RadhaRaman Society has been hosting this festival for the last nine years connecting leading musicians and audiences from all different cultural traditions…writes Prof Geetha Upadhyaya, OBE
This is the 10th year celebration of the RadhaRaman Folk Festival. RadhaRaman Society has been hosting this festival for the last nine years connecting leading musicians and audiences from all different cultural traditions. The society also has been playing a pioneering role in bringing our folk music to the world stage through Baul and Vaishnav Music Festival in London, International Dance Festival and producing Bengali Opera in new shape for western audiences.
The festival is happening virtually on 27-29 this year from 2pm to 2am and has been curated with great creativity by the Yorkshire based Kaysher Ahmed – a great cultural ambassador.
Asian Lite wishes the RadhaRaman Festival many more years of great cultural events and hope this special year will bring happiness as usually to the audience across the world during this difficult time.
‘America Is Back’: Biden Unveils Foreign Policy Team; ‘A Missed Opportunity’; Fresh indoor air reduces COVID19 risk by 70%: Report – all in Asian Lite Daily Digital UK – please click here to read.
Research shows that being in a room with fresh air can reduce risk of infection from particles by over 70%
The film is part of the Hands. Face. Space. campaign which urges public to adopt simple health behaviours to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading
A new public information campaign launched by the Government to highlight how letting fresh air into indoor spaces can reduce the risk of infection from coronavirus by over 70%.
The campaign, which forms part of wider ‘Hands. Face. Space’ guidance, sees the release of a new short film created with scientists and an engineer at Leeds University.
Dr Amir Khan
The film illustrates how coronavirus lingers in the air in spaces with no fresh air, increasing the risk of people breathing in infected particles, and how the risk can be reduced significantly by regularly ventilating enclosed areas.
As we spend more time indoors, experts are recommending that the public open windows for short, sharp bursts of 10 -15 minutes regularly throughout the day, or leave windows open a small amount continuously, to remove any infected particles lingering in the room.
Additionally, it is advised that any household systems that use outdoor air, including kitchen or bathroom extractor fans, are used correctly and regularly as an additional method to remove infected particles.
Airing indoor spaces is particularly important when:
1. People have visitors (when permitted) or tradespeople in their home, for example for construction or emergencies;
2. Someone from a support bubble is meeting with another household indoors;
3. A care worker is seeing a patient indoors; or
4. If someone in the household has the virus, as this can help prevent transmission to other household members
Coronavirus.
Professor Catherine Noakes, from Leeds University who advised on the film, said:
“When a room does not have any fresh air, and where people are generating large amounts of aerosol through activities such as singing and loud speech, that is when transmission of coronavirus is most likely. Fresh air must come from outdoors – recirculating air just means the aerosols containing the virus move around the same room rather than being extracted outdoors.
Coronavirus is spread through the air bydroplets andsmaller particles (known asaerosols) that are exhaled from the nose and mouth of an infected person as they breathe, speak or cough[2]. They behave in a similar way to smoke but are invisible. The majority of virus transmissions happen indoors. Being indoors, with no fresh air, the particles can remain suspended in the air for hours and build up over time[3].
The longer people spend in the same room as these particles, the more likely they are to become infected.
GP, Dr Amir Khan said:
“As we approach winter, and inevitably spend more time indoors, fresh air is extremely beneficial. For COVID-19, it is important to ventilate indoor spaces if someone in your home has the virus as this can help prevent transmission to other household members.
“You should also let fresh air into your home when you have any visitors and just after they leave in case they are infected. Remember, opening windows alongside washing your hands, covering your face and making space is also essential in reducing your risk of COVID-19.”
Ventilation to provide fresh air in enclosed spaces is just as important as the other actions, so remember this as well as Hands, Face, Space. These are the most effective ways we can all control the spread of the virus. Visit gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.
The public are encouraged to continue to be vigilant of coronavirus symptoms which include a new continuous cough, high temperature, or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell. If you or someone you know, displays any symptoms please get a free test by calling 119 or visiting NHS.uk.
There was a time when Conor McGregor, who is now amongst the highest paid athletes in the world, was well respected in his field.
Now though, he’s largely seen as a laughingstock in spite of his staggering net worth. Here we look at his journey.
Early life
McGregor was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland in July 1988. The man who is now known as ‘Notorious’ has always had passion for physical activity with the fighter first trying his hand at football. At the age of 12 he found boxing.
It wasn’t until after switching the city of Dublin for the quieter suburbs of Lucan – a 20 minute drive from the centre – that he would find his love of MMA. That’s something that developed off the back of a friendship with Tom Egan.
At 18, McGregor had his first fight. It proved to be his only amateur event as he breezed past his opponent before being snapped up by the Irish Ring of Truth promotion. Six years later, Dana White signed him to the UFC.
Making a name for himself
McGregor didn’t waste much time in building a reputation for himself. He blitzed his opening fight against Marcus Brimage and showed little sign of slowing up as he won his opening seven bouts with just one of them going the distance. McGregor was here to stay.
When he walked away from the UFC in 2016, he was widely considered to be one of the best fighters with his only loss coming courtesy of a Nate Diaz submission. His record read as 21-3-0. Not bad.
The beginning of a circus
McGregor used his big mouth to whip up a storm outside of MMA circles. The sole aim was to create an interest in his desire to try his hand at boxing. It worked, he talked his way to a money spinning bout with Floyd Mayweather.
The fight build up was ludicrous. McGregor was talking trash, Mayweather was talking trash. It was laughable.
McGregor had never boxed at even a half decent amateur level and there he was saying he’d bounce Mayweather’s head off the canvas. The guy is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter for goodness sake.
Of course, Mayweather, who is nicknamed ‘Money’, lapped it up. He was due for a payday of at least – yes, at least – $100m with most predicting he’d double that tally with PPV cash added to the purse.
As expected, after talking himself up throughout the build-up, McGregor entered the ring with Mayweather only to be teased. The Irish fighter started brightly only to fade and be picked off with ease by Mayweather. Any positives of McGregor’s early performance was soon gone too as his opponent revealed it was the game plan all along knowing the inexperienced and rash headed McGregor would tire far too soon.
A rough return to UFC
After his much predicted loss to Mayweather, McGregor plotted a move back to a more familiar shape of ring. The route he took was shameless. The worst of it was probably the infamous bus attack after UFC 223 that led to McGregor getting slapped with assault charges.
The target of that outburst was Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘Notorious’ was known to have been angered by Nurmagomedov’s decision to intimidate Artem Lobov – a close friend to McGregor – a few days earlier.
After a few months of petty jibes and plenty of insults the pair fought. McGregor’s weakness on the canvas came to the fore as Nurmagomedov beat him with a neck crank. It was a crushing blow to a man with an ego the size of McGregor’s.
An Instagram post by the fighter said he would ‘be back’ but six months later he announced his retirement; even that was dubbed a publicity stunt though.
That’s how it proved too because he’s since fought – and beat – Donald Cerrone. Another retirement announcement has been made. Still, the world is dubious whether it’s genuine or not.
Chasing the cash – again
Here we reach the crux of the matter. It’s why I’ll never hold McGregor in the regard his MMA record probably deserves. He isn’t about dominating the UFC. He is just about lining his pockets. I’ll give you just a few examples.
First, he keeps attempting to fire shots at Mayweather for a rematch. It’s not because he thinks he’d win. He wouldn’t. What he would get though is a handsome purse. The other boxing match that has been muted is a bout with Manny Pacquiao. Again, it’s not a fight McGregor has a chance of winning in the square ring.
Throw into the mix that YouTuber Jake Paul wants to arrange a boxing match with McGregor and he really is scraping the barrel for a pay day.
Here you have our opinion on why McGregor’s legacy is underwhelming, compared to the other names on the sport, as the already mentioned Khabib. And if you really like MMA, take your chances and learn how to bet clicking here: https://extra.betamerica.com/mma/how-to-bet-on-mma/
England will allow a limited number of fans at outdoor sports events when the four-week lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic ends on December 2.
On Monday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government’s new measures and Covid-19 restrictions in the country.
According to BBC Sport, a maximum of 4,000 fans will be allowed at outdoor events in the lowest-risk areas. Up to 2,000 people will be allowed in tier two areas but none in tier three.
Indoor venues in tiers one and two can have a maximum of 1,000 spectators, with capacity across indoor and outdoor venues limited to 50 per cent.
Premier League, England’s top-tier football tournament, has welcomed the announcement made by the UK PM.
“Fans have been greatly missed at Premier League matches and therefore we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement today regarding the return of supporters for the first time since March, albeit at small numbers,” the league said in a statement.
“Our ambition remains to work with government to increase attendance to more substantial levels. Until this can be done, many fans will be unable to attend games and our clubs will continue to operate matches at a financial loss,” it added.
Elite sport has continued behind closed doors during the national lockdown, but grassroots and amateur sport has been halted since November 5 following a second wave of coronavirus outbreak.
The agreement, which was signed by Massimo Falcioni, CEO of ECI, and Louis Taylor, CEO of UKEF, aims to provide a robust turnkey platform, which the two parties can utilise to draw new business opportunities and identify areas for future collaboration to foster a greater trade alliance between the UAE and the UK…reports Asian Lite News
Etihad Credit Insurance, ECI, the UK Export Finance, UKEF, have announced the signing of a reinsurance agreement to enhance the competitiveness, scale and scope of both countries’ export industry through strategic partnership and cooperation.
The agreement, which was signed by Massimo Falcioni, CEO of ECI, and Louis Taylor, CEO of UKEF, aims to provide a robust turnkey platform, which the two parties can utilise to draw new business opportunities and identify areas for future collaboration to foster a greater trade alliance between the UAE and the UK.
ECI and UKEF entered into this agreement to work towards pursuing strategic collaboration in areas such as exploration of mutual opportunities for insurance, reinsurance, co-insurance services for export of goods in a third country; investments and services to assist and support insured exporters; facilitation of access for SMEs; mutual exchange of good practices; organisation of joint events; and identification of specific solutions in the export insurance field, amongst others.
The export communities in both countries stand to gain from this partnership, as it aims to provide ease of access to a range of export credit, as well as financing and investment insurance products.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of ECI, highlighted the significance of this solid agreement on the UAE’s export industry, saying, “The UAE and the UK have always had strong trade relations over the years, and this agreement reflects the keenness of both nations to enhance the competitive advantage of our respective business sector in the international market. We are pleased to enter this partnership with UKEF, with our strong confidence that this will further help ECI propel UAE businesses towards greater heights. This alliance will prove instrumental in advancing the UAE’s national economic non-oil diversification programmes, in line with the vision of our wise leaders.”
UK Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart, said, “This partnership is a boost to our trading relationship and to businesses in both countries. The UAE is diversifying its exports away from oil and gas into renewable energy and its goals to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels align with our own. As the world’s fifth largest exporter, we are determined to help businesses across the UK access the finance they need to take advantage of new opportunities uncovered by UKEF across the world.”
England is set to reopen gyms and non-essential shops after the end of lockdown next month. The UK nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also backed the Christmas get-together plan by the UK government…reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that gyms and non-essential shops in all parts of England will be allowed to reopen when lockdown ends next month, the media reported.
The prime minister told the House off Commons that the three-tiered regional measures will return from 2 December, but he added that each tier will be toughened, the BBC reported.
In this system, spectators will be allowed to return to some sporting events, and weddings and collective worship will resume.
However, every region of England will be told on Thursday which tier they will be put into after the lockdown ends.
The allocation of tiers will be dependent on a number of factors, including each area’s case numbers, the reproduction rate – or R number – and the current and projected pressure on the NHS locally, the report said.
Tier allocations will be reviewed every 14 days, and the regional approach will last until March.
UK-nations back get-together
The four UK nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have backed plans to allow some household mixing “for a small number of days” over Christmas, a media report said on Monday.
According to the BBC report, work to finalise the arrangements for a UK-wide approach to restrictions for the upcoming holiday season is ongoing.
In a statement, the Cabinet Office said that Ministers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have endorsed a “shared objective of facilitating some limited additional household bubbling for a small number of days”.
But they have emphasised that the public will be advised to “remain cautious”, and that “wherever possible people should avoid travelling and minimise social contact”.
While the Scottish government has said that “no agreement has been reached” so far on the arrangements, Northern Ireland Ministers have also “recognised that people will want to see family and friends across the island of Ireland, and this is the subject of discussions with the Irish government”, according to the Cabinet Office.
Boris Johnson
Under the new system, 10 p.m. closing time for pubs and restaurants will also be relaxed.
Following Johnson’s meeting with his Cabinet to sign off on the plans on Sunday, the Downing Street said that some local measures will be the same as those in the previous three-tier system which was in place in England until the current lockdown began.
Also on Monday, the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies is expected to publish research on Monday saying the previous tiered restrictions in England were not strong enough.
On Sunday, the UK recorded another 18,662 new coronavirus cases and 398 deaths.
With the new tallies, the country’s overall caseload and death toll have increased to 1,515,802 and 55,120, respectively.
Ex-PMs slam Boris
Former UK Prime Ministers David Cameron and Tony Blair have warned incumbent leader Boris Johnson against slashing the country’s overseas budget, the media reported on Saturday.
The UK is committed to spending 0.7 per cent of the GDP on aid, but the Johnson-led government was mulling reducing the target to 0.5 per cent, which would have saved around 4 billion pounds this year, the BBC reported.
David Cameron
In a statement, Cameron said such a move would be a “moral, strategic and political mistake”.
The 0.7 per cent target, initially proposed by the UN in the 1970s, was first adopted in the UK by Blair’s Labour government in 2005.
However, it was not actually reached until 2013 under the Cameron-led coalition government.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph on Saturday, Blair said Britain’s 0.7 per cent commitment had saved millions of lives in the past 20 years by helping to reduce deaths from deadly diseases such as malaria and HIV in Africa.
Millions have also been educated, living standards raised, and life expectancy “dramatically” increased, he was quoted as saying.
The warnings come ahead of the UK taking over the G7 presidency from the US on January 1, 2021.
The G7 comprises world’s seven largest so-called advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US.
A politician, consultant and educator whose work has been pioneering in the area of community-cohesion will explore Geopolitics, Diplomacy and International Relations with students.
Kishan Devani, BEM
London Met has appointed Kishan Devani BEM as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations. During his time in the Univerisity, he will have a particular focus on Geopolitics and Diplomacy during his time here, according to a statement.
One of the youngest BAME Freemen of the City of London as well as a seasoned politician, consultant and educator, his work has been pioneering in the area of community cohesion within the British-Asian community. Since leaving university ten years ago, he has engaged young Asian people to get involved in British civic life through talks at schools, colleges and universities, with the aim of inspiring them to join the fields of politics, education and social service.
He has previously served as Deputy Chairman of the London Conservative Party, becoming the youngest politician of ethnic minority background to be appointed to the role, before leaving to join the Liberal Democrats. He now serves as a Board Member of the Lib Dems and Vice President of the Liberal Democrats Campaign for Race Equality.
Kishan Devani is now a Board Member of the Lib Dems and Vice President of the Liberal Democrats Campaign for Race Equality.
A passionate campaigner for equality and inclusion, he has worked closely with British Asians to build community links in London and beyond, as well as working with young people at risk of radicalisation. Kishan was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in Her New Years Honour’s List 2020 with the BEM (British Empire Medal) for Services to Community Cohesion.
Kishan was also made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2015 and was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London – making him one of the youngest BAME Freemans of London. He was the Deputy Chairman (Membership and Finance) of the Entire London Conservative Party. he sat on the National Association Finance Board of the Conservative Party. In addition to this, he was the Chairman of Conservative Way Forward’s Treasurers Committee.
He stood for Parliament in 2015 for the Constituency of Leicester East and has previously stood for Council elections in 2014. As well as this, he was a candidate for the Greater London Assembly for the elections in 2016. Kishan left the Conservative Party in 2017 & joined the Liberal Democrat Party – he was appointed to be a Treasurers Envoy for the Party by Lord Michael German the party’s Treasurer. He was also appointed to the Racial Equality Working Group of the party. Kishan was appointed Vice-President of the Liberal Democrats Campaign for Race Equality (LDCRE).
Kishan was also elected Vice-Chairman of Liberal Democrats in Business. Kishan was also the Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Candidate for Montgomeryshire in the 2019 General Election. Kishan was also appointed Ambassador of the REC (Religious Education Council of England and Wales) & is Advisor to The Unity of Faiths Foundation”
On his appointment at London Met he said, “I fundamentally believe in Unity in Diversity, which is exemplified at London Met. Your students, academics and staff come from across the globe and work together as one family. This inspiration forms the basis of my own values and vision of bringing communities together.
“The diversity of the student body is a huge asset to the University. I believe what London Met has to offer is second to none, as it provides students the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life and learn from one another. This is one of the institutions biggest strengths and one of the major reasons I look forward to being a part of the London Met family.”
Asked what advice he would give to a student interested in embarking on a career in politics or civic relations, he said, “there is nothing you cannot achieve. Dream big, work hard and you shall achieve.
“I try to live life by the motto of my Spiritual Gurus and Teachers – Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj – who say,
Narayan Sahu's Sand Art presentation at Utkal Sanskruti program
Amish Tripathi, Director of Nehru Centre speaking at Utkal Sanskruti program
Utkal Sanskruti- an exuberant program conceived by Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence and organised in association with Jagannath Temple Trust UK captivated the audiences in the UK, Norway, India, the USA and the Middle East. The online session highlighted the unique performing arts, handlooms, cuisine, painting and sand art of Odisha people.
The program began with an invocation Ahe Nila Saila by Dr. Bhagyashree Singh, Cultural Secretary of Odisha Society of UK. She has also presented Bande Utkal Janani later. After a beautiful message by Amish Tripathi, celebrated author and Director of Nehru Centre (ICCR London), Dr. Sahadev Swain has given an introduction about Sanskruti Centre.
Dr Nandakumara, Executive Director of the Bhavan speaking at Utkal Sanskruti
Shilpiguru Padma Vibhushan Dr. Raghunath Mohapatra spoke about the antiquity of Pattachitra and outlined how the colours used in the painting art are extracted. Guru Satyapira Palai from Chandrasekhar Gotipua Kalasansad in Dimirisena Village has explained about Gotipua dance tradition, while his young students have demonstrated the steps.
Dr. NM Nandakumara, Executive Director of the Bhavan extended his best wishes and appreciated the pursuit of highlighting the importance of supporting the art forms that do not have greater exposure. Yuva Nritya Ratna awardee Natalie Rout’s graceful Odissi dance, choreographed by Guru Ratikant Mohapatra, was presented with introductory lines by Dr Usha Rout.
Rakesh Sai Babu’s Mayurbhanj Chhau presentation at Utkal Sanskruti
Soumendra Mahapatra, Second Secretary (Visa) at the High Commission of India in London, has briefly spoken about how delightful it is to see such an interesting line-up of performances and presentations. Renowned Sand Sculptor and Sand Painter Narayan Sahu’s presentation at the program has won the hearts of many. Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra, Founder of Parichay Foundation passionately presented Odisha weavers and the different types of handlooms such as Ikat, Kotpad, Khandua and Habaspuri and spoke of the initiative Parineeti.
Guru Satyapira presenting Gotipua dance at Utkal Sanskruti program
ICCR-empanelled Mayurbhanj Chhau dancer and Founder-director of Trikayaa dance company Rakesh Sai Babu’s presentation was breathtaking. He is Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar in the field of Chhau dance given by Sangeet Natak Academy for 2018-19. This was followed by Thia Puchi Naranga performed during Kumar Purnima where rural sportswomen are trained by charitable trust Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation.
The performance was introduced by Hrusikesh and Sudipta Panigrahi duo. Rangabati dance was presented by Pragyan Devi, Reena Khuntia and Reena Meher. Dr Jayashree Nanda presented on unique Odiya cuisine including Dalma, Kakara and explained about Mahaprasada & Chhappan Bhog. Dr. Prakash Dey has outlined the objectives of charitable organisation of Jagannath Temple Trust.
Honourable Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Odisha) Shri Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi has briefly joined the online event.
Technical support was given by Sushil Rapatwar, coordination by Sukant Sahu and Vote of Thanks was given by Ragasudha Vinjamuri- Founder of Sanskruti Centre.
Hrusikesh and Sudipta Panigrahi introducing This Puchi Naranga at Utkal Sanskruti
Dr Rosalin P Mishra talking about Odisha handlooms at Utkal Sanskruti event
Presentation of Natalie Rout’s Odissi at Utkal Sanskruti program
Dr Usha Rout introducing Natalie Rout’s performance at Utkal Sanskruti
Pragyan Devi introducing Rangabati dance
Bhagyashree Singh presenting invocation at Utkal Sanskruti program
Soumndra Mahapatra from the High Commission of India at Utkal Sanskruti
Tougher 3-Tier Curbs To Greet End of Lockdown; Trump Test Dose Gets Panel Nod; OBIT: Khadim Hussain Rizvi; Erdogan meets Abdullah amid peace talks stalemate – all in Asian Lite Daily – please click here to read.
