- Saturday, September 30, 2023
ARCELORMITTAL executive chairman Lakshmi N Mittal has said his company’s Indian joint venture with Nippon Steel will commission its facility in Gujarat in three years. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AMNS) India, formed in 2019 following the acquisition of Essar Steel, is scaling up the capacity of its integrated flat steel plant…
A SCULPTURE has been installed in Leicester to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ugandan Asian migration to the city. The colourful 15-foot-tall artwork put up on Belgrave Roundabout consists of an archway and features Ugandan flowers, birds and animals. Entitled ‘Sculptural Gateway’, it symbolises the struggles faced by the people…
ANTI-MUSLIM hate speech incidents in India averaged more than one a day in the first half of 2023 and were seen most in states with upcoming elections, according to a report by Hindutva Watch, a Washington-based group monitoring attacks on minorities. There were 255 documented incidents of hate speech gatherings…
LONDON-BASED author Chetna Maroo's debut novel Western Lane has been shortlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize. Kenya-born Maroo's novel set within the context of the British Gujarati milieu has been praised by the Booker judges for its use of the sport of squash as a metaphor for complex human emotions. It…
BEING selected as a contestant on the most recent season of MasterChef UK was a happy and sad moment for Diya Kotecha-Lodhia. The talented chef’s late mother had wanted her to apply for the show but passed away years before that dream became a reality. Although she didn’t win the…
INDIA said it will make every effort to find the whereabouts of nine people from Gujarat who went missing while trying to enter the US illegally. They - seven men and two women - had last contacted their relatives in Gujarat on February 3, 2023, after reaching Dominican Republic. The…
QUEEN frontman and rockstar Freddie Mercury’s Parsi heritage was celebrated more than 30 years after his death, as Sotheby’s in London conducted the first of six auctions of his belongings last Wednesday (6). A 16th-century Indian miniature depicting A Prince on Horseback With His Entourage sold for £266,700, against an…
THE greatest difficulty in the earliest days of Indian cinema was to get local women to act in films. For India’s first film Raja Harishchandra (1913), producer/director Dada Saheb Phalke had to get a man in a sari (Salunke) to play the leading lady. Although women slowly started to step…
The Rig Veda inscriptions and Panini's grammar treatise 'Ashtadhyayi,' which were India's contributions to the G20 'Culture Corridor' exhibition held at the summit venue, have been exhibited under the name of 'Bharat.' The Rig Veda, an ancient Indian text representing the country's contribution to the international project in the 'symbols…
Finalists for the 2023 World's Best School Prizes were revealed in London on Tuesday (12), including an independent international school in Gujarat and a charity school in Maharashtra, representing institutions from across the globe. The five World's Best School Prizes, which include categories such as Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation,…
India’s yearlong presidency of the G20 came to a climax last weekend as world leaders gathered in Delhi for the annual summit of the world’s leading economies. Against the perceived odds, India was able to forge consensus among a group of nations increasingly divided along geopolitical fault-lines. The official communique,…
G20 leaders, including US president Joe Biden, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and UN secretary general António Guterres, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat on Sunday (10). Prime minister Narendra Modi received the leaders at the rain-drenched Rajghat. Modi welcomed his guests to the site where the…
As India prepares to host the G20 Summit, a group of nine retired judges has reached out to the leaders of G20 nations, urging them to seek a compassionate resolution by repatriating Indian children who have been separated from their parents by state child agencies in Western Europe, the UK,…
IN TERMS of ability, longevity, versatility, body of work and global impact, Asha Bhosle is regarded by most as India’s greatest singer of all time. Born on September 8, 1933, the most recorded artist in history changed the face of commercial music in India and entertained countless people across different…
The Salangpur Temple controversy that was caused by murals that depicted Lord Hanuman at the feet of yogi and ascetic Swaminarayan, came to an end as the temple administration initiated the removal of the Lord Hanuman murals in the early morning hours on Tuesday. After several days of controversy surrounding…
INDIA has asked the US to allow the release of $26 million belonging to at least two Indian diamond firms that was frozen due to their alleged trade links with sanctioned Russian diamond major Alrosa, three Indian sources said. The funds were frozen earlier this year due to US sanctions…
The Labour MP for Harrow West, Gareth Thomas has written to three airlines, Air India, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic to request that they consider bidding for extra slots to fly direct to Gujarat from British airports. Thomas, who is also the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British…
The Adani Group of India on Thursday (31), retaliated against a recent report probing alleged manipulation of the conglomerate's share prices. The group accused the report’s authors of collaborating to deliberately lower its stock value for personal gain. The conglomerate, which operates across global ports and power sectors, experienced a…
ASIA'S richest man Mukesh Ambani has begun executing a succession plan for his $200-billion (£159.08 bn) energy-to-technology conglomerate Reliance Industries. He appointed his three children - Isha, Akash, and Anant - to the board of the company which he will continue to chair for five more years. Till now, the…
The 69th National Film Awards were announced at a press conference in New Delhi today. Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon share the Best Actress award for their performances in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi, respectively. Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, on the other hand, was named Best Actor for his successful film…
REVERED Indian spiritual leader and preacher Pujya Morari Bapu has told Eastern Eye that Ram Rajya (utopia) can be realised by bringing into practice the essence of truth, love and compassion as envisioned in the the holy scripture, the Ramayana. Ram Rajya is a concept of an ideal state where…
PRAFUL PATEL, who has died in Mumbai, aged 84, made a startling claim about the Ugandan Asian crisis in his last interview with Eastern Eye. He revealed that the British government was aware that Idi Amin was planning to expel Uganda’s entire Asian population before the African dictator made his…
CHARLES DICKEN’S classic work, Great Expectations, has been adapted to an Asian setting in a new production to be staged next month at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Pooja Ghai, Tamasha Theatre’s artistic director, will helm a fresh adaptation of playwright Tanika Gupta MBE’s 2011 take on the 19th…
AT LEAST labourers working on a railway bridge being built across a ravine in India's eastern Mizoram state were killed when it collapsed on Wednesday (23), officials said, with others reported missing. Video footage posted by Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga showed a metal frame that had toppled off towering columns…
EXCITEMENT rose in India on Tuesday (22) on the eve of a much-anticipated moon landing, with prayers held for its success, schools marshalling students to watch a live telecast of the event and space enthusiasts organising parties to celebrate. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was scheduled to…
Excitement rose in India on Tuesday (22) on the eve of a much-anticipated moon landing, with prayers held for its success, schools marshalling students to watch a live telecast of the event and space enthusiasts organising parties to celebrate. The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is scheduled to…
AN Ahmedabad-based businessman has embarked on a special journey in a cherished UK-made vintage car to mark 76 years of India's independence as well as a personal family milestone. Daman Thakore, 50, will be accompanied by his 75-year-old father, 21-year-old daughter, and a close-knit group of friends and family as…
The first summit on traditional medicine was initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday (17) with the objective to gather evidence and data that would facilitate the secure utilisation of such treatments. Traditional medicines are a "first port of call for millions of people worldwide", the UN health…
PREPARATIONS are in full swing for the installation of a new public artwork in Belgrave, Leicester, to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Ugandan Asians to the city, a statement said. Midlands-based Ugandan Asian artist of Gujarati origin, Anuradha Patel, was selected to create the sculpture, which will…
MIKE BREARLEY, a very successful England cricket captain from 1977 to 1980, has been a practising psychoanalyst in London for the past 40 years. Brearley very sportingly placed himself on the couch for the benefit of Eastern Eye – and answered questions on the many Indian connections that are mentioned…
On the 77th Independence Day on Tuesday, Bollywood actors wished citizens a Happy Independence Day, saluted leaders and bravehearts and hoped for prosperity in the country. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan hoisted the national flag at his residence in Mumbai on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day. Taking to Instagram,…
India’s Independence Day commemorates the sacrifice of freedom fighters who laid down their lives in the pursuit to free India. It also marks a day of celebration for our nation’s vibrant culture and heritage. ZEE5 Global presents an exciting line-up of titles to honour different milestones of India as it…
On the occasion of India's 77th Independence Day, several celebrities wished their fans with special posts on their respective social media handles. Jackie Shroff celebrated Independence Day with school children. He took to Instagram and shared the video and pictures from the celebration and captioned it, “Happy 77th Independence Day.…
WHEN author Shelina Janmohamed couldn’t find any relevant books on the British empire for her two young daughters, she decided to write her own book, titled Story of Now – Let’s Talk About the British Empire. Her two daughters, aged nine and five at the time, were keen to learn…
THOUSANDS of people will head from the UK to Gujarat this October to enjoy the ICC Cricket World Cup; to celebrate Navratri and Diwali and for business, leisure and family visits. Without a rapid change in the attitude of some of our biggest airlines, for many the journey to and…
EVERYONE knows that the easiest way to win an election is to “encourage” the opposition candidate to stand down. In Pakistan, Imran Khan has been cancelled by the army. He should have known those who live by the army die by the army. He has been given a three-year jail…
THE Labour MP for Harrow West, Gareth Thomas, who is also the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Gujaratis (APPG), joined other parliamentary representatives as they called on airports and airlines for more direct flights to Gujarat from Heathrow. The group met Heathrow airport policy lead Richard…
Like there are multiple colours in a rainbow, India has different cultures, languages, and film industries and it’s time for the world to acknowledge it, says AR Rahman, the artiste whose music covers genres and geographies. Rahman, who has worked in the south, in the Hindi film industry as well…
THE Supreme Court of India on Friday (4) suspended opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case, enabling him to return to parliament and contest national elections due next year. Gandhi was convicted in March in a case brought by a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata…
INDIAN American judge Moxila A Upadhyaya has presided over the initial appearance of former US president Donald Trump in a federal courthouse in downtown Washington DC on charges of trying to stay in power despite his electoral loss in 2020. Trump, who is seeking to contest the 2024 presidential election…
INDIA's Ankita Raina made the most of her lucky loser place to reach the last 16 of the Prague Open on Wednesday (2), securing her first win on the main WTA Tour in 2023. The 30-year-old, who had been defeated in qualifying before winning a reprieve in the main draw,…
A MAJOR highlight of this month’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival will be the world premiere of Tandava, which is a thrilling new collaboration between British guitarist Simon Thacker and Bangalore based Piah Dance Company. The multi-layered music and dance production, being staged as part of the Made in Scotland showcase, adds…
RIOT police were patrolling urban neighbourhoods near India's capital on Wednesday (2) following a second night of sectarian riots that have killed six people so far. The unrest began Monday (31) when mobs hurled stones at a Hindu religious procession and set cars alight in the predominantly Muslim district of…
London-based author Chetna Maroo’s debut novel, Western Lane, is among 13 books to make the cut for the 2023 Booker Prize longlist revealed on Tuesday (1). Kenya-born Maroo’s novel, set within the British Gujarati community, was praised by the Booker judges for its use of the sport of squash as…
GLOBAL semiconductor majors have committed investments in India as prime minister Narendra Modi offered 50 per cent financial assistance for chip makers setting up plants in the country. It comes after Modi’s ambitions to promote semiconductor manufacturing suffered a setback last month when Taiwanese tech major Foxconn pulled out of…
AT LEAST 17 workers were crushed to death in western India on Tuesday (1) when a crane collapsed above an under-construction expressway outside the financial capital Mumbai, disaster response officials said. The crane toppled onto large concrete slabs during the night, with debris then smashing down as labourers worked on…
Organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the 19th edition of India Couture Week (ICW) 2023 commenced in New Delhi on July 25, with Falguni Shane Peacock presenting the opening show and setting the tone for the glamorous event. Renowned designers like Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Tarun…
WHEN a baby is born, parents wonder about a suitable name for the child. In Britain, Asian parents are aware the name has to pass the “playground test”. I mention this because an intriguing new book has come my way – What’s in a Name? Friendship, Identity and History in…
A GROWING number of endangered animals from India – including elephants, lions and tigers – are being saved by zoos in Britain. London Zoo now houses dozens of species from south Asia, such as the gaur, blackbuck, red panda, greater flamingo, greater one-horned rhino and Kerala frog. The site in…
ASDA boss Mohsin Issa defended his price-cutting measures as he told a group of MPs he grew up in the same environment as some of his customers from low-income households. Issa, who co-owns Asda with his brother Zuber, appeared before the business and trade committee in a follow-up session to…
INDIA’S principal opposition has outscored prime minister Narendra Modi’s party in terms of the number of wealthy provincial lawmakers, according to a democracy campaign group. A total of 33 members of state legislative assemblies (MLAs) belonging to the Congress are “billionaires” in rupee terms, compared with 24 of the Bharatiya…
On Friday, megastar Amitabh Bachchan launched the trailer of Gujarati film Tron Ekka. Sharing the trailer, Big B wrote, "The Terrific Trio is back again with hilarious rib-tickling comedy. Get ready to get your mind blown. Wishing my dear friend @anandpandit loads of success. #3Ekka." View this post on…
Among the 3,851 applications received from 122 countries, five students studying in India have been recognized on the top 50 shortlist for the prestigious Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2023. The annual award aims to honour one exceptional student who has demonstrated a remarkable impact on learning, the lives of their…
AT LEAST nine people were killed after a speeding car ploughed into a crowd gathered at an accident site on a bridge in India on Thursday (20). A police constable who reached the spot after a collision between two vehicles, was among those killed in the second incident in the…
INTER-CULTURAL projects connected to India have enabled Simon Thacker to break musical boundaries. The Scottish classical guitarist, composer, improviser, and ensemble leader follows up stunning work, including founding acclaimed music group SvaraKanti, with his new production Tandava. The collaboration with India’s Piah Dance Company will have its world premiere at…
THIS is the 15th year that the Westcombe Foundation has been operational as a charity. We are dedicated to helping those in need around the world, giving back with the goal of relieving widespread poverty, distress and suffering. Through our history, we have helped people from Nepal to Nairobi, India…
FEW people have done as much to make Indian classical music popular in Britain as the valiant Viram Jasani, whom we know well at Eastern Eye as he has been a judge in our Arts Culture & Theatre Awards (ACTA). Viram deserves congratulations for publishing his very readable memoirs, Independence…
The new head of the World Bank said Tuesday (18) that growing divides between rich and poor nations risked deepening poverty in the developing world. Ajay Banga said he feared a lack of progress was in danger of splitting the global economy. "The thing that keeps me up at night…
TWO days of talks between economic and finance policymakers from the Group of 20 nations will wrap up on Tuesday without a joint statement due to differences between major powers over the war in Ukraine, according to Indian officials hosting the meeting. During its presidency of the G20, India is…
TOP Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to the country's highest court last Saturday (15) over his conviction for defamation, one of his lawyers said, days after a lower court refused to intervene. Gandhi was sentenced to two years' jail for comments he made in 2019 which a court ruled…
PROF CV Ramakrishnan, who once headed the department of biochemistry at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, is 97, but still sprightly and full of fun. He is now a little unsteady on his feet, but until recently thought nothing of walking eight miles a day. I paid him…
TAIWAN'S Foxconn has withdrawn from a $19.5 billion (£15bn) semiconductor joint venture with Indian metals-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta, it said on Monday (10), in a setback to prime minister Narendra Modi's chipmaking plans for India. The world's largest contract electronics maker signed a pact with Vedanta last year to set up…
In a statement indirectly criticising China, India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar emphasised that India does not operate as an "extractive economy" and does not engage in "narrow economic activities" in Africa, despite the continent's abundant resources. These comments were made by Jaishankar during his visit to Zanzibar and subsequent…
A HIGH COURT in western India rejected an appeal by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (7) to suspend his conviction in a defamation case. The court decision quashes for now his hope of returning to parliament and contesting national elections due next year. Gandhi can now take his appeal…
AN INDIAN investigating agency will send formal requests to the UK, the UAE and South Korea in relation to an alleged bribery case against lobbyist Sanjay Bhandari, accused of influencing a contract for a plant in Gujarat, officials said on Tuesday (4). The contract was for a dual feed cracker…
Actor Vatsal Sheth has finished shooting for his Gujarati debut film, which also stars Helly Shah. The film is touted to be a comedy-drama. The project's title has not been revealed yet. Excited about the project, Vatsal said, "This film is really special and it was an amazing experience shooting…
POLICE in the UK launched an investigation after shots were fired at a wedding party of more than 100 guests at the Gujarati Association at Wolverhampton. Wolverhampton Police said they received calls about the incident last Saturday (1) night and believed that a car was driven up to the back…
RELIANCE CAPTAIL’S lenders have overwhelmingly approved a proposal from Hinduja Group to acquire the bankrupt financial services company once led by Indian tycoon Anil Ambani.IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL), the investment arm of the London-based Hinduja family business empire, offered Rs 96.61 billion (£930 million) for Reliance Capital in the…
New research commissioned by leading UK health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett (H&B) with YouGov reveals inequalities in menopause support for women from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. It was found that a significant proportion (51 per cent) of these women feel that current advice focuses too much…
WHETHER it was Mehmood, Johnny Walker, Johnny Lever or lead stars showing off their funny side, there have been many great comedians in Indian cinema across the decades. But the first talented comedian was iconic actor Noor Mohammed Charlie. Armed with his trademark Charlie Chaplin moustache and a natural swagger,…
A WEEKEND article in the Financial Times set out to explain “How India is slowly moving into the American orbit.” The reality is that India is not moving into the American orbit nor America into India’s, but for some decades now the two countries have been drawing closer together. One…
LABOUR MP for Brent North, Barry Gardiner, collected a prestigious honour bestowed on him by the Indian government at a ceremony in London last Friday (23). Gardiner, who founded the Labour Friends of India more than two decades ago, was presented the Padma Shri, a civilian award, at India House…
EGYPT and India discussed strengthening ties in areas including trade, food security and defence during a state visit to Cairo by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, the two countries said on Sunday (25). On his first trip to Egypt, Modi met Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Egyptian ministers appointed…
BLUE chip companies Google and Amazon have announced major investments in India during prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States. Amazon.com Inc will invest an additional $15 billion in the south Asian country, the company's chief executive Andy Jassy told Modi in his meeting on Friday (23). The…
In preparation for prime minister Narendra Modi's state dinner at the White House later today (22), US first lady Jill Biden has planned an impressive vegetarian menu to be crafted by chef Nina Curtis in collaboration with the White House staff. As a devout vegetarian, Modi's culinary preferences were taken…
DIAMONDS are a girl’s best friend, it is said, and prime minister Narendra Modi swerved clear of any controversy by gifting an eco-friendly lab-grown 7.5 carat diamond to US first lady Jill Biden. President Joe Biden and his wife hosted Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House on…
MARINATED millet, corn kernel salad, and stuffed mushrooms are on the menu for 400 guests invited to the state dinner being hosted for visiting Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the White House's South Lawn later this evening (22). This year is being celebrated as the International Year of Millets…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (21) opened a state visit to Washington as the United States steps up its wooing of India. President Joe Biden is putting on the full pomp for only the third state visitor of his administration, with the billion-plus country seen as a pivotal…
A couple from Gujarat, who were kidnapped in Iran by a Pakistani agent, have been released and is scheduled to return to Ahmedabad on Wednesday (21), according to reports. Pankaj Patel and his wife Nisha, both 29-years-old, found themselves in Iran after attempting to illegally enter the US. Their dreams…
FROM Times Square and Niagara Falls to Princeton University and Hawaii, members of the Indian-American community are sending welcome messages from iconic US locations for prime minister Narendra Modi on his upcoming state visit. Members of the diaspora and young Indian students are taking to social media to post their…
CYCLONE BIPARJOY tore down power poles and uprooted trees on Friday (16) after pummelling the Indian coastline, though the storm was weaker than feared and there were no immediate reports of casualties. More than 180,000 people in the Indian state of Gujarat and Pakistan's Sindh province fled the path of…
HOWLING gales and crashing waves pounded the coastline of India and Pakistan on Thursday (15), hours before the landfall of a powerful cyclone that has prompted mass evacuations. Nearly 150,000 people have fled the predicted path of Cyclone Biparjoy, which means "disaster" in Bengali, with meteorologists warning it could devastate…
Prabhas-starrer Adipurush, a retelling of the epic Ramayana, is eying a bumper opening at the box office with trade experts predicting the film could do a business of more than £8 million on its opening day and comparing its pre-release buzz to Pathaan. The big-budget multilingual film, reportedly made on…
With the next UK general election looming over the horizon, upwardly-mobile British Indians will be a critical voter constituency in various parts of the country. In recent times, there has been a fraying of relations between the wider British Indian population and the Labour Party. In the 2015 general election,…
During a hearing on a minor rape survivor's plea to terminate her pregnancy, a judge of the Gujarat High Court made a remark about the historical practice of young girls getting married and giving birth before the age of 17. Justice Samir Dave, while considering the case on Wednesday (07),…
Two human rights groups have invited policy makers, journalists and analysts to a screening in Washington of a BBC documentary on Narendra Modi that questioned the Indian prime minister's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, ahead of his state visit to the White House. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International…
FOUR boys drowned after venturing into rough seas in Mumbai as Indian authorities began evacuating people from western coastal areas on Tuesday (13), two days before a powerful cyclone approaches Gujarat state and neighbouring southern Pakistan. Classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, Biparjoy is expected to make landfall around…
A STORM off India's west coast has strengthened to become a powerful cyclone and could hit Gujarat state and southern parts of Pakistan this week, the weather department said. The cyclone, named Biparjoy, is expected to make landfall on Thursday (15) afternoon between Mandvi in Gujarat and Karachi in Pakistan…
At least 27 people, including eight children, were killed in northwest Pakistan as heavy rains followed by strong winds swept through the region, officials said on Sunday (11). The storms affected four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, striking late on Saturday. Among the deceased were five siblings, aged between two…
In the exhilarating world of cricket, there exists a player who has captivated audiences and experts alike with his exceptional skills and unwavering versatility. Ravindra Jadeja, hailing from Navagam-Khed in Gujarat, has emerged as one of the most talented and dynamic cricketers of our time. As we embark on this…
Eastern Eye readers who missed out on the Chelsea Flower Show have a chance of catching up on something else that heralds the start of summer (although we haven’t exactly had a heat wave in the past few days). This is the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition. Out of 15,000 submissions,…
A suspension bridge being built in India's poorest state collapsed for the second time in 14 months, with one person reported missing, reported ANI. The bridge was being built over the River Ganges in Bhagalpur district of India's eastern state of Bihar. Construction was scheduled to be completed in 2019…
THE BBC has “informally” admitted to having under-reported its income in India and paid less tax than its actual obligation, media reports said on Tuesday (6). Tax authorities had surveyed the corporation’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai in February, weeks after the broadcaster aired a documentary on Prime Minister…
Veteran theatre director-actor Aamir Raza Husain, known for his larger-than-life outdoor stage productions, died in New Delhi at the age of 66. Husain was suffering from a heart-related ailment and passed away on Saturday, his son said. "He was hospitalised for two days and had undergone heart surgery, but wasn't…
M S DHONI is doing well after knee surgery, IPL champions Chennai Super Kings said Friday (2), as the skipper weighs up whether to play on. The 41-year-old former India captain played the just-concluded Indian Premier League season with his left knee heavily strapped. "The surgery has been done in…
Planning to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in English? Then you must know that it's actor Karan Soni who has voiced Pavitr Prabhakar aka Indian Spider-Man in the film. Speaking about people's response to him voicing Pavitr Prabhakar and the film being dubbed in nine Indian languages, Karan said, "I think…
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)-Eastern Eye “Garden of Unity”, designed by Manoj Malde, appears to have been one of the big hits of the Chelsea Flower Show this year. Located prominently on Main Avenue and close to the Great Pavilion, Malde’s vivid colours attracted even King Charles and Queen Camilla.…
Ravindra Jadeja hit a six and four off the last two balls as Chennai Super Kings edged out Gujarat Titans to win a record-equalling fifth IPL title and send superstar MS Dhoni out with a bang in his likely swansong. Chennai chased down their revised target of 171 in 15…
Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first against holders Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League final on Monday (29). Play was washed out on Sunday (28) without a ball being bowled after rain and thunderstorms hit the western city of Ahmedabad, disappointing…
Heavy rain and thunderstorms in Ahmedabad on Sunday (28) forced the Indian Premier League (IPL) final between holders Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings into a reserve day for the first time. Rain began 35 minutes before the toss and went on for over two hours and 40 minutes before…
REVENGE will fuel Gujarat Titans' title defence when they clash with four-time winners Chennai Super Kings in Sunday's (28) Indian Premier League (IPL) final in Ahmedabad. Gujarat, who won the title in their debut season last year, topped the group stage this season but went down to Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led…
A former Gurkha soldier named Hari Budha Magar, who lost both legs in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first double above-the-knee amputee to conquer Mount Everest. At the age of 43 and residing in Canterbury, Kent, Budha Magar completed this remarkable feat…
Akash Madhwal was working as an engineer and playing tennis-ball cricket just a few years ago, now he is in the Indian Premier League (IPL) record books. The 29-year-old fast bowler returned stunning figures of 5-5 in the playoffs to lead five-time champions Mumbai Indians to victory over Lucknow Super…
Ministers are looking at the future of community pharmacy in England in a “bigger way” and have a vision to go “beyond the Scotland model”, the CEO of the Pharmaceutical Service Negotiating Committee has said. Community pharmacy in England has long campaigned for a Scotland-style “Pharmacy First” service which allows…
Yakub Patel, a dedicated member of the local community and originally from Gujarat, has assumed the esteemed position of Mayor in Preston, a city situated in Lancashire County, northern England. Preston has a long-standing tradition of having a city Mayor dating back to the 14th century. Hailing from the Bharuch…
Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni said on Tuesday (23) that he will take time before IPL's December auction to decide on his playing future after he led Super Kings to their 10th final in the T20 tournament. Dhoni might have played his last match at home MA Chidambaram Stadium…
Ravindra Jadeja starred with bat and ball as Chennai Super Kings beat holders Gujarat Titans by 15 runs on Tuesday (23) to enter the IPL final that could be skipper MS Dhoni's farewell. Four-time winners Chennai posted 172-7, a total their bowlers defended as they bowled out Gujarat for 157…
The Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community UK (SKLPC (UK), a prominent Hindu community in Ealing, London, recently commemorated a significant milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony. The event, which took place on Wednesday, 17 May 2023, marked the beginning of the construction of their state-of-the-art sports and community centre. Located at…
An Indian court issued a summons to British broadcaster BBC on Monday (22) in a defamation case over its documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi that questioned his leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, according to reports in local media. The defamation suit states the documentary "India: the Modi question"…
Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 104 to trump Virat Kohli's record century as holders Gujarat Titans knocked Royal Challengers Bangalore out of the IPL with a six-wicket victory on Sunday (21). The result allowed five-time winners Mumbai Indians to fill the fourth and final play-off spot after they hammered Sunrisers…
Lucknow Super Kings survived an unbeaten blitz of 67 by Rinku Singh to edge Kolkata Knight Riders by one run and qualify for the Indian Premier League play-offs on Saturday (20). Nicholas Pooran's 58 guided Lucknow to 176-8, a total that was threatened by Rinku, a left-hand batsman, who smashed…
Indian flavours have gained immense popularity, to the extent that foreign food bloggers now share these enticing tastes on Instagram. Among them, a British food blogger has taken it upon himself to explore the diverse regional cuisines of India. Going by the name @plantfuture on Instagram, Jake Dryan has devoted…
Celebrating five glorious years of creating exclusive streaming content, ZEE5 Global at a star-studded event in Mumbai, titled Hooked to 5, revealed an expansive line-up of titles featuring originals in Hindi and regional languages, sequels to cult-favourite series, big-ticket direct-to-digital releases, blockbuster post-theatrical launches, and intriguing docu-series. For the slate,…
Former India captain Virat Kohli smashed a masterful century as his Royal Challengers Bangalore thumped Sunrisers Hyderabad, for whom South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen hit a ton of his own, by eight wickets in the IPL on Thursday (18). The win leaves Bangalore in control of their own destiny in the…
The head of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, has said increased diversity in the armed forces is “mission critical” in future battles as he vowed to attract the “brightest and best of every single community”. Currently, 2.1 per cent of all RAF service personnel…
Britain unveiled new sanctions against Russia on Friday (19), targeting imports of diamonds and other minerals in a bid to choke Moscow's ability to fund the war in Ukraine. Before a G7 summit in Japan began, London said it would introduce "a ban on Russian diamonds", copper, aluminium and nickel,…
New theatre play Patel’s Millions has been delighting audiences since commencing a UK tour. The comedy-drama about a struggling shopkeeper becoming rich beyond his wildest dreams and facing problems has a talented cast that includes actress Sheetal Pandya. She follows up winning performances on Indian TV, by playing a Goddess…
Delhi Capitals survived a blazing 94 by Liam Livingstone for a consolation 15-run win to push Punjab Kings to the brink of IPL elimination on Wednesday (17). South Africa's Rilee Rossouw smashed an unbeaten 82 to guide Delhi to 213-2, a total that was threatened by Livingstone's 48-ball blitz in…
The IPL is hotting up with seven teams still in the hunt for play-off spots after five-time champions Mumbai Indians suffered a shock loss to Lucknow. Defending champions Gujarat Titans are the only franchise to have booked one of the four play-off places, with the Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad…
The United States wants India to condemn persistent religious violence, a senior official said on Monday (15), one month before a state visit by prime minister Narendra Modi. The State Department on Monday released an annual report on religious freedom which listed attacks against religious minorities including Muslims and Christians…
THE RELATIONSHIP between India and the United States is based on a common desire to have a strong and peaceful Indo-Pacific region, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Monday (15). He asserted that the two countries are an important part of a mutual strategy to protect the Indo-Pacific…
Fifties from skipper Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh led Kolkata Knight Riders to a six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings and stay alive in the Indian Premier League on Sunday (14). Kolkata kept Chennai down to 144-6, a total they overhauled riding on a key stand of 99 between Rinku…
Opener Prabhsimran Singh hit his maiden IPL century to set up a 31-run win for Punjab Kings and push Delhi Capitals out of the play-off race on Saturday (13), while Lucknow Super Giants beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets. Sunrisers batsman Heinrich Klaasen was docked 10 per cent of his…
The coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday (7) featured the Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor, the Punjabi poet Daljit Nagra and several Asian women in bright pink outfits from the Bradford-based SongGeet choir. The “wonderful Sonam Kapoor”, described as “one of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars”, introduced a virtual choir from…
The first Airbus C295 aircraft built for India has successfully completed its maiden flight in Spanish city of Seville, in a significant milestone towards its delivery by the second half of this year. In September 2021, India sealed a nearly Rs 210 billion (£2.03 bn) deal with Airbus Defence and…
Renowned wildlife expert and nature conservationist Divyabhanusinh, a member of the Indian government's Cheetah Task Force, suggests that once the cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa stabilise and breed in Kuno National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh, there is a possibility of introducing lions into the area.…
Abdul Samad smashed a last-ball six as Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down 215 to stun Rajasthan Royals by four wickets in a dramatic IPL match on Sunday. Needing 17 off the final over, pace bowler Sandeep Sharma witnessed Samad get dropped on the first ball and then got him caught on…
Afghanistan spinners Rashid Khan and rookie Noor Ahmad ran through the Rajasthan Royals as Gujarat Titans sealed an easy nine-wicket win in the IPL on Friday (5). Khan and Ahmad took five wickets between them as Rajasthan were bowled out for just 118 in the 18th over of their innings…
A prominent Indian spiritual leader is on a five-week visit to the UK to promote “global harmony.” His Holiness Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj, who heads the spiritual organisation BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), will participate in various programmes during his trip which began on Tuesday (2). Pujya Mahant…
Tim David smashed an unbeaten 45 to trump Yashasvi Jaiswal's century as Mumbai Indians stunned Rajasthan Royals by six wickets in the Indian Premier League's 1,000th match on Sunday (30). Chasing 213 for victory, Mumbai's Suryakumar Yadav hit 55 before David smashed a hat-trick of sixes in the last over…
Sunrisers Hyderabad overcame a sparkling all-round performance by Mitchell Marsh to down Delhi Capitals by nine runs in the Indian Premier League on Saturday (29). South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen hit an unbeaten 53 to steer Hyderabad to 197-6, a total their bowlers defended by restricting Delhi to 188-6 at the…
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Gujaratis was officially launched by Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West on Tuesday (25). The launch event was well-attended by members from various sectors of the community, including grassroots Gujarati organisations, business leaders, spiritual leaders, and politicians. Representatives from faith and community organisations…
According to Indian National Congress advocate BM Mangukia, Indian politician Rahul Gandhi has submitted an application to the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday (25), challenging the Surat sessions court's order that refused to suspend his conviction in a criminal defamation case last week, related to his "Modi surname" comment. The…
A batting assault by David Miller and Abhinav Manohar powered defending champions Gujarat Titans to a 55-run demolition of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday (25). The left-handed Miller (46 off 22 balls) and rising Indian talent Manohar (21-ball 42) put together 71 runs to steer Gujarat…
RAVINDRA JADEJA's 3-22 led Chennai's dominance in spin-friendly conditions at home for a smooth seven-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League Friday (21). The visitors managed just 134-7 after being sent in to bat and Jadeja's four-over spell for the Super Kings choked their innings before it…
An Indian court on Thursday (20) acquitted 69 Hindus, including a former minister from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of the murder of 11 Muslims during communal riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002. The killings occurred in Ahmedabad on Feb. 28, 2002, a day after a…
The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, which takes place over two consecutive weekends every April in Indio, California, had some major attractions for South Asian music fans during its first weekend as it saw some breathtaking performances from popular South Asian artists. If you missed their performance, don’t worry.…
A farmer couple allegedly decapitated themselves with a guillotine-like device for a sacrificial ritual in India. Police in Gujarat state’s Rajkot district said on Sunday (16) that Hemubhai Makwana (38) and his wife Hansaben (35) got their head severed with the homemade device at a hut on their farm in…
A court in Gujarat on Thursday (20) dismissed the plea of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to halt his conviction in a defamation case, causing doubts about his eligibility to run for an upcoming election next year. Last month, Gandhi was found guilty in a case filed by a lawmaker from…
THE BRITISH Gujarati community is home to some of the great success stories of modern Britain. The largest part of the British Indian community in the UK, British Gujaratis have remarkable family stories that also tell the story of Britain’s changing relationship with India over the past 150 years. I…
A senior Labour MP has questioned the rationale behind moving London-Ahmedabad direct flights from Heathrow to Gatwick Airport. Air India moved four of its services from Heathrow to Gatwick last month and this included the flights connecting the British Capital with Ahmedabad. Gareth Thomas, who represents London’s Harrow West in…
India's financial crime-fighting agency has opened an investigation into alleged violations of foreign exchange rules by the BBC, a source said on Thursday (13), months after tax officials searched the broadcaster's Mumbai and Delhi offices. The tax raids in February had come close on the heels of the release of…
A BRITISH parliamentary delegation will arrive in New Delhi on Sunday (9) for a four-city tour to explore two-way trade and research and development collaborations. The cross-party delegation, being led by Indian-origin peer Baroness Sandy Verma, is scheduled to hold meetings with senior ministers and business leaders with the backing…
A new research has underscored the disparities in mental health support for South Asian patients with kidney disease, a statement said. The study from the University of Hertfordshire recommended specialist, culturally-adapted approaches for patients who face barriers in accessing mental health screening and care. According to the research, South Asians…
Relatives of an Indian family whose bodies were found in a river marsh near the US-Canada border last week said that they are 'still in shock', reported BBC Gujarati. The Indians who died were identified as Pravin Chaudhary, 50, his wife Diksha, 45, their son Meet, 20, and their daughter…
Sai Sudharshan's half-century and a whirlwind cameo by David Miller powered holders Gujarat Titans to a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. Chasing 163 for victory on a tricky pitch on Tuesday (4), Sudharsan (62) and fellow left-hander Miller (31) put together an unbeaten stand of…
Moeen Ali said he has no issues with his spin being used sparingly by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the Chennai Super Kings all-rounder helped his team to victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League The 35-year-old did not bowl against champions Gujarat Titans, who won by…
A 20-year-old case in which 26 people were accused of gang rape and murder of more than a dozen members of a minority community in separate incidents in Kalol during communal riots in 2002 has been dismissed by a court in Gujarat on Friday (31) due to lack of evidence.…
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Surat city in Gujarat on Monday (03) to file an appeal in court against his criminal defamation conviction for his "Modi surname" comments. According to sources, senior Congress figures, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the chief ministers of three Congress-ruled states, as…
Delhi Capitals' Indian pace unit will have to punch above its weight against a formidable Gujarat Titans unit, which will start as overwhelming favourites in its first away match of the season, in Delhi on Tuesday (4). The defending champions have all their bases covered despite Kane Williamson being ruled…
TRIBUTES poured in on Sunday (2) for former cricketer Salim Durani, a hero of India's maiden series victory over England, who has died at the age of 88. An attacking left-hand batsman and a left-arm orthodox bowler, Durani played 29 Tests for India between 1960 and 1973 and scored his…
Following Russia’s military deployment to Ukraine in February last year, the nation’s share of the European market plummeted when it came to oil supplies, resulting in sanctions on the country's oil sector by Kyiv’s allies. But, India is snapping up discounted crude from Russia, refining it and selling it. The…
Opener Shubman Gill smashed 63 as holders Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings by five wickets in the Indian Premier League opener in front of more than 100,000 fans in Ahmedabad on Friday (31). Chasing 179 for victory, Gujarat rode on Gill's 36-ball innings to achieve their target with four…
A UK court on Thursday (30) cleared the extradition of a man wanted in India to stand trial for four linked conspiracies to murder, and sent the case to Home Secretary Suella Braverman to sign off on the ruling. Jaysukh Ranpariya, also known as Jayesh Patel, is wanted for four…
Gujarat Titans will commence the defence of their Indian Premier League (IPL) title against four-times champions Chennai Super Kings on Friday (31). The tournament will return to its original home-and-away format after a four-year hiatus. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition and the second half of the 2021…
Singing sensation Arijit Singh is set to perform at the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. On Wednesday evening, the social media team of IPL announced that Singh will enthrall the spectators with his soothing voice at the opening ceremony. "Get ready to rock & roll! To…
MUMBAI INDIANS, armed with big-money signing Cameron Green, will bid for a record-extending sixth title when the Indian Premier League (IPL) starts on Friday (30), in what could be Chennai veteran MS Dhoni's swansong. The 16th edition also returns to its pre-Covid glory days, with 74 matches scheduled at 12…
FORMER captain Sourav Ganguly urged the Indian team to adopt an "aggressive" approach to end their decade-long wait for an international title. India has been unsuccessful in winning any major international tournaments since the Champions Trophy in 2013 and had early exits in the last two Twenty20 World Cups. However,…
Top Indian opposition figure Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday (25) his disqualification from parliament was retribution for his demanding a probe into prime minister Narendra Modi's relationship with industrialist Gautam Adani. Gandhi was stripped of his parliamentary seat on Friday (24), a day after a defamation conviction in Modi's home…
Aircraft manufacturing majors, Airbus and Boeing, are under increasing pressure to establish plane assembly plants in India. India's civil aviation minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has said that it is time for the companies to meet the rising demand for aircraft by assembling them within the country. According to Scindia, the conditions…
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified as an MP after being convicted in a defamation case and sentenced to two years in jail. The law The Representation of the People Act, 1951, the law that governs elections in India, mandates disqualification of any lawmaker who is "convicted of…
TOP opposition figure Rahul Gandhi was expelled from India's Parliament on Friday (24), a day after his defamation conviction for a remark seen as an insult against prime minister Narendra Modi. Modi's government has been widely accused of using the law to target and silence critics, and the case in…
India’s Surat court which on Thursday (23) sentenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case noted that the seriousness of his crime increased because a speech delivered by a member of parliament has a "very wide impact on the public." Convicting Gandhi under…
Michael Bracewell will miss New Zealand's one-day international series against Sri Lanka, the country's cricket board (NZC) said on Saturday (18), after he was signed by Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bangalore to replace Will Jacks. All-rounder Rachin Ravindra will take Bracewell's spot in the New Zealand squad…
The cast and creators of Prime Video’s family comedy series, Happy Family: Conditions Apply were in the "maja maa” mode as they visited the city of Ahmedabad. Within a few days of its release, the episodic series has been receiving rave reviews and love from viewers for its highly relatable…
MOTHERS make a major impact on their children, and it is no different for Eastern Eye columnists Mita Mistry, Priya Mulji and Neelam Mistry-Thaker. In a special Mother’s Day tribute, the three writers shared how they were inspired by their own mother. Mita Mistry I am so grateful to my…
The all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on British Gujaratis will focus on issues of importance to the community in UK, a statement said. The public launch of the APPG will take place on 25 April 2023 inside the houses of parliament, coinciding with Gujarat Day, the statement added. The inaugural meeting…
India will monitor their players' workloads in the run-up to the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, with some of them set to play key roles with their respective teams in the Indian Premier League, captain Rohit Sharma said. Sharma, whose team won a 2-1 home series against the…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese pledged greater defence ties on Friday (10) after a diplomatic tour where the leaders bonded over their countries' shared love of cricket. The countries, with Japan and the United States, make up the Quad alliance that is seen as…
AUSTRALIAN prime minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday (8) paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and played Holi in Gujarat’s capital on the first day of his trip to India. Albanese, who is on a four-day trip to India, was welcomed at the…
Due to the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal, Hilsa fish virtually disappeared from the dining tables of Prayagraj and other Uttar Pradesh cities. But now, there is a possibility that fish connoisseurs could enjoy fresh Hilsa once again. About 30,000 rare Hilsa fish, collected from the lower portion of the…
PRIME minister Rishi Sunak, Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham and pathbreaking lawyer Ayesha Vardag were among the winners at the annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards, held at the Park Plaza hotel on Tuesday (7). Sunak took home the coveted GG2 Hammer Award for smashing through the ultimate glass ceiling by…
RISHI SUNAK paid tribute to his family as his elevation to become Britain’s first Asian prime minister kept him on top of the 2023 GG2 Power List for the second consecutive year and was also recognised with a coveted award in London on Tuesday (7). Sunak tops the ranking of…
THE inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) kicks off on Saturday (4) with a match between the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Giants, in what could be a watershed moment for women's cricket. Even though the Women's T20 Challenge ran as a three-team sideshow to the men's Indian Premier League from…
There is no doubt Shraddha Kapoor is one of the most popular Bollywood stars who has several successful films to her credit. She currently awaits the release of her next Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. The rage for the film is constantly spreading all around with its cast Ranbir Kapoor and…
Women's Premier League team Delhi Capitals on Thursday (2) announced that Australia captain Meg Lanning will lead the side in the tournament. The 30-year-old has led her country to four Twenty20 World Cup titles, the latest in South Africa last month, and a one-day crown. The WPL, a T20 competition,…
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is unstoppable and how! Last year the filmmaker delivered one of the most successful films of Indian cinema in the form of The Kashmir Files and won acclaim from the audience to critics. The filmmaker and the cast of the film have won back-to-back awards ever since…
THE Gujarat Police have arrested two agents for human trafficking, two months after an Indian national died while scaling the border wall in an attempt to enter the US illegally from Mexico. A case has been registered against seven persons, one from Ahmedabad and others from Gandhinagar, and two of…
THE BBC is not driven by an “agenda” but by purpose and will not be put off reporting impartially and without fear or favour, the UK-headquartered media organisation’s chief has said days after the income tax department survey operation at its New Delhi and Mumbai offices. In an email to…
BRITAIN has strongly defended the BBC and its editorial freedom in Parliament after a survey by Indian tax authorities on the media corporation's New Delhi and Mumbai offices last week. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) junior minister responded to an urgent question raised in the House of Commons…
A BIG streaming site success this month has been Class, the Hindi adaptation of the hit Spanish drama Elite. The eight-episode Netflix series about working-class students enrolled at an elite school with wealthy classmates has received a positive response from critics and audiences alike. Exciting newcomer Chintan Rachchh has been…
IN another serious attack on the Gujarati community living in Africa, a young man has been shot dead in Johannesburg, South Africa, by a local black man who allegedly tried to rob him. The incident happened on Monday (20). The deceased was identified as Juber Patel, a native of Jambusar…
BROKEN corroded wires, improper welding and changes to the walking surface of a 145-year-old hanging bridge in India contributed to its collapse last year that killed 135 people, an investigation has found. The colonial-era suspension bridge in the town of Morbi in the western state of Gujarat was packed with…
The Income Tax department's 'survey' at the BBC office here continued for the third straight day on Thursday (16) as officials gathered financial data from select staffers and made copies of electronic and paper data of the news organisation. The operation that began at the BBC offices in Delhi and…
India is looking into the BBC's tax structure, the British news organisation said in an internal memo on Wednesday (15), as officials searched its premises in New Delhi and Mumbai for a second day, weeks after India banned a BBC documentary as propaganda. A senior Indian government official said the…
The UK is “closely monitoring” the situation following the Income Tax surveys at the BBC offices in India, British government sources said. The Income Tax department conducted survey operations at the BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai on Tuesday with the officials describing the action as part of an investigation…
Global media watchdogs and human rights bodies on Tuesday criticised the Indian government's income tax survey operations at the BBC's offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, saying the action "smacks of intimidation" and was a "blatant affront" to freedom of expression. The Income Tax officials described the action as part…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party has "nothing to hide or be afraid of" on the controversy over the Adani group, the home minister said on Tuesday, responding to opposition allegations of favouring the conglomerate attacked by a U.S. short seller. Led by billionaire Gautam Adani, the business house's seven…
Indian tax officers searched the BBC's bureaus in New Delhi and Mumbai on Tuesday, the British broadcaster said, weeks after the government came down hard against a BBC documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. The documentary focused on the Hindu nationalist politician's leadership…
India is expressing pride over its legacy with tremendous self-confidence and asserting that it will strengthen its ancient traditions while ushering in modernity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. He also underlined that the country's policies and efforts have no discrimination and are aimed at serving the poor, the…
Smriti Mandhana stole the thunder in India’s inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) auctions in Mumbai on Monday (13). Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pipped Mumbai Indians in a bidding war to buy the India vice-captain for Rs 34 million (£339,759). India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur came much cheaper for Mumbai Indians at…
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking to impose a complete ban on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in India in wake of a controversial documentary regarding the 2002 Gujarat riots, terming it "entirely misconceived" and "absolutely meritless". A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M M Sundresh…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s enormous popularity remains intact despite the biggest political attack on him in years as rivals accuse his government of giving undue favours to the Adani Group, approval ratings showed on Friday. Opposition parties stalled parliament for three days since last week and staged street protests…
EVERY three minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with dementia – around 210,000 a year – and 25,000 people with dementia are from ethnic minorities. Dementia is on the rise everywhere, but it’s going to hit ethnic minorities the hardest – with an expected 700 per cent increase in…
Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday (7) spoke to his British counterpart James Cleverly focusing on various aspects of bilateral ties and India's G-20 presidency. The phone conversation came ahead of the British foreign secretary's likely visit to India to attend a meeting of the G-20 foreign ministers…
Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton on Monday announced a Global Climate Resilience Fund of 50 million dollars for women to fight climate change in association with the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) founded by late activist Ela Bhatt. The fund will empower women and communities to fight climate…
An Indian businessman kidnapped in South Africa has been released after the payment of a ransom, media reports said.Keyur Malli landed in Johannesburg on January 20 to strike a deal related to metals but he was kidnapped by a “Pakistani gang,” from outside the airport. Malli's family in Rajkot in…
The market rout suffered by Indian tycoon Gautam Adani is the latest corporate scandal to plague one of the world's largest economies despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to root out corruption.Properly investigating the claims of fraud that triggered the sell-off in Adani's companies will be a key test for…
ACCLAIMED musician Nitin Sawhney won the top award at Eastern Eye’s annual Arts, Culture and Theatre Awards (ACTAs), which recognise the achievements of Britain’s south Asian community in the arts, creative and media industries. Sawhney, whose latest album, Immigrants, examines the complexities of identities in modern Britain, was presented The…
Financial contagion fears spread in India on Friday as the Adani Group's crisis worsened, with ratings agency Moody's warning the conglomerate may struggle to raise capital and S&P cutting the outlook on two of its businesses. Chaotic scenes in both houses of India's parliament led to their adjournment on Friday…
The Biden administration is in talks with Indian officials over a possible White House visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year, according to a U.S. official aware of the discussions and another person briefed on the matter. U.S. President Joe Biden is eager to deepen ties with the…
While an explosive report by Hindenburg Research about India's Adani Group has triggered fear that it could lead to serious economic turmoil for the south Asian nation's economy, it has been reported that a number of billionaires world over are exposed to the conglomerate's sensational crash. Bloomberg reported that some…
Both houses of India's parliament were adjourned on Friday amid chaotic scenes as some lawmakers demanded an inquiry following the meltdown of shares in billionaire Gautam Adani's group companies, which some fear could spark wider financial turmoil. Shares in Adani companies recovered after sharp falls earlier in the day, but…
Beleaguered Indian tycoon Gautam Adani denied Friday that his rise to become Asia's richest man -- a title he has lost in a phenomenal stock rout -- was due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as shares in his conglomerate slumped again. His listed units' combined market capitalisation has collapsed by…
BRITAIN’S Asian community is mourning the loss of a respected community and spiritual leader, Pujya Rambapa, following his passing on Tuesday (31), aged 102. Rambapa, as he was fondly known, dedicated his life to the spread of Hinduism, spirituality as well as charitable and philanthropic activities in the UK and…
WHEN Black was released on February 4, 2005, it broke all the Bollywood rules and still became a blockbuster success. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed drama about a deaf and blind woman, and her relationship with an elderly teacher, who later develops Alzheimer's disease won critical acclaim and multiple awards.…
Rajya Sabha MP, the upper house of Indian parliament, and senior Supreme Court advocate Mahesh Jethmalani on Thursday lashed out at "BBC apologists" for seeking proof of the Chinese tech giant Huawei's payments to the British Broadcasting Corporation, and alleged that the UK-based broadcaster has 18 other Chinese clients. https://twitter.com/JethmalaniM/status/1620974901128761344?s=20&t=V56PfN6BxJtgGvPYWH1dFA…
Opposition lawmakers shouted slogans against the Adani Group in India's parliament on Thursday after a report by a U.S. short seller that accused the conglomerate of improper use of tax havens and stock manipulation, while also raising concerns over high debt levels. The protest by opposition parties came a day…
Magic of India, a social enterprise in London which brings Indian culture and language alive in fun-filled and engaging ways, including school workshops and festive events, will organise the Holi Colour Dance Festival at the Swiss Cottage Open Space on March 12 on the occasion of Holi or the festival…
Gujarat Giants has appointed legendary Indian batter and former captain Mithali Raj as the mentor and advisor for the side ahead of the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL), which will take place in March-April 2023. Over the years, Mithali's trailblazing achievements and contributions to Indian cricket have…
Team India all-rounder Axar Patel tied the nuptial knot with his best friend and long-time girlfriend Meha Patel in a private ceremony in Vadodara, Gujarat, on January 26. Axar, who took a leave from his national team commitments for family reasons, married his fiancé a year after he got engaged…
Russia has accused the BBC of "waging an information war" on different fronts - not only against Moscow, but also against other global centres of power pursuing an independent policy, days after the British broadcaster released a controversial series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova…
Hundreds representing different Indian diaspora organisations gathered outside the BBC headquarters in central London on Sunday to protest against what they branded as “fake news” behind the broadcaster’s controversial series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The “Chalo BBC” protests were coordinated across BBC studios in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (28) reprimanded foreign newspapers for reserving adjectives like "Hindu nationalist" for the Indian government. "If you read foreign newspapers, they use words like Hindu Nationalist Government. In America or Europe, they won't say Christian Nationalist... these adjectives are reserved for us. They don't…
India's Gautam Adani, the school drop-out turned billionaire who rose to become Asia's richest man, faces possibly the biggest challenge of his career after a U.S. short-seller cast doubts on his business practices, hammering shares in his companies and his reputation. Adani, whose home state is Gujarat in western India,…
Police in India on Friday (27) charged 10 people with homicide in connection with the collapse of a colonial-era footbridge last year that killed at least 135 people, a top official told Reuters. The 145-year-old suspension bridge in the town of Morbi was packed with sightseers when it collapsed on…
Shares of India's Adani Enterprises sank nearly 20 per cent on Friday (27) as a scathing report by a US short seller triggered a rout in the conglomerate's listed firms, casting doubts on how investors will respond to the company's record $2.45 billion secondary sale. Seven listed companies of the…
Describing India banning the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a matter of press freedom, the US State Department said that it is high time to highlight the importance of democratic principles like freedom of expression and make it a point around the world as well as in…
Indian students said they would show again a BBC documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the government has dismissed as propaganda after a Tuesday campus screening was disrupted by a power cut and intimidation by rivals. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) plans to show the documentary, "India: The…
The House of Lords member Dolar Amarshi Popat on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Director General of BBC Broadcasting House Tim Davie asking him to stop the screening of the second part of the documentary series to avoid exasperating the already tense situation between British Hindus and Muslims in…
The Gujarat unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday withdrew its protest against Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Pathaan”, a day before its release, expressing satisfaction over the removal of “objectionable” contents from the film. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has revised the “obscene song” and “lewd words”…
A top Indian university has warned its students' union of strict disciplinary action if it goes ahead with a planned screening of a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, saying it might disturb the peace and harmony of the campus. Modi's government has dismissed the documentary, which…
The US is not familiar with the BBC documentary, but it is familiar with the shared “democratic values” that connect Washington and New Delhi, a US State Department spokesperson has said. The two-part BBC series, titled "India: The Modi Question" claimed it investigated certain aspects relating to the 2002 Gujarat…
India has blocked the airing of a BBC documentary which questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, saying that even sharing of any clips via social media is barred.Directions to block the clips from being shared have been issued using emergency powers available to the government…
In a strong rebuttal to the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more than 300 eminent Indians including retired judges, retired bureaucrats, and retired armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing "unrelenting prejudice" toward India and its leader. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired…
Lord Rami Ranger, a prominent member of the House of Lords of the UK Parliament, has lodged a protest with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over its documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I am appalled by the documentary produced by the BBC implicating the Hon. Prime Minister of…
British-Indian parliamentarian Lord Karan Bilimoria on January 19 referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "one of the most powerful persons on the planet", while underscoring the importance of the UK's ties with the fastest-growing major economy in the world. "To conclude, as a boy, Narendra Modi sold tea at…
The BBC on Friday (20) defended its controversial series on prime minister Narendra Modi as a “rigorously researched” documentary that sought to highlight important issues, a day after the Indian government condemned the programme as a “propaganda piece” lacking objectivity. “The documentary was rigorously researched according to the highest editorial…
Defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the British Parliament, Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, saying he "doesn't agree with the characterization" of his Indian counterpart. Sunak made these remarks on the controversial documentary that was raised in the Parliament by Pakistan-origin MP Imran Hussain. "The UK…
Two agents were arrested for facilitating illegal immigration almost a year after four members of a family from Gujarat froze to death near the Canada-US border while trying to cross into the US, police said on Sunday. Ahmedabad crime branch officials arrested the agents from Kalol in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad,…
A nine-year-old daughter of a wealthy diamond merchant embraced monkhood in Gujarat on Wednesday, renouncing material comforts. Devanshi, the eldest of the two daughters of Dhanesh and Ami Sanghvi, took ‘diksha’ in the presence of Jain monk Acharya Vijay Kirtiyashsuri and hundreds of other people at a venue in Vesu…
Sharadkumar Balmukund Parikh, former president of the erstwhile National Congress of Gujarat Organisations UK (NCGO); committee member and trustee of Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK; and trustee of the Geeta Foundation, passed away on Friday (13) after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 74 and is survived by wife…
A video went viral on Tuesday (17) apparently showing staff members of the UK prime minister's office celebrating the traditional south Indian festival of Pongal. However, fact-checkers later debunked the video and clarified that the clip was not from Rishi Sunak's office but from Waterloo in Canada where the Tamil…
His Holiness (HH) Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, was on Sunday (15) given a grand devotional tribute in the closing ceremony of his centenary celebrations in India in the divine presence of HH Mahant Swami Maharaj, his spiritual successor. In the month-long festival, more…
Lakhman Arjan Vara, the father of Conservative parliamentarian Shailesh Vara, passed away in London on Tuesday (10). He was 98. He was born in Ranavav in Porbandar district of the western Indian state of Gujarat on September 7, 1924. The day of the funeral was yet to be known. The…
Bollywood superstar Sanjay Dutt has fought many battles in his personal life, one of them being in 2020 when he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. The actor recently opened up about his cancer journey and said that his first reaction to the devastating news was – “I don't…
Makers of the upcoming action thriller film 'Pathaan' starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham unveiled the trailer on Tuesday. King Khan thanked actor Ram Charan for his shoutout to the movie in his trademark style. The 'RRR' star who is in Los Angeles for the Golden Globe…
Indian blockbusters RRR, The Kashmir Files, Kantara, and Gangubai Kathiawadi have made it to the Oscars 2023 reminder list. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) released a remainder list of 301 feature films eligible for the Oscars 2023. Previously, Pan Nalin's Gujarati film Chhello Show was announced as…
Ahead of the much anticipated 95th Academy Awards, global icon actor Priyanka Chopra attended a screening of Chhello Show (The Last Show), India’s Oscar entry, in Los Angeles. The film, directed by Pan Nalin, is on the shortlist for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars this year. The Quantico…
British King Charles III on Sunday (8) gave a special message to the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) community as it celebrates the birth centenary of His Holiness (HH) Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2916). In his message which was tweeted by UK in India, the King said, "As you commemorate…
British MP Barry Gardiner has said that though it is important to set climate targets, more emphasis should be given to create polices to attain these goals. Gardiner also admitted that the current funding by the UK to other countries to enable them to achieve climate targets is 'critically insufficient',…
The two had taken the internet by storm with their grand Hindu marriage held in New Jersey, US, in 2019. And now, the couple -- Amit Shah and Aditya Madiraju, are set to welcome their first baby in May. The partners also had a paternity shoot and its photographs were…
British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer on Friday (6) lauded former BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) guru and president Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016) whose birth centenary celebrations are currently underway in India saying the spiritual leader had built more than 1,200 temples and the effort has been recognised across…
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday pitched his state as a safe investment destination and also interacted with prominent Bollywood personalities during his visit to Mumbai, where Maharashtra's Opposition parties targeted him over his roadshow. Adityanath assured industrialists of a strong law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh,…
Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Pathaan” slid further into trouble with posters of the film being vandalised in an Ahmedabad mall and members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal saying they would not allow its screening in Gujarat unless their problems over its song “Besharam Rang” are resolved. Several videos circulating on…
LAST year may have been a bad one for Bollywood, but that didn’t stop it from being an interesting 12 months for films with a strong south Asian connection. There were marvellous movies made across different languages and genres, which delighted audiences on multiple platforms, from streaming sites to cinemas…
Actor Pratik Gandhi says he is looking forward to playing Mahatma Gandhi and Jyotirao Phule in separate projects and believes these important historical figures will allow him to go through a “tricky transformation journey”. “Phule”, written and directed by Ananth Mahadevan, features Pratik Gandhi in the role of the social…
Anupam Kher is officially a part of filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri's next directorial The Vaccine War and has commenced shooting for the film, the veteran actor announced on Monday. The film marks the fourth collaboration between Agnihotri and Kher after movies such as "Buddha in a Traffic Jam", "The Tashkent Files" and…
US President Joe Biden has sent his deepest condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the loss of his mother Hiraben who passed away in Gujarat at the age of 99. Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Friday. Her mortal remains were consigned…
A Cambridge professor who is a leading global figure in the economics of the natural environment, Professor Sir Partha Sarathi Dasgupta; COP-26 president Alok Sharma and drinks company Diageo’s CEO Ivan Menezes are among prominent Asians who have been recognised in the New Year Honour’s List published late last Friday…
Several world leaders on Friday condoled the demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben who passed away in Gujarat at the age of 99. Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Friday. Her mortal remains were consigned to flames by PM Modi and…
The Office for National Statistics recently published figures which showed for the first time that fewer than half of people in England and Wales describe themselves as Christian. The usual extremists used this as a way to try to divide our communities however the New Year Honours have highlighted again…
In fond tributes to his mother Hiraben following her death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday he always felt in her the presence of a trinity combining an ascetic's journey, a selfless doer and a life committed to values. Modi's mother Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad…
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and leaders cutting across the political spectrum on Friday condoled the death of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben, recalling her simple and compassionate life that was an inspiration for all. Hiraben, Hiraba to many, passed away at an Ahmedabad hospital on Friday…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraben is "recovering", a hospital in Ahmedabad where she is admitted said on Thursday. Hiraben (99), also called Hiraba, was admitted to the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre on Wednesday morning due to some health issues. PM Modi reached Ahmedabad from Delhi…
Prominent British entrepreneur and Genisys Group founder Sir Ashok Rabheru died on Friday. He was aged 70. The former trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is survived by his wife Harshida and children Nikita, Rishi and Shayan. Sir Rabheru was born in the eastern Tanzanian city of Morogoro on…
England all-rounder Sam Curran became the most expensive player bought by the money-spinning Indian Premier League on Friday when Punjab Kings paid £1.85 million to bring him back to his debut team. The left-arm quick and attacking middle-order batsman was among a selection of the world's top cricketers going under…
India's official entry to the upcoming Oscars, Chhello Show, has made it to the 95th Academy Awards shortlist. Directed by Pan Nalin, Chhello Show is called Last Film Show in English. It is a Gujarati-language coming-of-age story of a young boy's love affair with cinema in a village of Saurashtra.…
AN ACTION-PACKED year for Asian music in the UK had everything from new talent, stunning songs and awesome albums to unforgettable live performances from big-name international stars. The musical melting pot of genres, languages and diverse artists illustrated everything that is great about Britain, and why the past 12 months…
'RRR' filmmakers are rejoicing as they progress further in the race to the Oscars. The infectiously catchy song 'Naatu Naatu' from the blockbuster Telugu film has been shortlisted for the 2023 Oscar Awards in the 'Best Original Song' category. Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh took to Twitter to make the announcement.…
The centennial birth anniversary of His Holiness (HH) Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016) was observed at a special commemorative event in the UK parliament on Monday (19). The occasion saw the presence of a number of dignitaries, including the virtual presence of prime minister Rishi Sunak. At the centennial celebration, special…
Many events were held during the first week of centennial celebration of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The grand centennial celebration was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj on December 14. The celebration will continue through January 15, 2023, and each…
While the world is going gaga over filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s film RRR (2022), veteran actor Ratna Pathak Shah recently said that it is a ‘regressive film’. "Films like RRR are so popular today. But it’s a regressive film. It looks backwards while we should look forward. We just feel whatever…
The BJP on Friday slammed Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto for his objectionable comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the foreign affairs minister of the neighbouring country represents a “morally, intellectually and financially bankrupt” nation which has no credibility due to its support to terrorism. Union minister Anurag Thakur said Bhutto’s…
A GROUND-BREAKING year saw glass ceilings being shattered, greater heights reached, horizons expanded, and new paths created globally. There was also fresh creative work, international crossovers and exciting new artists announcing their arrival. Top south Asian talent from diverse fields were at the forefront of the moves being made and…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (14) hailed BAPS leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a reformer who devoted his life to selfless service of others and recalled his long association with the late saint, who he said, treated him like a son. Recalling his conversation with Pramukh Swami Maharaj when…
An Indian PhD student at the University of Cambridge has solved a 2,500-year-old Sanskrit grammatical problem which, ever since the fifth century BC, has baffled academics. Rishi Rajpopat, 27, successfully cracked a law created by ancient Sanskrit language master Panini, who lived in India 2,500 years ago. In order to…
Thirty-four years after Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar scored his maiden first-class century on debut, his son Arjun celebrated the same achievement in the Ranji Trophy on Wednesday. Playing for Goa against Rajasthan, Arjun struck 120 runs off 207 balls, smashing 16 fours and two sixes on day two of…
BRITISH ASIAN performer Parle Patel said he is “ecstatic” after making his panto debut in Cinderella at the Beck Theatre. Patel, 32, who has played the lead role of Mrs. Kapoor in Mrs Kapoor's Daughter's Wedding in 25 sell-out shows throughout the UK, said portraying Prince Charming’s sidekick Dandini was…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday headed for a record victory in Gujarat as the counting of votes entered the last leg, giving the ruling party a lead in 100 seats and a win in another 57 seats in the 182-member state assembly. The Congress party was…
The five year-long centennial celebrations around the globe will culminate in the final, month-long, grand celebrations in Ahmedabad in the western Indian state of Gujarat between December 15, 2022, and January 15, 2023. The festivity, which is expected to attract several thousands of followers of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan…
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi has come out with a strong reaction to the remarks made by Shahi Imam of Ahmedabad's Jama Masjid, Shabbir Ahmed Siddiqui where he objected to giving election tickets to Muslim women and added that this is "weakening" Islam, stoking a fresh controversy. Sharply…
Directed by SS Rajamouli, RRR entered theatres on March 25, 2022. The film starred Ram Charan and Jr. NTR in lead roles while Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt were seen portraying important cameos in it. Mounted on a great scale, the epic period action drama received a thunderous…
MEMORY, belonging, culture, faith and identity are issues all individuals grapple with in life as they navigate through its various vicissitudes. These issues are not fixed but changeable and, depending on the context in which we live, we develop new affinities, new sensibilities, and new ways of relating to others.…
The Hera Pheri actor Paresh Rawal recently came under fire for a statement he made during an election rally in Gujarat. During his speech addressing the crowd, he said "Gas cylinders are expensive, but their price will come down. People will get employment too. But what will happen if Rohingya…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat began voting on Thursday with his party expected to win a seventh straight term, but any unexpected slip could herald a tighter contest in national polls due by 2024. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not lost in the western industrial…
Indian home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (30) visited the BAPS Yogiji Maharaj Hospital in Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat to receive the blessings of Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj. Shah, who arrived around 5.10 pm local time, was garlanded and welcomed by Swami Maharaj in the presence…
His hands outstretched, Maganbhai Solanki holds up his moustache and says proudly that it measures almost five feet tip to tip – the carefully tended feature the Independent candidate’s calling card and also a campaign point. The 57-year-old contestant from Himatnagar seat in Sabarkantha district in India's north-western state of…
A day after Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid termed his film a "propaganda", "The Kashmir Files" director Vivek Agnihotri in a cryptic social media post said truth is the most dangerous thing as it can make people lie. Agnihotri's reaction comes after veteran actor Anupam Kher, who starred in "The Kashmir…
India's Ministry of External Affairs, on Friday, regarding the Indian baby in foster care in Germany, said that the government has been intervening and engaging with the German authorities on the matter for over a year, since September 2021. “The Government of India has been intervening and engaging with the…
AN industrialist whose business encompasses textiles, fertilizers and PET resin, a hotelier who advocates for London and an accomplished healthcare entrepreneur were among top winners at the Asian Business Awards in London last night (23). Indorama’s Sri Prakash Lohia; Tony Matharu; and LycaHealth’s Prema Subaskaran were recognised for their high…
Harbhajan Singh feels someone like Ashish Nehra must be part of India's T20 coaching setup as he knows the shortest format perhaps better than current head coach Rahul Dravid. Nehra retired from the game in 2017 and earlier this year coached Gujarat Titans to the title on their IPL debut.…
SINGING STAR FOLLOWS FAMOUS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS His father being one half of the iconic Jatin-Lalit composing duo, who once ruled Bollywood with hit tracks like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Mohabbatein, hasn’t stopped Raahul Jatin from making his own musical mark. The rising star is fast…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have made their debut on the Asian Rich List 2022, which profiles the 101 wealthiest Asians in Britain. Sunak and his wife – whose father NR Narayana Murthy co-founded Indian IT major, Infosys – are ranked 17th in the list, with…
Following the invitation to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik by Qatar to FIFA World Cup, India ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Savio Rodrigues on Tuesday appealed to the government, Indian Football Associations and Indians travelling to the host nation to boycott the sporting event. Zakir Naik, who is an…
Indian fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, who faces charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, is set to give religious lectures at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, according to social media posts. "Preacher Sheikh Zakir Naik is present in Qatar during the World Cup and will give…
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given the same level of protection from prosecution in the US that was recently accorded to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a US State Department spokesperson said in a briefing on Friday. "This is not the first time that the United States has…
Artworks and traditional items representing the rich heritage of India's states of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh were Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s choice of presents to world leaders during the G-20 summit in Bali. Officials said Modi presented US President Joe Biden with Kangra miniature paintings, which portray ‘Shringar Rasa’, and…
The comparison of Yash bringing glory to the nation with MS Dhoni's lifting the World Cup for the nation is winning love from the netizens. There are very rare moments that leave a strong imprint of their existence in history and are remembered for the ages. One such glorious moment…
Ties between the United Kingdom and India will remain on a “phenomenal upward trajectory” under Indian-origin UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, that country’s former premier Boris Johnson said on Saturday. The two countries need each other now more than ever as “we live in dangerous and turbulent times”, he said.…
The government must embrace immigrants who take risks setting up businesses, create jobs, and contribute billions of pounds to Britain’s economy. That is the call from MPs and business leaders who have spoken to Eastern Eye. They have told this newspaper that the home secretary, Suella Braverman, should be ashamed…
African origin Siddi tribe, who came to India 850 years ago, performed at the Tribal Dance Festival in Raipur and asserted that their heart is Indian while their culture is African. Siddi folk artist leader Abdul told ANI, "Culture could be African but our heart is Indian. We are now…
LABOUR does not take the British south Asian vote for granted, party leader Sir Keir Starmer told Eastern Eye. He also revealed his determination to work as “grown up” partners with the communities and his ambition to be the next prime minister. In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview prior to…
A manager of the Oreva group, one of the nine persons arrested in connection with collapse of a suspension bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi town, sought relief from a local court claiming the tragedy which has claimed 135 lives was an “act of God”, the prosecution said on Wednesday (2). Chief…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (1) said a "detailed and extensive" inquiry to identify all aspects relating to the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy is the need of the hour, as he chaired a high-level meeting in Gujarat to review the situation. He asserted that key learnings from the inquiry…
The death toll from an Indian foot bridge collapse rose to 135 on Tuesday (1), while the army, navy and national disaster response teams kept up search operations for a third day. HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR 135 people have died and one person is missing at present. 152…
As many as 135 people have been killed in the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy and 170 others rescued, Gujarat minister Rajendra Trivedi said on Tuesday. The rescue operation is still on in the Machchhu river by the armed forces, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies, officials said.…
What is a suspension bridge? How does it transfer the load to the ground? Those were questions on the minds of many on Monday, a day after a century-old suspension bridge in Gujarat's Morbi over the Machchhu river collapsed, leaving at least 134 people dead. Just before the bridge collapsed,…
Twelve family members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Rajkot Mohanbhai Kundariya died in the suspension bridge collapse incident in Gujarat’s Morbi on Sunday. The personal assistant of the BJP MP told ANI that 12 members of the family of Kundaria’s sister died in the Morbi bridge collapse incident.…
According to the latest estimates, at least 134 people, including women and children, were killed and over 100 are receiving treatment for their injuries sustained after a cable suspension bridge in Morbi town collapsed on Sunday, plunging people, into the Machchhu River. Prime Minister Modi, who is in Kevadia said…
Over 60 people have lost their lives so far after a cable bridge collapsed on the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi on Sunday, state Minister Brijesh Merja said. Hundreds of people fell into a river when a cable bridge in Gujarat's Morbi collapsed with several critically injured, officials said. Ambulances…
Gareth Thomas MP has called for investment in teaching South Asian languages in the UK to strengthen the country's ties with the Indian subcontinent. The Labour-Cooperative Party parliamentarian for the Greater London constituency of Harrow West said south Asian languages should receive the same state financial support as given to…
SANJANA MODHA ON GOOD FOOD AND HER CROWDFUNDED BOOK Social media has become a special space to share great recipes, cooking ideas and healthy eating advice. A popular online British expert providing top tips to prepare sumptuous meals is Sanjana Modha. She has gone from writing an unknown food blog…
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, on Wednesday, attended the 14th international Kudo tournament organised by the actor himself in Gujarat. Taking to Instagram, Akshay shared a video from the event which he captioned, "Thank you for celebrating your Diwali with us here at the Akshay Kumar 14th International Kudo Tournament. Coming…
Art on the Underground presents ‘Endurance’, a new large-scale public commission at Brixton Underground Station by Indian-born artist Shanti Panchal, launching November 10 and will be on view for a year. The work at Brixton will be Panchal’s first public artwork since his 1993 tiled mural for the London Borough…
A number of South Asian languages, including Gujarati, have seen a steady decline in their appeal in the UK as students entering the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) levels in languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Persian, Punjabi, and Urdu have gone down drastically between 2015 and 2021. A press…
65TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL ABOUT THE MAKING OF AN ICONIC MOVIE AND ITS AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS When Mother India released on October 25, 1957, it had the kind of impact that no other Bollywood film ever made before. The beautifully made classic about a woman fighting against the odds to raise her…
Superstar dixit discusses her new film and love for powerful roles Movie queen Madhuri Dixit has mesmerised audiences with her roles in all-time classics likes Tezaab (1988), Saajan (1991), Beta (1992), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), and Devdas (2002). One of the greatest all-round talents in the history of Hindi…
The onset of autumn signifies the beginning of the magnificent festival of lights, Diwali. With this year’s celebrations falling on the 24th of October, Asda joins in the festivity of the triumph of light over darkness, with a beam of low prices and amazing offers for all your Diwali needs…
Magic moments from Amitabh Bachchan’s amazing movie career Being the greatest Bollywood star of all time has given Amitabh Bachchan many landmark moments throughout his distinguished career. Although he has had many achievements apart from acting including national honours, helping to eradicate polio in India, hosting a popular TV quiz…
RRR, which hit screens in March 2022, is yet not done. The SS Rajamouli magnum-opus, starring Ram Charan and Jr. NTR, was not selected as India’s official entry to Oscars 2023. However, the film has finally made it to the Oscar race and how. After being rejected as India’s official…
An independent charity has announced a reward of £20,000 for information that could lead to the conviction of anyone for the murder of a 41-year-old man. Raju Modhwadia, also Kara Muru, was stabbed to death in Stoneygate, Leicester, in December last year. But the charges of murder and conspiracy to…
Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, who can be currently seen in Vikram Vedha alongside Saif Ali Khan, celebrated the Navratri Maha Saptami with well-known singer Falguni Pathak at a Garba night event in Mumbai. The Kaho Na Pyaar Hai actor arrived at the event along with the writer-directors of Vikram Vedha,…
Conservative Peer Lord Dolar Popat has written to British home secretary Suella Braverman seeking immediate action to ease tension in Leicester. In his letter, Lord Popat, the first Gujarati to represent the Tories in House of Lords, has urged the minister to "restore the ability of people in the country…
In what appears to be a bizarre travel advisory, Canada has advised its citizens to avoid all travel to areas in states of Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan, which share a border with Pakistan due to the "presence of landmines" and "unpredictable security situation." "Avoid all travel to areas within 10…
THE news was more than shocking. It was only on August 18 that I took an interview of Lord Mohamed Sheikh, Britain’s first Conservative Muslim peer and a successful businessman, as he was picked as one of the '50 Great Ugandan Asians' on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of…
Gujarati coming-of-age drama "Chhello Show" is India's official entry for the 95th Academy Awards, the Film Federation of India (FFI) announced on Tuesday. Titled "Last Film Show" in English, the movie, directed by Pan Nalin, will release in theatres countrywide on October 14. "'Chhello Show' is India's official entry for…
Today marks the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen, which takes place at Westminster Abbey (London, UK). This day is also the first day of a seven-day religious festival (Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Suvarna Mahotsav), which sees thousands of followers of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan from around the world…
Gynaecologist Dr Anahita Pandole has undergone pelvic reconstruction surgery at a hospital in Mumbai on Thursday (15), media reports said. According to the reports, the condition of her husband Darius is stable. The couple sustained severe injuries in a car crash earlier this month that killed former Tata Sons chairman…
Attorney and former president Donald Trump’s top aide Kashyap Kash Patel has accused the Indian American community of running him down with “hateful messages”. Patel who became the chief of staff to the acting secretary of defence in the final stages of the Trump administration told IANS that he felt…
A DEEP loss is felt in the world as the divine soul Parvatiben Solanki has left her physical body. As Kasturba was a freedom fighter beside Mahatma Gandhiji, so too our Parvati Ba was a fighter beside Ramnikbhai Solanki, a fighter to spread the gifts of our culture, sanskaras and…
Shri Rameshbhai Oza ‘Bhaishri’: It was Ramnikbhai who ensured that Garavi Gujarat reaches a huge number of Gujaratis settled in Europe and the US, and contributed immenselyin making the Gujarati pride’s flag fly high. Parvatiben stood right next to him as his strength and provided a rocksolid shakti (support) to…
LABOUR MPs Seema Malhotra, Preet Kaur Gill and Gareth Thomas also remembered Mrs Solanki with fondness and respect. Malhotra, who represents Feltham and Heston, said, “Mrs Parvatiben Ramniklal Solanki was an inspiration, a matriarch of a most incredible family who has helped lead bringing the voice and integration of the…
HOW do you begin to write about someone so deeply loved and to whom you owe your very existence? It is impossible to sum up in words what my mother meant to us as a family, but the extraordinary story of her life needs to be told, however inadequate mere…
POLITICIANS, faith and community leaders paid tribute to Parvatiben Solanki, the cofounder of the Asian Media Gr oup (AMG), publishers of Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat. Mrs Solanki passed away in London last Thursday (8). She was 86. Along with her husband, the late Ramniklal Solanki CBE, Mrs Solanki played…
Urvashi Roe discusses her new cookbook and gives top tips Brand new cookbook Biting Biting – Snacking Gujarati-style celebrates an old family tradition of being able to quickly whip up food for impending visitors or last-minute unannounced guests. Working mother Urvashi Roe has come up with a sumptuous book loaded…
Fans of TV serials like The Gone Game, Ishq Mein Marjawan 2, Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega, and Mere Sai will be familiar with the work of Jay Zaveri. The talented actor is currently playing a key role in Sony Entertainment television series Appnapan – Badalte Rishton Ka Bandhan, which…
First is always special. Cambridgeshire-born Indian-origin actor Himesh Patel who made it to the shortlist of nominees for the Emmy Awards for the first time ever was all smiles before heading to the ceremony on Tuesday. For his Emmys look, Patel sported a patterned suit jacket with a black shirt…
Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, has scripted history by becoming the first Indian-American to hold the daily State Department press briefing, earning plaudits from senior White House officials for his "utmost professionalism" and "amazing debut". With State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on vacation,…
Former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry, who died in a car accident, was cremated in Mumbai on Tuesday. The last rites were performed in an electric crematorium at Worli in central Mumbai. Mistry, 54, who headed the salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Sons from 2012-16 before an unceremonious exit, and his friend…
Dr Karan Juttla, author of a report which has claimed that South Asian people living with dementia in the UK and their families are being failed by a culturally inclusive support after their diagnoses, has been appointed as the new ambassador of Alzheimer's Society. Her appointment came on the occasion…
Marvellous British music collective Kaykay & Co regularly deliver memorable live performances and a key element is magnificent singer Anj Chauhan. The versatile music group will headline the Always & Forever charity concert at Harrow Arts Centre on September 10, which pays tribute to legendary Bollywood singers Mohammed Rafi and…
Indian industrialist Gautam Adani became the world's third-richest person on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index on Tuesday, the first time an Asian has ranked in the top three. The self-made billionaire has seen his net worth more than double to $137.4 billion in the last year, rising 20 spots on the…
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has his fans spread all across the globe, who never get tired of admiring their icon. His fans can go to any length to show their love and admiration for him. The fans that the internet is talking about today are Internet Security Engineer Gopi Sheth…
The spiritual leader of those dedicated to the worship of Lord Shree Hanuman visited Leicester this week His Holiness 1008 Acharya Shri Rakeshprasadji Maharaj from South Gujarat, India, visited the city as part of a week-long festival to celebrate Krishna’s birthday. The Celebrations took place at the Shree Hanuman Temple…
VIJAY DEVERAKONDA DISCUSSES HIS DEBUT HINDI MOVIE LIGER Rapidly rising film star Vijay Deverakonda has been unstoppable since 2017 Telugu film Arjun Reddy became a blockbuster success. He turned down the chance to headline its super successful Hindi remake Kabir Singh (2019) and put together an impressive list of blockbuster…
LABOUR’S deputy leader Angela Rayner has defended the party’s decision to raise concerns over alleged human rights breaches in Indian Kashmir, saying, “we stand up for human rights and we will never shirk from that responsibility”. In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, Rayner said Labour would be respectful in…
AUTHOR VASUNDRA TAILOR DISCUSSES HER NEW NOVEL SHAPED BY A PROUD GUJARATI HERITAGE She may have moved to Zimbabwe when she was a few weeks old in 1954 and migrated to the UK in 1977 after qualifying as a pharmacist to escape conflict there, but India-born Vasundra Tailor always remained…
By A fortunate coincidence, India marks its 75th anniversary as a free country at the same time as the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo. Aurobindo (1872-1950) was a poet, revolutionary, philosopher, mystic, and yogi par excellence. He was not interested in huge statues, grandiose projects, or big institutions in…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi said India will aim to become a developed nation within 25 years as the country marked 75 years of independence on Monday (15), with the leaders of Britain, the US and France sending congratulatory messages. In his traditional address to the nation from Delhi’s historic Red…
British Indian chef Manjula Patel, 85, one of its oldest chefs and restaurateurs in the UK, opened her restaurant in Brighton when she was 80 with the help of her sons. Manju’s – Indian Restaurant, a Gujarati restaurant in north Laines, Brighton, has been delighting locals and tourists since 2017.…
The spiritual leader of a religion whose followers are dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Shree Hanuman is making a special visit to Leicester next week. His Holiness 1008 Acharya Shri Rakeshprasadji Maharaj from South Gujarat, India, is visiting the city as part of a week-long festival to celebrate Krishna’s…
Prime Minister Boris Johnson led India's 75th Independence Day celebrations in the UK on Monday with a throwback image from Sabarmati Ashram during his visit to Gujarat earlier this year. Congratulations to the people of India on 75 years of independence, he said. "During my recent visit to Gujarat and…
Automotive giant Tata Motors said its subsidiary will acquire Ford India's Gujarat-based manufacturing facility for Rs 7.25 billion (£75 million). Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEML) and Ford India Pvt Ltd (FIPL) have signed a unit transfer Agreement (UTA) for the acquisition of the plant in Sanand. Tata Motors will…
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya said he is open to assuming the captaincy on a full-time basis after leading the side to a comprehensive victory in the final match of their Twenty20 series against West Indies. India, who rested regular skipper Rohit Sharma, cruised to an 88-run win on the back…
Fifty years ago, dictator Idi Amin announced his intention to expel Uganda's thriving community of British South Asians. They were given 90 days to leave, or be rounded up in concentration camps. More than 27,000 ethnic Indian and Pakistani holders of UK passports made their way to Britain, which reluctantly…
Acclaimed actress Kajol is widely regarded as one of the finest leading ladies in Hindi cinema history. She has delivered unforgettable performances in iconic classics and helped Bollywood go global with successful blockbusters. The notoriously picky actress has done this, despite turning down multiple record-breaking movies. The popular star turns…
A 66-year-old woman living in Mumbai has been declared stateless in India, UK and Uganda. Ila Popat has been living in India for 55 years and has driving licence, voter identity card and Aadhar card. Last month, Popat approached Bombay High Court to issue a passport so that she can…
PATIENTS with long-lasting symptoms from COVID will have access to more convenient tests and checks closer to home, under new NHS measures announced on Thursday (28). Specialist clinics, dedicated to long Covid, will now be able to send people for tests at local one stop shops and mobile clinics, rather…
The Mumbai Police has launched an investigation after star couple Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal purportedly received death threats on social media. A complaint has been filed against an unidentified person at Santacruz Police Station, said Mumbai Police. Katrina and Vicky, who tied the knot in Rajasthan on December 9,…
Set to land on Netflix on July 22, The Gray Man is one of the most-talked-about films in recent times. The American action thriller has created a lot of buzz around the world. Indians are especially looking forward to the premiere of the film as it stars their beloved actor…
FILMMAKER AND ACTRESS DISCUSSES HER FEARLESS CINEMA JOURNEY She might have made a name for herself as one of the finest actresses of her generation, but Nandita Das is now more focused on filmmaking. She has just directed her third movie, which revolves around a delivery rider and stars popular…
British singer discusses her new single and rise of regional music A decade-long career has seen Geeta Jhala make a name for herself with songs in diverse languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, and English. In recent years, the versatile singer has also reconnected with her roots with commercial Gujarati songs like…
The BJP on Saturday alleged that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was the "driving force" behind the "conspiracy" to implicate then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 riots case in the state. In a press conference, party spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed that the late Ahmed Patel, who was Gandhi's…
Four-nation grouping 'I2U2' has established a positive agenda and its framework is a good model for practical cooperation in the face of increasing global uncertainties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday at the first virtual summit of the coalition With US President Joe Biden, Israeli PM Yair Lapid and…
INDIAN cricketer Virat Kohli met his former U-15 teammate Dwaraka Ravi Teja in London. Teja shared the picture of their meeting on Twitter. Indian cricket team is in UK for the ongoing India vs England ODI series. Teja played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League…
Priti Patel, widely expected to become another Indian-origin candidate in the race for the post of Conservative Party leader and the next British prime minister, on Tuesday ruled out a bid, saying she was "grateful" for the encouragement but her focus remains on her current job as Home Secretary. "I…
Police have busted a gang conducting a fake T20 cricket tournament here in Gujarat to take bets from Russian bookies by live-streaming the matches and arrested four of its members, an official said on Monday. To create an impression of an Indian Premier League (IPL)-like major tournament, key accused Shoeb…
Shailesh Vara, the UK’s new secretary of state for Northern Ireland, has vowed to work “tirelessly” to restore the Stormont institutions.The Uganda-born Conservative MP for North West Cambridgeshire succeeds Brandon Lewis who quit the Boris Johnson government in a mass resignation of ministers.His appointment comes at a time when the…
Success and failure have stopped influencing star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has learnt to live a "neutral life" with a lot of clarity. Battling an injury-ravaged body, it was not easy for Pandya to return to the game. His career was in jeopardy but he made a grand comeback by…
Ranveer Singh, known for his charismatic and energetic persona and peculiar fashion sense, is considered among the most versatile actors of his generation. As he rings in his 37th birthday today, here is a look at the actor's breakthrough performances. 1. Band Baaja Baaraat The actor made his big Bollywood…
HEALTH authorities need to overcome misconceptions about British Asian communities in order to change an “outdated” dementia care service, according to the researcher whose review found that the system had been “designed for white British patients”. Dr Karan Jutlla’s research highlighted that the system was “totally inadequate” to support dementia…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's determination that he would not allow cross-border terrorism to be normalised has helped in shaping India's Pakistan policy since 2014. Speaking at an event at Delhi University, S Jaishankar noted that Prime Minister Modi is perceived abroad…
The supremely talented Sunidhi Chauhan is one of the finest live performers in the world and returns to the UK for two hotly anticipated shows this month. She will deliver dynamite concerts with a full live band at Morningside Arena in Leicester on July 9 and Eventim Apollo in London…
WRITER and director-producer Pan Nalin has become the first Gujarati filmmaker to join The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy, the organisation which presents The Academy Awards, popularly called the ‘Oscars’, has extended invitation to 397 artistes and others to join it in 2022. “The Academy of…
There was no delay on part of the Gujarat government in requisitioning the Army to deal with post-Godhra 2002 Gujarat riots, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said and noted that former Punjab DGP KPS Gill had termed the state government's action as "prompt and neutral". He also attacked Congress over…
NDA's Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was seen sweeping the floor at Shiv temple in Rairangpur, Odisha before offering prayers on Wednesday (22) morning. After NDA announced Murmu as their Presidential candidate, the Centre provided a round-the-clock Z+ category security cover for her. If elected, the 64-year-old leader from Odisha will…
ON the 100th birthday of his mother Heeraben Modi, prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (18) penned an emotional blog and recollected some special moments from his childhood that he spent with his mother. He recalled several sacrifices made by his mother as he grew up and mentioned various qualities…
THE country's first-ever girl Panchayat, "Balika Panchayat", which was started in several villages of Gujarat's Kutch district, aims to promote the social and political development of the girls and ensure the active participation of girls in politics. This is a unique initiative of the Women and Child Development Welfare department…
The Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (GMC) in Gujarat on Thursday withdrew its announcement about naming a road in the state capital for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother, Hiraba Modi Hiraba, who lives with the prime minister's younger brother Pankaj Modi at Raysan village on the outskirts of Gandhinagar, is set to…
BY her own admission, home secretary Priti Patel's hard line on immigration would have stopped her own parents coming to Britain but it has made her a darling of the right. However, she is now in danger of alienating her conservative base after her plan to deter illegal crossings of…
Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker's 2001 blockbuster film Lagaan: Once Upon A Time, which completed its 21 years of its release today, might be getting the Broadway treatment soon. Lagaan, set in 1893 during the late Victorian period of India's colonial British Raj, follows the story of Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), a villager…
THE Russia-Ukraine war has adversely affected the livelihood of thousands of workers in the diamond industry in Gujarat, especially in rural parts of Saurashtra region where many units import small-size diamonds from Russia for processing and polishing, according to industry representatives. The state's diamond industry employs nearly 1.5 million workers,…
An 18-month-old baby was rescued alive from a borewell in western India’s Gujarat. The incident took place in Dudapur village under Dhrangadhra Taluka Police Station limits of Surendranagar District on June 7. Visuals show army men using a thick rope to pull out the baby. After several pulls, the baby…
INDIA's biggest dairy group Amul has written to the government urging it to delay a planned ban on tiny plastic straws, saying the move will have a "negative impact" on farmers and milk consumption in the world's biggest producer of the commodity. Amul made its appeal in a letter, dated…
Kshama Bindu, who lives in Vadodara, Gujarat, married herself on June 8, in India’s first sologamy wedding. The 24-year-old took to social media and shared pictures from her wedding and other ceremonies, where she is seen in the company of her family and friends. Her posts garnered thousands of likes…
HOW WOMEN ARE CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING A BLEND OF BOTH STYLES HAVE you ever mixed and matched western styles with traditional eastern pieces? If you follow any big influencers on social media, you will have seen it has become a huge trend to restyle items across your wardrobe for different occasions.…
The IPL 2022 season came close, with Gujarat Titans winning their first title. The performances of several Indian players in the IPL have amazed all. Similarly, the performances of overseas players have also been impressive. On the field, they performed and left their mark as well. Watching these crickets playing…
There is a long list of celebrities who time and again keep showing their generosity by helping their fans in one way or the other. Now, Bollywood star Varun Dhawan has promised to help one of his female fans who is allegedly facing domestic abuse. A Twitter user wrote a…
Central agencies are "seriously" looking into the threat letter sent by terror outfit Al-Qaeda regarding suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to "fight for the honour of the Prophet", said top agency sources.Alerts have been issued across Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat through law enforcement agencies…
The ambitious bullet train project will be completed on time, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told ANI while reviewing work on the project at the Surat-Navsari section today. He said, "The work of the bullet train is going very well. About 60 km of pillar work has been completed. Simultaneous work…
DANCE is being used to break stigmas and help disabled people to become more active at a studio in London. Dr Rashmi Becker founded Dance Dosti, with Metro Blind Sport and Vision Foundation, during the Covid-19 pandemic, after seeing the disproportionate impact that Covid had on both the south-Asian community…
ASSERTING that an era of cultural revival began in India in 2014, when prime minister Narendra Modi led the BJP to power, home minister Amit Shah has said this journey will take the country to heights of glory it enjoyed earlier. In a brief speech after watching Akshay Kumar-starrer 'Samrat…
A 24-year-old girl in Gujarat is all set to marry herself on June 11 in India's first sologamy, according to reports. Vadodara-native Kshama Bindu is preparing for her wedding next week as a commitment towards oneself and “an act of self-acceptance”. Bindu, a recruiter with a Pune-based company, said that…
LIVE PERFORMANCE KATTAM KATTI When: Friday June 3 Where: Theatre Royal, Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2TR What: The Pagrav Dance Company presents a contemporary Kathak production that taps into the competitive chaos, creativity, and colour of Uttarayan, the world-famous international kite festival of Gujarat. www.theatreroyal.com AIMA BAIG, SAJJAD ALI AND…
Author Sir Salman Rushdie and cricketer Moeen Ali are among a number of British Asians honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List published on Wednesday (1). With doctors, politicians, educators, authors, community leaders and philanthropists among the 13.3 per cent of recipients coming from an ethnic minority background, this list showcases…
Former Congress leader Hardik Patel will join the BJP on June 2 in the presence of Gujarat party president C R Paatil, a state party spokesperson said on Tuesday. After Patidar quota agitation leader Patel recently resigned from the Congress, there were speculations that he may join the ruling BJP.…
AFP Sport looks at five things we learned from the 15th edition of the Twenty20 tournament, which was expanded to 10 teams this year. Kohli's jinx Former India captain Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore's wait for their first IPL title dragged on after they went down to Rajasthan in…
The Department of Posts has for the first time delivered mail using a drone as part of a pilot project in Gujarat's Kutch district, covering a distance of 46 km in 25 minutes, officials said on Sunday (29).The mail was sent by drone from Habay village in Bhuj taluka to…
After leading Gujarat Titans to the Indian Premier League (IPL) title in their first season, winning the Twenty20 World Cup with India is next on Hardik Pandya's bucket list. Pandya led by example in Sunday's final against 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals as Gujarat triumphed by seven wickets in front of…
Indian automaker Tata Motors Ltd has signed an agreement to potentially buy a Ford Motor manufacturing facility in the western state of Gujarat as it looks to ramp up its production of electric vehicles. The owner of Jaguar Land Rover already dominates India’s fledgling electric car market, which the government…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat has become the "gateway of drugs" to the country under his watch, the Congress alleged Friday, questioning the "silence" of the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah and demanding answers from agencies tasked to control narcotics smuggling.Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera told reporters…
THE British Asian landscape designer Manoj Malde has spoken of “creating connections” as part of his new role as an ambassador for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) with a remit for “inclusivity” that was announced at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday (23). That was the day the Queen, who…
SKIPPER Hardik Pandya silenced critics after helping newcomers Gujarat Titans beat Rajasthan Royals to reach the IPL final. Pandya hadn’t been in great form ahead of IPL and his fitness was also a major concern. Some even questioned the decision to appoint him as captain despite his lack of leadership…
Speaking at Alzheimer’s Society Conference 2022 in central London last Tuesday (18), he confirmed that the plan will focus on how new medicines and emerging science and technology can be harnessed to improve outcomes for dementia patients across the UK. Javid said he wanted the initiative, which would be published…
Leona Swiderski, 33, who arrived in Mumbai in February 2003 was due to marry her fiancee Pragnesh Desai but she was found dead off a highway near the city the next day.Police believe Desai plotted her murder to claim her insurance money of $1 million (£800,000) and hired three contract…
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavana will be hosting a wide range of various art-cultural programmes, specially curated events, performances, workshops, and exhibitions to celebrate the milestone throughout the year from May 2022 to April 2023. The Bhavan’s art guru teachers and artists will perform Indian dances, songs, and other arts. The main…
Auctioneer and valuer Andrew Stowe, who sold a pair of Gandhi’s spectacles for a record £260,000 in 2020, told Eastern Eye that interest among collectors for the Mahatma’s memorabilia, especially in America, remained high. He said: “Gandhi is one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century. He’s right…
INDIA'S huge diamond-polishing industry has furloughed around 250,000 of its roughly two million workers because of sanctions on Russia hitting supplies, a trade union said Thursday (19).The South Asian nation cuts and polishes 90 per cent of the world's diamonds, with Russian diamond miners such as Alrosa traditionally accounting for…
SUDHA CHANDRAN was just a teenager when she found success with her debut 1984 film Mayuri. That magical first step kick-started a magnificent acting journey filled with memorable performances in multiple languages. Although she has added gravitas to a huge number of movies since the 1980s, the versatile actress has…
HUNDREDS of thousands of tonnes of wheat were stranded at a major port in India on Tuesday (17) after New Delhi's surprise ban on exports over inflation and food security worries. India, the world's second-largest grower of wheat, last week ordered that traders could not enter into new export deals…
Once Upon a Time in Calcutta received two awards - best director for Aditya Vikram Sengupta and best actress for Sreelekha Mitra - at the 2022 edition of the New York Indian Film Festival, which also honoured Faraz Ali's Shoebox with the best film trophy. The seven-day film gala, which…
WHILE it was disappointing to see the Conservative party lose flagship councils in London and across the country, there was one particular council that bucked the trend and shone a ray of light for the Tories. Harrow – the hometown for both of us – was the only council across…
Racist, divisive politics which pit Hindus against Muslims and Indians against Pakistanis must stop, say MPs and the mayor of London. The issue is something Eastern Eye has reported several times. But it has reared its head once again after last week’s local elections (5 May). Sources have told this…
AFGHANISTAN's Rashid Khan claimed four wickets as Gujarat Titans became the first team to qualify for the IPL play-offs with a 62-run thrashing of Lucknow Super Giants. Indian opener Shubman Gill made 63 off 49 deliveries to steer Gujarat to 144 for four on Tuesday (10) after electing to bat…
FAST BOWLER Avesh Khan helped Lucknow Super Giants hammer Kolkata Knight Riders by 75 runs on Saturday (7) to go top of the IPL table as teams jostle to secure a play-off spot. Lucknow bundled out Kolkata, who were chasing 177 for victory, for 101 to replace fellow newcomers Gujarat…
Royal Challengers Bangalore ended a three-match losing streak in the Indian Premier League as Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel inspired them to a 13-run win over Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday. Bangalore scored 173-8 after Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai won the toss and chose to field first. CSK slipped away…
Gujarat Titans suffered only their second IPL defeat on Tuesday as Kagiso Rabada took four wickets for the second match running before Shikhar Dhawan's half-century led Punjab Kings to a dominant win. Liam Livingstone smashed three sixes to complete an eight-wicket victory with four overs to spare, moving Punjab up…
Superstar cricketer Virat Kohli struck form with his first half-century of this Indian Premier League season on Saturday, but failed to inspire Royal Challengers Bangalore who slipped to their third straight loss. After a string of low scores including two golden ducks, Kohli hit 58 off 53 balls to guide…
US basketball star Chris Paul and American football players Larry Fitzgerald and Kelvin Beachum have invested in Indian Premier League cricket side the Rajasthan Royals, the franchise said Sunday. The world's most valuable cricket tournament has expanded to 10 teams this year with new franchises Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super…
PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson landed in Gujarat last Thursday (21) as he began his two-day India visit. He said he felt like Indian cricket star Sachin Tendulkar, as hundreds of people lined the streets and dozens of billboards depicted his image. “I had an amazing reception,” he said. “My face…
Power outages compounded the misery of millions of people wilting in a heatwave across India and Pakistan on Friday, with experts blaming climate change for an early onset of roasting summer temperatures. In the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh hundreds of forest fires have broken out in recent weeks,…
AN Indo-British bilateral free-trade deal could be wrapped up by October, prime minister Boris Johnson said in New Delhi last week, as he concluded his much-delayed visit to India. Britain and India also agreed to step up defence and business cooperation, Johnson said, adding that London would support Delhi’s goal…
Speed demon Umran Malik is being backed to win a place in India's bowling attack after lighting up the IPL with deliveries of more than 150kph (93mph) and wickets galore. The 22-year-old returned figures of 5-25, becoming the first player on a losing team this season to be awarded man…
Afghanistan's Rashid Khan hit two sixes off the final two balls to pull off a sensational chase for Gujarat Titans after Sunrisers Hyderabad pace sensation Umran Malik took his first IPL five-for on Wednesday. Needing 196 for victory, Gujarat slipped to 140-5 but Rashid (31) joined Rahul Tewatia (40) to…
AMID a punishing heatwave building up in large parts of India, Delhi saw a jump of two to three degrees Celsius in the maximum temperature at most places on Wednesday (27).Extreme heat continued to scorch large swathes of south Asia this week, offering no reprieve after the hottest March on…
I HAVE been present in India with every UK prime minister since 2005 – from Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron to Theresa May. Being in India last week with Boris Johnson and with Indian business leaders was a crucial visit. It was the first UK prime ministerial visit…
ENGLISH cricket has been through its “annus horribilis” partly due to the poor performance of Joe Root’s Test team, but mainly because of the revelations about the racism suffered by Azeem Rafiq at Yorkshire, it has been stated in Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2022. The expression was famously used by the…
Virat Kohli's second successive golden duck in the IPL saw Royal Challengers Bangalore crash to 68 all out and lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad by nine wickets on Saturday but the team insisted their star batter will bounce back. Kohli, who also fell to a first-ball duck against Lucknow Super Giants…
BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar, Gujarat as part of his India tour. He was greeted on Thursday (21) by Pujya Ishwarcharandas Swami, International Convenor of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), on behalf of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the inspirer of Swaminarayan Akshardham and spiritual head…
A state lawmaker in India was arrested for criticising prime minister Narendra Modi in a tweet, officials said Friday, raising concerns over freedom of speech in the world's largest democracy. Jignesh Mevani, a prominent campaigner for India's marginalised low-caste Dalit community, accused Modi of idolising Nathuram Godse, the assassin of…
BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson said that his country has already raised the Ukraine issue with prime minister Narendra Modi at a diplomatic level. Johnson added that everybody understands that India and Russia shared “very different relationships historically”. Johnson’s visit to India comes at a time when India has taken…
British prime minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that skilled workers from India could plug labour shortages in sectors such as information technology in the UK, even as he reiterated that immigration would continue to be controlled. Britain has made getting a trade deal with India one of its post-Brexit…
PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson will announce new investments and export deals worth more than £1 billion by UK and Indian businesses on Thursday (21) as part of his ongoing India visit, according to a statement. These agreements in areas from software engineering to health would create almost 11,000 jobs across…
A MARVELLOUS musical achievement of 2022 has been Falguni Shah magnificently winning a Grammy award for her second children’s album A Colorful World. It follows on from her debut album Falu’s Bazaar getting a Grammy nomination in 2019 and adds to an impressive song-filled journey that took her from India…
BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson, who is on a two-day visit to India, met Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani in Ahmedabad on Thursday (21). "Honoured to host @BorisJohnson, the first UK PM to visit Gujarat, at Adani HQ. Delighted to support climate & sustainability agenda with focus on renewables, green…
BORIS JOHNSON was accorded a cordial welcome when he landed in Gujarat on Thursday (21) as the British prime minister began his two-day trip to India. But the pomp and publicity that generally marks top world leaders’ visits to the south Asian country was conspicuously missing.Johnson was received at the…
POPULAR singer Arijit Singh turns a year older on April 25 and then returns to UK the first week of May for two huge arena concerts, where he will be performing his greatest hits. To celebrate India’s most popular solo star returning for a British tour and his 35th birthday,…
VISITING British prime minister Boris Johnson on Thursday (21) termed Mahatma Gandhi an "extraordinary man" who mobilised the principles of truth and non-violence to change the world for better. Johnson became the first prime minister of the UK to visit the Sabarmati Ashram, the place from where Gandhi led India's…
BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson arrived in India Thursday (21) touting job-creating investment but facing long odds to get his reluctant counterpart Narendra Modi to back Western action against Russia. Johnson arrived in Gujarat -- Modi's home state and the ancestral home to half of the United Kingdom's British Indians…
British prime minister Boris Johnson faces calls to apologise for a colonial-era massacre during his visit to Gujarat on Thursday, 100 years after as many as 1,200 people were killed protesting against imperial rule. Last month saw the centenary of the Pal-Dadhvav massacre, when Indian historians say around 2,000 tribal…
Surprise-package Gujarat Titans have taken the IPL by storm in their debut season with a cleverly assembled and astutely coached team led by the all-round talents of local star Hardik Pandya. Founded by global venture fund CVC Capital for $690 million, Gujarat on Sunday stunned four-time champions Chennai Super Kings…
Skipper Faf du Plessis on Tuesday said an elusive IPL century is "around the corner" after his 96 helped Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs. The South African made Bangalore fight back with his 64-ball knock after they lost two wickets, including Virat Kohli for a…
BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson will offer to help India cut reliance on Russian oil and defence equipment when he begins a two-day visit this week that will test his diplomatic skills and provide brief respite from a row raging at home. On his first trip to India as prime…
THE World Health Organization (WHO) launched its global centre for traditional medicine (GCTM) at a site in India, aimed at unlocking its potential by blending ancient practices with modern science. The GCTM knowledge hub is intended to create a body of reliable evidence and data on traditional medicine practices and…
Jos Buttler's 103 and a hat-trick by Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals edge out Kolkata Knight Riders by seven runs in a nail-biting IPL contest on Monday. The England batter smashed his second IPL century this season to power Royals to 217 for five -- the highest total of this…
Yash Raj Films on Tuesday unveiled the trailer of their much-anticipated film Jayeshbhai Jordaar, starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role of a Gujarati man. At the trailer launch event, Singh said that his character in the film is a role that Bollywood has never attempted before. Jayeshbhai Jordaar deals…
TWO spiritual leaders of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) Sanstha met Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi recently. The trio prayed for the welfare of Indians worldwide. HH Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami honoured Modi with a garland, while Brahmavihari Swami updated the prime minister on Sanstha’s Covid-19 pandemic…
South Africa's David Miller on Sunday said coming in to bat early made him "shine" as his unbeaten 94 led Gujarat Titans to a thrilling three-wicket IPL victory over holders Chennai Super Kings. Chasing 170 for victory, Gujarat slipped to 48-4. But Miller put on an attacking 70-run sixth wicket…
Dinesh Karthik said he is eyeing an India comeback after his unbeaten 66 off 34 balls powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 16-run win over Delhi Capitals on Saturday. The in-form Karthik steered Bangalore to 189 for five after Glenn Maxwell's breezy 55 in the second match of the day…
Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul smashed an unbeaten 103 on Saturday as they handed five-time IPL winners Mumbai Indians their sixth straight loss this season. Rahul, playing his 100th Indian Premier League match, steered Lucknow to 199 for four after being put into bat first at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium.…
BORIS JOHNSON will become the first British prime minister to visit Gujarat when he lands in Ahmedabad this week for a two-day visit to India for “in-depth” talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.Johnson's visit will begin on Thursday (21) with a trip to Ahmedabad in Gujarat, which is Modi's…
IT IS near impossible for overseas artists to make it big in Indian music, but that is exactly what singer Jonita Gandhi has done. The superb singing sensation grew up in Canada but made a stunning leap into the strongly competitive industry with hit songs across a wide array of…
Skipper Hardik Pandya hit a blazing 87 to set up a comfortable 37-run victory for Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, as his side replaced their opponents at the top of the Indian Premier League. Pandya smashed eight fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 52-ball knock to help…
A fire at a chemical factory in southern India killed at least six people and injured 12, a government official said on Thursday (14), with more casualties feared in the second such accident this week. Pictures of the scene provided by government officials showed Wednesday's (13) massive blaze, with at…
Kane Williamson hit 57 to win the battle of captains against Hardik Pandya as Sunrisers Hyderabad handed newcomers Gujarat Titans their first loss in the Indian Premier League On Monday. Chasing 163 for victory, Hyderabad started strongly with a 64-run opening stand between Williamson and Abhishek Sharma (42) before Nicholas…
AUSTRALIAN prime minister Scott Morrison posted a picture on social media showing him preparing his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi's favourite dish to celebrate a new trade deal with India.On April 2, India and Australia signed an economic cooperation and trade agreement under which Canberra would provide duty-free access to its…
INDIA's Kashmir region is attracting record tourists after the easing of pandemic restrictions and some improvement in the security situation, bolstering local businesses. Tourist arrivals are set to touch a ten-year high this year after more than 340,000 tourists have come since January, local tour operators and government officials said,…
Lockie Ferguson claimed four wickets and Shubman Gill hit 84 to help newcomers Gujarat Titans remain unbeaten in two IPL matches after a 14-run win over Delhi Capitals on Saturday. Ferguson returned figures of 4-28 with his express pace in Pune to keep Delhi down to 157 for nine while…
Evin Lewis hit an unbeaten 55 off 23 balls to star in Lucknow Super Giants' six-wicket win over reigning IPL champions Chennai Super Kings who scored 210-7 after they were asked to bat Thursday. It was the first victory for KL Rahul-led Lucknow who lost their opening match to Gujarat…
Mohammed Shami's three wickets and a batting blitz by Rahul Tewatia helped Gujarat Titans begin their IPL journey with a thrilling win over fellow debutants Lucknow Super Giants on Monday. Chasing 159 for victory, Gujarat were in trouble at 78-4 but Tewatia smashed an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls to…
Faf du Plessis smashed 88 on his Indian Premier League debut as captain but his side Royal Challengers Bangalore went down to Punjab Kings in a high-scoring match on Sunday. The South African veteran put on fiery stand of 118 off 61 balls with predecessor Virat Kohli, who hit an…
India's cricket board is planning to launch the women's edition of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament next year. "It has to be approved by the (annual general meeting)," Sourav Ganguly, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told reporters on Friday. "We plan to start…
The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 extravaganza begins on Saturday when holders Chennai Super Kings face Kolkata Knight Riders. Eastern Eye guides you through the 10 teams, including two new franchises, who will compete in the world's richest cricket championship. Mumbai Indians Key Indian players: Rohit Sharma…
THE son of an Asian doctor who died in the pandemic said Covid has united communities as he explained his family was one among many who had suffered the loss of loved ones in the past two years. Dr Yusuf Ismail Patel, founder of Woodgrange Medical Practice in east London,…
THE Indian Premier League (IPL) returns for its biggest season on Saturday (26), with a galaxy of top names and two new franchises expanding the world's richest cricket competition to 10 teams for its 15th edition. But crowds in the cricket-mad nation will, initially at least, be limited to 25…
SUZUKI MOTOR will invest $1.3 billion (£990 million) in electric vehicle and battery production in India, the Japanese carmaker said Sunday (20), as it accelerates long-term plans to achieve carbon neutrality.In a deal signed with the western Indian state of Gujarat in the presence of visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio…
IN-DEMAND ACTRESS DISCUSSES HER NEW MOVIE RADHE SHYAM BEAUTY queen turned actress Pooja Hegde has made an impressive rise since making her film debut with 2012 Tamil-language superhero flick Mugamoodi and now firmly established herself as one of the most-sought-after actresses in India. Her latest offering is mega-budget period romance…
LIVE PERFORMANCE KATTAM KATTI When: Tuesday March 22 – Wednesday March 23 Where: Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX What: The Pagrav Dance Company presents a contemporary Kathak production that taps into the competitive chaos, creativity, and colour of Uttarayan, the world-famous international kite festival of Gujarat. www.junction.co.uk NITIN…
HARDLINE Hindu groups are demanding restrictions on wearing the hijab in classrooms in more Indian states after a court upheld a ban on the traditional Islamic head-scarf in Karnataka state, worrying Muslim students who had protested against the ban. The Karnataka High Court decision on Tuesday (15), backing the southern…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files, a film based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s. He said the film is "bringing the truth in its correct form" and history has to be presented in…
EMOTIONS ran high as Indian students, evacuated from the embattled Ukrainian city of Sumy, came out of the Delhi airport on Friday (11) and hugged their waiting parents.Some of the parents distributed sweets and garlanded their children while others welcomed them with bouquets and hugs as they arrived at the…
GUJARAT TITANS have signed Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz as a replacement for England batsman Jason Roy in the Indian Premier League tournament starting later this month, the franchise said. Gurbaz, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has played 20 T20 internationals, scoring 534 runs at a strike rate of 138. The Titans, who are making…
AN upstart political party that rules India's capital has swept an election in Punjab state, a Thursday (10) vote-count showed, bolstering its hopes of becoming the main challenger to prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, was…
A NUMBER of remarkable women were amongst the winners at the annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards, held at the Park Plaza hotel on Tuesday (8). Bina Mehta took home the coveted GG2 Hammer Award, presented to a BAME person who has smashed the proverbial glass ceiling, for her rise…
WOMEN are very much on the move – rising to roles not previously seen before and smashing glass ceilings in the process. The GG2 Power List was unveiled on Tuesday (8) evening at Eastern Eye publisher AMG’s high-profile and glittering GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards, where the role of highflying women…
LIVE PERFORMANCES BOTOWN - THE SOUL OF BOLLYWOOD When: Saturday March 5 Where: Mystique Banqueting Suite, 928a Melton Rd Brittania Way, Leicester LE4 8GR What: Concert featuring the acclaimed multicultural soul band that reboots Bollywood classics with a unique soul funk twist, which takes you on a musical trip from…
Legendary Indian singer, musician, and composer Bappi Lahiri passed away aged 69 after battling against various illnesses. Although tributes poured in from all over the world for him, it is difficult to know where to start when reflecting on his extraordinary life because he was a man of many contradictions.…
INDIA's Modi government's plan to redevelop the Gandhi ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, at a cost of £117 million has attracted criticism, according to a media report. Descendants of Gandhi, historians, scholars, Gandhian institutions and lifelong ashram residents have accused the government of attempting to co-opt and politicise Gandhi’s legacy, the…
THE Ministry of Education (MoE) appealed to the Indian students stranded in Ukraine on Saturday (26) to follow all the guidelines issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian embassy. It also assured the students that all possible efforts are being made by the government to bring…
HOW ALIA BHATT BECAME BROTHEL QUEEN GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI IN HER NEW UNDERWORLD FILM POPULAR actress Alia Bhatt is used to portraying emotionally demanding roles. Yet headlining Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama Gangubai Kathiawadi offered a different set of challenges. The film, based on a real-life brothel madam, sees the versatile…
THE US hospitality industry is mourning one of its great entrepreneurs after hotelier, philanthropist and pioneer Jayanti P “JP” Rama, of Greenville, South Carolina, died last Thursday (17) at the age of 74 in Ahmedabad, India. He is survived by his wife, Ilaben (Laxmiben) Rama, son Dharmendra “DJ” Rama and…
UN rights experts have called for an end to "misogynistic and sectarian" online attacks against a female Muslim Indian journalist, asking the authorities to investigate the harassment. Rana Ayyub, a fierce critic of prime minister Narendra Modi and the Hindu nationalist government of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been…
INDIA has paid Cairn Energy Plc Rs 79 billion (£780 million) in a refund of taxes it had collected to enforce a retrospective tax demand.The payment ends a seven-year-old dispute that had tarred the country's image as an investment destination.Cairn Energy, which is now known as Capricorn Energy PLC, said…
AN Indian court sentenced 38 people to death on Friday (18) over a string of bomb blasts in 2008 that killed dozens in the city of Ahmedabad, in one of the country's biggest mass death sentences. Coordinated attacks in western Gujarat state's commercial hub in 2008 killed 56, launching shrapnel…
If ever there was a persona perfectly in tune with his songs, it must be Bappi Lahiri, the man who introduced disco to Hindi films, his young-at-heart, popular music as unmindful of disapproving purists as he may have been of those who raised eyebrows at his gold chains and dark…
LIVE PERFORMANCE MAGNIFICENT 4 RELOADED When: Saturday February 19 and Sunday February 20 Where: Indigo at The O2, 205 Peninsula Square, London SE10 0ES and De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU What: Popular Indian Idol 12 finalists Arunita Kanjilal, Nihal Tauro, Shanmukha Priya and the winner Pawandeep Rajan…
INDIAN police said that they had arrested three members of a gang they accused of beating up and robbing men contacted through the use of a gay dating app. Gay sex is no longer a criminal offence in India, but the fear of being ostracised or ridiculed prompts several among…
MEGHRAJ GROUP has reaffirmed its commitment to business growth and contribution to society as the international financial services and consulting organisation celebrates its centenary.Headquartered in the British Isles, the group’s main businesses include Meghraj Capital, focused on investment banking advisory and MTC Trust & Corporate Services which provides fiduciary services.The…
A shipbuilding company has been accused of defrauding India's largest state-run bank and 27 other financial institutions of over $3 billion, the country's top investigative agency said, in what would be its biggest-ever bank fraud. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) -- India's federal investigative agency -- said in a…
INDIAN businessman Rahul Bajaj, who died in Pune last Saturday (12), aged 83, gave Lakshmi Mittal crucial support in 2006 when Mittal Steel’s takeover bid for Arcelor was almost blocked by the French government of president Jacques Chirac.Bajaj, one of India’s most prominent industrialists, built up the family’s business in…
ENGLAND'S Liam Livingstone on Sunday (13) became the most expensive foreign player in this season's IPL auction at $1.52 million (£1.13m), while fellow England international Jofra Archer also fetched a high price despite being doubtful for the upcoming edition. Livingstone went to Punjab Kings as the 10 teams splurged millions…
INDIA'S Shreyas Iyer fetched the top price in the first round of the auction for the Indian Premier League - the world's most valuable cricket tournament - on Saturday (12).Iyer, who stood out with his match-winning 80 in India's 3-0 ODI whitewash of the West Indies on Friday (11), went…
I DON’T think I would have the courage to do it now, but back in 1998 – when I was even more foolish – I said yes when the BBC asked if I would talk about Lata Mangeshkar for a Radio 4 show called Distant Divas. What eased my nervousness…
YOUNG Londoners in need of support will have access to “dedicated mentors” by 2024 to help them reach their potential, the city’s mayor announced on Wednesday (9). A manifesto pledge of Sadiq Khan, the initiative aims to cover children who have been excluded from school or college or impacted by…
FROM across the south Asian diaspora, the refrain was the same: Lata Mangeshkar, who died in Mumbai last Sunday (6), aged 92, may have gone, but her songs will live on forever. She had a special connection with the UK, where her first concert in 1974 was in a packed…
THE Indian High Commission in London said that it has not been approached for the repatriation of the mortal remains of three British victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots. It was responding to a comment made by Kim Leadbeater MP in the UK Parliament on Wednesday (9). Leadbeater, Labour MP…
THIS month’s 72nd Berlin International Film Festival features the world premiere of Gangubai Kathiawadi. The big-budget Bollywood film starring Alia Bhatt in the title role is based on a real-life female brothel owner, who rose through the ranks to become one of the most feared figures in the Mumbai underworld.…
LIVE PERFORMANCE THE FOUR ACES When: Friday February 11 Where: Symphony Hall, 8 Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA What: Concert headlined by iconic artists Shankar Mahadevan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia and Louis Banks, which mixes up a musical melting pot of world influences. They are supported by…
INDIA convicted 49 people over a 2008 attack in the western city of Ahmedabad that left dozens dead, in what perpetrators said was retaliation for earlier deadly communal violence. The string of bombings killed 56 people and wounded more than 200 others as shrapnel ripped through markets, buses and other…
INDIA’s Gautam Adani has become Asia’s richest person with a fortune of $90 billion, overtaking fellow countryman Mukesh Ambani, Forbes said. Adani’s investments in green energy in India helped him to enter the top 10 of the world’s richest people, according to figures from Forbes and Bloomberg. He is the…
INDIA's official Covid-19 death toll crossed 500,000 on Friday (4), a level some data analysts said was breached last year but was obscured by inaccurate surveys and unaccounted dead in the hinterlands, where millions remain vulnerable to the disease. The country, which has the fourth-highest tally of deaths globally, recorded…
ROOTS & CHANGES LIVE When: Saturday February 5 and Sunday February 6 Where: Sue Townsend Theatre, 16 Upper Brown Street, Leicester LE1 5TE and Chickenshed Theatre, 290 Chase Side, London N14 4PE What: Acclaimed British bhajan singer Bhavik Haria delivers a devotional music concert combining contemporary and classical influences, including…
Exhibition showcases seven decades of pioneer Asian photographer's work AN EXHIBITION dedicated to the work of a local Asian photographer in Coventry is a record of immigrants’ lives in the region and also a tribute to the partnership with his wife, his daughter has said. Photographs taken over a span…
INDIAN police have detained six people in a crackdown on illegal immigration after four Indians were found frozen to death near the border between the US and Canada last week, officials said on Thursday (27). Hundreds of Indians, mostly from the western states of Punjab and Gujarat, attempt to cross…
ROOTS & CHANGES LIVE When: Saturday February 5 and Sunday February 6 Where: Sue Townsend Theatre, 16 Upper Brown Street, Leicester LE1 5TE and Chickenshed Theatre, 290 Chase Side, London N14 4PE What: Acclaimed British bhajan singer Bhavik Haria delivers a devotional music concert combining contemporary and classical influences, including…
AUTHOR AND CHEF DISCUSSES HER LOVE FOR TEACHING COOKING PERHAPS the most popular pastime of the current pandemic has been cooking. Extended time indoors has led to a lot of people learning the finer points of culinary skills, cuisine and creating delicious homemade dishes. Restrictions being lifted has led many…
BRITAIN’S satellite communications company OneWeb and Hughes Communications India Pvt Ltd (HCIPL) have come together to provide low orbit connectivity services across the south Asian country for six years.However, the financial details of the satellite broadband distribution deal are not disclosed. HCIPL is a joint venture between America’s Hughes Network…
A Florida man accused of smuggling Indian migrants who crossed through a freezing snow storm into the US from Canada last week was granted conditional release in a hearing on Monday (24). Steve Shand, who appeared via video feed from a Minneapolis jail, was arrested by US border patrol the…
LIVE PERFORMANCE THE FOUR ACES When: Friday February 11 Where: Symphony Hall, 8 Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA What: Concert headlined by iconic artists Shankar Mahadevan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia and Louis Banks, which mixes up a musical melting pot of world influences. They are supported by…
