She did it. If she can, everybody can. Lebanese-American celebrity Mia Khalifa strikes a mean pose in her latest Instagram picture.
Mia Khalifa
Learn from Mia. Shed your lockdown pounds. Mia strikes a pose in a cut-out mustard-coloured dress in, flaunting her tiny waist. She stands against the backdrop of a forest.
“Damn, I look mean,” she wrote as caption with a chick emoji. The image currently has over 770K likes.
Last month, Mia found herself in the line of fire among Indian social media users, for coming out in support of the ongoing farmers’ protest.
She had tweeted: “”What in the human rights violations is going on?! They cut the internet around New Delhi?! #FarmersProtest.”
Her tweet came after international pop sensation Rihanna and activist Greta Thunberg expressed concern over the issue.
The good news is that key global, pan-regional print providers such as the International New York Times or The Financial Times, which traditionally serve affluent and business minded audiences, have proven to be peculiarly resilient … writes Sanjay Shabi
“Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated” read the text from London to the United States’ press after Mark Twain’s obituary had been mistakenly published over 124 years ago. Fast forward to the digital world of the 21st Century and a similarly optimistic appraisal can be made about the fortunes of international print, especially during the pandemic.
The good news is that key global, pan-regional print providers such as the International New York Times or The Financial Times, which traditionally serve affluent and business minded audiences, have proven to be peculiarly resilient.
Subscriber numbers for these titles are up and critically so is trust. People are spending more time reading print titles and readers are more willing to pay the premium that quality journalism merits.
The Wall Street Journal, for example, has not only seen a 12% increase in average time spent reading the print paper but the proportion of individually paid print subscriptions has increased 5% points from an already high base.
Other positive data during Covid-19 includes a rise in print ad attention scores with 17% more print ads viewed and 21% more attention given to print ads (Lumen, 2020).
The most recent evidence that print matters can be found in the behaviour of Aaron Epstein, an AT&T customer in the US, who spent $10,000 of his own money advertising in the Wall Street Journal to publicly complain about his bad wi-fi compliant to the company’s CEO, who did in fact get a successful response, finally.
It’s highly unlikely that complaint would have achieved the same dizzying attention and viral spread had it simply been buried in amongst an ordinary social media feed addressing the same issue.
During lockdown, advertiser demand for space in the International New York Times’ Sunday edition has actually increased aided by the fact its key audience is now at home and has greater time on their hands. When demand for credible, rational information in and around matters associated with the pandemic’s knock-on effects is being so avidly sought, the brand equity of international newspapers enables them to cater for this insatiable appetite, evidenced by the fact that the WSJ is attracting more heavy users to its print product than its digital sibling.
In an age of lockdown and working from home, part of the growing appeal is that these titles can also add to our knowledge, without requiring us to stare at a screen for longer. Print engages in a different way.
A study by the International New York Times (INYT) has found that, while print by its very dynamic is not always able to match the pace of fast-changing, 24-hour news, people tend to retain more of the information accrued from a lean-back experience with a paper.
Put simply, long-form reading is simply a more pleasurable long-form reading opportunity than via say a hand-held device or other digital screen. Studies from the likes of the NMA, PPA and News International have all found that print is better at developing one to one “me” time relationship, in part thanks to the self-indulgence of those reading moments.
That experience has enabled pan-regional print to position itself as a premium experience, attracting, in particular, the luxury goods sector, which wants to reach people with a high net worth, B2B and corporate brands who court hugely influential, high-ranking business, government, and commercial decisions makers.
It’s no surprise then that ironically, big tech firms like Google and Facebook still conspicuously use print products to broadcast major global announcements, chiefly for the prestige, respect and authority they imbue when seeking coverage of opinion leaders.
As Larry Light, CEO of the marketing/consultancy company, Arcature puts it; “Perhaps seeing the commitments in writing is stronger than seeing a commitment in 10 seconds on Quibi, or by tapping an app.”
Many may have forgotten the power of print in the rush to go digital, but the pandemic has highlighted the underlying strengths of this powerful medium; more than half of global audiences view newspaper ads positively, well ahead of digital ads.
And with stats like that, it truly is time to send it to print.
( Sanjay Shabi is board director, Pan Regional Offline Investment & CultureCom UK + ERG Faith & Green Team)
Sources: IPSOS Affluent 2020. Wall Street Journal in-house data. International New York Times internal tracking 2020-2021, Lumen Research “attention to advertising even higher during Coronavirus outbreak March 2020, data collected 18th – 25th April. McKinsey & Company COVID-19 Consumer Pulse surveys March-April 2020, Bauer Media April 2020. 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer, WAN-IFRA 2019, Kantar Millward Brown February 2018. WSJ 2020/ BG Consumer Confidence Monitor, 2020 WSJ | BG Intelligence Day in the Life Proprietary Study: Base: Among those who read The Wall Street Journal in a typical week n=6,618; time spent: trend based on 2017 Day in the Life Proprietary study vs. 2020 study, Ad recall: RAMPanel Ad Norms,WSJ 2020. Fall 2020 Ipsos Affluent Survey, HHI $125K+, CXO title/position (includes any chief officer, other company officer/board member, owner partner, president/chairman), Use media platform; quintile levels vary by media; social media/app data rounds to 101%.)
Former BBC editor, Mihir Bose, releases new book – ‘Narendra Modi – The Yogi of Populism’ through publishers Bite-Sized Books …. Reports Asian Lite News
Mihir Bose, prolific author and equality advocate, has released his new book that explores the idea that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provided the model for Boris Johnson and Trump to seize power.
The notion of Modi providing the template for Donald Trump and Boris Johnson to seize power may sound absurd. What can the Prime Minister of a developing country, who leads a hard right Hindu party, have to teach two leaders of sophisticated rich countries which pride themselves on being long-established democracies?
Mihir Bose’s new book addresses that question and answers it decisively.
India is the world’s largest democracy and Modi’s playbook for winning elections has provided a model for both Trump and Johnson. The Modi template says to win power you must convince enough people that they have lost their country. That they need to do something very radical if they are to regain their country.
This is such an emotive call that it can galvanise people even when there is no merit whatsoever in the argument. Modi’s success came in the Indian general elections of 2014 which, contrary to the predictions of all the pollsters, and the views of India’s chattering classes, saw his Bharatiya Janata Party sweep to victory with a thumping majority.
This book is an important and challenging analysis that will inform the global political debate and provide real insights into how Trump and Johnson gained power.
David Smith, Economics Editor, Sunday Times quotes, “This is a fascinating and original take on one of the most interesting political leaders of our age”.
Ben Fenton, former Daily Telegraph and Financial Times, said: “ Brimming with Bose’s intimate knowledge of his homeland, this brief description of the Indian prime minister’s rise from tea-seller to premier tells new readers all they need to know about what we might call the Modi Operandus.
“Bose explains in flowing prose how Narendra Modi exploited dormant anti-secularism among India’s Hindu majority and reversed its multicultural trends. Modi’s brand of populism predates Trump or Brexit or Bolsanaro”.
Mihir Bose, who was born in India but has lived in the UK for half a century, is an award-winning journalist and author. He writes and broadcasts on social and historical issues as well as sport for a range of outlets including the BBC, the Financial Times, Evening Standard and Irish Times.
Mihir Bose
He has written more than 30 books and his most recent publication is Lion and Lamb, a Portrait of British Moral Duality. His books range from a look at how India has evolved since Independence, the only narrative history of Bollywood, biographies of Michael Grade, the Indian nationalist Subhas Bose, and a study of the Aga Khans.
Mihir was the BBC’s first Sports Editor, and the first non-white to be a BBC editor. He covered all BBC outlets including the flagship Ten O’clock News, the Today programme, Five Live and the website. He moved to the BBC after 12 years at the Daily Telegraph where he was the chief sports news correspondent but also wrote on other issues including race, immigration, and social and cultural issues. Before that he worked for the Sunday Times for 20 years. He has contributed to nearly all the major UK newspapers and presented programmes for radio and television and has edited several business publications.
Mihir was awarded an honorary doctorate from Loughborough University for his outstanding contribution to journalism and the promotion of equality. He has won several awards: business columnist of the year, sports news reporter of the year, sports story of the year and Silver Jubilee Literary award for his History of Indian Cricket.
Mihir is a former chairman of the Reform Club and has recently been appointed to the Blue Plaques selection committee of English Heritage.
Chefpreneur Harangad Singh meets Asian Lite’s FnB columnist Riccha Grrover to share his experiences on starting up his own takeaway business venture PARAT amidst the pandemic times. Parat reintroduces people to the simple joy in food and a promise of a standout dining experience full of flavour, passion, and outstanding service to homes across Delhi and Gurugram
Chef Harangad specialises in Indian cuisine. Over the years he has been able to carve a niche for himself in classic, innovative and nostalgic Indian food which focuses on freshness, use of local ingredients. His formative years at Taj Vivanta Bengaluru and Varq at the Taj Mahal Delhi and Tresind- Dubai working under perhaps some of the finest chefs helped to groom his style and concept of the cuisine. Above all, he believes in honest-to-goodness taste.
Chefpreneur Harangad Singh
Chef Harangad has travelled extensively across the country to entrench himself in the various elements of regional Indian and nostalgic cooking. Inspirations from diverse flavours of India, the bounty of Delhi markets and where his passion stemmed from aka his palate, all reflect in the previous restaurants that is Prankster and Pra Pra Prank at Biggie Hospitality where he was the Corporate Chef. Parat is his first venture as an entrepreneur.
In conversation with the culinary wiz Chef Harangad Singh on how the pandemic brought out the entrepreneur in him…
RICCHA GRROVR- What does PARAT as a concept stand for? What would make it unique and different from other Indian restaurants and takeaways?
Mutton-Korma
HARANGAD SINGH– Parat Means Layer. We have a belief that food is always prepared layer by layer. So Parat is Layers of Indian Flavour. This is only delivery place which will give you The Royal and Street experience of India at home. The difference that you will notice is in the detailing of each and everything in the brand . For example- the packaging is very unique, the flavour patterns are very unique and the whole experience of the brand till the time you finish the meal is unique.
RG- What does the cuisine of your restaurant take inspiration from and what part of India is the menu representative of? Tell us more about your menu especially the kali jalebi and truffle butter chicken and other exclusives?
HS- The cuisine at Parat we call is Evolved Indian Cuisine. We get inspired by the recipes from royal families of India and also from streets of India. Like Kali Jalebi you will find in old Delhi and we got inspiration from there and made it the part of our menu. It’s a very unique jalebi made from mawa. We do Butter Chicken with truffle and the magic of truffle with butter chicken amazes the discerning diners. Then our mutton dishes like tawa bhuna chaap and Sikandari Raan have become very famous and our diners have become committed fans of these concept dishes, which is so encouraging.
RG- What can diners expect when they order a meal from parat? What are the top five dishes that you would recommend a first time customer to try?
HS– First thing is the detailing in quality of ingredients procured and then detailing in packaging. So our menu is divided in different sections like kebabs, royal curries of India ,street curries of India , pulao , breads and desserts. 5 dishes which I highly recommend are – Tawa Bhuna Chaap, Kalmi Kebab , Muradabadi subz seekh, Nalli Nihari , Patiala Shahi Murgh Kali Mirch.
Parat-E-Raan-Pulao-
RG- Do you cater to dietary requirements? Is your menu a fixed one or do you have seasonal specials too?
HS– Yes we do customise the meal according to our guests flavour pattern as we believe that we will never serve our ego on the plate but we will always cook what our guests wants to eat. We do seasonal specials like Sarson ka saag, Gajar halwa in the winter months and this keeps evolving like the seasons.
RG- What would be the challenges for FnB business brands in a post-Covid world in your view? What challenges face you personally as a chefpreneur serving customers at home and not in a restaurant space?
HS– Post-Covid everyone will be more concerned on the quality of procurement of ingredients which will ultimately become a challenge to also control the food cost. The market is very price sensitive, so you will be also not able to increase the prices of the dishes. At a restaurant if the balance of the dish is little out then we can redo the dish for the guest but in delivery, you have to be on your toes with the balance of flavours.
RG- What are the other FnB brands that you have worked for, tell us about your professional journey as a chef?
Raan-Nihari
HS– I started my kitchen career with Vivanta by Taj at Whitefield Bangalore as Commi 1. After Working as Commi 1 for 3 years, I got an opportunity to be a part of Taj Management Training Program which is one of the finest programs in hospitality in India. In management training program I specialised in Awadhi cuisine and Middle Eastern Cuisine. Then after management program, I got an opportunity to be part of Varq restaurant at Taj Man Singh hotel. Then after Varq I was part of opening team of Tresind Dubai. After Tresind, I came back to India and did Prankster and Pra Pra Prank as Corporate Chef . And during the pandemic, we opened Parat, it’s been an eventful journey!
RG- Did you always want to be a chef or dabble into the profession? What words of inspiration would you give to budding chefs and aspiring foodpreneurs?
HS– I never thought I will be a chef but Taj group groomed me to be a good cook and I’m thankful for that.
Only one suggestion I will give -that is first be very strong with basics of the cuisine you learn before experimenting.
RG- Tell us about your packaging?
HS– So we are packaging the food in the boxes made with sugarcane husk. The reason is that the Indian food is prepared at 100 degrees and when we pack it in plastic containers, it sometimes acquires taste is the plastic and the flavours changes after one hour of packaging. So we customised the containers. The spoons also we use are made with potato starch.
The food at Parat is presented with simple elegance. However, the depth that is soon experienced on the palate, is an outcome of exploring the roots of these dishes, and their voyage through time and geographies. Diners who enjoy the shades of regional cuisine will enjoy the fresh approach to Parat’s menu: it is Indian without being clichéd and rich without being heavy.
Parat’s Bhopali Murg Rizala; and the Patiala Shahi Murgh Kali Mirch for example will recall the most special curries from Royal kitchens. Rediscover Indian street food culture with the likes of rich, fragrant Keema Kalejiand then with Taksaali Machi all of which share space with heart-warming old favourites, including Lucknowi Anda Curry.
The kebab sections offers specialties without just the typical giloutis and seekhs that one would associate with the cuisine. The Kalmi Kebab is a speciality as is the Parat’s Special Barra Kebab. Sharing meals is an honoured tradition in the Indian world and a great way to do is by ordering the very special Sikandri Raan.
The Pilafs are jam-packed with flavour and include options like Tawa Mushroom Pilaf and Nalli Pulao. At Parat it’s all about the little details, every aspect is taken care of to provide a wholesome meal experience, once you try the Maqbooli Roti, you will understand that more. And there is the Kaali Jalebi to wrap up your meal on a sweet note.
Parat reintroduces people to the simple joy in food and a promise of a standout dining experience full of flavour, passion, and outstanding service to homes across Delhi and Gurugram. Parat is surely your ticket to a revolutionary Indian food experience without boundaries!
President Sisi says the new capital, which can accommodate 6.5 million people, will mark birth of new state. Being built some 45 km east of the current capital Cairo since 2015 on an area of 714 square km, the new capital is planned to accommodate 6.5 million people, starting with half a million in the first stage, making some space in the congested and overpopulated Cairo that is home to about one fifth of the country’s 100 million population
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said that the inauguration of the New Administrative Capital (NAC) and the relocation of the government’s headquarters to the new city will mark the “birth of a new state”.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi
Sisi’s remarks came during a symposium here on Tuesday honouring the late armed forces personnel.
“There will be a birth of a new state by inaugurating the new capital,” the President said, reiterating that the inauguration will mark “a declaration of a new republic”.
Sisi hoped that the inauguration will be done later this year if no delay would be caused due to the fight against Covid-19.
Being built some 45 km east of the current capital Cairo since 2015 on an area of 714 square km, the new capital is planned to accommodate 6.5 million people, starting with half a million in the first stage, making some space in the congested and overpopulated Cairo that is home to about one fifth of the country’s 100 million population.
It will also be home to most government buildings including the cabinet headquarters and ministries, in addition to Parliament, and is expected to accommodate in the first stage from 40,000 to 50,000 government employees that are planned to be increased to 100,000 three years after inauguration.
The government also expects the NAC to create around 2 million job opportunities. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Monday that trial operation of government buildings in the new capital will start in August through gradual relocation of employees, expecting the inauguration of the NAC to be held by the end of the year.
Nile Dam Row
Sudan and Egypt have voiced rejection to a “fait accompli” approach to the issue of the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile river.
“The two countries reiterate rejection of any approach seeking a fait accompli on and control of the Blue Nile through unilateral measures that do not observe the rights and interests of the two downstream countries,” said Sisi.
His remarks came following his talks with Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Egypt and Sudan also “stress the need to return to serious and effective negotiations to reach a fair, balanced and legally binding agreement regarding the filling and operation of the GERD as soon as possible”, he added.
Sisi and al-Burhan reviewed the possibility of relaunching negotiation through formation of an international quartet committee of the African Union, the US, European Union and the UN as the mediator.
Ethiopia started building the dam in 2011. While Egypt is concerned that the dam might affect its share of the Nile waters, Sudan has also raised similar concerns over the dam. Over the past few years, tripartite talks on the rules of filling and operating the Ethiopian dam have been fruitless, including those hosted by the US and recently by the African Union.
Lord Nazir Ahmed with Khalistani protesters in London (File)
Nazir Ahmed, former Lord at the British parliament, and his two elder brothers had been on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting two children in Rotherham in the late 1960s and early 1970s … reports Asian Lite News
The Sheffield Crown Court has granted unconditional bail to former Rotherham peer Nazir Ahmed and his two brothers in a historic sexual abuse case as the Crown Prosecution Service challenges its decision to throw out a historic case against them.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it will challenge Judge Jeremy Richardson’s decision to halt the trial after the lapses by the prosecution. The judge dissolved the jury team after four days of trial.
The judge was too critical of the prosecution and said the case should be thrown out due to the CPS’s failure to serve evidence on the defence in time.
Barrister Tom Little represented the CPS. The CPS decision to challenge the court decision makes Nazir Ahmed and his brothers could face another trial in the future, probably in 2022.
Judge Richardson had branded prosecutors as “shameful” for serving “a heap of material” on the defence during the proceedings and “sabotaging” the trial.
Ahmed had been on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting two children in Rotherham in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Judge Richardson stopped the trial after two days of evidence had been heard and discharged the jury after the series of late disclosures by the prosecution. He sought to permanently stay the indictment, which meant the case could not go to a re-trial, at a hearing on Monday after branding the prosecution “disgraceful” over its failure to provide all the evidence to the defence well in advance of the trial.
The judge said the prosecution took 13 months to disclose evidence to Lord Nazir and his brothers.
He said if he listened to the request of the prosecution to order a retrial then “the complainants may feel cheated and the public may demand that justice is done”.
The judge described the situation as a “comprehensive mess” and “shameful”.
Ahmed (63), of East Bawtry Road, Rotherham, was accused of sexually assaulting a boy between 1971 and 1972 and of attempting to rape a girl between 1973 and 1974. The former Rotherham councillor faced counts of buggery, indecent assault and two counts of attempted rape. His brothers, Mohammed Farouq and Mohammed Tariq, were accused of assaulting the same boy, but had been ruled unfit to plead and faced a trial of the facts. Tariq (65), of Gerard Road, Rotherham, faced two counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1972 and Farouq (70), of Worrygoose Lane, Rotherham, faced four counts of indecent assault between 1970 and 1972.
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen pointed out that the hostile and terrorist escalation by the Houthi militia are war crimes and a violation of international law …. Reports Akbar Basha
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen condemned the Houthi militia’s attacks on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued today, Dr. Al-Othaimeen also condemned the terrorist Houthi militia’s launching of a bomb-laden UAV towards civilians in Southern Region of Sudi Arabia.
He praised the vigilance of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen that managed to intercept and destroy the ballistic missile and the bomb-laden UAV.
Dr. Al-Othaimeen affirmed OIC’s support for all measures taken by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen to deal with terrorist Houthi militia’s actions to protect civilians and civilian objects in accordance with international humanitarian law. He pointed out that the hostile and terrorist escalation by the Houthi militia are war crimes and a violation of international law.
Meanwhile, UN chief Guterres appeal all parties to restrain from escalating attacks.
“It is really quite simple. Such actions are detrimental to the mediation efforts being carried out by our special envoy, Martin Griffiths, who will continue to work with all parties to advance the political process to reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict,” Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for Guterres, said.
“We urge all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law,” he added.
Dujarric said the condemnation was for multiple drone and ballistic missile attacks reportedly carried out Sunday against various Saudi Arabia sites by the Houthis who claimed responsibility.
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen , OIC-Secretary General
On Sunday, the Houthi militia has confirmed attacking Saudi Aramco facilities in Ras al-Tannura port in the Kingdom’s Dammam region and other targets Asir and Jazan with eight ballistic missiles and 14 bomb-laden drones.
A Houthi military spokesman vowed that his group would continue attacking Saudi Arabia as long as the war and blockade continue on Yemen.
Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of several northern Yemeni provinces and forced the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of Sanaa. The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in 2015 to support Hadi’s government.
Oil Price Rises
Global crude oil prices jumped above $70 a barrel on Monday for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
The spike in oil prices comes after Iran-backed Houthi rebels unleashed a coordinated attack on Saudi Arabia oil facilities and military bases. Consequently, the Brent crude futures jumped above $70 a barrel on Monday. Similarly, the US crude touched its highest in more than two years. Parallelly, the rise will have an impact on domestic petrol and diesel prices.
Lately, prices of petrol have crossed the psychological Rs 100 per litre-mark in some cities leading to increasing public outcry against the high prices and the inflationary impact of the auto fuels.
“Geopolitical tensions have supported the crude prices. Brent may test $73 and WTI may test $70,” Anuj Gupta, DVP Research, Angel Broking.
Bomb-laden Drones
Yemen’s Houthi militia has confirmed attacking Saudi Aramco facilities with eight ballistic missiles and 14 bomb-laden drones, an official of the rebel group said.
“The attack targeted Aramco facilities in Ras al-Tannura port in Dammam region and other targets in the regions of Asir and Jazan,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the group’s al-Masirah TV.
He vowed that his group would continue attacking Saudi Arabia as long as the war and blockade continue on Yemen.. Last November, the Houthis had claimed of attacking Aramco’s distribution station in Jeddah, but it was not officially confirmed by Saudi Arabia.
Kishan Devani BEM signed by renowned Literary Agent David H Headley to write his memoir… reports Asian Lite News
Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA has been signed by renowned Literary Agent David H Headley to pen his Memoir.
Kishan, 36, expressed his delight to be able to write his memoir at such a young age, which he hopes will inspire BAME and disadvantaged communities across the globe to aspire and achieve whatever they wish, whatever circumstances they may or may not be in.
As the son of Ugandan Asian refugees, his memoir will speak of the trials, tribulations, successes, and failures of life and how grit, determination, dedication, passion and faith brought him through.
The memoir will encompass pertinent topics which have a part of Kishan’s life, from Politics, Education to his strong Hindu Faith, Arranged Marriages to Queen’s Honours and from Parental Divorce to IVF – the Book promises to be exhilarating, inspirational and profoundly pertinent.
A book to inspire others to break through the glass celing, see no boundaries and continually strive to achieve regardless of your background or circumstances. It promises to be a cracking read for all.
Kishan Devani BEM, FRSA and David H Headley
David H Headley has spent the last 21 years establishing Goldsboro Books and building good relationships with editors within the UK’s major publishing houses. He has a good eye for what readers want to read and he has gained a reputation for championing debut authors.
David expressed his delight in welcoming Kishan.
“I am delighted to welcome Kishan to DHH and can’t wait to share his extraordinary and inspiring story with others,” he said.
David created the UK’s largest collectors’ book club and is influential in selling large quantities of hardback fiction in the UK. David has won awards for bookselling and in 2015 and 2020, he was included in the Top 100 most influential people in publishing by The Bookseller.
David is the managing director of the D H H Literary Agency which he founded in 2008 and represents an eclectic range of best-selling and award-winning authors.
FIVE RIVERS – The world’s first Indian white spiced rum debuts in the UK … reports Asian Lite News
Five Rivers, from the Sanghera Rum Company, is making its debut in the UK. The world’s first Indian white spiced rum is the perfect new addition to the statement drinks trolley, with a beautiful, distinctive bottle, unlike any other.
Taj Sanghera, Founder, Five Rivers
The tipple is best enjoyed in a new and unexpected way for a rum – over ice in a tall glass with tonic, lime and star anise.
“Rum has soared in popularity over the last year, but its long-standing Indian heritage and methods of production – which are recorded as early as the 7th century – aren’t widely known,” said Taj Sanghera, Founder. “India is the largest sugar producing country in the world, and we’re proud to bring the world’s first Indian white spiced rum to the UK.”
Five Rivers mixes equally well in creative cocktails; innovative signature serves include the Sanghera Sour, Mai Chai and the Punjabi Punch.
The unique liquid is flavoured with a blend of Indian spices: cardamom, cassia, cloves, coriander and ginger, and re-distilled to extract the best flavours. With no added flavourings or sugar, a strong personal heritage and a contemporary bottle, it’s a premium choice for discerning drinkers.
On the nose, it has a rich stewed fruit and candied citrus spiciness. The initial taste is sweet clove and cinnamon, which then leads to a clean, dry and aromatic cardamom spice, with a long and warming peppery finish coming from the ginger.
Refined from five generations of family rum production near Jalandhar in Northern Punjab and made with sugarcane traditionally grown on the Sanghera family’s farm, Five Rivers brings the flavours of India to life. Wanting to elevate the quality of rum, the Sanghera family created Five Rivers for the western palate, in a similar way to gin but with unmistakable Indian flavours.
Five Rivers Rum
Punjab translates as ‘The Land of Five Rivers’ in English, honouring the five rivers that flow from the Himalayas, nourishing the surrounding fields of sugarcane and spice, giving the spirit its name.
India is steadily reinforcing its soft power and core philosophical values of compassion and generosity with the help of vaccine diplomacy…. Writes Aarti Tikoo Singh
Nothing is impossible if there is a will. Sharing is caring and we need a global action plan to tame the Covid pandemic. Despite its one billion plus population, India is showing its generosity by sharing precious Covid vaccine with its neighbours and allies. The move is steadily reinforcing its soft power and core philosophical values of compassion and generosity.
The government has so far gifted over 62 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines to its immediate and extended neighbourhood, out of the 170 lakh doses supplied to at least 20 countries across the world. As per the Foreign Ministry’s official data, the government, in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, has distributed over 62 lakh doses of locally made AstraZeneca PLC vaccine among Bangladesh (20), Myanmar (15), Nepal (10), Sri Lanka (5), Afghanistan (5), Bhutan (1.5) and others.
In the extended neighbourhood, India gifted the vaccine doses to Brazil, Canada, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Bahrain, Oman, Barbados and Dominica.
About 60 per cent of global vaccine production comes from India, making it the largest producer of vaccines in the region. Apart from Covid-19 vaccines, India is the largest supplier of the DPT, BCG and Measles vaccines globally.
The WHO sources 70 per cent of its essential immunisation vaccines from India. Apart from the grant, India has sold out 105 lakh doses to Bangladesh (50), Brazil (20), Morocco(20), Egypt (0.5), Algeria (0.5), South Africa (10), Kuwait (2) and UAE(2).
When the coronavirus pandemic broke out in January last year, all the big and advanced economies rushed to develop a vaccine for the deadly virus which has infected millions and killed over 2.3 million people across the world so far.
As of now, only ten vaccines including Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by UK and Sweden and BBV152 produced by India’s Bharat Biotech, are authorized for public use.
China, India’s rival, has been in the race for vaccine-development too. After former United States’ President Donald Trump’s administration held Beijing responsible for the pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), desperately began to undo the damage to its image in the world.
However, Beijing’s simultaneous aggression in its neighbourhood-rapid militarization of South China Sea, crackdown on pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, threats to occupy Taiwan, persecution of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province, occupation of Tibet and a violent face-off along the Line of Actual Control in India’s eastern Ladakh, has not helped it much.
The new administration in Washington, has not radically changed the Trump administration’s broader policy vis-a-vis China. In fact, the Joe Biden government is pursuing the previous government’s efforts at strengthening the Quad grouping-US, Japan, India and Australia-to contain China’s aggression in and outside Asia.
On the contrary, Modi has rapidly and deftly moved with ‘vaccine diplomacy’ to strengthen India’s ties with its neighbours who often get manipulated by the CCP for investments and other favours.
Senior officials in the government here believe that this pushback by India to counter China’s dominance will have a long-term impact. China’s influence is slowly eroding the influence it enjoyed until recently and its negative image because of its imperialistic policies is only growing, sources in the government said.
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India’s Help to Arabs
India has supplied seven Arab countries with its COVID-19 vaccine.
Egypt, Algeria and Kuwait are the latest recipients of Indian vaccines in the Arab world. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) had reported that the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) received the first shipment of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India.
The UAE Ambassador to India, Dr. Ahmed Al Banna, tweeted the gratitude to India for the Covishield-AstraZeneca vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India. The Ambassador said, “the supply of the vaccines follows the ongoing cooperation and collaboration between the UAE and India across various fields, including in dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic.”
Srivastava said, “Exports of Indian vaccines are an ongoing process, depending on availability and domestic requirements.” In coming weeks, Indian vaccines are scheduled to reach CARICOM countries in the Caribbean, Pacific Island States, Nicaragua, Afghanistan and Mongolia.
A medical health worker giving a shot of Covishield vaccine to a frontline worker. Covid-19 vaccination drive at private hospital daryaganj in New Delhi
A health worker analyses samples of COVID-19 vaccines, developed by Chinese company Sinovac
Union Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Harsh Vardhan addresses at the launch of the National Clinical Registry for COVID-19, Vaccine Web Portal, Mobile Stroke Unit and ICMR-NIN Documents, at ICMR headquarters, in New Delhi on Sep 28, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB)
