LONELINESS can affect people of all ages and backgrounds in different ways. Sukhvinder Kaur was deeply impacted by social isolation after her marriage broke down, leaving her alone with two young children.
Despite a happy upbringing, a supportive family, and a strong community network, she began experiencing uncomfortable thoughts that didn’t resonate with her, leading to increased isolation.
Sukhvinder turned that pain into power by researching loneliness for over a decade, including ways to combat it, and writing the self-help book There Is Light At The End Of The Tunnel Of Loneliness. The book, donating all raised funds to mental health charities, offers practical advice to those suffering from loneliness and helps them understand it.
Eastern Eye caught up with the debut author to discuss her empowering book. She also offered advice for those feeling alone and for those with loved ones affected by loneliness.
Tells us about your book.
I share all the things that helped me so others can have happier lives too. It shows lonely people how to use specific skills and strategies to understand their feelings and find clear ways to make their lives more content and peaceful. I’ve included top tips, helpful support, and inspiring resources to help those experiencing loneliness find peace of mind and the answers they need to feel confident and connected.
How much did you draw from personal experience while writing this book?
When writing something so personal, you pour your thoughts and feelings onto the pages. I felt that others were going through what I had experienced, so I wrote this book based on my own journey, hoping it would help readers. I wanted to put healing within reach by providing skills, resources, and help based on my experience. Ultimately, I wanted people to know that they are not alone.
What key message do you hope readers take away from your book?
If you are hurting, my book can be a source of healing. I want this book to serve as a reminder that joy is always within reach, even in the midst of hopelessness. This simple guide to inner peace shows that there is a way forward. My aim is to inspire readers to embrace change and welcome growth. I want this book to be a powerful beacon of hope, reminding people that they can brave life’s storms and come out stronger.
And , her book
How did you approach writing about such an emotional and deeply personal subject?
I decided to be clear about my feelings and completely honest. I wanted to transform my negative feelings into positive ones. For example, I felt hurt and rejected by my husband and old friends, but I also had loving support from my parents and colleagues. I used positive affirmations – instead of saying, ‘I feel sad and lost’, I focused on feeling hopeful and looking toward a brighter future. I am religious, so I also drew strength from prayer.
Who are you hoping connects with your book?
I found that life is a journey, and loneliness can happen at any time, from childhood to adulthood. It’s estimated that over three million people in the UK experienced chronic loneliness between 2022 and 2024. So, I wrote this book for every single person.
What are the long-term mental and physical effects of loneliness?
Social isolation can have a devastating impact on mental health, leading to an increase in depression and anxiety. It can affect cognitive function and increase the risk of dementia. Loneliness can also lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and a weakened immune system. It can even result in suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
What advice would you give those feeling lonely and alone?
Loneliness can be a challenging and isolating experience. It’s important to remember that there are people who care and want to help, whether they are friends, family, a support group, a counsellor, or a medical practitioner. There are resources available, and there is no shame in seeking support or help. Remember that you are valued, important, and not alone. Your experience and feelings are valid.
What is an effective step for someone experiencing loneliness?
First, buy a notebook and write down how you are feeling. It’s not about writing all the pages in one go – you can just write a few words and come back to it. This will help you make sense of events and understand what you’re going through. As healing begins, you’ll be able to see how far you’ve come. Writing things down can also motivate and inspire you, providing clarity and insight. It helps you process your emotions productively.
What advice do you have for someone who feels too embarrassed to seek help?
Loneliness is a part of life and should be discussed. We are all affected by it at some point. Many who are surrounded by people or are popular on social media experience it. Try not to feel embarrassed or ashamed. Admitting we feel lonely can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that many others feel the same way. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member, or speak to a professional like a therapist or doctor. You can also take small steps to combat loneliness, such as joining a club or volunteering.
How can friends and family support someone struggling with loneliness?
Reach out regularly to loved ones, especially if they seem to be struggling or becoming isolated. Check in with phone calls, texts, and visits. Suggest shared activities based on their interests. Be mindful of their needs by offering practical help, or simply by being present and listening without judgement. Let them know you are there for them unconditionally.
Did writing the book help you?
It has made me more confident. For a long time, I lacked confidence, but through this book’s journey, I’ve given talks at mental health events, participated in media interviews, had my photograph taken, and met lots of supportive people. I’ve learned more about loneliness and how we can all help each other.
Confidential support is available for those struggling with mental health on 0300 102 1234 (www.mind.org. uk) or 116123 (www. samaritans.org).
Hotter days linked to greater intake of sugary drinks and frozen desserts
Lower-income households most affected, research finds
Climate change could worsen health risks linked to sugar consumption
Study based on 15 years of US household food purchasing data
Sugary consumption rising with heat
People are more likely to consume sugary drinks and ice cream on warmer days, particularly in lower-income households, according to new research. The study warns that climate change could intensify this trend, adding to health risks as global temperatures continue to rise.
Sugar consumption is a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and has surged worldwide in recent decades. The findings, published in Nature Climate Change, suggest that rising heat could be nudging more people towards high-sugar products such as soda, juice and ice cream.
Climate link to diet
Researchers from the UK and US analysed data from American households between 2004 and 2019 and compared purchases with local weather conditions. They found that for every additional degree Celsius within the range of 12–30°C, people consumed an extra 0.7 grams of sugar per day on average.
Those with lower incomes or less education were the most affected, according to the study. Under worst-case climate scenarios, disadvantaged groups could be consuming up to five additional grams of sugar daily by the end of the century, lead author Pan He of Cardiff University told AFP.
Beyond recommended limits
The American Heart Association recommends a maximum daily intake of 36 grams of added sugar for men and 24 grams for women. However, most Americans already consume two to three times these amounts. A single can of soda contains about 40 grams of sugar.
The study showed that the increase in sugar consumption levelled off once temperatures rose above 30°C. Co-author Duo Chan of the University of Southampton suggested this may be because people had already altered their diets by that point. He warned this could be “even worse news”, as it showed dietary changes were occurring even at lower, not extreme, temperatures.
Substituting frozen treats
The research also indicated a drop in purchases of baked goods on hotter days, likely because consumers were substituting them with ice cream or other frozen desserts.
Health concerns
Unhealthy diets are among the four main risk factors for diseases that account for more than 70 per cent of deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The authors concluded that climate change, by shaping dietary choices, could further worsen public health outcomes.
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How noticing the changes in my father taught me the importance of early action, patience, and love
I don’t understand people who don’t talk or see their parents often. Unless they have done something to ruin your lives or you had a traumatic childhood, there is no reason you shouldn’t be checking in with them at least every few days if you don’t live with them.
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of looking after my parents – they lived with me while their old house was being sold, and their new house was being renovated.
Within this time, I noticed things happening to my dad (Chamanlal Mulji), an 81-year-old retired joiner. Dad was known as Simba when he lived in Zanzibar, East Africa because he was like a lion. A man in fairly good health, despite being an ex-smoker, he’d only had heart surgery back in 2017. In the last few years, he was having some health issues, but certain things, like his walking and driving becoming slow, and his memory failing, we just put down to old age. Now, my dad was older than my friend’s dad. Many of whom in their 70’s, dad, at 81 was an older dad, not common back in the seventies when he married my mum.
It was only when I spent extended time around my parents that I started noticing that certain things weren’t just due to old age. Some physical symptoms were more serious, but certain things like forgetting that the front door wasn’t the bathroom door, and talking about old memories thinking that they had recently happened rang alarm bells for me and I suspected that he might have dementia.
Dementia generally happens in old age when the brain starts to shrink. Someone described it to me as a person’s brain being like a bookshelf. The books at the top of the shelf are the new memories and the books at the bottom are the new memories. The books at the top have fallen off, leaving only the old memories being remembered. People with dementia are also highly likely to suffer from strokes.
Sadly, my dad was one of the few that suffered a stroke and passed away on 28th June 2025. If you have a parent, family member or anyone you know and you suspect that they might have dementia, please talk to your GP straight away. Waiting lists within the NHS are extremely LONG so the quicker people with dementia are treated, the better. Sadly, the illness cannot be reversed but medication can help it from getting worse.
One thing I would also advise is to have patience. Those suffering with dementia can be agitated and often become aggressive, but that’s only because they’re frustrated that they cannot do things the way they used to.
The disease might hide the person underneath, but there’s still a person in there who needs your love and attention.” - Jamie Calandriello
The holy town of Ambaji witnessed a spiritually significant day on Sunday as His Holiness Siri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, head of the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, London, performed the Dhwaja ritual at the historic Ambaji Temple in Gujarat, one of the most revered Shakti Peeths of India.
Guruji, who travelled especially from London to be part of the festivities, offered prayers to Goddess Amba and hoisted the sacred flag, a symbol of divine strength, victory, and eternal devotion. Speaking about the ritual, he reminded devotees that the dhwaja inspires courage, faith, and a constant remembrance of the divine in everyday life.
Adding to the spiritual significance of the day, Guruji also personally served Bhandara (community meal) to devotees gathered at the temple premises.
The International Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow witnessed an inspiring and environmentally responsible celebration of Ganesh Utsav 2025, which concluded on Saturday, 6 September, with the Ganesh Visarjan ritual performed on the sacred occasion of Anant Chaturdashi.
What made this year’s celebration exceptional was the decision to conduct the Visarjan in a custom-built artificial water pool at the temple premises. After the ceremonial parikrama, the idol of Lord Ganesh was immersed with devotion, ensuring that the environment and public water bodies remained protected. The move also underlined compliance with local regulations, offering a model of how cultural traditions can be maintained with modern responsibility.
HH Siri Rajrajeshwar Guruji reminded devotees that true devotion also lies in mindful practice: “Our faith must go hand in hand with respect for the environment and the laws of the land. By celebrating responsibly, we honour our deities and set a positive example for other communities.”
The ten-day festival at Siddhashram was filled with devotional activities, including Ganesh Mantra Sadhana and the chanting of Hanuman Chalisa on 30 August, followed by the vibrant Annakut Darshan of Lord Ganesh on 2 September, which drew large numbers of devotees.
With soulful bhajans, prayers, and rituals held daily, the festival reaffirmed Siddhashram’s role as a centre of spiritual growth and cultural preservation in London. The eco-conscious Visarjan, in particular, stood out as a symbol of blending tradition with responsibility, inspiring worshippers to celebrate with both devotion and awareness.
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Eli Lilly has agreed a discounted supply deal for its weight-loss drug Mounjaro
Eli Lilly had announced a steep price rise of up to 170% for Mounjaro.
A new discount deal with UK suppliers will limit the increase for patients.
Pharmacies will still apply a mark-up, but consumer costs are expected to rise less than initially feared.
NHS pricing remains unaffected due to separate arrangements.
Eli Lilly has agreed a discounted supply deal for its weight-loss drug Mounjaro, easing fears of a sharp rise in costs for UK patients. The new arrangement means that, from September, pharmacies and private services will face smaller wholesale increases than first expected, limiting the impact on consumers.
Why the price rise was announced
Earlier this month, Eli Lilly said it would raise Mounjaro’s list price by as much as 170%, which could have pushed the highest monthly dose from £122 to £330. The company argued that UK pricing needed to align more closely with higher costs in Europe and the United States.
Discount deal for UK suppliers
The revised agreement will see the top-dose price set at £247.50 for suppliers. While pharmacies and private providers will still add their own margins, the increase for patients is now likely to remain under 50% for higher doses, and even lower for smaller doses.
Eli Lilly confirmed:
“We are working with private providers on commercial arrangements to maintain affordability and expect these to be passed onto patients when the change is effective on 1 September.”
Impact on consumers
Around 1.5 million people in the UK are currently on weight-loss drugs, with more than half using Mounjaro. Most of these patients—around 90%—pay privately through online services or high street pharmacies.
Prices vary between providers, depending on the level of lifestyle and dietary support offered alongside the injections.
Olivier Picard of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“This rebate will mitigate some of the impact of the increase, but patients should still anticipate seeing a rise in prices from 1 September.”
NHS pricing unchanged
The deal does not affect the NHS, which has secured its own heavily-discounted price for patients prescribed the weekly injection.
Mounjaro works by helping patients feel fuller for longer, reducing food intake and supporting weight loss of up to 20% of body weight.