S hahjahan Bano was a young boy in February 2002, selling vegetables with his mother in a market in Ahmedabad in the western Indian state of Gujarat, when some of the worst communal riots in the country's history broke out.
For days mobs rampaged the city, burning houses, looting shops, raping women and killing men, women and children. More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in the violence.
Bano and his mother, who hid in the market the first night, were taken to a relief camp the next day where other Muslims huddled, awaiting news of their families and homes.
It was a month before Bano was reunited with other family members - and eight months before they could leave the camp.
They moved into what they thought would be a temporary home in Citizen Nagar, an enclave of 116 modest homes, built quickly by a Muslim charity for some of the displaced families.
Fifteen years on, Bano and his family still live there, spilling out of their two-room home in a fly-infested neighbourhood flanked by a large, smoking landfill.
"We lost everything in the riots," said Bano, 23, a lanky young man, staring into the distance.
"We are very grateful for this house, but we die a little everyday here: the smoke, the smell, the rubbish, the lack of facilities. We have thought about moving, but where can we go?"
The riots displaced about 200,000 people in the state, mostly Muslims. Some returned to their homes, while others found new accommodation in mainly Muslim neighbourhoods.
Muslim charities resettled about 17,000 people in 80 colonies across Gujarat, among India's wealthiest states.
Fifteen of these colonies are in Ahmedabad. Every family in these colonies lost family, homes, possessions or businesses in the riots, which led to greater segregation and marginalisation.
"The state has done very little to resettle the victims," said Shamshad Pathan, a lawyer who has represented some victims in their fight for more compensation from the government.
"Today, Ahmedabad is a segregated city: you will not find many buildings or neighbourhoods where Hindus and Muslims live together. Muslims are forced to live in ghettos, excluded from the development of the rest of the city and state," he said.
STATE SANCTIONED
Nearly 800,000 people have been displaced by conflict and violence in India, according to the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. The data is not specific to communal violence.
Muslims displaced by communal violence are often too fearful to return to their homes, and have asked the government to relocate them.
But government officials say that would promote division rather than unity between Muslims and Hindus, who make up about 80 percent of India's population.
But informal rules and deep-rooted biases are eroding the multi-cultural nature of India's cities and dividing communities into ghettos, analysts say.
Horrific as the Gujarat riots were, they were not solely responsible for the segregation in the state.
A property law unique to Gujarat, the birthplace of India's founding father Mahatma Gandhi, helped create ghettos and a sense of apartheid in its urban areas well before 2002.
The "Disturbed Areas Act" (1991), a law that restricts Muslims and Hindus from selling property to each other in "sensitive" areas, was meant to avert an exodus or distress sales in neighbourhoods hit by inter-religious unrest.
The state, headed at the time by prime minister Narendra Modi, amended the law in 2009 to give local officials more power in property sales.
It also extended the reach of the law, saying it was doing so to protect Muslims, who make up about 10 percent of the state's 63 million people.
But critics say the act's enforcement and the addition of new districts under it - about 40 percent of Ahmedabad is governed by the law - means it is being applied as a tool of social engineering.
"It is state sanctioned segregation," said Pathan.
"As a result, Muslims are confined to the filthiest corners, with no hope of upliftment. Development and progress are for everyone else in the state, but not for Muslims," he said.
'LITTLE PAKISTAN'
The division is so marked that Juhapura, a teeming township in Ahmedabad of about 400,000 people, many who moved there after the 2002 riots, is referred to by local Hindus as "Little Pakistan".
Conditions there and in other Muslim settlements in Ahmedabad, Gujarat's largest city, are similar: residents lack proper roads, streetlights, adequate drinking water, sewage pipes, and access to public clinics and schools.
They also do not own the small homes they live in, whose title deeds are with the charities that built them.
"They don't own their homes, they can't live anywhere else; they are just forgotten here," said Rasidaben Abdul Sheikh of the Adhikar Prapti Kendra charity that works with riot victims.
"After 15 years, their difficulties are no less. Maybe they feel a bit more secure because they are living with their own people, but in many ways they are worse off," she said.
Elsewhere in Gujarat, which has among the most slums in the country, officials are backing residents as they upgrade and redevelop their settlements, but not here.
Calls to the state social welfare department were not returned.
The federal government, in response to petitions, said it has given Gujarat about 4.3 billion rupees ($6.7 million) to compensate victims, including for residential and commercial losses.
Victims say the compensation was not enough to buy new homes.
There's little evidence of that money in Mehtab Colony, another Muslim settlement of 16 houses for riot victims. Piles of rubbish lie in the open courtyard where stray dogs scavenge.
"We used to live in a neighbourhood with Hindus, but we never went back to our home," said Razia Aseembhai Kedawala, standing outside her one-room home.
"This is where we have lived for 15 years. Perhaps we will live here always; we have nowhere else to go."
From the blood-soaked backstreets of Dhaka to the polished kitchens of Manhattan’s elite, K Anis Ahmed’s new novel Carnivore is as imaginative as it is provocative. A satirical thriller steeped in class tension, culinary obsession and primal survival, Carnivore follows Kash, a Bangladeshi immigrant-turned-chef who launches a high-end restaurant serving exotic meats – only to become embroiled in a sinister world of appetite and ambition.
But this is no simple tale of knives and recipes. Ahmed – a seasoned journalist, publisher, and president of PEN Bangladesh – brings a sharp eye to the grotesqueries of power and privilege. In this exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, he speaks about his passion for food, the moral murkiness of his characters, and why even the most ordinary people can spiral into extraordinary darkness.
A compelling premise, layered and unpredictable charactersAMG
What first connected you to writing?
I have been an avid reader since childhood – starting with Bengali and Russian fairy tales, before moving on to Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie. In my teens, I discovered Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene. Their travel writing sparked my imagination. The idea of being a wanderer through the world as a writer captivated me and pulled me toward writing as a vocation.
What inspired your new novel Carnivore?
I lived in New York for a time and love the city. I have always had a strong interest in food and found the idea of running a café, bar or restaurant quite enticing. Since I could not do it in real life, I created one in fiction – and let it go in some wild directions.
Tell us a little about the story.
It is about a young immigrant, Kash, who runs a wild game restaurant in downtown Manhattan. When the 2008 financial crash hits, his investors and clientele disappear. To stay afloat, he turns to hosting private dinners for the super-rich. In chasing a gig for a secretive billionaire’s dining club – while also dealing with a Russian money-lender – things soon spiral out of control.
What drew you to the culinary aspect?
It came from my passion for food and cooking. But cooking, for me, is more than just food – it is about identity, values and cultural expression.
As a writer, how do you develop the darker elements in a story like this?
It usually begins with a simple ‘what if’. I ask myself: how far could a seemingly ordinary person be pushed, given enough pressure or temptation? And who might they take down with them?
What inspired the title?
It was suggested by my brilliant agent, Charlie Campbell. The title captures not just the wild game theme, but also the broader idea of appetite – its excesses, its destructive potential.
Anyone who enjoys a gripping story with a diverse cast and unexpected twistsHarperFiction
What was the biggest challenge in writing the book?
Making the ultimate meal they plan feel believable – both to Kash and his team, and to the clients. None of these characters are inherently sociopathic. I wanted to explore the extremes that ordinary people might reach when driven by circumstance.
What is your favourite part of the book?
There is an episode where they go “hunting” for a peacock – I really enjoyed writing that. The backstory draws from my own memories of Eid-ul-Azha in Dhaka, where animal sacrifices take place in driveways and courtyards. It is surreal to see such rituals on such a scale in a modern city.
Who are you hoping the novel resonates with?
Anyone who enjoys a gripping story with a diverse cast and unexpected twists. It is for fans of crime thrillers, but also for general fiction readers who like discovering new subcultures – and morally daring propositions.
What do you enjoy reading, and do you have a favourite author?
I read a lot – both fiction and non-fiction, from science to history. The novel is my greatest love, and my favourite authors span classics and contemporaries. Some recent writers I have particularly enjoyed include Paul Beatty, Alejandro Zambra, Rachel Kushner and Ottessa Moshfegh.
What inspires you as a writer?
Intriguing ‘what if’ ideas, morally complex characters and the challenge of crafting sentences that feel exactly right.
What are you working on next?
I am working on a story where a seemingly normal person slowly descends into sociopathy. I want to explore how someone can unravel and become unrecognisable from who they once were.
What, in your view, makes a great novel?
A compelling premise, layered and unpredictable characters, and prose that is fresh and evocative – without being overwrought.
Why should readers pick up your new book?
Because it is a truly fun read – simple as that.
Carnivore by K Anis Ahmed is published by HarperFiction, £16.99.
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In an industry long regarded as a boys’ club, Sharma brings a refreshingly unapologetic approach
As the world prepares for the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), one of its most exciting franchises, the Meteora England Champions, is being led by a compelling force. Mahima Sharma is not just making her mark in cricket – she is quietly redefining leadership in a male-dominated industry.
In an industry long regarded as a boys’ club, Sharma brings a refreshingly unapologetic approach. She is strategic, deeply rooted in her love for the game, and proudly feminine. “Cricket has always felt like home to me,” she says. “I come from a culture where cricket is an emotion, and stepping into this role carries a great deal of responsibility. Growing up, I saw very few women leaders in cricket. To now find myself in this position 15 years later feels like coming full circle.”
As co-owner and the driving force behind the Meteora England Champions, Sharma is part of a small group of women leading professional cricket teams. For her, this is not about tokenism, it’s about legacy. “I do not want to be the exception,” she says. “I want to be part of a movement where women leading in sport is normalised. As more women step into leadership, we must not only create space but also change the environment so others can thrive.”
The journey has not been without its obstacles. Sharma recalls the doubt she encountered in the early days. “You walk into certain rooms and feel it – the unspoken question of how a twenty-something woman is in charge,” she says. But instead of backing away, she leaned in. “I chose not to internalise that doubt. I focused on proving myself through action.”
Each branding move, player decision, and strategic step has helped reshape perceptions. “We are not here to just participate. We are here to lead – with vision, knowledge and authenticity.”
Sharma’s leadership story is closely tied to her family. She co-owns the team with her father, a self-made entrepreneur who built the wider Meteora Group. Their dynamic is one of mutual respect. “We do not always agree – and that is our strength. We challenge each other, and that leads to better decisions.”
This blend of tradition and innovation shapes how she runs the team. From revamping fan experiences to reviving iconic rivalries, Sharma brings together nostalgia and bold new energy. “We are embracing history while writing new chapters,” she says. “Through storytelling, digital content and match-day experiences, we are bringing legends back into the spotlight in meaningful ways.”
Those legends include the likes of Eoin Morgan and Alastair Cook – cricketing greats now representing Meteora. “It has honestly been a dream,” Sharma says. “These players are not just icons – they are grounded, inspirational, and passionate about the future of the game.”
The team is also shaped by dynamic women behind the scenes. One key figure is Bhakti Bansal, the team’s creative strategist. “Her leadership has helped shape how the Meteora brand speaks and connects,” Sharma says. “It is not about having women in leadership for the sake of it – it is about having the right leadership.”
Empowerment runs through Sharma’s journey. She is not content with simply climbing the ladder – she wants to rebuild it. “As more women take on leadership roles, we carry the responsibility not just to make space, but to transform the environment so others can thrive.”
As WCL enters its second season, Sharma is scaling upwclegends.uk
For Sharma, inclusivity and creativity are core values. “It starts internally. Our team is deliberately diverse – not just in terms of gender or ethnicity, but in background and thinking styles.” This inclusivity informs every decision, from interns to executive planning. “Everyone has a seat at the table.”
As WCL enters its second season, Sharma is scaling up. “The challenge is in the scale and speed – logistics, player schedules, fan engagement, sponsorships. But the challenges are real, and so is our drive.”
Asked what message she would give young women pursuing careers in sport or business, Sharma is clear. “You do not have to choose between being passionate and being powerful. You do not need all the answers on day one – but you do need to believe you belong.”
Her approach is grounded in authenticity. “Resilience and self-awareness are everything. You must know who you are and hold your ground, even when you do not see yourself reflected in the room.”
She adds, “You can be assertive without being abrasive, strategic without being cold, and emotional without being weak.”
Despite the pace and pressure of running a franchise, Sharma’s love for cricket keeps her grounded and ambitious. “It is still my greatest passion,” she says. But she is open to other opportunities if they align with her values.
At the heart of her leadership is a principle passed down from her father: “Build long-term relationships based on trust.” It is a value she holds close as she navigates partnerships, negotiations and team dynamics.
When she needs inspiration, she turns to her support system. “My family, my friends, my dog Lexi – and the fans. Just being in a packed stadium, hearing the cheers, wearing your team’s jersey – that feeling is unmatched.”
Sharma closes with a simple yet powerful philosophy: “We walk into the room each day with a game plan, positive energy, and a clear vision.”
As the second season of WCL approaches, it is clear that Mahima Sharma is building more than a cricket team – she is building a legacy. One that says, without apology: the future of sport belongs to everyone. And yes, that includes the women who dare to lead.
The World championship of legends cricket 2025 takes place from July 18 – August 2. wclegends.uk
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The Turkey wildfires have not been limited to Izmir
Tourists stranded after Foça wildfire halts flights at Izmir airport
At least 550 people evacuated from homes in the region
Over 600 personnel deployed to contain the blaze
Strong winds and heat raise risk of further fires
Wildfires force airport shutdown in Turkish holiday hotspot
Hundreds of UK tourists, including several from Glasgow, have been left stranded after major wildfires swept through a popular holiday destination in western Turkey, forcing the closure of Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.
The blaze broke out in the resort town of Foça, near Izmir, and was rapidly intensified by strong winds, prompting large-scale evacuations and flight disruptions. All operations at the airport were suspended from 4 pm local time due to ongoing extinguishing efforts, with multiple flights reportedly diverted.
More than 550 residents were evacuated from 175 homes in the Ilıpınar district, while emergency crews battled the fire for over 22 hours. The extensive response included 625 personnel, 46 fire engines, six helicopters, nine bulldozers and 13 water tankers.
Dramatic footage showed aircraft dropping water over the blaze in an effort to slow its spread. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Süleyman Elban, Governor of Izmir Province, has urged residents and visitors to remain cautious, citing the combination of high temperatures and low humidity as factors that could lead to additional fires.
The Turkey wildfires have not been limited to Izmir. Blazes have also been reported this week in Kahramanmaraş, Bursa, Sakarya, Bilecik, Gaziantep, Bolu and Manisa, putting regional emergency services under sustained pressure.
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FILE PHOTO: A mother and daughter sit atop the Covid memorial wall on September 9, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
THE Covid inquiry has started examining how the pandemic affected care services for older and disabled people, with families describing the crisis as one of the worst failures of the pandemic.
Nearly 46,000 care home residents died with Covid in England and Wales between March 2020 and January 2022, with many deaths happening in the first weeks of the outbreak.
Families have waited years for this part of the inquiry, which will look at key decisions including why hospital patients were moved quickly into care homes in March 2020 without being tested for Covid.
Pete Weatherby KC, representing bereaved families, told the inquiry that a top government official had called what happened a "generational slaughter" in care homes.
"We call out the callous way that family members were treated by politicians and policy makers, referring to them as bed blockers and people nearing the end regardless of the virus," he said.
The inquiry heard how care homes were told to take patients from hospitals to free up beds. Between early March and early June 2020, around 25,000 patients were moved to care homes, many without Covid tests.
Government advice on April 2, 2020 said "negative tests are not required" before patients went to care homes. This only changed on April 15, 2020.
A 2022 High Court ruling found this policy was unlawful because it failed to consider the risk to vulnerable care home residents.
Geraldine Treacy's mother Margaret Stewart died in a care home in Northern Ireland. She said: "The home had to accept people from the hospital, who hadn't been tested and subsequently they became very sick."
She described visiting her mother while wearing protective gear: "She couldn't see who I was and she was very, very upset. She was 87 and she was screaming for her mum."
Care workers described being left without proper protective equipment and testing kits early in the pandemic. One worker in Durham said their home lost 25 residents in three weeks.
"Once Covid was in our care home, it spread like wildfire and we could not do anything about it," they said. "At one point, 67 out of 87 residents tested positive."
Staff had to help families say goodbye over video calls. One worker recalled holding a resident's hand up to an iPad screen so his daughter could pretend to hold hands through the screen as he died.
The inquiry will also examine why "do not resuscitate" orders were placed on some elderly residents without their agreement, and policies that stopped families visiting for months.
Maureen Lewis, who manages St Ives Lodge care home in northeast London, lost seven residents to Covid. She remains angry about former health secretary Matt Hancock's claim in May 2020 that the government had "thrown a protective ring around care homes".
"There was no ring of protection for care homes at all," she was quoted as saying. "He needs to take accountability for the decisions he made."
Hancock will give evidence on Wednesday (2). Bereaved families say they want him to "tell the truth" about decisions made during the pandemic.
Jean Adamson, whose father Aldrick died with Covid in April 2020, called the hospital discharge policy "reckless".
"The way that my father and tens of thousands of other care home residents were sacrificed really gets me because I think it smacks of ageism and disability discrimination," Adamson said. The inquiry is expected to last five weeks, with 55 witnesses giving evidence. The final report will not be published until next year.
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Scarlett Johansson attends the "Jurassic World Rebirth" photocall
Scarlett Johansson says early roles focused on “desirability” and male-centred narratives
Notes positive shift in how women are portrayed in Hollywood today
Recalls being hypersexualised and typecast as a young actress
Currently stars in The Phoenician Scheme, with Jurassic World Rebirth out on 2 July
Scarlett Johansson has reflected on how Hollywood roles for women have evolved, admitting that early in her career, most of her characters were written to serve male-driven storylines. Speaking in an interview, the actress said the landscape has changed, with more nuanced opportunities for women on screen.
The Black Widow star, who began acting at nine, noted a shift in the kinds of roles she’s being offered now. “When I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered had their ambitions or arcs revolving around their desirability or the male gaze,” she said. “That is less frequent now; something has shifted.”
Scarlett Johansson opens up about breaking free from early typecastingGetty Images
Johansson says more complex roles are finally being written for women
The 39-year-old actress acknowledged that the film industry is slowly embracing more layered portrayals of women. “The messaging is different now; there are more role models, women in visible and powerful positions, and roles that aren’t just one-note,” she said.
Scarlett has long been vocal about the way she was sexualised early on in her career. In a 2022 interview, she admitted that being objectified in Hollywood made her fear she’d be stuck playing the same type of roles. “I kind of became pigeonholed… I remember thinking, ‘I think people think I’m 40 years old,’” she said.
Johansson reflects on her childhood stardom and evolving careerGetty Images
From child star to filmmaker, Johansson now takes control of the narrative
Having debuted in North (1994), Scarlett went on to star in Lost in Translation, The Horse Whisperer, Ghost World, and the Avengers franchise. Now, she’s not just acting; she’s also directing. Her first feature, Eleanor the Great, premiered at Cannes in May.
From Avengers to auteur Scarlett Johansson embraces creative control Getty Images
Alongside her current role in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, she has Jurassic World Rebirth, which hit theatres on 2 July. After decades in the business, Johansson seems to finally be stepping into a space where she can define her own story, both on and off the screen.