Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan announced the continuation of free school meals for all children attending state primary schools in London, marking the start of the second year of this initiative.
The announcement was made at Henry Fawcett Primary School in Lambeth on Friday (6), where TV chefs Tom Kerridge and Seema Pankhania joined the mayor to celebrate the programme’s extension.
Over the past year, the initiative has provided more than 43 million free meals to children across London. The scheme, funded by City Hall, aims to ensure that all children in state primary schools receive a nutritious meal each day, helping to reduce the financial burden on families and improve student engagement in schools.
City Hall has allocated an additional £140 million to maintain the programme for another year, aiming to benefit up to 270,000 children. Families are expected to save over £1,000 per child during the first two years. Previously, free school meals were available only to children from households with earnings below £7,400 annually, excluding benefits.
A study by the Child Poverty Action Group and the National Education Union pointed out several benefits of providing free school meals to all children. It suggested that it reduces financial stress for families, improves student concentration, and removes the stigma associated with means-tested meals.
Khan said, “Funding free school meals for all state primary schoolchildren across London is one of my proudest achievements as Mayor, so I’m delighted that the programme is now entering its second year and reducing the financial pressure on families. By ensuring pupils don’t go hungry in the classroom, they can better concentrate on their studies and have the best possible chance to succeed.
“I know from personal experience what a difference free school meals can make and I am determined to ensure that no child in the capital goes hungry. That’s why for as long as I am Mayor all state primary schoolchildren will be offered free school meals, helping to build a fairer and healthier London for everyone.”
Sadiq Khan with schoolchildren (Photo: Greater London Authority)
In addition to school meals, the mayor's office has allocated £7.5m to provide meals for families during school holidays and weekends. Since April 2023, over 15.3 million meals have been distributed through community organisations, with an additional 3.7 million provided during the recent summer holiday.
The mayor's initiative is part of broader efforts to support Londoners facing challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis. This includes funding for advice services, support for London's first multibank to distribute essential products, freezing TfL fares, and investing in affordable housing.
Pankhania, author of Craveable , aka @seemagetsbaked, said: “I’ve grown up food obsessed and always loved school canteen meals. As someone who received free school meals I know first-hand how much of a difference they can make to families. I'm so happy that the mayor has committed to funding free school meals for all state primary school children, and it’s been heartwarming to hear about the programme."
Khan, Seema, Tom with schoolchildren (Photo: Greater London Authority)
Chef Jamie Oliver praised the continuation of London’s free school meals programme, saying it shows mayor Khan's commitment to long-term change for child health. He noted that this effort is part of a broader push to make London a healthier city by supporting initiatives like banning junk food ads.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall stressed the importance of the scheme, adding that children cannot learn if they are hungry. He commended the mayor for ensuring all primary school children in London have access to nutritious meals.
Dawn Persad, Headteacher at Henry Fawcett Primary School, said that the free school meals programme is crucial for their community, providing some children with their only hot meal of the day and easing financial pressure on families.
Charlotte Hill, CEO of The Felix Project, welcomed the extension of the free school meals scheme. According to Hill, it helps families reduce food costs and allows children to focus on learning rather than worrying about their next meal.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said, “Across the capital, children will continue to enjoy hot, healthy meals, families will benefit from much needed additional time and money this scheme will provide them with. Our members will be also be relieved to know that no child is going hungry in their classroom.”
AMMA president Shwetha Menon calls for structured work shifts for women in cinema
She recalled working in four films during her pregnancy with director support
Deepika Padukone earlier demanded 8-hour workdays after becoming a mother
The debate on shift rules continues to divide actors and filmmakers
Actor Shwetha Menon, the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), has added her voice to the growing call for fixed working hours in the film industry. Speaking at the India Today South Conclave 2025, she echoed Deepika Padukone’s earlier demand for eight-hour workdays, stressing that clear schedules are essential for working mothers balancing careers and family.
Shwetha Menon calls for fixed working hours in cinema Instagram/sudheesh_muthukad_and shwetha_menon
Why is Shwetha Menon calling for fixed working hours?
Shwetha Menon used her own journey to underline the need for change. She revealed that she worked on four films while pregnant and only managed because she communicated openly with directors about avoiding early morning shoots.
“I told my directors I wasn’t comfortable with early mornings, and they understood,” she said. For Menon, dialogue between filmmakers and artistes is key, but she acknowledged that many women hesitate to raise concerns out of fear of losing work.
During her time as AMMA’s first female vice president, she urged women to speak up about their struggles, but most remained silent. “Everyone is worried about their careers,” she noted. “But slowly, we will bring these issues to light.”
Shwetha Menon moves Kerala High Court to quash FIR over ‘obscene scenes’ in films Instagram/shwetha_menon
What did Deepika Padukone say about 8-hour shifts?
The debate first caught public attention when Deepika Padukone, who recently welcomed her daughter Dua with Ranveer Singh, demanded eight-hour shifts to accommodate her role as a new mother. Reports suggested her exit from the upcoming film Spirit was partly due to disagreements with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who refused to agree to limited working hours.
Deepika has long been vocal about the need for work-life balance. Reflecting on her battle with depression years earlier, she explained how overwork takes a toll on mental health. “If you don’t replenish and rest, you cannot put energy back into your work,” she said. She also stressed that better quality output comes from well-rested crews, not endless shooting marathons.
Deepika Padukone makes a stunning runway comeback, opening Sabyasachi’s 25th anniversary show in signature elegance Deepika Padukone makes a stunning runway comeback, opening Sabyasachi’s 25th anniversary show in signature elegance
Do all actors support fixed shifts in film shoots?
Not everyone agrees with the idea of regulated workdays in cinema. Actor Adivi Sesh argued that filmmaking cannot be compared to corporate jobs and often requires 12–18 hour schedules. “Acting is not a 9-to-5 job,” he said, pointing out that budgets and time constraints often dictate shoot lengths.
Ali Fazal, who has also produced films, echoed a similar view, noting that each project demands different hours depending on genre, VFX, or action sequences. “You can’t put a template on creativity,” he explained, adding that shift rules must be mutually decided between creators, technicians and actors rather than imposed.
The contrasting views actually highlight a growing conversation in Indian cinema about workplace reforms. For decades, long shooting hours have been the norm, often at the cost of performers’ health and family life. With high-profile voices like Deepika Padukone and Shwetha Menon pushing for structured shifts, the issue is gaining prominence.
Shwetha Menon’s election as AMMA’s first woman president has further spotlighted the topic. She has promised to advocate for better systems of communication and support for women in Malayalam cinema. Her call resonates with Padukone’s, suggesting a possible shift towards more family-friendly and humane working conditions in an industry where women have traditionally been expected to adjust without complaint.
Meanwhile, Deepika continues to balance motherhood with her career. She was last seen in Singham Again and is currently filming King alongside Shah Rukh Khan, with discussions ongoing about future projects. Shwetha, on the other hand, has been celebrated for breaking barriers in South Indian cinema, both on screen and now as a leader in industry reform.
The debate over fixed hours is far from settled. While some argue that cinema thrives on flexibility, others believe that structured shifts could bring long-overdue respect for artistes’ personal lives. With both Deepika Padukone and Shwetha Menon making the demand, the conversation around work-life balance in Indian cinema may finally be entering the mainstream.
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The event also included a financial report, a documentary on the organisation’s history, and an exhibition on Hindu genocide in the subcontinent.
THE BANGLADESH Hindu Association UK marked its 25th founding anniversary with a silver jubilee programme on Saturday, August 30, at the Ravidassia Community Centre in Manor Park, East London.
Members from Birmingham, Bradford, Loughborough, Portsmouth, Hull, Sheffield, Leeds and Coventry attended the event.
President Proshanta Purokayastha BEM presided and general secretary Sujith Chowdhury conducted the programme, which began with recitations from the Sri Sri Bhagavad Gita, conch sounds and Rabindra Sangeet.
UK minister for works and pensions Sir Stephen Timms MP was chief guest and former MP Virendra Sharma was special guest. The president unveiled the anniversary magazine Roots with them.
Sir Stephen Timms MP said he was delighted to see the large turnout and praised “BHAUK's remarkable progress, social cohesion and consensus.” Referring to the youth presence, he said, “the new generation will continue the activities of BHA in the future.”
Virendra Sharma said, “it is the responsibility of the new generation to carry forward the exemplary success achieved by BHA UK over the last 25 years.” He added, “the consensus and collective efforts of the Hindu community will further strengthen the bonds of peace and harmony in the society.”
The event also included a financial report, a documentary on the organisation’s history, and an exhibition on Hindu genocide in the subcontinent.
A new committee was announced, awards were distributed, and cultural performances were staged.
President Proshanta Purokayastha thanked members for their support over 25 years.
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Rana Daggubati is backing award-winning indie films through his Spirit Media banner
Rana Daggubati shifts from blockbuster Baahubali stardom to backing acclaimed indie films.
His Spirit Media to release Sabar Bonda, winner of Sundance 2025 Grand Jury Prize.
Earlier release All We Imagine As Light ran in cinemas for seven weeks.
Daggubati reveals why India needs consistent infrastructure for alternative cinema.
Rana Daggubati, best known globally for his role in the Baahubali franchise, is now building a reputation in a very different space: indie film distribution. The actor has taken a bold leap from spectacle-driven cinema to backing critically acclaimed titles like Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light and the Sundance 2025 winner Sabar Bonda. With his Spirit Media banner, Daggubati says he wants to create a consistent pipeline for alternative cinema in India, where such films rarely get the screen space they deserve.
Rana Daggubati is backing award-winning indie films through his Spirit Media banner Getty Images
Why is Rana Daggubati focusing on indie film distribution?
According to Daggubati, India lacks a sustainable model for alternative cinema. While commercial blockbusters thrive because their success can be replicated across markets, indie titles often disappear after a festival run. “We have places and distribution for mainstream, so how then do we institutionalise alternative cinema?” he said in a recent interview.
He pointed out that Telugu cinema’s pan-India breakthrough, starting with Baahubali and followed by KGF, Pushpa and Kantara was possible because of data-driven success. Indie cinema, he believes, needs the same consistency to grow into a bigger movement rather than remain limited to one-off wins.
Rana Daggubati says India needs data-driven models to grow indie films beyond festivals Getty Images
What did he learn from All We Imagine As Light ?
Daggubati revealed that distributing Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix winner was a trial-and-error process. Spirit Media released the film on around 120 screens but discovered that location mattered more than numbers. In cities like Mumbai, some neighbourhoods performed well while others lagged, giving him critical insights about targeting the right audiences.
The film went on to run in Indian cinemas for seven weeks, much longer than most mainstream films. “Word of mouth became the biggest publicity tool,” he explained, adding that requests for screenings poured in from cities like Pune and Bhubaneswar. This slow-burn success in fact showed him that a patient release strategy could build a loyal indie audience.
Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s Sabar Bonda is a landmark in Marathi cinema, the first film in the language to premiere at Sundance. It went on to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize Dramatic and will now be released in India on 19 September by Spirit Media.
The project has heavyweight backing, with Nagraj Manjule, Nikkhil Advani, Vikramaditya Motwane, and actor Sai Tamhankar attached as executive producers. Daggubati says the choice to back Sabar Bonda came down to the director’s deeply personal storytelling. “It is a film only he could make because it comes from a space of honesty. That truth was our top priority,” he said.
Daggubati spoke about the shortage of cinema screens in India compared to the United States and China, arguing that many auditoriums run at only 20–25% occupancy. He also criticised the inconsistent festival ecosystem, noting how events like MAMI once provided crucial platforms but then disappeared due to funding cuts.
He warned against over-reliance on grants, pointing out that when funding is pulled, entire ecosystems collapse. Instead, he believes audience-driven support, consistent distribution models, and data-led releases are the way forward. “Our strength and weakness lies in the fact that we don’t share our common ideas as one industry,” he said.
Rana Daggubati sees a gap in India’s infrastructure for alternative cinemaGetty Images
What’s next for Rana Daggubati in indie film distribution?
With just a small team of eight at Spirit Media, Daggubati says he plans to build a “jury-type” system to evaluate films from across India. His aim is to create a slate of indie titles that can reach audiences nationwide, while also influencing streaming platforms to respond once theatrical success is established.
By backing films like Sabar Bonda and All We Imagine As Light, Rana Daggubati is clearly carving out a space where indie cinema can thrive alongside mainstream blockbusters. Just as Baahubali transformed the perception of Telugu cinema, he now hopes to spark a similar movement for Indian indie films.
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A group of migrants board an inflatable dinghy before leaving the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the Channel to reach UK on August 25, 2025.
THREE people, including two children, died while attempting to cross the English Channel overnight off the coast of Calais, French authorities said.
French media reported that the children were on a boat carrying 38 people. The Prefect of Pas-de-Calais, Laurent Touvet, said another three people were missing from a separate boat trying to cross at Neufchâtel-Hardelot, BBC reported.
Mr Touvet indicated that those who died may have been crushed to the bottom of the boat. He blamed smuggling gangs for the deaths and said action would be taken against them.
France’s assistance and rescue tug, Abeille Normandie, rescued passengers from the vessel at around 05:00 local time (04:00 BST) on Wednesday, off the coast of Sangatte near Calais.
A third boat carrying 115 people was rescued by the French navy’s patrol boat. Mr Touvet said no injuries were reported, but described it as “probably the highest number we’ve ever seen”.
More than 20 people have died in the Channel this year. On Tuesday, a woman died while attempting the crossing off the coast of Dover.
Over 30,000 people have reached the UK in small boats so far in 2025. Last year, 50 people died making the attempt, according to French coastguard records.
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Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2025 reveals nominees with stunning shots of Charli XCX and Doja Cat
More than 20,000 photographs from 30 countries considered for this year’s shortlist
Nominees feature stars including Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Doja Cat and Burna Boy
Fans can vote for Music Moment of the Year until 23 September on the MPA website
Exhibition of all 40 nominated works runs at London’s Outernet from 19–23 September
The Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2025 has unveiled its nominees, showcasing striking images of international stars including Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Doja Cat. After reviewing over 20,000 submissions across 30 countries, the competition aims to bring to light the growing prestige of music photography, with new categories introduced this year and a London exhibition bringing the work to the public.
Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2025 reveals nominees with stunning shots of Charli XCX and Doja Cat Greg Noire/Instagram/abbeyroadmpa
What are the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards?
The Abbey Road Music Photography Awards, launched in 2022, are the world’s only global competition dedicated to music photography. Hosted by the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, the awards recognise the creativity and cultural impact of photographers capturing artists on stage, behind the scenes, and within club culture.
For 2025, two new categories, Portrait and Festivals, have been added, alongside a special guest category focused on Club Culture. The judging panel includes renowned names such as Rankin, Nile Rodgers and actor Joe Keery.
The nominated works will be displayed at Outernet London’s Now Pop One venue from 19 to 23 September, giving fans the chance to view all 40 shortlisted images. The free exhibition offers an immersive experience in the capital’s entertainment district, located near Charing Cross Road.
Visitors can also vote for their favourite picture in the Music Moment of the Year category through interactive screens at the venue or online via the awards’ official website. Public voting closes on 23 September.
The winners of the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2025 will be revealed at a ceremony on 2 October at Abbey Road Studios in London. Dutch filmmaker and photographer Anton Corbijn, known for his decades-long collaborations with U2 and Depeche Mode, will be honoured with the prestigious Icon Award at this year’s event.
Mark Robertson, Abbey Road’s Director of Marketing and Creative, praised the “incredibly gifted community of photographers” whose work, he said, proves that music photography is not just documentation but an art form that helps shape popular culture.