Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Lord Gadhia named British Asian Trust’s new chair

Lord Gadhia named British Asian Trust’s new chair

CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak and home secretary Priti Patel joined Prince Charles and his wife Camilla at an event hosted by the British Asian Trust (BAT) in London last night (9).

Leading business, political and community leaders from the subcontinent attended the trust’s annual dinner at the British Museum, where Lord Jitesh Gadhia was named as the new chair of the charity.

Guests included Adar Poonawalla who runs India’s leading vaccine maker, the Serum Institute, and his wife Natasha; the new CEO of Barclays, CS Venkatakrishnan; music producer Naughty Boy and chairman of Pakistan’s Nishat Group, Mian Mohammad Mansha.

Prince Charles said, “I cannot quite believe it is almost two years to the day that both my "Mehabooba" and myself were able to be with all of you to celebrate the work of the British Asian Trust. Since then, across the globe, there has been terrible loss of life from Covid-19 and we have especially seen the devastating impact throughout south Asia.

In these most challenging times, the British Asian Trust has run four significant fundraising appeals which have so far raised almost £20 million. A truly remarkable achievement in such a difficult environment.”

During the pandemic, the trust raised £5m through its “Oxygen for India Appeal” to support the country during its devastating second wave.

It also secured £2m of matched funding from the UK government for the trust’s Women’s Economic Empowerment programme, which will help 10,000 Pakistani women to find a job or start a business.

Founded in 2007 by Charles and British Asian business leaders, the trust seeks to tackle poverty, inequality and injustice in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Home secretary Priti Patel, chancellor Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, Natasha Poonawalla and Adar Poonawalla and Mian Mohammad Mansha at reception to celebrate the British Asian Trust at The British Museum (from left) Home secretary Priti Patel, chancellor Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, Natasha Poonawalla and Adar Poonawalla and Mian Mohammad Mansha at reception to celebrate the British Asian Trust at The British Museum  (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)



Outgoing chair Manoj Badale said, “The funds raised will help us continue to deliver large scale outcome-focused programmes in the fields of education, livelihoods, mental health, anti-trafficking and conservation in south Asia post-Covid-19.”

The event was hosted by trust ambassadors, BBC broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake, BBC, and Reshmin Chowdhury, sports presenter for BT Sport and the BBC.

Guests who attended to event included filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, actor Nitin Ganatra, former Liverpool and Wales footballer Ian Rush, fashion designers Shantanu and Nikhil, Vimlesh Maru of Lloyds Banking Group, Lakshman Narasimhan of Reckitt and DJ Neev.

More For You

Air India flight crash
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Getty Images

Air India crash probe finds fuel to engines was cut off before impact

Highlights

 
     
  • Fuel to both engines of the Air India flight was cut off seconds before the crash
  •  
  • A pilot was heard questioning the other over the cut-off; both denied initiating it.
  •  
  • The Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.
  •  
  • Investigators are focusing on fuel switch movement; full analysis may take months.

FUEL control switches to both engines of the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff were moved from the "run" to the "cutoff" position seconds before the crash, according to a preliminary investigation report released early Saturday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have consistently reported Chinese research vessel presence. (Representational image: Getty Images)

Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

A Chinese research vessel was detected operating in the Bay of Bengal near Indian waters while attempting to conceal its presence by disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS), according to a report by The Economic Times, citing French maritime intelligence firm Unseenlabs.

The French company conducted a 16-day satellite-based survey tracking ships through radio frequency emissions. It monitored 1,897 vessels, with 9.6 per cent showing no AIS activity, indicating attempts to avoid detection. The survey raised concerns amid increased Chinese activity in the region.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian-inspired garden earns
five awards at Hampton Court

(From left) Malcolm Anderson (RHS, head of sustainability) Clare Matterson (RHS director general), Lorraine Bishton (Subaru UK and Ireland, managing director) Andrew Ball (director, Big Fish Landscapes) Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews with the medals

Asian-inspired garden earns five awards at Hampton Court

BRITISH Asians are being encouraged to take up gardening by a couple who have won a record five medals at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

“It’s a contemporary reimagining of a traditional walled garden, highlighting the British and Irish rainforests,” said Jewlsy Mathews, who was born in Britain of parents from Kerala, a southern Indian state known for its lush vegetation.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less