A JOB in the Foreign Office may be considered to only be available to those from an elite background, but an Asian diplomat has revealed how there are no barriers to joining one of the most prestigious offices in government.
Fouzia Younis is mentoring an aspiring BAME civil servant who took up a posting at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) last October.
Samad Chowdhury was offered the chance to be guided by British diplomat Younis when he was a 17-year-old college student.
Since the duo connected, Younis has helped Chowdhury, now 22, navigate some of the pivotal career moments in his life. With her support, he successfully secured a place at Cambridge University in 2015. He graduated with a first-class degree in human, social and political sciences and last October, took the role of a parliamentary officer at the FCO.
The impact of having Younis as a mentor is not lost on Chowdhury, who is from a working-class background in east London.
“Having someone that you know, that you’re comfortable with, who is at that level in society… having a contact like (Younis) is pretty unheard of (in my social class),” he told Eastern Eye.
Younis met Chowdhury when he first visited the Foreign Office during a school trip. Seeing a woman from an ethnic minority background in a senior role in government was a shock to Chowdhury and his classmates.
“I was taken aback,” he admitted. “There is an ‘us and them’ feeling between east London and the government – they are two separate worlds.
“But Fouzia looked like us and had a similar vibe to us. It was refreshing.”
After the diplomat addressed Chowdhury’s class, she offered all the students an opportunity to be mentored by her.
Chowdhury decided to take Younis up on the offer. He was aware that she had given him a chance that he probably wouldn’t have got otherwise, coming from the kind of social-economic background that he did.
For instance, when Chowdhury attended Cambridge University, he found his experiences differed from other students from privileged backgrounds.
“I saw the work experiences they had had – it was all in established law firms and businesses, and it was due to the connections they had from family,” he recalled.
Originally from Newham, Chowdhury grew up in an overcrowded home with his family. There wasn’t much space in the house, meaning it was difficult to do any schoolwork. His family also did not have a high income – Chowdhury would sometimes go without lunch so he could afford to buy revision books, he admitted.
“I felt bad asking for more money from my family,” he said.
Conceding that he did not take his education seriously when he was in school, Chowdhury had a lightbulb moment during his final year at secondary school. He began to realise how much his parents had provided for him and his siblings.
“I got to a point where I thought, ‘how are we where we are?’” he said. “I started thinking about my parents who came here from Bangladesh and sacrificed a lot.
“They left [their home] for us – a very common story for people from east London. And I thought, ‘am I repaying them and doing enough?’ I owe them so much as I know I have a lot of privilege here.”
So he recognised the rare opportunity that Younis was offering. With her help, he became exposed to a professional world which people from his background did not typically engage with. The pair would occasionally meet at the Foreign Office, so that Chowdhury could meet her FCO colleagues.
As well as advice on interview prep for universities and discussing future career prospects, Chowdhury recognised that his confidence was boosted by Younis's support.
“It was so evident that she believed in me,” he said.
Talking about her experiences with Chowdhury, Younis said she was drawn to him as he reminded her of herself. Like her, he attended a state school and was the first person in his family to attend university.
“I could see that he was ambitious and intelligent. He just needed some guidance,” she told Eastern Eye.
When asked about her reasons for offering mentorship, the diplomat said she recognised she was in a position of privilege and was determined to use it for good.
“I needed to give something back,” Younis, originally from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, said.
The pair believe that the power of role models is vital. It is important, they said, that people can see someone like themselves reach the top and be successful. However, Younis stressed that having self-assurance was also significant.
“You have to have the confidence to be the first because, very often, we don’t have anyone in that senior position”, she said. “You have to ask yourself how you can manoeuvre yourself into that position and be the first.”
Seeing Chowdhury’s progression – from graduating from Cambridge with a first-class degree to securing a position at the FCO – has made Younis incredibly proud, she said. Witnessing Chowdhury’s growth, she admitted, still makes her emotional.
“When I talk about it, I become really teary,” she said. “Especially when you hear so much (negativity) in the news about young men in inner city London.”
Having worked for the FCO for 15 years and acting as the co-chair of the FCO’s BAME Network, she is arguably well-established in the field. Was she guided during her climb up the career ladder?
Although she did not benefit from a personal mentor, Younis credits her college tutors for encouraging her to succeed. And when she eventually joined the FCO, some colleagues “made a big difference to (her) career”.
“They knew my background – that my dad was a taxi driver, that I was the first out of my family to go to university – and they knew how difficult it was for someone from my background to get into an organisation (like the FCO),” she said.
“But they really believed in me and helped me get to where I am today.”
Now, Chowdhury has turned his hand to his own mentorship scheme. He has invited students from his old college to the FCO, in the hopes that he is able to offer them guidance, as Younis did for him.
“With the help of my FCO colleagues, I am hoping to assign mentors to mentees,” he explained. “Somebody (will be there) to give them advice and support (when) they don’t have that family member or friend to give them guidance.”
From his own experiences, Chowdhury believes there is still a perception that some social groups are unable to access careers in certain sectors. He also thinks there is a common myth that students from low economic areas lack aspiration.
"There is often too much in the way and it makes it difficult for (people),” he said, admitting that he could not think of a single friend hailing from a similar socio-economic background who did not face some form of identity-related barrier in achieving success.
“There are many external factors that stop people from doing what they want to do,” he added. “And we must recognise that the problem is structural.
“If you have structural disadvantages, then aspirations can only go so far,” he explained. “The best analogy for this is if you visualise a hill and imagine two people driving up that same hill. But one person has a Land Rover while the other has a Nissan Micra.
“You have different resources and materials, but there are structural advantages and disadvantages that people don’t talk about as much.”
An inspiring evening of sport, solidarity, and celebration unfolded on Friday (13) as Her Excellency Nimisha J Madhvani, High Commissioner of Uganda to the UK, hosted a dynamic fundraising event for the Tritons Uganda Rugby Tour 2025. The fundraiser drew attention to a groundbreaking moment in UK and Ugandan rugby relations, the first ever UK women’s rugby team set to tour Uganda.
The high-energy evening included guest appearances by celebrated rugby personalities Simon Shaw, a former England lock and British & Irish Lion, and Shaunagh Brown, an inspirational former England Red Roses international.
Set to take place from 19th to 23rd November 2025, the Tritons Uganda Tour will see both a men’s and women’s UK team travel to the "Pearl of Africa" to face the Uganda Club Select and National Select XVs. The tour, organised by Tritons Sports in collaboration with the Uganda Rugby Union, is poised to make history, marking the first ever UK women’s rugby team to play in Uganda.
Last year’s men’s match against the Ugandan National Veterans XV left an indelible mark. The 2025 tour is expected to build on that legacy with renewed purpose, inviting players and supporters alike to “Play. Explore. Make History.”
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The couple were married from 2003 to 2016 and have two children
The sudden death of billionaire businessman Sunjay Kapur at the age of 53 has raised questions over the future of his vast wealth and who stands to inherit it. Best known in the public eye for his marriage to Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, Kapur leaves behind a family spread across three marriages — including two children with Kapoor.
Global business, personal fortune
Kapur was the chairman of Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd, commonly known as Sona Comstar, a global automotive components firm headquartered in Gurugram, India. He took charge of the company after the death of his father Dr Surinder Kapur in 2015 and steered it to significant success, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The company was listed on the Indian stock exchange in 2021 and is now valued at approximately £2.95 billion, according to Bloomberg.
At the time of his death on 13 June in London, Kapur's personal net worth was estimated at around £980 million ($1.2 billion), with most of it tied to his stake in the company.
Family and children
Kapur was married three times. His first marriage, to designer Nandita Mahtani, ended in 2000. From 2003 to 2016, he was married to actress Karisma Kapoor, with whom he had two children — Samaira, now 20, and Kiaan, 14. He later married entrepreneur Priya Sachdev in 2017, and the couple have a six-year-old son, Azarias.
Inheritance and past settlements
There has been no official word from the family or company about the contents of Kapur’s will or the structure of his estate. However, reports suggest that under Indian inheritance law, his current wife Priya Sachdev would manage the estate unless otherwise specified in a will.
According to earlier reports from ANI in 2016, during divorce proceedings with Karisma Kapoor, Kapur had purchased bonds worth around £1.3 million (₹14 crore) each for Samaira and Kiaan. These bonds reportedly generate a monthly income of around £9,400 (₹10 lakh) for each child — a move seen as part of his legacy planning.
As part of the divorce settlement, a family property in Mumbai was also transferred to Karisma Kapoor, who retains full custody of the two children.
Uncertain future
While the details of Kapur’s current estate plan are not public, Indian media reports suggest his sisters may take on management roles within Sona Comstar. The company has said that business operations remain unaffected and pledged to uphold his legacy.
For now, it remains unclear how his estimated £980 million fortune will be distributed among his heirs.
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Veeraswamy was opened in 1926 by Edward Palmer, an Anglo-Indian and retired British Indian Army officer.
VEERASWAMY, the UK's oldest Indian restaurant, is locked in a legal battle with the Crown Estate, which is seeking to evict it from its home at Victory House on Regent Street, where it has operated since 1926.
The Crown Estate wants to take back the building to renovate the upper-floor offices, which have remained empty since a flood in late 2023.
According to The Times, the plans include removing the wall that separates the restaurant’s entrance from the office entrance to create a larger reception area. The restaurant’s co-owner, Ranjit Mathrani of MW Eat, has said this would block access to Veeraswamy, effectively shutting it down.
Mathrani told The Times he had proposed several alternatives, such as sharing the entrance or giving up the first floor and retaining only the basement and mezzanine levels, but none had been accepted. “My dealings with the [Crown Estate] have been characterised by an uncompromising refusal to consider any change to their design plan,” he said in a court filing.
Veeraswamy pays around £205,000 in annual rent, and Mathrani has said he is willing to match the rent paid by future office tenants after renovation. Though initially open to relocating, he said the Crown Estate's claim of helping find a new site was “disingenuous”. “They’ve made no real attempt to find alternative sites for us,” he told The Times.
Veeraswamy’s lease expires at the end of June. However, MW Eat can continue to trade until the court hearing, expected in spring or early summer next year. If the court rules in its favour, the restaurant’s protected tenancy could allow a 14-year extension. If not, Mathrani hopes for a two-year lease to allow time for relocation. “If we lost, that would be our fallback, but moving sites will cost us about £5 million and therefore it is not our preferred option,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Crown Estate said: “We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House to bring the building back into full use. We appreciate how upsetting this is for Veeraswamy and have offered to help find new premises elsewhere on our portfolio, having explored other options to accommodate the restaurant’s needs. We thank Veeraswamy and their customers for their contributions to the West End.”
Nearly a century on Regent Street
Veeraswamy was opened in 1926 by Edward Palmer, an Anglo-Indian and retired British Indian Army officer.
Located at 99-101 Regent Street, the restaurant has served regional Indian cuisine for decades, with dishes from Punjab, Lucknow, Kashmir and Goa.
It has long attracted royalty, political leaders and celebrities. Past diners include Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Charlie Chaplin, and King Gustav VI of Sweden.
Ownership and Michelin recognition
In 1997, the restaurant was acquired by Ranjit Mathrani and Namitha Panjabi. They restored its interiors and integrated it into their MW Eat group.
In 2016, Veeraswamy received a Michelin star. Inspectors noted that it continued to serve “classic dishes from across the country” with care and professionalism.
Historical roots
Before opening Veeraswamy, Edward Palmer had started EP Veeraswamy & Co. in 1896 to promote Indian food in Britain.
In 1924, he advised the Indian Government Pavilion restaurant at the British Empire Exhibition, which served around 500 curries a day.
Veeraswamy was not the first Indian restaurant in the UK, but it was among the first high-end ones and has remained at its Regent Street location for 99 years.
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Aamir Khan addresses love jihad allegations and shares rare details about his family
In the lead-up to his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has addressed a long-standing controversy that has trailed him for years: allegations that his 2014 film PK promoted ‘love jihad’ and disrespected religion. Speaking on Aap Ki Adalat, the actor finally offered his side of the story, calling the accusations “baseless” and “misinformed”.
“When two people fall in love and decide to marry, it’s not a conspiracy. It’s a human connection,” Aamir said, firmly rejecting the label of ‘love jihad’.
‘PK’ wasn’t against religion, it warned against blind faith: Aamir clarifies intent
Back in 2014, PK sparked debate for showing a Hindu woman in love with a Pakistani Muslim man. Critics accused the film of mocking religious beliefs. Responding to this, Aamir said the film respected all faiths and was never intended to ridicule anyone’s beliefs.
“We respect every religion deeply. PK was about being cautious of those who misuse religion to exploit people. This kind of manipulation exists in all communities,” he explained. He stressed the film’s core message: don’t fall for those who use faith as a tool for fear or financial gain.
Aamir Khan defends PK and calls out misuse of religion to create divisionGetty Images
Aamir also addressed questions about his children’s names. Despite being married to Hindu women Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, his children carry Muslim names like Ira, Junaid, and Azad. “My wives chose the names. There was no pressure from me,” he said, adding with a smile, “Husbands don’t always get their way.”
‘Humanity over headlines’: Aamir gives personal examples to challenge narrative
To further break down the ‘love jihad’ myth, Aamir pointed to his own family. “My sister Nikhat is married to Santosh Hegde, Farhat to Rajeev Dutta, and my daughter Ira to Nupur Shikhare, all Hindu men. Will you call that love jihad too?” he asked.
He urged people to look beyond religion when it comes to relationships, calling love a personal choice that transcends labels. “When two minds connect, it’s above any religion. It’s about humanity,” he said.
Aamir says real love is a human bond not a conspiracy Getty Images
Aamir also addressed criticism for delaying his response to a recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The actor clarified that he isn’t active on social media and said the timing of his statement and the trailer release of Sitaare Zameen Par was purely coincidental.
Sitaare Zameen Par hits cinemas on 20 June.
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5 moments from the Kantara 2 shoot that shocked fans and halted filming
The shoot of Kantara 2 has been anything but smooth. What was meant to be a spiritual sequel to one of Kannada cinema’s biggest hits has instead been plagued by a series of disturbing incidents, including a drowning, a boat capsizing with Rishab Shetty on board, and even environmental fines. While the production team insists filming is on track, the number of on-set mishaps has left fans concerned and questioning the safety standards behind the camera. Here's a timeline of five serious events that disrupted the shoot.
A minibus ferrying around 20 junior artists back from set rolled over near Jadkal, Karnataka. Initial reports pointed to injuries. Hombale Films quickly countered, insisting it wasn’t their official transport and no one was seriously hurt. Filming pushed ahead almost immediately. The conflicting accounts left questions hanging about crew safety during transit.
A lunch break tragedy (7–8 May 2025)
The shoot took its darkest turn during a break at the Kollur Souparnika River location. Junior artist M.F. Kapil, just 24, went for a swim off-duty. Strong currents swept him away. Hours later, his body was recovered. Production halted. While the makers stressed this happened off-set and was a "personal accident," the death of a young crew member cast a long shadow over the production. A police probe followed.
Off-set losses (May–June 2025)
Within weeks, two more deaths struck, though not directly tied to set conditions. Comedian Rakesh Pujare succumbed to a cardiac arrest in May. Then, in June, mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju collapsed on set with chest pain, dying en route to the hospital. While health-related, each incident highlighted the importance of on-call medical support.
Massive set destruction & environmental fines (Early 2025)
Months before the drownings and boat capsize, the team faced a different kind of blow. A massive, expensive set built for the film was utterly destroyed by fierce, unexpected storms and relentless rain. To compound the problem, the crew later drew flak and fines from forest officials, accused of disrupting habitats and illegally dumping waste during their work.
Boat capsize at Mani Reservoir (16 June 2025)
The most recent jolt came with the boat capsizing incident at the Mani Dam reservoir. While filming a scene, the vessel, overloaded with Shetty and crew, overturned, plunging everyone into the water. Shallow depths prevented fatalities, but equipment was lost, production stopped, and safety protocols came under intense scrutiny. Police are investigating overloading as a likely cause.
Each setback, from overturned vehicles to environmental pushback and sudden fatalities, has tested Kantara 2’s planners and crew. While no further fatalities have occurred since 15 June, production delays and budget increases are almost inevitable. The team now faces the dual task of maintaining its ambitious 2 October 2025 release date while ensuring every member can work without fearing for their safety.