Author: Asian Lite Newsdesk

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Lite Blogs UK News

Manchester commemorates Gandhi Jayanti

2nd October 2020 marked the 151 birth anniversary of India’s great political leader Mahatma Gandhi. As a legacy to his contribution to world peace, this day is celebrated as the International day of Non-Violence. This honor is a reflection of universal respect for the Mahatma (Great Soul), and the enduring relevance of his philosophy.

To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a 9ft bronze statue of the icon of peace was unveiled a year ago in Manchester by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai, Founder and Spiritual Head of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD). The Organisation head-quartered in India, is inspired by India’s poet saint and Enlightened Master Shrimad Rajchandraji who was a spiritual guide, mentor and friend of the young Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. This close association moulded and shaped many ideals like non-violence, truth and equality that would later form the bedrock of Gandhi’s ideology. The statue project costs were sponsored by the Kamani Family in memory of their grandfather, fellow scholar, Bhanji Khanji Kamani.

A flower laying ceremony at the statue in Cathedral Square, to mark this day was attended by several dignitaries and representatives from various faiths including the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councilor Abid Chohan, Mr Navendu Mishra MP, Mrs Aisha Kamani ,Cannon Marcia Wall from Manchester Cathedral, Rabbi Warren Elf, Director, Faith Network for Manchester, Councilors and faith leaders. The simple gesture was a fitting tribute to this simple yet mighty man who changed the world. 

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester marked the occasion by saying;” Gandhi is  a leader who championed the power of peaceful protest and his teachings are as relevant today as ever”

Aisha Kamani wife of Mahmud Kamani founder of Boohoo.com, “This statue is significant for the city of Manchester as it represents Mahatma Gandhi’s values of peace ,love and unity, specially right now because of COVID -19.It reminds us to stay loving and open our hearts to the people. I am proud to be part of this through my family and as a Mancunian.”

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Consul General of India, Birmingham Dr Shashank Vikram said, His legacy continues to be relevant in these times.  He felicitated SRMD UK for its social welfare initiatives during this global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. SRMD UK ran a ‘Support our Superheroes’ campaign which distributed gratitude packs to 11,500 key workers. The ongoing ‘Spreading Smiles’ campaign has spent over £57,000 touching 80,720 homeless and vulnerable lives, by supplying over 18,000 kg of food, 19,600 snacks, 21,9600 cups of tea and coffee, 45,300 servings of cereal, 13,860 tins and 39,700 items of PPE equipment  to date.  In Manchester, volunteers continue to prepare 200 hot meals for the homeless and vulnerable every week.

A global pandemic crisis and climate change devastation, needs cooperation, showing love and respect without discrimination at any level. As humanity faces these challenges together the Mahatma’s words provide inspiration and hope, “In a gentle way you can shake the World.”

   

        

Categories
-Top News COVID-19

One in 10 in world may have had Covid 19: WHO

Over 35m people have been confirmed as being infected with coronavirus – the WHO’s estimate puts the true figure at closer to 800m…Reports Asian Lite News

World Health Organization (WHO) said on a special meeting that one in 10 people around the world may have contracted Covid-19.

A top official said the estimate meant “the vast majority of the world remains at risk”.

Just over 35m people have been confirmed as being infected with coronavirus – the WHO’s estimate puts the true figure at closer to 800m.

Experts have long said the real number of cases would exceed those confirmed.

The WHO is meeting at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss the global response to the pandemic.

Ten months on, the crisis shows no sign of ending. Several countries are seeing second waves after easing restrictions and in some cases numbers are even higher.

The estimate that 10 per cent of the world’s population has contracted the virus came from Mike Ryan, the executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme.

“This varies depending on country, it varies from urban to rural, it varies between different groups,” he said.

“But what it does mean is that the vast majority of the world remains at risk. We know the pandemic will continue to evolve but we also know we have the tools that work to suppress transmission and save lives right now and they are at our disposal.”

Calling for solidarity and firm leadership from countries, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there had been marked differences in the number of cases around the world.

“Although all countries have been affected by this virus, we must remember that this is an uneven pandemic. Ten countries account for 70 per cent of all reported cases and deaths and just three countries account for half,” he said.

More than one million people have died from the virus, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. After the US, India and Brazil have seen the most infections.

Also read:Trump, Melania Test Covid-19 Positive

Also read:Egyptian President warns of Covid 19 second wave

Categories
Business

Pepsico looses ‘Mountain Dew’ trademark suit in India

Hyderabad based Magfast Beverages has won the battle against beverages MNC, Pepsico for the use of trademark, Mountain Dew.

Magfast Beverages Chairman Syed Ghaziuddin said that they started selling packaged drinking water named ‘Mountain Dew in the year 2000.

“In 2000, I started a company to sell water to the people of Hyderabad as well as India. And that is when I started my idea into work as ‘Mountain Dew’ for my packed drinking water. Due to the quality of the product, this brand name has reached national recognition,” he said.

Ghaziuddin added that in 2003, Pepsico launched a soft drink under the same name and now, the court has dismissed their claims on the trademark.

According to him, its after a 15 year legal battle, Hyderabad court has dismissed the suit filed by Pepsico and rejected the claim on the trans border reputation and infringement claim.

“Though we won the case in December only, I waited till now for the court order. And now regarding compensation, in 2004 the PepsiCo has filed an undertaking by stating that if the case filed is lost by the PepsiCo company, then the company is ready to pay the required compensation to Mag Fast Beverages,” the Hindustan Times quoted Ghaziuddin as saying.

This win is to all the Indian companies who believe in the Make in India campaign by Modi Government, said Syed Ghaziuddin.

Also Read: ‘Indian Economy Clearly On Recovery Path’

Also Read: India Inc expects recovery in H2 FY21: CII Poll





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Food Lite Blogs London News Restaurant Reviews

Indian food reaches new heights of fine dining at Benares London

Columnist and Restaurant Reviewer Riccha Grrover in an exclusive review of the iconic Mayfair london restaurant Benares and in conversation with their Executive Chef extraordinaire specialising in nouvelle Indian cuisine-Sameer Taneja, for Asian Lite International. 

Sameer Taneja

Chef Sameer spent many years working mainly with French chefs such as Pascal Proyart (2003-2009), Michel and Alain Roux (2009-2010), Joel Antunes (2010- 2011) and Pierre Koffmann (2011-2012).

The much lauded chef Sameer is originally from Delhi, India. He received his degree in culinary arts from Mangalore, on India’s South-West coast. Prior to moving to the UK in 2003 he worked at The Oberoi Rajvilas in the pink city of Jaipur in Rajasthan which is consistently ranked amongst the top hotels in the world by Tripadvisor and Conde Nast.

RG- Tell us about your journey as a professional chef, across kitchens and cuisines? Did you always plan to be a chef or did you dabble into the profession as an extension of a hobby? 

ST- Honestly speaking, I have had a challenging but satisfying career journey so far in the culinary world. I have had my fair share of ups & downs, few successes and some failures in my journey as a chef,  but surely with plenty of learning! 

Interestingly I never really planned on being a professional chef and nor that cooking was a hobby…my interest in food concepts, experimenting, innovating, cooking professionally came by chance and I each day I Thank God for it as this is surely my passion! 

This is the second best thing that happened to me in my life – first are my children! 

RG- What is like working for a big brand name restaurant kitchen of Benares?  How is benares different from all the other high end indian restaurants in central London in terms of what unique food experience you offer? 

ST- Benares is an institution in itself. It is a top indian fine dining brand. For me it is a dream come true to be able to cook here. Benares has its own style of food offerings. Our ethos of serving Indian food to discerning diners lies in simplicity yet innovation.

RG- What are the top five dishes you would recommend a first time diner to try ?

ST- I am biased! I like each dish that features on the menu but Oyster & Seabream Chaat, Baked Scallops, Venison, Spatchcock (Butter Chicken Roast) and Mashed Aubergine are very close to my heart and I cannot recommend these enough! 

RG- Do you have a seasonal menu too or is it always a fixed ala carte menu? Where does your menu take its inspiration from? 

ST- We have a seasonal pre fix 3 courses menu which changes often, a Tasting Menu (7 courses) which changes seasonally and A La Carte menu which is also refreshed seasonally. My menu is always inspired by the good ole home-cooked food from various indian households across the subcontinent and also regional eats offered by street hawkers. I then give it my own spin to showcase it in a globally acclaimed kitchen for the perusal of evolved and seasoned palates of diners in london city who love to dip into those flavours! 

RG- Tell us about the decor, interiors, drinks selection, music and the overall vibe you have created- how does it compliment the meal experience at Benares? 

ST- Benares restaurant exudes the beauty and the vibrancy of the holy ‘City of Lights’ in India while creating a strong impression with its striking contemporary design. Guests enter an elegant lounge with hand-crafted India inspired furniture and is complimented by a beautiful pond decorated with fresh flowers, creating a luxurious aesthetic. We have a unique cocktail menu with some Benares signature cocktails along with our Wine selection where styles meet spices! All the elements compliment the meal experience at Benares. It’s all about the balance. Drinks are led by my very talented colleague Jeepson Lopes.

RG- Tell us about some of your highs and lows in the  journey as a chef. What keeps you motivated and what’s been your mantra of success? What advice would you give budding chefs? 

ST- Highs and lows have been in plenty and have helped me to grow. They are too many to mention! But most importantly for me I try to find positivity in everything; I am in my element when surrounded by smiles. My family and my team support keeps me going. I am far from success, miles to go so I’m still working on my mantra as I discover it! 

My only advice to young chefs would be- head down, focus, push and repeat! 

RG- What is your personal favourite from the benares menu? What’s your favourite cuisine and restaurant when you go out to eat ? If you weren’t a chef what would you have been doing? 

ST- My absolutely favourite is Oyster & Seabream Chaat. This dish is inspired from street hawkers of India, every mouthful tingles your tastebuds with salty, sweet, sour, spicy, umami, bitterness.

I love, love, love it!

I have a soft corner for any home cooked food and It has always been my weakness. I like fish & spice  – can I call this my favourite cuisine?! 

Baked Malabar Scallop

There are many restaurants I like, but to name few Hoppers, Sabor and Corner Stone.

And oh …I would probably be a Stand-up comedian if I was not a chef! 

RG- How has the pandemic affected the meal experience at Benares? How have you kept the restaurant going and what changes do you need to incorporate in your restaurant  in a post covid era? 

ST- The pandemic have not only effected Benares but the whole FnB industry in general.

Here at Benares we are complying with all the Government regulations for a safer yet the original, gratifying and classy meal experience.

Indian Fine Dining Restaurant with British Flair in the Heart of Mayfair is a food destination, a culinary extravaganza, a lavish food experience to cherish. A food experience here can make any mealtime special and a special occasion even more special! The service is impeccable, the class-act unmatched, the food is worth writing home about, and the passion of the chef along with his team clearly shines through! 

Benares Restaurant and Bar since its opening in 2003 has been considered one of the finest Indian Restaurants in the city.

A meal at this Mayfair jaunt is a memorable one, the delectable food memories linger on! 

  • Khatti Ceviche Chaat – cured sea bream
Categories
-Top News USA

Trump returns to White house after 72 hours

Doctors treating United States President Donald Trump come out of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Washington on Sunday, October 4, 2020. His personal doctor Sean Conley is in front. (Photo: White House/IANS)

US President Donald Trump has returned to the White House after 72 hours of treatment at a military hospital to face a campaign upended by his COVID-19 infection barely a month before the election that will define his future.

Pumping his fist and giving a thumbs up he emerged from the Walter Reed National Medical Centre in Washington and walked to a vehicle that took him to the Marine One helicopter to fly to the White House.

His doctors cleared him for discharge from the hospital to continue treatment at the official residence.

His personal doctor Sean Conley told reporters, “He’s met or exceeded all standard hospital discharge criteria.”

Trump did not answer questions shouted at him by reporters as he emerged from the hospital.

Doctors treating United States President Donald Trump come out of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Washington on Sunday, October 4, 2020. His personal doctor Sean Conley is in front. (Photo: White House/IANS)

But in a tweet in the morning he said, “Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of COVID. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”

At the White House, he walked up the steps to the balcony and in a show of defiance took off his mask and saluted the helicopter crew.

He was criticised for appearing without a mask by several politicians and physicians. Democratic Senator Chris Coons told ABC TV that Trump was being reckless and dangerous.

Biden said at a Florida campaign event earlier, “Now that he’s busy tweeting campaign messages, I would ask him to do this: Listen to the scientists. Support masks. Support a mask mandate nationwide.”

His discharge from the hospital and arrival at the White House were carefully orchestrated by the media savvy president to cut into the prime time TV news and show himself able to function by himself.

Trump’s return to the White House comes as several people close to him have come down with the coronavirus. His press secretary Kayeigh McEnany was the latest to announce that she had tested positive for the virus.

United States President Donald Trump greets from his vehicle his supporters gathered outside the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Washington on Sunday, October 4, 2020. (Photo: White House/IANS)

It is estimated that almost 20 White House staffers are ill with COVID-19, two of them from McEnany’s office.

The functioning of the White House will be strained by many staffers having to quarantine themselves due to exposure to those affected by COVID-19.

Also read:‘Not being briefed on Trump’s health’: Pelosi

Categories
-Top News

Caucusus: Turkey goes beyond NATO grip

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the NATO appear to be on completely divergent paths while dealing with the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Even though the head of the Western military alliance asked the Turkish president to calm down down the fight, Erdogan has placed himself in a directly opposite position.

“We are deeply concerned by the escalation of hostilities. All sides should immediately cease fighting and find a way forward toward a peaceful resolution,” Arab News quoted NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg as saying after talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

“And I expect Turkey to use its considerable influence to calm tensions.”

But minutes before his own talks with Stoltenberg, Erdogan urged Azerbaijan to keep fighting until it retook land it lost in a war with Armenia in the early 1990s that killed 30,000.

Azerbaijan was “responding to an attack and saving Karabakh from its occupation,” Erdogan said.

“We, Turkey, say that we are always on the Azerbaijan side. As long as the Karabakh issue is not resolved, it will not be possible to end conflict in the region,” the Turkish President said.

With this position, Ankara has added more spice to its already strained relationship with NATO. Turkey’s membership of NATO has been under increasing strain since Ankara bought a missile defense system from Russia, the main military threat to the alliance, and began exploring for oil and gas in territorial waters belonging to Greece, a NATO ally.

Also Read: Canada suspends arms exports to Turkey

Also Read: Turkey is getting into trouble, warns Arab League

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-Top News Africa News UAE News

UAE reaffirms call for peaceful settlement in Libya

This came as the UAE minister participated in a ministerial meeting on Libya on the sidelines of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly…Reports Asian Lite News

Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has reaffirmed the UAE’s supportive stance for UN resolutions on Libya and the world organisation’s call for Libyan parties to engage in a ceasefire, end escalation, and commit to international efforts for a peaceful settlement.

This came as the UAE minister participated in a ministerial meeting on Libya on the sidelines of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was attended by ministers of foreign affairs and senior representatives from Member States and regional organisations that are part of the Berlin process, as well as from Libya’s neighbouring countries.

Addressing the meeting held via video technology, Gargash renewed the UAE’s commitment to the conclusions of the Berlin Conference on Libya held in January 2020 and the Cairo Declaration on the same issue. He expressed optimism over recent developments in Libya, which he described as encouraging, noting the importance of continued dialogue between the disputing parties.

Gargash also underscored the importance of the UN’s role in ensuring fruitful dialogue aimed at forging a sustainable and peaceful settlement. He also highlighted the success of the Libyan Dialogue held in the Egyptian resort city of Hurghada and its conclusions.

The minister voiced alarm about the volatile situation in Libya and the delay in reaching a political solution in a way that, he said, would reflect negatively on the regional situation, and in particular on the Eastern Mediterranean Region in the shadow of continued foreign interference and the increased presence of foreign mercenaries on Libyan territory, as well as the claims and interests of regional powers on Libya.

Also read:India Welcomes Libyan Peace Efforts

Categories
COVID-19 EU News

‘Act now to prevent lockdown’: Irish PM

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

The Prime Minister said moving to level five could have “severe implications”, including the risk of losing hundreds of thousands of jobs…Reports Asian Lite News

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin urged citizens to “act now” in order to prevent an “immediate comprehensive lockdown”. The country was readying for level three Covid-19 restrictions which will come into force from Wednesday.

“If we all act now we can stop the need to go further, with introducing level four and five restrictions,” Martin was saying in his address on Monday night.

The Prime Minister said moving to level five could have “severe implications”, including the risk of losing hundreds of thousands of jobs.

The challenge for his government “at this stage” was to be as “effective and proportionate as possible” in how it deals with the pandemic, he added.

  • London, Sept. 15, 2020 (Xinhua) — People sit on the lawn at Potters Fields Park in front of Tower Bridge in London, Britain, on Sept. 14, 2020. In order to curb the rise in coronavirus cases, tough new limits on social gatherings came into force in Britain on Monday, meaning that in most regions, it is now illegal for groups of more than six to meet up. The “rule of six” kicked off at midnight across England, Wales and Scotland in the latest push to curb the recent surge in coronavirus infections. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua/IANS)

Under the level three restriction, tighter limitations will be enforced on gatherings and people will be advised to work from home unless absolutely necessary.

It will also require sporting fixtures to take place behind closed doors, with only professional or elite sporting activities permitted.

Martin added that the restrictions will be reviewed in three weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, the Donegal and Dublin counties were already placed under level three restrictions in recent weeks, the BBC reported.

On Monday, Ireland reported were 518 new coronavirus cases, with no deaths.

The country’s overall caseload currently stands at 38,549 with a total of 1,810 fatalities.

Also read:Covid-19: Nearly 16K cases missed in UK daily figures

Categories
Sport

Man Utd ropes in Cavani, Pellistri

Edison Cavani

Premier League club Manchester United have announced the signing of striker Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri.

While Cavani has joined the club on a one-year contract with the option to extend for a further year, Pellistri has signed a five-year contract with United, with an option to extend for a another 12 months.

“Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world, so it is a real honour to be here. I’ve worked really hard during the time off and I feel eager to compete and represent this incredible club,” Cavani was quoted as saying by the club’s official website.

Facundo Pellistri

Cavani, who has won the Golden Boot in both Ligue 1 and Serie A, has scored 341 goals at club level since moving to Europe in 2007, including 35 in the UEFA Champions League. The forward won six league titles with Paris Saint-Germain and, with 200 goals, is their all-time leading scorer. Internationally, Cavani won the Copa America in 2011 and has found the net 50 times in 116 appearances for Uruguay.

Pellistri, on the other hand, has already featured 37 times for the Uruguayan Primera Division club’s first team –Atletico Penarol.

“I am coming into a squad full of great players who I will learn from every day. Everyone knows that Manchester United is a club that gives young players an opportunity and I am ready to work hard every day to earn those chances and prove myself in England,” the 18-year-old said.

Manchester United are currently placed at the 16th spot in the ongoing season and are slated next to take on Newcastle United on October 17.

Also Read: Man Utd Players Need To Keep Improving: Solskjaer

Categories
-Top News Arab News Canada

Canada suspends arms exports to Turkey

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

“Canada continues to be concerned by the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting in shelling of communities and civilian casualties said Champagne …Reports Asian Lite News

Canada has suspended its arms export permits to Turkey after it was claimed that Ankara was using drone-sensor technology created by an Ontario company in the fight between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“In line with Canada’s robust export control regime and due to the ongoing hostilities, I have suspended the relevant export permits to Turkey, so as to allow time to further assess the situation. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said on Monday

“Canada continues to be concerned by the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting in shelling of communities and civilian casualties.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Champagne has also ordered a probe into a claim by Canadian peace research institute Project Ploughshares that it had evidence a Canadian-developed sensor technology was being used in Turkish military drones, CTV News reported.

Ploughshares researcher Kelsey Gallagher told CTV News the decision showed that “Canada’s arms control regime is working how it should”.

“These arms have posed a risk in Turkish hands for some time now and really should have tripped Canada’s risk assessment a long time ago, this is kind of overdue,” he added.

Also in a briefing on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he has asked Champagne to travel to Europe to work with allies on the “developments in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, particularly in Nagorno-Karabakh”.

Canada prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory, is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but but mostly governed by the Republic of Artsakh, a de facto independent state with an Armenian ethnic majority.

Armenia and Azerbaijan went to war over the region in 1988-94, eventually declaring a ceasefire. However, a settlement was never reached.

The current fighting is the worst seen since the ceasefire and the two former Soviet republics have been blaming each other.

Earlier this week, Armenia said it stood “ready to engage” with mediators from France, Russia and the US to try to agree a ceasefire.

But Azerbaijan, which is openly backed by Turkey, has demanded the withdrawal of Armenian troops from Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent areas seized by ethnic Armenian troops, the BBC reported.

Since the latest conflict erupted on September 27, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities have confirmed that 201 of their personnel and a number of civilians have died.

Azerbaijan has said that 22 civilians were killed, but did not provide information about military casualties.

Also read:Turkey is getting into trouble, warns Arab League