hp rofile raid on the home of form er National Security Ad visor

J o h n B ol to n i n Be th es d a , M aryland T he search is reporte d ly p art o f a l o ng - r un ni ng national security inv es ti gation into th e h andling of classified d ocuments The tim ing of the raid is no table, coinciding with Bolton’s recent and vocal criticism of the T rum p ad ministration’s d ecision to impose new tariffs on India for its purchase of Russian oil

T h e r a i d w a s r e p o r t e d l y ordered by FBI Director Kash Patel Patel appeared to comment on the raid in a cryptic post on X, stating, "No one is above the law FBI agents on mission Bolton, who was not at home during the raid, also took to social media, using the moment to criticise the admini s t r a t i o n ’ s a p p r o a

n g that ongoing peace talks were

unlikely to make any progress

This is not the first time Bolton has faced scrutiny over his handling of sensitive inform a t i o n H e w a s p r e v i o u s l y accused of using classified material in his 2020 memoir, The R o o m W h e r e I t H a p p e n e d , which was highly critical of the f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t T h e r a i d comes months after the Trump administration signed an executive order revoking the security clearances of dozens of former intelligence officials, including Bolton, fuelling speculation that the investigation is a form of political retribution against a prominent critic

Bills for removal of arrested PM, CM and ministers sent to JPC amid uproar

T h r ee c o nt ent io u s

a i m ed a t le g i sl ati n g th e

rem oval of a Prim e Minister,

C h i ef M i ni s te r, o

m

h

p arliament, am id sig nificant

o p p o s i ti o n a nd

p ar lia m entar y d i sru p ti on s

T

s

d isqualification for leaders d etained for 30 consecutive

d ays , w

required fo r th eir ouster

U n i o n H o m

Amit Shah introduced the bills – the Government of U n i o n T e

r i t o r i e s

(Amendment) Bill 2025, the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation

(Amendment) Bill 2025 – in t h

L

approved

(JPC) for detailed scrutiny

This committee, comprising members from both Houses, including the opposition, is

Session in November

India's federal structure and

Asaduddin Owaisi likened

Germany's Gestapo, fearing

transformation into

police

Shah defended the move on

own past resignation before arrest and arguing against elected officials clinging to power while facing serious charges The parliamentary proceedings were marked by frequent disruptions, with

expressing disappointment

productivity

Cabinet approves major defence procurement to counter geopolitical threats

Bihar electoral roll controversy

deepens as court intervenes

A ma jor polit ica l a nd lega l dispute has e rupte d ov er the r evision of Bihar ’ s electora l r oll, which has se en m ore t h

, 0 0

de le ted While the Election Commission (EC) main

ve been submitt ed,

cr iticism The commission n oted

hat most of t he delete d name

or being d uplicat

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi labelled the revision a "votetheft project and accused t h e E C o f b e i n g i n partnership with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing the latter’s mysterious s i l e n c e o n t h e m a s s i v e deletions Gandhi called for the EC to visit Bihar and see t h

hand, adding that the INDIA bloc would not allow this i n

stealing to occur

The controversy has now reached the Supreme Court, which has refused to extend the September 1 deadline for

claims but has opened up a new avenue for voters The court expressed surprise that of the 160,000 booth-level agents appointed by political parties in Bihar, only two

been filed It also suggested that the EC should accept

document for those seeking

parties in the proceedings,

their agents assist

voters

Court nixes order to disclose PM Modi's degree details

Th e Delhi Hig h Cou rt has s et as i d e o rd e rs b y t h e

C e ntr al I nf o rm a ti o n

d ee med crucial f or tackli ng

a fu se d strat egi c cha llenge f rom Chi na and Pakista n T h e b u l k o f t h e expenditure, approximately

£ 6 6 b i l l i o n , w i l l g o

t o w a r d s 9 7 n e w T e j a s

M a r k - 1 A f i g h t e r s t o b e

m a n u f a c t u r e d b y

H i n d u s t a n A e r o n a u t i c s Limited (HAL) This adds to the 83 jets already on order and is expected to

h e l p H A L e x p a n d i t s p r o d u c t i o n a n d s u p p l y chains to meet the Indian

A i r F o r c e ' s ( I A F ) u r g e n t needs The acquisitions are vital as the IAF's fighter squadron strength is set to drop to a historic low of 29 next month, well below its authorised capacity The project for six new

A E W & C a i r c r a f t , w o r t h roughly £1 9 billion, will i n v o l v e f i t t i n g a d v a n c e d r a d a r a n d s u r v e i l l a n c e systems onto second-hand

A i r b u s - 3 2 1 p l a n e s T h e s e eyes in the sky are essential

f o r d i r e c t i n

during combat and

borders The move seeks

procurement

e n s u r e i t s

p e r a t i o n a l readiness in an increasingly

environment

test

C o m m is s i o n ( C IC ) to d i s cl o s e d e tai l s o f P r i m e M i nis ter Narend ra M o d i's bachelor's d eg ree The court h e ld th a t p ers o na l info rmatio n such as marks, g rad es, and answ er sheets ar e p r o tec te d u nd er t h e

Right to Information (RTI) A ct s exem ption clause

T h e In d ia n S p a c e R e se a r ch O r g a n is a t i o n ( ISR O) has complet ed its f i r st In t e g r a t e d A i r d r o

rly

o ve r t he Bay of Be n ga l, wa s d esigne d to validat e the pa ra chut e syste m that will e n s ur e t h e c r e w m o du le ’ s s a f e r e -e n

m aiden human space flight

T h e e x e r c i s e i n v o l v e d dropping a simulated 4 8tonne crew module from an

I n d i a n A i r F o r c e C h i n o o k helicopter at an altitude of approximately 3km The test was a joint effort, reflecting a c o o r d i n a t e d n a t i o n a l programme involving ISRO, t

d Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard The test met all its objectives by demonstrating the endto-end performance of a ten-

sequence to slow the crew module to a safe velocity for ocean landing

The full system included two drogue parachutes for

then released to allow three pilot chutes to deploy the

According to ISRO officials,

deployment sequence The agency is now preparing for u

In its 175-page verdict, t h e c o u r t d r e w a c r u c i a l distinction between what is s i m p l y o f i n t e r e s t t o t h e public and what is genuinely in the public interest Justice Sachin Datta clarified that an o v e r r i d i n g p u b l i c i n t e r e s t would only be attracted if the information sought had a b e a r i n g o n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f a p u b l i c official's responsibilities or i n v o l v e d f i n a n c i a l impropriety or inefficiency

The ruling concluded that d e t a i l s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l ' s e d u c a t i o n a l q u a l i f i c a t i o n s fall squarely within the scope of personal information and d o n o t c a r r y a n i m p l i c i t public interest

transparency in government functioning, not to provide fodder for sensationalism or

floodgates of indiscriminate

opened by such disclosures

Citing the Supreme Court's l

right to privacy, the court affirmed that the disclosure of academic details, absent

individual's constitutionally protected private sphere

The court s decision also a f f e c t s a s i m i l a r c a s e c o n c e r n i n g f o r m e r U n i o n Minister Smriti Irani's Class 1 0 a n d 1 2 r e c o r d s , a s i t upheld the same exemption clause The verdict stated t h a t h e r e d u c a t i o n a l q u a l i f i c a t i o n s w e r e n o t a s t a t u t o r y r e q u i r e m e n t f o r her public office The Delhi High Court's r

Defence minister Rajnath dismisses Pak army chief's analogy as a 'confession'

India’s D efence Minister Ra jn ath Singh has l aun ched a sca thin g critique of Pak istan Ar my C hi e f Fi e l d M a r sh a l A s im M un i r , ch a r a ct e r is in g hi s r e ce n t se

an alogy as a frank confession of his count

s failures During a visit to the United Sta tes, Munir had compared India’s economy to a shin ing Mercedes and Pakist an's to a dump tr uck ful l of gravel , sugg est in g that a coll ision woul d be mor e damaging to t he car Speaking at a public forum in New Delhi, S i n g h d i s m i s s e d t h

Pakistan’s economic and political state He attributed the country’s woes to a tribal and predatory mentality that has persisted since its inception Singh noted that Munir had been heavily trolled both within Pakistan and

exposed a deeper truth about a nation that remains in disrepair while India

Furthermore, Singh referenced

Operation Sindoor,

infrastructure deep inside Pakistan in May,

any delusions about India's power Singh argued that while India's focus remains on economic development, its capacity

Demonstration (TVD-2) and t h e f i r s t u n c r e w e d Gaganyaan mission (G1), as it continues its push towards a crewed spaceflight Home Minister dispels rumours

H ome Minis ter Amit Shah has made the f i r s t of f i c i a l r em a r ks b y a s e n i or government leader regarding the ab rupt r es i g n a ti o n of fo rm e r Vi c e - P re s i d en t Jagdeep Dhankhar on J uly 21 Shah firmly dismis sed opposition c laims of house arrest a n d p ol i ti c a l m ot i v es , a s s e r ti n g t ha t D ha nkhar's departure was s olely due to health issues

S h a h h i g h l i g h t e d D h a n k h a r ' s resignation letter, which explicitly cited health reasons and conveyed deep gratitude t o t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r a n d o t h e r government members for a positive tenure

A century of influence: The RSS marks 100 years of Hindu nationalism

Th e Rashtriya S wayamsev ak

S a ng h ( R S S ) , o ne o f t h e

w o r ld ' s lar g es t v o lu n tee r organisations, h as officially

c o m m e nc ed i ts c en ten ar y y ear

s i nc e i ts f o u nd i n g o n

Septem ber 27 , 1925 F rom its o ri g i n s as a s m a ll -s c al e

m o v em e nt, t h e R S S h as

g r o w n i nt o a p o w e rf ul national institution, d eeply

i nt erw o v en w i th I nd ia 's social, cultu ral, and political fabric

Founded by Dr Keshav

B a l i r a m H e d g e w a r i n Nagpur, the RSS was established with the stated aim of uniting the Hindu community and fostering a sense of national identity Over the

d e c a d e s , t h i s g r a s s r o o t s structure has enabled the Sangh to build a monumen-

t a l p r e s e n c e a c r o s s t h e country, serving as the ideological parent to the ruling

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a relationship that has fundamentally reshaped India's political landscape

While the RSS has been a key force in social reform and disaster relief, its journey has also been marked by

most notably following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, and continues to be a subject of intense debate regarding its Hindu nationalist ideology and its alleged

role in communal tensions

influence extends

schools to providing disaster relief across the country

Supporters argue that this extensive social work is

that this pervasive influence is part of a larger, long-term s

They point to the organisa-

c

argue that its ideology fund

India's secular foundations

As it enters its second century, the RSS is embarki

address these criticisms and present its vision for a 'New I

including a three-day lecture series in Delhi led by S

engage with a diverse audience of diplomats, intellect u a l s , a n d m e m b e r s o f minority communities The organisation’s future focus, as articulated by its leadership, will be on fostering n a t i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t , social harmony, and civic d

c i n g i t s long-standing objective of building a strong and selfreliant nation

India rejects Nepal's claims as Lipulekh trade route reopens

India h as dismissed objections from Nepal reg arding

t h e re s um p ti o n o f cr o ss -

b o rd e r tr ad e w i th C h i na through the L ipulekh Pass, a key route in the Him alayas

T h e I n d i a n g o v e r n m e n t

a f f i r m e d t h a t t h i s t r a d e , which had been in operation

f o r d e c a d e s b e f o r e b e i n g halted by the Covid-19 pandemic and other developments, would now resume

T h e M i n i s t r y o f E x t e r n a l

Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that India's position on the issue

h a s b e e n b o t h c o n s i s t e n t and clear

T h e d i p l o m a t i c r o w e r u p t e d a f t e r I n d i a a n d

C h i n

t h e

Lipulekh Pass as a bilateral trade route Nepal’s Foreign M i n i s t r y h a d p r e v i o u s l y issued a statement asserting that the territory belonged

t o N e p a l a n d t h a t I n d i a

should not undertake activities such as road construction or border trade in the area Kathmandu had raised s i m i l a r o b j e c t i o n s i n 2 0 1 5 when the pass was designated for trade

India's MEA spokesperson rejected Nepal's territor i a l c l a i m s a s u n t e n a b l e , stating they are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence Jaiswal

reiterated that border trade through Lipulekh Pass had commenced as early as 1954 He added that India remains o p e n t o c o n s t r u c t i v e d i alogue and diplomacy with Nepal to resolve outstanding boundary issues This l a t e s t d i s a g r e e m e n t h i g hlights the ongoing tensions o v e r t h e d i s p u t e d r e g i o n , which also involves a strateg i c t r i - j u n c t i o n b e t w e e n India, Nepal, and China

India suspends postal service to US amid confusion over customs rule

The Indian government has t em p or ar i l y s us p e nd e d po s ta l s er vi c e s to th e United States , a move tri ggered by new, unclear c ustoms regulations i ssued by Washington Acc ording to t he M i n i s tr y o f

C om m un i c a ti o n s , U S-

b ou nd a i r c a r ri e rs ha v e r ef u s ed to a c c ep t s h i pments, citing a lack of operational and technical readiness to implement the new norms

The changes stem from a US executive order, which eliminates the long-standing duty-free exemption for goods valued up to $800 As a r e s u l t , a l l i n t e r n a t

postal shipments destined for the US will now be subject to customs duties from August 29 onwards While the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued some initial guidelines, critical processes for designating qualified parties to col-

lect these duties and the

fined

booking of most postal articles, effective immediately Exemptions will be made for letters, documents, and gift items valued at $100 or less This logistical impasse, however, is not exclusive to India Reports indicate that

European nations, including Germany and France, have also been temporarily suspended shipments to the

o f Communications has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and is in talks w

t h

l l s t

k

d e r s , including the United States

P o s t a l S e r v i c e , t o r e s t o r e full services at the earliest opportunity

Man arrested for assaulting Delhi Chief Minister

A man with a criminal h istory h as been arrested after ph ysically assau lting Delhi Ch ief Minister Rekha Gupta du ring a public hearing at her official residence The attacker, identified as Rajesh Sakariya, a 4 1-year-old fro m Rajkot, app roached th e C M

d u ri n g h e r w e ekl y 'J an Sunwai' session

Witnesses reported that he handed her a document before suddenly striking her and attempting to pull her by the hair Security personnel quickly intervened, overpowering the assailant and preventing him from causi n g f u

who received medical aid for her injuries, later described the incident as a cowardly

a t t e m p t o

ment's commitment to public service

Police have registered

and are investigating a possible conspiracy Sakariya has given conflicting statements

and later stating he was

mother

cases Investigators are examining CCTV footage which shows Sakariya conducting a recce of the CM's residence a d

y sent to an associate and a recent money transfer from a friend have further deepened police suspicions The incident has also prompted a security review, with Delhi's Police Commissioner being

India successfully tests Agni-5 missile with strike range of 5,000 km

India has successfully testf i red i ts m o st f o rm i d ab le nuclear-capable m issile, the A gni-5, from the integrated test rang e in Od isha The l au nc h , c o nd u ct ed b y th e S trateg ic Forces Com mand , v alidated all operational and tech nical param eters of the l o ng - r ang e m is s i le, w h i c h h as a strike range of ov er 5, 000 kilometres The successfu l test places v ast areas o f Asia, including the northe rn m o st p ar ts o f C h i na , w ithin its reach, reinfo rcing India’s strateg ic deterrence

T h e D e f e n c e M i n i s t r y confirmed that the test was a continuous training trial, a part of the Strategic Forces Command’s efforts to maintain its operational readiness This test follows the l a n d m a r k ' M i s s i o n D i v y a s t r a ' t r i a l i n M a r c h 2024, when the Agni-5 was s u c c e s s f u l l y t e s t e d w i t h multiple independently targ e t a b l e r e - e n t r y v e h i c l e (MIRV) technology An operational MIRV-capable miss i l e w o u l d a l l o w a s i n g l e missile to carry and deliver multiple warheads to different targets simultaneously, s i g n

India's nuclear second-strike capability

While the Agni-5 with MIRV technology will take a few more years to be fully operational, the current version is an integral part of I n d i a ’ s n u c l e a r a r s e n a l , which is currently equipped w i t h s i n g l e - w a r h e a d m i ssiles The Strategic Forces C

includes

range of missiles,

Prithvi-2 and Agni-1 to the longer-range Agni-2, Agni-3, and the Agni-5 The successful trial reconfirms the reliability and efficacy of India's l o n

gramme

India warned to stay vigilant along LAC despite de-escalation talks

The Indian m ilitary m ust maintain an extremely tig ht v ig il along the Line of A ctual Control (L AC) with C hina, a senior Ind ian Arm y official has warned, d espite a recent ag reem ent to d iscuss d e-escalation Th e warning comes am id d eep-seated concerns o ver the v ast military infrastructure China has bu ilt along the 3 ,4 88 km frontier, wh ich g ives the Peop le's Liberation A rm y (P LA) a significant lo gistical adv antage

The official stated that due to China’s extensive network of roads, bridges, and tunnels constructed over the last five years, PLA troops can rapidly withdraw and then redeploy to forward locations within just two or three hours This capability, which Indian forces currently lack, creates a crucial time differential in mobilisation that must be factored into any de-escalation negotiations While the situation on the ground has stabilised since the troop disengagement at Depsang and Demchok last October, the underlying trust deficit remains high

D i s c u s s i o n s o n d e - e s c a l a

The assault has

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to India, but officials caution that a final agreement is a long way off They stressed that despite coordinated patrolling at certain points, there has been no reduction in China’s military preparedness or its ongoing infrastructure build-up across the entire LAC, from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh The official underscored that India cannot afford to lower its guard, as the PLA continues to maintain a substantial military presence and the strategic landscape remains volatile

Trump names Sergio Gor as US envoy to India amid escalating tensions

US Presid ent Donald Trump has nomi nated h is clos e aid e, S ergio G or, as the next ambassador to I nd ia and S pe ci al Envo y f or So u th and Central Asi an A ffairs At 38 , G or i s s et to be the youngest US ambassador to N ew Delhi, a nomi nation that c omes at a time o f escalating tensi ons between the two nati ons, p arti cularly concerni ng trade and tariff s In a social media announcement, Trump praised Gor, calling him a great friend who has been at his side for many years He stated that for a region as populous as South and Central Asia, he needed someone he could "fully trust to deliver on my agenda" and help "Make America Great Again Gor, currently the director of presidential personnel, will assume the dual role once confirmed by the Senate, a move that is being viewed by some analysts as a

Pakistan in the regional diplomatic framework

The nomination takes place against a backdrop of severely strained bilateral relations Trump has announced plans to double tariffs on Indian goods to an unprecedented 50% from August 27, citing India’s continued, and sharply

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused India of profiteering, while the US has not levied similar tariffs against China, a larger buyer of Russian crude The contentious trade environment was further highlighted by the recent abrupt cancellation of a planned visit by US trade negotiators to New Delhi Despite the difficulties, India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal has stated that New Delhi is approaching its future trade relationship with an open mind

ED arrests Karnataka Cong MLA in betting, gambling case

NE W DE LH I: A day after ED cond ucted search es at 30 prem ises associated with K arn atak a C o ng r es s M L A KC V eerend ra and on his al leg ed nati o nw i d e i ll eg al be tti n g an d g am b li n g

ne tw o rk , th e a g en cy arrested him fro m Gang tok where h e h ad gone to set up a casino ED searches led to the seizure of £1 2mn cash, including £100,000 in foreign currency and gold jewellery

w

handling online gaming operations from Dubai,

with his associates, had travelled to Gangktok via Bagdogra on a “business visit” to lease land for the casino, officials privy to probe said

‘Whistleblower’ held in Dharmasthala ‘mass burials’ case

BE NGA L U RU : In a surprising twist in the alleged m ass burials case in Karnataka’s Dh armasthala, the SIT arrested the co mplainant-witness after co ps found inconsistencies in his statements during qu estio ning

He was produced before a judicial magistrate’s court in Belthangady, and remanded in SIT custody until Sept 3

The whistleblower, who had accused influential figures of rapes, murders and secret burials carried out over the past two decades, was taken into custody after a marathon

inconsistencies in his statements and the documents he submitted

A

‘whistleblower’ as C N Chinnayya alias Chenna, SIT o

NORTH-EAST

Assam to stop issuing new Aadhaar cards

The Assam cabinet approved a proposal to freeze issuance of Aadhaar to first-time adult applicants in the state from Oct 1 as part of a r e v

enrolment, especially by suspected illegal immigrants CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had announced in June that all new Aadhaar applications would need to be vetted by the d

from the SC, ST and tea tribes will get an additional year to enrol for Aadhaar After t

evidence related to several online gaming and betting websites run by the legislator and his associates The agency has also unearthed several casinos in Goa which were allegedly b

M L A

Seventeen bank accounts and two bank lockers were also frozen

M

o p

e d documents were also seized from the premises of Veerendra’s brother KC Nagaraj and his son Pruthvi N Raj

during search proceedings indicate complex layering of cash and other funds To further identify proceeds of crime, Veerendra was arrested from G

judicial magistrate, Gangtok, Sikkim, and transit remand was obtained for

jurisdictional court,” a source said

Bengaluru, Jodhpur, Hubli, Mumbai and Goa on individuals and entities involved in both online and offline betting and gambling

40,000-page chargesheet

filed against SAD leader Majithia

M O H A L I : T h e P u nj ab

Vigilance Bureau filed a 40 ,00 0-page charg esheet in a Mohali cou rt in the d i s p ro p o rt io n ate as se ts

c as e a g ai n st S h i ro m a ni

A k ali D al ( S A D ) le ad e r Bikram Sing h Majith ia

Majithia was arrested o n J u n e 2 5 f r o m h i s Amritsar residence in the case registered under the Prevention

o f C o r r u p t i o n A c t P r o s e c u t i o n counsel PIP Singh said the statements of more than 200 witnesses had been recorded, and that 400 bank accounts had “cropped up during the course of investigation ”

“There was a 1,200 per cent rise in disproportionate income during the p e r i o d u n d e r s c r u t i n y B e n a m i , immovable properties and luxury cars h a v e b e e n

d r i v e r s a n d o t h e r s w h o w e r e n o t aware that their accounts are being used,” the prosecution counsel said

Ko lkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

u s e d i nf i l t ra t io n a nd c o r ru p ti o n as s t ic k s t o b e at T r in am o o l C o ng r es s during h is third Bengal vis it in 12 w eeks

In his 39 minute sp eech at th e Du m Dum C entral Jail grou nd, Modi h arped on h ow infil tration was snatching jobs and putting pres sure o n the cou ntry’s inf ras tructu re He raised the slogan ‘Banchte Chai, BJP Tai’ (We want BJP because we want to live) and said parties like Trinamool were opposing the anti-corruption bill “Their politics is based on corruption T h e i r m e n t r i e d t o t e a r t h e b i l l i n Parliament We have seen how bundles

o

minister He is in jail now Should we a

nations across the world are trying to stop infiltration I have made it clear through the announcement of a highp

India will not tolerate infiltration,” the

disproportionate assets were amassed during Majithia’s tenure as a minister in Punjab

making

brought to the court in four sealed trunks Officials said the statements o f d i f f

had raided around 15 locations in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and UP to gather evidence On August 18, the Mohali court had dismissed the bail plea of Majithia, who is currently lodged in the New Nabha jail near Patiala On August 14, the court had extended Majithia’s judicial custody till August 28

PM said, adding, “Those who snatch jobs and put pressure on infrastructure will not be allowed to stay in India

and said border areas in Bengal were seeing a demographic change “They (infiltrators) are snatching land from farmers and tribals, bread and butter from the youth Those who are staying here based on fake documents, will have to go, ” he said The PM further alleged t

sponsored schemes was being spent on T

spent on welfare of women and men of Bengal

complainant’s allegations, investigators had dug up 17 sites in Dharmasthala village for evidence and found some skeletons and bones

A woman named Sujatha Bhat, who had earlier alleged that her daughter was missing from Dharmasthala since 2003, also did a volte face saying she had made the claim after being prompted by activists Girish Mattannavar and T Jayanti following an alleged property dispute with the temple

Meanwhile, Rathnamma, the divorced wife of the accused, claimed that her ex-husband was a compulsive liar who might have fabricated the mass burial claim to make some money out of the controversy

Punjab police block BJP from holding camps

C H A NDI GA RH: Th e Pu njab po lice stopped BJP leaders and workers acro ss the state from h old ing aw areness cam ps und er the party’s public outreach p rog ramme, th e seco nd such statewid e crackd own in the past three d ays BJP leaders accused the state’s AAP government of “forcibly suppressing” their outreach drive The police action has stemmed from a government order that ordered the force to take action against “unauthorised individuals” collecting personal data of people, “allegedly on behalf of political parties ”

The state police had halted the party’s awareness camps at 39 locations and detained over 100 BJP leaders in a crackdown earlier The party, however, claimed that its public outreach programme only aimed at spreading awareness about the central schemes, contrary to the AAP government’s contention that the collection of people’s personal data may lead to frauds The political slugfest intensified when CM Bhagwant Mann and BJP leaders sparred over the distribution of

distribution system under the National Food Security Act

subsidised

4 named in 658-page Kolkata gang rape chargesheet

K OL K AT A: Poli ce f ile d th e f irst char geshee t i n the a lleg ed g ang ra pe of a 24y ear -old law stude nt a t a K olka ta college , nami ng fou r me n ne arly t wo mont hs a f te r the m ai n a ccuse d wa s a rr e st ed T h e cri me a lleg edly occurre d June 25 i n a se cur ity gua rd’s room o n ca mp us

Survivor’s complaint led to arrests of temporary s

Mukhopadhyay and Zaib Ahmed S

statement

The 658-page chargesheet filed in Alipore chief judicial magistrate’s court contains 170 pages of main evidence, testimonies of 80 witnesses, DNA test results, medical and forensic reports

Sources said Mishra’s DNA matched collected samples M i s h r a a l i a

Trinamool students’ wing functionary, faces multiple charges under BNS, including section 70(1) (gang rape) carrying a minimum 20-year term, extendable to life Additional charges include BNS 127(2), 77, and other sections Public prosecutor Sourin Ghosal said: “This is a fit case of custody trial where we are confident of securing conviction ”

commissioners are authorised to approve enrolment in the “rarest of rare cases ” based on reports from police, special branch and foreigners’ tribunals Sarma said Aadhaar coverage in Assam had exceeded the state’s population at 103% SC, ST and tea tribes are the exception, with 4% still unregistered “We have taken this decision based on the

entering the state illegally, especially over the past year, ” the CM said “We aren’t sure we have been able to catch all of them So, we want to create a bulwark against people trying to enter Assam illegally, enrolling for Aadhaar and living as Indian nationals We want to completely close that door ” Assam’s Aadhaar policy is now the most restrictive in the country, driven by concerns over illegal

Manipur is another northeastern state that is strictly scrutinising applicants

SEVERAL PROMINENT LEADERS JOIN ARUNACHAL CONG

Several prominent political and social leaders from across Arunachal Pradesh joined the Indian National Congress marking a historic and significant boost for the party in the state The program was organized at the APCC Headquarters Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan Itanagar under the chairmanship of Chera Taya General Secretary APCC (Incharge of Administration & Organization), in the presence of senior Congress leaders, State office bearers, and party workers Welcoming the new leaders, Bosiram Siram, President APCC, expressed heartfelt joy and pride, stating: “Your decision to walk with the Congress is not merely a political choice -it is a solemn commitment to the values of truth, justice democracy, and the welfare of our people, as well as to uphold the sanctity of India s sovereignty and Constitution The Congress Party is not just an organisation; it is a movement born of sacrifice, struggle, and service to the nation To join this family means dedicating ourselves to the larger cause of the people, above personal interests or ambitions ” The newly joined leaders while speaking on the occasion expressed their gratitude to the APCC President office bearers and the Congress family for warmly welcoming them and resolved to work with unity dedication and commitment to serve the people of Arunachal Pradesh

CPM DEMANDS FINALISATION OF NRC IN ASSAM

The Assam unit of the CPM asserted that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) must be finalised before any Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is undertaken in the state The party also opposed the state cabinet s decision to suspend Aadhaar enrolment for adults from October, calling Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma s justification baseless CPM state secretary Suprakash Talukdar said that citizenship remains a highly sensitive issue in Assam and that without a complete and updated NRC, any revision of electoral rolls would risk widespread exclusion of genuine voters Citing the experience of Bihar, where the Election Commission deleted around 65,00,000 names from the draft list of 80 mn voters, Talukdar warned that minorities, migrant workers, dalits, backwards classes, and women in Assam could face similar discrimination He also criticised the delay in notifying the updated NRC despite the final draft being published on August 31, 2019, arguing that its completion was necessary to provide a reliable basis for detecting illegal immigrants

US issues notice to impose 50% tariff on India

The dipl oma tic fr iction b etween the US a nd India has escal ated significantl y, with Wa shington official ly moving to impose a n unpre cede nted 50 per ce nt tariff on

c e r t a in I n di a n go o ds T h is p

a ction, set to take effect from August 27, is a direct ret aliat or y measure ag ainst In dia 's c on t i n ue d p u r ch a se o f d i sc ou n t e d R ussia n crude oil US officials argue tha t t hese e ne rgy impor ts ar e unde rminin g sanctions an d financing t he Kre ml in s

r e ffort The move comes as a major b low to India’s key lab our-inten sive ex por t se ctors, p ushing t wo na ti ons th at hav e ot her wise sought to str engthen st rate gic t ie s in to a critical junct ur e PM Modi's refusal to engage

While the US has resorted to economic pressure, New Delhi has responded with a firm diplomatic freeze According to a report

b y t h e G

Narendra Modi has refused to take at least four phone calls from President Trump in recent weeks The newspaper ’ s analysis suggests this unprecedented action signals both the depth of his anger and a strategic caution

This is believed to be a calculated move to avoid a potential trap where Trump might publicly declare a deal over the phone that had not been formally agreed upon The diplomatic silence also reflects India's steadfast commitment to its strategic autonomy, with experts noting that Washington s Indo-

Jaishankar's counter-offensive

Minister's Office, External Affairs Minister S

Jaishankar has led India's public defence

During a recent visit to Moscow, Jaishankar

reporters that the US had previously encouraged India's purchase of Russian oil to stabilise global energy markets Jaishankar also pointed out that China and the EU are far larger buyers of Russian energy, suggesting a double standard While the US administration continues its vocal criticism of India, alleging profiteering and that the nation is acting as a "laundromat for the Kremlin," New Delhi remains resolute that its energy decisions are driven purely by national interest

India sends flood alert to Pak despite Indus Waters Treaty suspension

In a r ar e good will ge st ure

m a d e on h u m a n i t a r i a n

g r oun ds, Ind ia has ale rt ed

Pa kista n to a pot ent ial flood

in t he Tawi R iver , e ve n as

t he In d u s W a t e r s Tr e a t y ( I W T ) r e m a i n s s us p e n d e d

f o llo w i n g a m a j o r t e r r or a tt ack This communication

is the fir st of it s kind sin ce

N ew De lhi put t he decad es-

o l d t r e a t y in a be y a n ce in A pril

W i t h t h e r e g u l a r exchange of river water flow and flood data through the

I n d u s W a t e r Commissioner's mechanism currently on hold, the infor-

m a t i o n w a s i n s t e a d c o n -

v e y e d b y t h e M i n i s t r y o f

E x t e r n a l A f f a i r s t h r o u g h India's High Commission in Islamabad An Indian official

underscored that the move was purely a humanitarian act and was not related to the IWT, which governs the flow of the Indus River system The Tawi river, a major t r i b u t a r y o f t h e C h e n a b , originates in the Himalayas and flows through Jammu

b e f o r e e n t e r i n g P a k i s t a n ' s Punjab province

While the Central Water Commission’s data on the Tawi’s water levels was not made public, officials confirmed that a significant rise was observed at one of the two monitoring stations in J a m m u a n d K a s h m i r T h e P a k i s t a n i F o r e i g n O f f i c e acknowledged receipt of the warning but noted that it was communicated through diplomatic channels rather t h a n t h e p r e s c r i b e d

mechanism

The IWT, a 1960 agreement, has for decades served

through wars and periods of

p e n d i t s implementation was a clear political signal following the Pahalgam attack, with Prime

famously stating that "water

o w together " This humanitari-

authorities issuing warnings

provided by India

6 Vaishno Devi pilgrims among 10 killed in J&K flood

A t le ast 10 people die d and se ver al ot hers we re in jur ed as incessant heav y rain s left a t ra il of de str uct ion t o public an d pr iv at e pr oper ty in Ja mmu and Ka shm ir

Five people died and 14 were injured following a landslide near Adh Kunwari en route to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Trikuta Hills near Katra town of Reasi district

The yatra had been suspended on the Himkoti trek route since morning, sources said, adding the victims had taken shelter under an iron shed in view of the rain After the incident, the Shrine Board decided to suspend yatra on the old traditional route as w e l l t i l l f u

D

d

D

p u t y Commissioner Harvinder Singh said that of the four other victims, two died in a house collapse and two after they slipped and fell into a nullah during flash floods

The rain fury prompted the administrat i o n t o s u s p e n d t r a f f i c o n m a n y r o a d s , including the Jammu-Srinagar and BatoteDoda-Kishtwar national highways Vehicles

were also barred from the Jammu-Poonch h i g h w a y f o l l o w i n g

places Singh said there was no cloudburst, but rather incessant rains that had lashed the area for the past three days The rain was at its peak on Tuesday morning, he added

Most of the damage has been reported in the Mamat and Gandoh areas of Doda, he said The Tawi River in Jammu city was flowing at 27 ft, which is 10 ft above the danger mark Chenab at Akhnoor was flowing at 35 6 ft, half a foot above the danger level

NDA, INDIA bloc vice presidential candidates file nominations

India's up coming vice- presidential election is set to be a contest between the ru li ng N atio na l D emo cr atic All ian ce (NDA) and the opp osition INDIA bloc, as nominees of bo th bloc s officially filed their papers T he election, schedu led for September 9, p its the NDA's candidate C P Radhakrishnan agai nst the op po sitio n's p ick B Sudarsh an Reddy Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader and current Governor of Maharashtra, submitted his papers in the presence of senior government figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home M

Minister Rajnath Singh The support from key NDA leaders as proposers and seconders for his four sets of nomination papers highlights the ruling coalition's unified front Given the NDA's

Radhakrishnan is widely expected to secure the victory

Meanwhile, former Supreme Court judge B Sudarshan Reddy filed his nomination as the joint candidate of the INDIA bloc Flanked by prominent opposition leaders such as Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Reddy framed the election as an ideological battle, asserting that it is about upholding

ensuring that Parliament functions with integrity The opposition has nominated Reddy, a jurist with a strong record on social justice issues, as a counter to the NDA's candidate

India tests first-of-its-kind integrated air defence system

(VSHORADS) missiles, and a h i g h - p o w e r , l a s e r - b a s e d D i r e c t e d E n e r g y W e a p o n (DEW) All these systems are c o n t r o l l e d b y a s i n g l e , c e n t r a l i s e d c o m m a n d

Wea po n S ys tem ( IA DW S) Th e trial, led by the Defence Research and Dev elopm ent Org anisation ( DRDO), to ok place off the co ast of Od isha and marks a significant leap in creating a mu lti-layered shield ag ainst aerial th reats

The IADWS represents a fusion of previously separate technologies It comprises the Quick Reaction Surfaceto-Air Missile (QRSAM), the Advanced Very Short-Range A i r D e f e n c e S y s t e m

c e n t r e , a l l o w i n g f o r seamless coordination The Q R S A M i s d e s i g n e d t o intercept targets up to 30km away, while the VSHORADS handles threats within a 6km range The laser weapon, d e v e l o p e d t o c o u n t e r d r o n e s , o p e r a t e s a t a distance of 1-2 km

D u r i n g t h e t e s t , t h e s y s t e m f l a w l e s s l y e n g a g e d a n d d e s t r o y e d t h r e e different targets, including h i g h - s p e e d f i x e d - w i n g

u n m a n n e d a e r i a l v e h i c l e s and a multi-copter drone at varying ranges and altitudes D e f e n c e M i n i s t e r R a j n a t h S i n g h h a i l e d t h e a c h

crucial role in countering Turkish-origin drones and Chinese missiles launched b

From space to economy: PM Modi outlines India's ambitious agenda

P ri m e M i n i st e r N ar e nd ra Modi has delivered a c omp el l i ng v i s i on f o r I n d i a 's future, outlining ambitious plans in both space explor at i on an d e c on om i c reform, while asserting the na tion' s res ili enc e on t he globa l s tage Spe aki ng on N a ti o n al Sp a c e D ay , t he Prime Minis ter announc ed t ha t wi t h I nd i a ha v i n g already reached the Moon and Mars, i t i s now time to "explore deeper regi ons of s p ac e " t o u n lo c k s ec r e ts vital for humanity’s future Modi urged the private s e c t o r t o l e a d t h i s n e w phase of growth, calling for t h e c r e a t i o n o f f i v e n e w

s p a c e u n i c o r n s a n d c h a llenging the industry to scale rocket launches from five to 50 per year He highlighted I n d i a ’ s a d v a n c e m e n t s i n semi-cryogenic engines and e l e c t r i c p r o p u l s i o n a n d

c o n f i r m e d t h a t p r e p a r a -

t i o n s f o r t h e G a g a n y a a n mission and the establishment of a national space

station are well under way A d d r e s s i n g t h e E T World Leaders Forum, the P r i m e M i n i s t e r d e c l a r e d t h a t I n d i a i s p o i s e d t o u n l e a s

of

now in the driver's

growth, is not

that sits on the sides and throws pebbles but has the ability to turn swift flows and bend the course of time

Continued from page 1

regional trade Additionally, a new

Katosan Road and Sabarmati and

Modi’s Gujarat push

Khudad-Rampura road, six-lane underpasses on the AhmedabadMehsana-Palanpur highway, and

traffic, boost transport efficiency, and support industrial growth

In the power sector, projects worth over Rs 1,000

ensure reliable electricity supply

Urban development saw major upgrades with the redevelopment of slums at Ramapir No Tekro

Road, and improvements to water and sewerage systems

Additionally, the PM laid the f o u n d

Stamps and Registration Building in Ahmedabad West and a State-

D

Gandhinagar to strengthen citizen services and digital governance

PM Modi vows protection ahead of US 50% tariff

P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a Modi delivered a strong message in support of small entrepreneurs and farmers, just two days before US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff on Indian goods takes effect

A d d r e s s i n g a r a l l y i n

A h m e d a b a d , P M M o d i s a i d , “Today, politics across the world is

d r i v e n b y e c o n o m

c

n t e r e s t s

From this land of Gandhi, I assure m y s m a l l e n t r e p r e n e u r s , shopkeepers, farmers, and animal husbandry brothers and sisters your interests are paramount for Modi I promise you again and

again, I will protect you ” H

government will not allow any harm to small businesses, farmers, or livestock keepers “No matter the pressure, we will strengthen

m o m e n t u

decades of hard work are a big driving force behind it,” he added

The statement comes ahead of the US imposing a steep 50% tariff on Indian exports starting August

27

Modi hails Ahmedabad as emerging tourism hub P

Modi said Ahmedabad is emerging

highlighting the recent Coldplay concert that drew global attention and positioned the city as a center for the concert economy

He highlighted the two-day concert on January 25–26, 2025, saying, “The event captivated over

Ahmedabad’s ability to host largescale concerts and international events

added, “Gujarat’s growth is the result of two decades of dedicated effort Today, Ahmedabad stands

worldwide recognition

coordination behind the concert: “The successful execution, with

the government, local authorities, a

Ahmedabad’s potential to become a global destination for culture, sports, and tourism

” Maruti Suzuki’s EV project turns India into global hub

National Critical Mineral Mission, aimed at boosting exploration and domestic capacity

“ W e a r e a d d r

n g t h e shortage of rare earth magnets in t h e a u t o i n d

y t h r o u g h increased exploration under this mission,” Modi said after flagging off Maruti Suzuki’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV), the e-Vitara Speaking at the launch event

i n H a n s a l p u r , G u j a r a t , w h i c h marks the start of exports to over 1 0 0 c o u n t r i e s a n d t h e

Charusat-RPCP students win Rs 1.2mn grant at MSME hackathon

S tud ents of Ramanbh ai Patel C o lleg e of P harmacy (RP CP), a constituent o f Charo tar U ni v e rs it y o f S c i en ce an d T e ch no lo g y ( Charusat) , h av e earned national recognition by winning the M SME Hackath on 4 0 and s e cu ri n g a g ran t o f Rs 1 2 , 0 0 , 0 0 0 f o r d esig ning a novel therap eutic approach to a lead ing complication in m aternal health care - p ostpartum hemo rrhag e (P PH)

The winning team - Krisha Patel, Shreya Patel, and Janvi Patil - under the guidance of Dr Gayatri Patel, developed an innovative hemoabsorbent system for targeted drug delivery in the uterine cavity to effectively m a n a g e p o s t p a r t u m h e m o r r h a g e ( P P H ) This breakthrough aims to enhance drug e f f i c a c y d i r e c t l y a t t h e s i

e o f b l e e d i n g , minimize systemic side effects, and improve maternal health outcomes

Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, and the team’s innovation addresses a critical gap in emergency obstetric care The project received high praise from experts for its clinical relevance, innovative approach, and potential to significantly improve maternal survival rates

T

capability of students at Charusat University to deliver practical, high-impact solutions for urgent healthcare needs, reinforcing the institution’s focus on research that benefits

Principal, RPCP and Dr Jaimin Undavia, coordinator, Startup and Innovation Centre (CSIC) and faculty members have been active in encouraging students to take up such initiatives Dr Atul Patel, In-charge Provost and Registrar Charusat has congratulated the students for their efforts

The MSME Idea Hackathon 4 0 is a national competition by the Ministry of M

(MSME) that supports innovative ideas from students and startups

inauguration of localised hybrid b a t t e r y e l e c t r o d e p r o d u c t i o n ,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the occasion as a significant milestone in India’s Make in India journey

“ I n t h i s f e s t i v e f e r v o u r o f

“The

Maruti Suzuki’s Hansalpur plant in 2012, he said the company ’ s EV manufacturing for global markets, including Japan, symbolizes strong

of

Ganesh Utsav, a new chapter is being added to India s Make in India mission From today, electric v e h i c l e s m a d e i n I n d i a w i l l b e exported to 100 countries, and h y b r i d b a t t e r y e l e c t r o d e manufacturing has also begun,” he said P r i m e M i n i s t e r N a r e n d r a Modi urged Indians to embrace swadeshi, emphasizing that what m a t t e r s i s I n d i a n c o n t r i b u t i o n , regardless of investment origin “ M y d e f i n i t i o n o f s w a d

w h e r e m o

c o m e f r o m anywhere, but the work is done by Indians By this standard, Maruti Suzuki is a swadeshi company, ” he said

‘Made in India,’” he added

project makes India a global hub for EV production, with

battery options, FWD and AWD, and features like LED headlamps, 360° camera, sunroof, and ADAS Alongside, Suzuki announced

Denso, and launched the National Critical Mineral Mission to secure rare earths for the auto sector

SC overhauls stray dog policy, calls for national strategy

T h e S u p r em e C o u r t h as intervened decisively in th e c o n te nt i o u s de b at e su rro undi ng th e co u ntry’s s tr ay d o g p o p u la ti o n , staying a previou s directive to p er man en tly h o u s e al l s tr ay s i n sh el te r h o m es a c ro s s D el h i - N CR

Deeming the earli er o rder from a different bench too h arsh and impractical du e to inadequate infrastructure a nd s ta gg er i ng c o s ts , a th ree-j u dge benc h , led b y Ju stices V ikram Nath, N V Anjaria and Sandeep Meh ta, h as i ns tead di rec ted c i vic bodies to ado pt a 'sterilise, i n o c u la te , de wo r m, an d r el ea s e' p o li c y f o r th e canines

T h i s r e v i s e d a p p r o a c h aligns with the principles of the Animal Birth Control ( A B C ) r u l e s a n d i s

t e r r i t o r y , t h e r e b y u n d e r m i n i n g t h e b i r t h c o n t r o l e f f o r t s T h i s s t r a t e g y a l s o p r e v e n t s o v e r c r o w d i n g i n a l r e a d y s t r a i n e d a n i m a l s h e l t e r s However, dogs suspected of h a v i n g r a b i e s o r t h o s e d i s p l a y i n g a g g r e s s i v e b e h a v i o u r w i l l r e m a i n confined for public safety Addressing a key source

o f c o n f l i c t , t h e S u p r e m e

c o n s i d e r e d b o t h h u m a n e and scientifically sound by animal welfare experts The c o u r t u n d e r s c o r e d t h a t r e t u r n i n g s t e r i l i s e d a n d i m m u n i s e d d o g s t o t h e i r original localities prevents w h a t i s k n o w n a s t h e " v a c u u m e f f e c t , " w h e r e n e w , u n s t e r i l i s e d d o g s would move into a vacant

Court has also ruled that f e e d i n g s t r a y d o g s m u s t o c c u r o n l y a t d e s i g n a t e d s p o t s p r o v i d e d b y l o c a l a u t h o r

t e disputes between residents a n d a n i m a l l o v e r s T h e court recognised that the p r o b l

Stay hydrated to help beat stress Morning brew boosts mood, but only early on

Fa

wa

Researchers at Warwick University and Germany’s Bielefeld University tracked the moods of more than 200 young adults for up to four weeks Using smartphone prompts seven times a day, participants reported recent caffeine intake and how they felt

Analysing over 28,000 mood reports, the team found caffeine from coffee, tea or other sources was linked to an immediate uptick in positive emotions, especially enthusiasm and happiness, within about two and a half hours of waking Smaller improvements in contentment and reductions in sadness were also observed

Beyond that window, the lift all but disappeared While some benefit was detected after afternoon caffeine, it was far weaker and may have been due to chance

The likely explanation is biological: caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, reducing drowsiness and indirectly raising dopamine levels But rituals around coffee, its aroma, the favourite mug, that first sip, may also play a role

Justin Hachenberger, who led the study, cautioned that regular caffeine use can lead to dependence, meaning part of the morning “boost” could simply be relief from withdrawal

Personalised vaccine trial for head and neck cancer patients

NHS pa tien ts wit h a dvan ced head an d neck cance r a re to be fast-tr acke d ont o a pione er ing t rial for a pe rsona lised v accine tha t tra ins t he im mune syste m t o ta rge t and de st roy tumour ce lls

More than 100 patients in England will be recruited over the next year for the study, which will run across 15 NHS hospitals Head and neck cancer refers to malignancies of the mouth, throat and voice box, with about 11,000 cases diagnosed annually Aggressive forms are hard to treat, and more than half of patients die within two years

Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent illness, personalised cancer vaccines are tailored to each patient who already has the disease Based on mRNA technology first used in Pfizer-BioNTech’s 2020 Covid jab, they prompt the body to kill cells carrying certain tumour proteins Early trials suggest potential benefits across multiple cancers, including bowel, skin, brain and breast

The vaccine used in this trial, developed by BioNTech, is designed to produce two proteins common in HPV-related head and neck cancers, known as squamous cell cancers These develop from flat, scale-like cells in the skin and other tissues

Health minister Karin Smyth hailed the trial as a “ massive win for cancer patients” She said: “These cancer vaccines could be game-changing for patients facing some of the most challenging diagnoses By running these trials in the NHS, we ’ re putting ourselves at the forefront of medical innovation and improving outcomes for people living with cancer ” The NHS has launched similar studies through its “ cancer vaccine launch pad”, backed by the Cancer Research UK-funded Southampton clinical trials unit This is the third trial in the programme

Gut feeling

Think of your gut as your body’s secret “second brain.” The enteric nervous system is basically a mini control centre in your intestines, chatting nonstop with your actual brain. It’s not just bossing your digestion around it can mess with your mood, too That’s right: your tummy might be why you feel grumpy or giddy. Bonus fun fact: it produces its own serotonin, the “happy chemical.” So next time your gut rumbles, maybe it’s just giving you the lowdown on life!

Stay hydrated to help beat stress

ccord

that people who were not properly hydrated showed

reaction to stress, which may increase the risk of conditions such as heart

depression The study, led by Liverpool John Moores U

, compared 16 participants who drank less than

5 litres of water daily with 16 who met recommended daily fluid intake

and

day, roughly six to eight

stress

interview with a panel and

Interestingly, they did not

Integrating hydration into daily routine

• Keep a water bottle nearby – Having water within reach encourages regular sips throughout the day

• Start your day with water – Drink a glass as soon as you wake up to kickstart hydration

• Infuse your water – Add fruits, herbs, or cucumber slices for flavour

• Track your intake – Use a journal or app to monitor daily fluid consumption

• Eat water-rich foods – Include fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, cucumber, and oranges

• Hydrate before stress – Drink water before meetings, workouts, or long commutes to reduce stress responses

group Professor Neil Walsh of LJMU said, “People who

conditions ”

The findings suggest a simple solution: keeping hydrated may help blunt the body’s stress response “If you know you

Do you fin d yourself feeling dr o w sy du r i n g t h

, noddin g off de spite getting e

or constant ly cr aving naps? You ma y be part of the one in five pe opl e affected b y “excessive daytime sle epin ess ” (EDS), a condition t ha t g oe s beyond or din ary tiredn ess

dietary changes that could help manage EDS A recent study found that people who e

m n i a , sleepiness even after a full night’s rest, often have seven k e y m o l e c u

their blood Foods high in

l u d i n g c e r t a i n c h e e s e s , smoked meats, overripe or fermented foods, and even a l c o h o l , w e r e a s s o c i a t e d

Chroni

pelvic floor or other factors

Neil Haldar, a urologist with the Pelvic Specialists group, explained: “It’s pain

lower abdomen, genitalia, testes, tip of the penis or even anus or rectum

often overlap with other

with a higher risk of EDS, especially in men

Conversely, elements of the Mediterranean diet, rich i n o m e g a - 3 a n d o m e g a - 6 f a t t y a c i d s f o u n d i n vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, appear linked to a lower risk, suggesting that diet may play a role in reducing daytime sleepiness

The NHS notes that EDS d i f f e r s f r o m o r d i n a r y fatigue Those affected may regularly nap during the day o r f a l l a s l e e p

u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y , d e s p i t e getting adequate night-time sleep One European study published in EBioMedicine estimated that nearly one in f i v e p e o p l e e x p e r i e n c e higher-than-normal levels of sleepiness

D r T a r i q F a q u i h , o f

B r i g h a m a n d W o m e n ’ s

Hospital in Boston, who led the research, explained that measuring metabolite levels

c o u l d g u i d e d i e t a r y i n t e r v e n t i o n s H e

r e c o m m e n d s i n i t i a l screening through sleep-lab

t e s t s o r s t a

before consulting a GP “ S o m e

conditions such as IBS or urinary problems, making d

c o m p l e x B l o o m b e r g recently reported a rise in cases among men on Wall Street, attributed to stress and long hours of sitting “The evidence suggests that in 80% of men with

those muscles Many men ignore the symptoms, hoping they pass ” Don’t wait; consult a GP or urologist to rule out underlying issues

Relieve pelvic pain at home

• Move more, sit less – Take short walking breaks every hour to relieve pelvic pressure

Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan reunite for Priyadarshan’s ‘Haiwaan’

Akshay

upcoming film Haiwaan

The trio announced the shoot with a p l a y f u l I n s t a g r a m v i d e o , w h e r e Akshay held the clapboard as Saif and Priyadarshan engaged in light-hearted banter Priyadarshan joked that Saif should be wearing Akshay’s “Saint” Tshirt, while Akshay should hold the Haiwaan board

In the video, Akshay joked, “For all you know, he must be a devil,” to which S a i f r e p l i e d , “ I n s i d e ” P r i y a d a r s h a n added, “I’m working with two devils,” prompting Akshay to point at him and say, “This devil you know about,” and then at Saif, “and this devil you don’t know about But I know him very well ” Saif ended with, “Now we know each other extremely well ” Sharing the clip, Akshay captioned, “Hum sab hi hain thode se shaitaan Koi upar se Saint, koi andar se Haiwaan Starting shoot for #Haiwaan today with my favorite captain @priyadarshan official Great to be working with Saif after nearly 18 years Let’s get the haiwaniyat rolling!”

After 2008’s Tashan, Akshay and Saif’s reunion has fans thrilled, with

Oppam Priyadarshan first hinted at the project in July by sharing a photo of Akshay and Saif at the India-England Test match at Lord’s

Kriti Sanon on Bollywood struggles: “Nothing

comes easy for outsiders”

Sunita Ahuja alleges actor Govinda’s adultery, cruelty in her vlog

Bollywood

actor Govinda is facing a new controversy as his wife, Sunita Ahuja, has filed for divorce citing adultery, cruelty, and desertion

ANational Award-winning actor and one of Bollywood’s few successful outsiders, Kriti Sanon reflected on the challenges of not belonging to a film family

Speaking at a News18 event, Kriti Sanon shared how outsiders can navigate Bollywood’s challenges “You need to be truly passionate because there are no shortcuts and no free lunches Hard work is essential, and most importantly, don’t give up When you don’t come from a film background, nothing comes on a platter People will tell you your dream is too big, that you need contacts or connections They’ll point out everything, too short, too tall, too thin, not the right shape, but rarely will anyone say, ‘You can do it ’ That belief has to come from you, ” she said

Kriti made her film debut with Heropanti in 2014 and went on to deliver hits like Dilwale, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Luka Chuppi, and Housefull 4 She earned the National Film Award and a Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 2022 for her performance in Mimi Reflecting on her journey, she said, “You need to stay driven, passionate, and patient Success comes when the time is right, but you must keep working on yourself Don’t see the waiting years as wasted, they prepare you to be better It’ll happen when it’s meant to, but you have to keep at it ” Recently, Kriti scored box office success with Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and Crew (both in 2024) She will next appear in Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishk Mein opposite Dhanush, and Homi Adajania’s Cocktail or and Rashmika Mandanna

Vidya Balan on ‘Parineeta’: “Did 28 takes to time a single teardrop”

Sunita submitted her petition at Bandra Family Court under Section 13(1) of the Hindu Marriage Act, surprising fans after the couple appeared to reconcile following years of speculation about their strained marriage With court summons ignored and Sunita sharing her emotional turmoil in a vlog, the case has become widely discussed in the entertainment world

Filed on 5 December 2024, Sunita Ahuja’s divorce petition cites adultery, cruelty, and desertion, marking the breakdown of her decades-long marriage The first hearing took place on 25 May 2025, but Govinda has yet to appear, while Sunita has attended proceedings and court-mandated counselling, prompting a show-cause notice against him

The case gained wider attention after Sunita broke down in a viral YouTube vlog, recalling her prayers at

Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Temple

“Whoever tries to break my home, Maa Kaali is there It is not right to cause pain to a good man and a good woman, ” she said

Rumours of separation have long circulated In February 2025, Govinda’s team confirmed Sunita had filed for divorce six months earlier but claimed they had reconciled claims her representatives denied Reports also linked Govinda to a younger Marathi actress, though family friend and lawyer Lalit Bindal dismissed this, insisting, “Govinda and Sunita are going strong ” Sunita revealed she often spent birthdays alone and that the couple lived separately due to “professional commitments and Govinda’s talkative nature ”

Vidya Balan’s debut film ‘Parineeta’ is set for a theatrical re-release next week, nearly two decades after its original 2005 premiere Adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1914 novel by the late Pradeep Sarkar, the film also starred Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Raima Sen At a special event announcing the re-release, Vidya recalled her early experiences in Bollywood Vidya Balan fondly remembered how late director Pradeep Sarkar shaped her early years during Parineeta

“Dada was the foundation of everything I learned His attention to detail was unmatched, he could do a hundred takes, even to time pigeons flying or leaves falling,” she told Sharing an example, she said, “I once did 28 takes to get a teardrop in sync with a song line His guidance taught me to respect every detail in the craft ” Vidya added that even her longtime stylist learned from Sarkar the importance of balance and detailing Pradeep Sarkar, who passed away in 2023 at 67, also directed films like Eklavya: The Royal Guard, Mardaani, and Helicopter Eela Set in 1960s Kolkata, Parineeta follows childhood friends Lalita (Vidya Balan) and Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan) as love blossoms amid family conflict When Shekhar’s father plots to seize Lalita’s uncle’s house for a hotel project, a family friend (Sanjay Dutt) intervenes, sparking a major misunderstanding between the lovers

Neha Dhupia on trolls over pre-marriage pregnancy

Neha Dhupia recently spoke about the backlash she faced after getting pregnant before marriage and how it inspired her initiative, ‘Freedom to Feed’

She shared that when a pregnancy test confirmed she was expecting, she and actor Angad Bedi chose to marry, and soon after, they welcomed their daughter, Mehr However, she recalled that discussions around their wedding were marred by judgment and criticism

“I married Angad, and six months later we welcomed our daughter Yet the main conversation around our wedding was, ‘How did the baby come in six months?’”

Neha told

She admitted she wasn’t the first woman to face scrutiny for getting pregnant before marriage and handled it with humour “I see stories about female actors who get pregnant before marriage At least I’m in the same list as Neena Gupta and Alia Bhatt But honestly, it’s ridiculous,” she said Neha emphasised that no one should dictate when someone marries or has a baby “Pregnancy is beautiful, and that’s it!”

The backlash inspired her platform, ‘Freedom to Feed’, which fosters stigma-free conversations about motherhood Reflecting on her journey, she said women need a safe space to discuss pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, and related challenges

“We need to normalise discussions about women ’ s health instead of treating them as taboo I want to spread awareness, break myths, and remind women they’re not alone If I’m trolled for talking about issues that affect half the population, so be it I’m not stopping,” she concluded

Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha expecting first child

Actor Parineeti Chopra and AAP leader Raghav Chadha

are expecting their first child The couple announced the news on Instagram with a joint post featuring a beautifully decorated cake on a silver platter, set against a soft beige backdrop with delicate white flowers.

The cake featured golden baby footprints and the inscription “ 1 + 1 = 3, ” symbolizing their growing family The post also included a video of the couple walking handin-hand through a park, captioned, “Our little universe on its way Blessed beyond measure ” Celebrities like Sonam Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar quickly sent their congratulations Parineeti s cousin Priyanka commented, “Congratulations (red heart emoji) ” Katrina commented three red heart emojis

The happy news comes shortly after Raghav hinted at their family plans during an appearance with Parineeti on The Great Indian Kapil Show earlier this month During a chat with Kapil Sharma, the comedian shared how his mother immediately switched to “grandkid mode” after his marriage and advised the newlyweds to plan early

In response, Raghav smiled and said, “Denge, aapko denge good news jaldi denge!” (We’ll give you good news soon!), leaving Parineeti visibly stunned When Kapil pushed further, asking, “Good news aa raha hai kya? Laddu bantne lage kya?” (Is there good news? Are sweets being distributed yet?), Raghav replied with a sly smile, “Denge at some point ” (We will eventually )

Parineeti and Raghav tied the knot on September 24, 2023, at Udaipur’s Leela Palace, in a ceremony attended by

, Parineeti has often shown support for her husband, the AAP MP, on social media

Anurag Kashyap says Hindi film industry shunned him

InTV Listing

SATURDAY 30 AUG 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

a

a recent chat with Sudhir Srinivasan, Anurag Kashyap revealed he plans to relocate to South India after facing judgmental behavior in the Hindi film industry The filmmaker said he found acceptance in the South and shared that stepping away

depression “I started watching first-time

changing experience,” he said

industry has largely avoided him “They think I’m bad news because I have no filter, and being associated with me might cost them studio backing,” he said In contrast,

“There, no one judged me or reminded me of my alcoholism I quit drinking naturally

added

Anurag’s next directorial, ‘Nishaanchi’, releases on September 19 and stars debutant

Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra

MON 25 AUG - FRI 29 AUG 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

17:30 Rasoi Show

18:30 Rangai Jaane Rangma

19:00 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Radha Krishna

20:00 Kanku

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

22:30 Radha Krishna

MON 25 AUG - FRI 29 AUF 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka S-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Anmol Bandhan

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 BIGG BOSS 19

SATURDAY 30 AUG 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

19:30 Radha Krishna

20:00 Kanku

20:30 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

21:00 United States Of Gujarat

21:30 KAHI DE NE PREM CHHE ! –PREM NU PRATIK

22:30 Radha Krishna

SUNDAY 31 AUG 2025

09:00 Deshi Beats

11:00 Kanku

11:30 Sheni Vijanand

14:30 Kanku

17:30 Shyam Dhoon Lagi Re

19:30 Radha Krishna

22:00 Moti Baa Ni Nani Vahu

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka S-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 BIGG BOSS 19

SUNDAY 31 AUG 2025

17:00 Shani-Karmfal Daata

17:30 Sau Dahda Sasuna

18:00 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka S-1

18:30 BALIKA VADHU SEASON 1

19:30 RAMACHARI

20:00 Dance Deewane Superhits

20:30 Madhubala

21:00 Comedy Nights with Kapil

22:30 BIGG BOSS 19

Divya Dutta on Telugu OTT debut

‘Mayasabha’: “Great to Expand Horizons”

Taking on a project in an unfamiliar language can be daunting, but Divya Dutta is glad she took the leap with her Telugu debut in the OTT show ‘Mayasabha’ “It’s always great to expand your horizons and explore something new,” says the actor, who is now receiving praise for her performance

“I’d love to do more regional projects; people are calling it a blockbuster, and my inbox is flooded with messages, ” she adds

The 47-year-old admits she was i n i t i a l l y a p p r e h e n s i v e b u t q u

d

y speaks English, but I caught the tone, body language, and expressions I even memorised lines when needed, and it was manageable ”

“Language was never a barrier,” says Divya, recalling the warmth on set “I never felt it was my first time in the South The makers gave me creative freedom and kept the story rooted in culture, even while showcasing grandeur That’s why audiences connect with it ”

On her role as Iravati Basu, she shares, “She’s an intelligent politician who knows the power game well ” Though some may call it negative, Divya prefers “multi-coloured ” She adds, “Dark characters are rare now, though I’ve played similar shades in ‘ C h a l k a n d D u s t e r ’ ( 2 0 1 5 ) , ‘ B a b u m o s h a i B a n d o o k b a a z ’

and ‘Dhakad’ (2018) ”

Up next, she has a series shot in L u c k n o w , t

Sheirgill, and ‘Echoes of Valour’ with Neeraj Kabi, set to premiere at the Venice International Film Festival

Shruti Haasan on damsel

in distress tag in ‘Coolie’

Simran says Bollywood overlooks her 30-year career,

offers 1/10th of South pay

It’s been 30 years since Simran debuted with the 1995 Hindi film ‘Sanam Harjai’

While she became a top star in Tamil and Telugu cinema during the late ’90s and early 2000s, Bollywood largely remained unaware of her work Unlike her prolific South career, Simran has done few Hindi projects, her recent ones being ‘Gulmohar’, ‘Tiger 3 ’ , and the Prime Video series ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’

Reflecting on her experiences, she said haven’t met many pe Hindi cinema who a genuinely welcomin ‘Gulmohar’ had a gre Around the same tim worked on another project where I didn connect at all ” Simran revealed that Bollywood still asks her to send test reels to check if she suits a role, which has influenced her decision to work only with those familiar with her body of work “I’m fine with look tests, many still expect me send video auditions and offer one-tenth what I earn in the South So, I’ve decid to take up Hindi projects only if they truly know me, ” she

said This year, Simran appeared in Tamil films ‘Sabdham’ and ‘Tourist Family’, and made a cameo in Ajith Kumar’s ‘Good Bad Ugly’, which received positive feedback She is currently shooting for ‘The Last One’, while ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ with Vikram remains delayed due to financial and legal hurdles

cess of ‘Coolie’ alongside Rajinikanth, recently g an Instagram AMA When asked if her a “damsel in distress” was unfair, Shruti istress, and it’s someone else’s vision, not about follows Deva (Rajinikanth), a former union

araj) death Preethi, Rajasekhar’s daughter, s forces with Deva for revenge, though her aracter is abducted multiple times During the MA, Shruti also shared that her least favourite colour is yellow and promised to take on more Tamil films soon

Before the release, Shruti shared why she signed on for ‘Coolie’: “When a project like this comes with such an incredible actor and director, it’s already exciting But I was drawn to Preethi’s character and her role in the story,” she said

The film also stars Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Upendra, and Aamir Khan, with music by Anirudh Ravichander and proction by Sun Pictures Released on August 14, olie’ clashed with Ayan Mukerji’s ‘War 2 ’ , earn150 crore worldwide on day one and crossing ore in India so far

Kannada actor Dinesh Mangaluru passes away at 55

VeteranKannada actor and art director

Dinesh Mangaluru passed away at his residence after a prolonged illness, family sources said He was 55

breakthrough came with ‘Aa Dinagalu’ as Sitaram Shetty, followed by memorable roles like the Bombay Don in KGF He appeared in films such as

A native of Mangaluru, Dinesh started his career as an art director before transitioning to acting, working on several notable Kannada films He had been under treatment for some time before his condition worsened Known for his meticulous work as an art director, Dinesh later gained fame as a versatile character actor His

‘Inthi Ninna Preethiya’, ‘Ricky’, ‘Ulidavaru Kandanthe’, and ‘Slum Bala’, earning acclaim for bringing depth and authenticity to supporting roles His death has shocked the Kannada film fraternity and fans, with colleagues remembering him as a humble, dedicated professional who seamlessly bridged art direction and acting

Lilly Singh joins Netflix’s Bollywood dance film ‘Best of the Best’

Netflix has added comedian Lilly Singh to the cast of ‘Best of the Best’, a coming-of-age film centered on competitive Bollywood dancing

Written by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam, ‘Best of the Best’ stars Minhaj and follows two childhood friends who join their college’s Bollywood dance team, only to find the fun quickly turns into fierce

Neeraj Ghaywan’s

‘Homebound’ wins top honours at IFFM 2025

"Homebound" swept top honors at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, winning Best Picture and Best Director for Neeraj Ghaywan

bagged Best Indie Film Aamir Khan, the festival’s chief guest, received the Excellence in Cinema award, and Bengali film Baksho Bondi earned the Equality in Cinema honor

The acclaimed film, which made its debut at Cannes under the prestigious Un Certain Regard section, also had the distinction of closing this year ’ s festival

Produced by Dharma Productions, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and is adapted from a New York Times piece by Basharat Peer about a poignant friendship during India’s Covid-19 lockdown “Bringing Homebound to Melbourne and winning these two awards is truly special,” said Ghaywan, who debuted with the acclaimed Masaan in 2015 “The support from the Australian government for this festival is unlike anything I’ve seen elsewhere ”

“We couldn’t have imagined a more powerful way to close IFFM 2025 than with Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound,” said festival director Mitu Bhowmik Lange, praising its fearless storytelling and universal appeal Abhishek Bachchan won Best Actor for I Want to Talk, while Geeta Kailasam took Best Actress for the Tamil film Angammal, which also

Aditi Rao Hydari received the ‘Diversity in Cinema’ award, Aravind Swami was honored with ‘Leadership in Cinema,’ and comedian Vir Das won the ‘Disrupter’ award Drifters was named Best Short Film (Australia), while Kalar Pancils took the honour for India, with child actor Gugun Kipgen earning a special mention for Boong In the OTT category, Vikramaditya Motwane’s Black Warrant won Best Series, Jaideep Ahlawat was Best Actor for Pataal Lok S2, and Nimisha Sajayan Best Actress for Dabba Cartel

competition

The previously announced cast including Minhaj, ‘Never Have I Ever’ star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Priyanka Kedia will now be joined by new additions, Variety reported

Ankur Rathee (Four More Shots Please) and Chaneil Kular (Sex Education) join the cast alongside Shreya Navile, Becky Alex, Janina Gavankar,

Nihar Duvvuri, Nico Greetham, Saara Chaudry, Amryn Khurana, Tanishq Joshi, and Sasha Bhasin

Directed by Lena Khan, who previously worked with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan on ‘Never Have I Ever’, the Netflix original will be produced by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam under their 186k Films banner

Pratik Gandhi on Ben Kingsley comparisons:

“Too big of an actor to compare”

Though Pratik Gandhi has portrayed Mahatma Gandhi on stage for years, stepping into the role on screen remains daunting He first gained recognition in 2015 with the play ‘Mohan No Masalo’ and now brings a young Mohandas to life in Hansal Mehta’s series ‘Gandhi’

The show will premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, placing Gandhi’s portrayal under international scrutiny and inviting inevitable comparisons with Richard Attenborough’s 1982 Oscarwinning film

The 1982 film ‘Gandhi’ won eight Oscars, including Best Actor for Ben Kingsley Pratik Gandhi laughs at the inevitable comparison: “Just the thought of it is a huge honour He’s too big an

actor to be compared with ” More than comparisons, Pratik is thrilled to tell a truly ‘made in India’ story “For the first time, an all-Indian crew is narrating Gandhi’s life from the beginning, in long-format ” The series will span half a century, from his years in South Africa to the peak of India’s freedom struggle, covering layers of his life rarely explored “Performing this entire arc is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any actor,” he says The series ‘Gandhi’, adapted from Ramachandra Guha’s books ‘Gandhi Before India’ and ‘Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World’, also stars Bhamini Oza and Tom Felton in key roles A streaming release date has not been announced yet

Karan

Johar slams podcasters for disrespectful, scary celebrity claims

Karan Johar slammed a rising trend among podcasters who invite guests and astrologers to make sensational or disrespectful remarks about film industry figures Taking to Instagram, he called these clickbait tactics “harmful and insensitive” and urged that they “need to stop ” In his Instagram Stories, Karan wrote, “While I have utmost respect for credible media, one subculture of podcasters, chat shows with new-age terminology, has emerged from the woods no GPS can locate They invite guests who have nothing to lose, people not invited since World War 2, who then spew venom and insult hardworking, legendary members of our fraternity ”

He added, “This needs to stop! Psychics and astrologers making awful predictions, even about people’s deaths, is insensitive and disgusting Free speech? Yes Clickbait for followers? No!” Karan did not name any podcasters or hosts

Recently, Karan coproduced ‘Dhadak 2 ’ , released on August 1, starring Triptii Dimri and Sidhant Chaturvedi, a remake of the Tamil film ‘Pariyerum Perumal’ Earlier this month, he also won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani’

India top medal tally in Asian Shooting Championship

I n d ia co n t in u e d it s dominance at the 16th Asian

S hootin g Cha mpion ship in Shymke nt, Kazakhstan, with

a br il li an t pe rfor man ce on

t he eighth da y The shooters

b agged 3 gol d, 3 silve r, and 2

b

on

s t r e n g t he n

n g In d i a ’ s position at t he top of t he meda l tal ly

s

The day belonged to the Indian women shooters who

s p o

women

s 25m pistol events

made his mark in the men ’ s trap, clinching a silver medal after a close contest against a strong Chinese rival

With these results, India now sits comfortably at the t o p o f

a r , including an impressive haul of 28 gold, 10 silver, and 12 bronze medals I

performance to win the gold medal in the individual final S

accuracy, hitting 43 targets, including all of her last 10

shots Her consistency and calmness under pressure set h

competition

Ahlawat also finished on the

bronze medal, while Qatar’s

Together, the trio of Neeru, A

comfortably ahead of China’s

even more remarkable in the junior women ’

25m pistol

Payal Khatri took the gold with an outstanding 36 hits, followed by Namya Kapoor

with bronze

In the men ’ s trap event,

silver medal He pushed hard in the final against China’s Qui Ying, a Paris Olympic silver medallist, but had to settle for second place after finishing with 45 hits, just behind Qui’s 47

Pujara retires from all forms of cricket after illustrious test career

C h ete sh w ar P u j a ra, a

s ta lw a rt o f I nd

T e st cricket fo r nearly 13 years and arg uably the last of the ‘ Test sp ecialists, ’ announced h i s r eti re m en t f ro m all forms of th e game

M a r k i n g t h e e n d o f a distinguished career, Pujara, 37, made the announcement via social media He debuted

a g a i n s t A u s t r a l i a i n O c t 2010, scoring 72 not out off 89 balls, and played his final Test in the 2023 World Test Championship final against the same opponents at The Oval

“As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to a i m f o r t h e s t a r s ; a n d dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team Little

Mirabai wins C'wealth championships gold on return to action

Star Indian w eigh tlifter M irabai

Ch anu lived up to her top billing with a record -breaking sho w as

s h e e xp e ct ed l y w o n a g o l d

m edal at th e C o mm o nw ealth

Ch am pionsh ips in A hmedabad

T h e T ok yo O ly m p i cs s il v e r medallist lifted a total of 1 93kg

( 8 4 k g +1 0 9k g ) to s et ne w

Co mmo nwealth C ham pionship re co rd s in s nat ch , cl ean an d jerk, and total, finishing atop the wo men ’ s 4 8kg pod iu m

Her effort was a whopping 14kg more than the previous total record in the tournament National Games champion Rishikanta Singh added the second gold of the day in the men ’ s 60kg with a total effort of 271kg (120kg+151kg)

The 31-year-old faltered on her opening snatch attempt of 84kg as the judges were unhappy with her left elbow But s h e c l e a r e d t h

shattering the 80kg snatch record

Her third try of 89kg also ended in a failed lift as she showed signs of discomfort in her right knee

did I know then that this g a m e w o u l d g i v e m

s o

m u c h - i n v a l u a b l e opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation

P u j a r a w a s p a r t o f a dominant Indian Test team along with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin, achieving notable victories With Pujara retiring on the b

s t retirements of Rohit and Kohli in May and Ashwin in Dec last year, an era is slowly coming to an end in Indian cricket

r apparent to Rahul Dravid at No 3 from a very early age because of his water tight defence and ability to bat time, Pujara scored 7,195 Test runs at an average o f 4 3 6 0 ,

among India’s leading Test

average of 52 58 I n F i r s t - C l a s s c r i c k e t , Pujara scored 21,301 runs in 278 matches at an average of 51 82, with 66 hundreds and t

earning him the nickname t h e ‘ S

machine’

Under the guidance of h i s f a t h e r A r v i n d , P u j a r a p l a y e d a p i v o t a l r o l e i n S a u r a s h t r a ’ s R a n j i T r o p h y victories in the 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons, and their run to the final in 2012-13 and 2015-16 seasons

I n t h e l a s t t w o y e a r s , Pujara found himself more out of the Indian team than i n a n d h e e v e n m i s s e d

g e t t i n g s e l e c t e d f o r W e s t

Zone in the Duleep Trophy

During his time away from international cricket, Pujara turned to commentary and was part of the broadcast team for the recent IndiaEngland series in the UK

Shafali dropped, Renuka in India’s ODI WC squad

I n d i a e xc lu d ed bi g - h i tti n g S h a fa li

V e rm a i n fav o u r o f t h e c o ns i s ten t P ratika Rawal, while includ ing fit-again p acer Renu ka S ing h T hakur in their squad for th e Wom en ’ s ODI World

C up at hom e

The chief selector of the Indian women ’ s team Neetu David, flanked by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, announced the squad for the three ODIs against Australia, which precedes the World Cup, with just one change in both sides

The Australia series begins on Sept 14, while the World Cup begins on Sept 30 with the opening match between

I n d i a a n d S r i L a n k a T t h e I n d i a n women ’ s team will undergo a weeklong camp in a few days at Visakhapatnam, one of the venues of the World Cup, where Harmanpreet & Co play two

matches, against South Africa on Oct 9 and Aus on Oct 12

Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana was also present at the selection meeting Shafali, currently part of the India A team in Australia, has been excluded

exceptionally well in 14 ODIs, in which she scored 703 runs at an average of 54 07, with one hundred and five fifties Seam bowling allrounder Amanjot Kaur has been given additional time to

currently stationed at the Centre of Excellence ahead of the World Cup, w i t h S a

squad to face Australia “She’s one of the important players We’ve rested her for the Australia series so that she can

fully be available for the World Cup,” Harmanpreet said S

Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen

D e o

Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), K

Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana

Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen

t i S h a r m a , J e m i m a h R o d r i g u e s , R e n u k a S i n g h T h a k u r , Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana

Argentina team to play FIFA friendly in Kerala in Nov

The A rgenti na Footbal l A ss oci ation ( AFA) has confi rmed that the national team wi ll visit Kerala for a friendly match i n Nov Acc ording to the AFA’s s tatement, “the Argentine team led by Lionel Scaloni will have two friendly FIFA match dates remaini ng i n 2025

The first will be in Oct, from the 6th to 14th, taking place in the United

FIFA date, from 10th to 18th, will be held in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India (opponents to be determined),”

read the AFA statement Interestingly, the AFA’s statement d i d

details about the national squad

However, Kerala’s sports minister,

Lionel Messi will be part of the team traveling to Kerala in Nov However, the minister’s office clarified that the s

obligations or involvement in bringing the Argentina team, as a private news channel is sponsoring the event

considering other options “Argentina prefers to play against a side within the top-50 of FIFA rankings They have asked us to submit a list of rivals, and the AFA will make the final decision,” said a source Thiruvananthapuram is

Argentina friendly in Nov, with the Greenfield Stadium as the potential venue

With no real competition to push her, Chanu was essentially competing with herself She opened with a 105kg lift in clean and jerk, which 5kg more than the previous tournament record

She improved that to 109kg, matching her 2017 World Championship-winning effort However, she could not complete her final attempt of 113kg

Irene Henry of Mayasia, who lifted 161kg (73kg+88kg), won the silver medal while Wales’ Nikole Roberts 150kg (70kg+80kg) took home the bronze

In the youth girls’ 48kg class, India’s Payal set a new Commonwealth record with a total lift of 166 kg (73 + 93kg) Bhavani Reddy claimed silver with 158kg (66 + 92kg)

In the junior women ’ s 48kg, Soumya Sunil Dalvi scripted two Commonwealth records by lifting 177kg (76 + 101) Nigeria’s Ruth Nyong took silver with 167 kg, while Irene lifted 161 kg for bronze

Preetismita Bhoi took gold in the youth girls’ 44kg with 150 kg (63 + 87), while Canada’s Lexi Fung and Sri Lanka’s Yashini Gedar bagged silver and bronze with 138 kg and 104 kg respectively

Dharmajyoti Dewgarhia improved his own record by 1kg in clean and jerk and 2kg in total on way in the youth boys’ 56kg gold He effected a snatch of 97kg and a clean & jerk of 127 kg

India halts all bilateral sporting activities with Pakistan

Indi a has decided to h alt all b i la te ra l s p o rt i ng engagements with P akistan, including cricket, on home and away soil or at neutral venues

The decision followed t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t o f a P a k i s t a n - s p e c i f i c s p o r t

social media outrage and opposition’s objections over t h e t w o n e i g h b o u r i n g n a t i o n s c o n t e s

upcoming Asia Cup T20I matches in the UAE

Under the policy issued by the sports ministry, India w i l l n o t e n g a g e i n a n y b i l a t e r a l s p o r t s w i

h Pakistan anywhere in the world but will continue to compete against its archrival in multilateral sports e

The sources emphasised the urgent need to define b i l a t e r a l t i e s a n d m u l t i l a t e r a l e n g a g e m e n t s due to recurring questions over whether India would

involving Pakistan, even at

matches featuring its archrival The policy means the I

to face Pakistan in the

of the

team in India for the women ’ s ODI World Cup in Oct is

events

c Charter and the statutes of the respective International F e d e r a t i o n s ( I F s ) T h e policy stipulates that Indian teams across disciplines will not play in Pakistan, and P a k i s t a n c o n t i n g e n t s cannot compete in India for one-on-one events