Tag: Manchester

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Indian Restaurant ‘Bardez’ in Manchester adds taste to Curry Mile

Bardez is the newly opened Indian street food and grill restaurant on the famous Curry mile in Manchester. Rahul Laud finds more..

Bardez brings top of mind the beaches in north Goa , the sand, surf , fish and feni in the tourist popular Goa.  Residents of Bardez – a taluka place — are known as Bardezkars. Two such Bardezkars brothers Marcus Dsouza and Zico who are residents of Manchester have joined hands to cater to Mancunians with Bardezkar hospitality. 

If Goans are owners and Bardez is the name of the place then another naturally corollary faces top of mind is that the recipes would be Goan. Smilingly the two brothers dismiss this thought. “Yes Goan hospitality one will experience here but we have crafted a mixed bag menu so we can appeal and attract to all taste buds.” The traditional Rechad masala, the vindaloos and sorpotels and fenny and uraq are not on the bar on menu lists.

What is still so exciting? That has grabbed the attention on the Curry Mile. Opened a few weeks ago the place is packed on all days which come as a pleasant surprise to the local trade. Narrating the secret and magic of the place, Marcus says, “Food is the King. Three chefs joined hands with us and are business partners. This is unique in the industry here and these chefs curate exotic recipes as their business interests keep them motivated constantly.”

The Bardez team spent a whole one year to set up the ambience, design and curate special recipes and the formerly Turkish grill eatery was converted into an authentic Indian street and grill food casual dining hotspot. Chef team lead by Suraj Singh, and two others tandoori specialists Balwir Singh and Darmiyan Singh bring to the table some never –heard-before starters. Beetroot tikki, Crisp Paneer kofta with cheese in it have caught connoisseurs eye, Suraj Singh has been in Manchester over two decades and for the first time has ventured into business partnership with Marcus and Zico. 

Among the Garhwali chefs who run probably most Indian restaurants’ kitchens, Suraj Singh commands huge respect for his expertise, style, taste and sincerity towards North Indian cuisine. Zico brings huge experience running restaurants and shacks in Goa and Marcus is well known in Manchester having worked in several restaurants before as Front office and FandB manager. Thus these owners claim that their “Five men army” is a formidable team to conquer Curry Mile.

Those vegetarians have found the Dum Pukht biryani unbeatable. “It is reminiscent of Lucknow biryanis,” said Mamit Agarwal who hails from that city in Uttar Pradesh. The crispy paneer kofta is unique in its flavour and attracts the Caucasians who find it mildly marinated and delicious. Non vegetarians have found “the chicken chops scrumptious,” said an Egyptian doctor Nawabi – now a regular at Bardez. Usually lamb and mutton chops are common but Bardez Chefs have created unique flavoured chicken chops that any tandoori lover cannot resist to eat.

Excited and happy Marcus says “It’s a dream come true for us. It is not easy as one has worked for several years and starting one’s own business requires huge courage, strength and risk taking ability.” He said the focus of Bardez,”is on excellent taste and good food thus we refrained from any Goan dish as the strength of our Chefs is North Indian food. Our cuisine is pan Indian and fish lovers come repeatedly to taste our Malabar and Malvani fish curry that has freshly grounded masalas in our kitchen to match the original taste.”

Vegans will get tasty Indian recipes he assured. Located near Manchester and Metropolitan Universities to cater to student population pocket friendly Tapas dishes are served during lunch with soups. At an average price of 5.50£ per dish a student can have a meal that can match his hunger and pocket. Rajma Chawal, keema and omelette pav, vada pav and several other recipes popular on Indian streets have attracted the student community.

Bardez has two full-fledged bars in its two storeyed premises. The upper floor is designed for a party space that can host 40-50 guests. Indian soft drinks Thus Up, Limca and the popular Goan Cashew Feni are available to those who enjoy Indian drinks.With a stylish ambience and a warm, enthusiastic, typical Goan style bubbly and lively Marcus and Zico – these two brothers to receive you Bardez glows bright golden like its signage on the street. Indian authentic food is here to stay. Middle Eastern food with its shishas and falafels will not succeed in driving away Indian food from the curry mile.

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-Top News UK News

6 Chinese diplomats leave UK over Manchester protester attack

Earlier, the UK Foreign Office summoned a Chinese envoy in connection with the incident…reports Asian Lite News

Chinese authorities have recalled six diplomats from the UK after the Foreign Office demanded that they be stripped of their diplomatic immunity for questioning by police in connection with the violent incident at the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester.

“The violence at China’s consulate in Manchester was unacceptable. 6 Chinese consulate officials, including the Consul General, are being removed from the UK following the disgraceful incident in October,” UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a video posted on his Twitter on Wednesday. On October 16, a group of people reportedly dragged a Hong Kong protester into the premises of the Chinese Consulate in Manchester and beat him up. The man was hospitalized with injuries, including cuts below his eye.

The UK Foreign Ministry later demanded that diplomatic immunity be lifted from six Chinese officials for the interrogation.

Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in the UK said that the Consul General of China in Manchester had completed his term of office within the normal rotation of consular staff.

“The Chinese Consul General in Manchester has completed his term of office and has returned to China upon instruction not long ago. This is a normal rotation of Chinese consular officials,” an embassy spokesperson said during a briefing.

Earlier, the UK Foreign Office summoned a Chinese envoy in connection with the incident.

On October 19, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that China has made representations to the United Kingdom in connection with the “malicious riots” outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester.

The Chinese spokesperson also said that the perpetrator entered the Chinese Consulate’s grounds, causing injuries to personnel and endangering the security of the diplomatic mission.

In addition, the spokesperson expressed the hope that the UK will ensure the proper security of the Chinese diplomatic missions and their personnel residing in its territory. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Chinese diplomat involved in protester assault, alleges UK MP

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Business India News UK News

MIP launches refreshed strategy to bolster Indo-MCR ties

The Manchester India Partnership (MIP) has launched a refreshed strategy to strengthen ties between Manchester and India, reports Rahul Laud.

The strategy is guided by the UK India 2030 roadmap and has re-aligned itself with the updated Greater Manchester (GM) Industrial Strategy. Over the next nine years, the strategy document states “the Manchester India Partnership will grow as a soft power centre. Culture with all its subsets will be central to the MIP’s strategy of using soft power to engage with institutional partners, influencers and ambassadors, to raise the profile of the Greater Manchester region in India.

This will build a strong narrative with a multiplier effect, to catalyse several collaborations in sport, music, theatre, dance, arts, films, creative and Digital media. This would lead to a raft of Indian film Festivals, award functions, art exhibitions, music and dance performances. The launch of the South Asia Gallery in the Manchester Museum next year will be a useful anchor to support this idea.”

Cultural diplomacy now sits at heart of the MIP’s strategy for the next eight years, document points out.

Over the years, Manchester has been developed into a soft power centre, which leverages the cultural and people connections to inculcate a spirit of collaboration between GM and India, thereby delivering opportunities for business and mutual prosperity.

Greater Manchester’s Local Industrial Strategy provides the focus for this activity, engaging India in GM’s key areas of strengths that align with India’s growth sectors. These include Digital and Technology, Low Carbon, Advanced Manufacturing and Health Innovation.

Shehla Hasan with Andy Burnham

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“The Manchester India Partnership has played a key role in developing and expanding connections between our city-region and India over the last few years. This renewed strategy will set out how that relationship can be strengthened in the future, based around our long-term ambitions for trade, investment, and innovation.

“Our city-region is home to more than 55,000 people from the Indian diaspora, and what this strategy also does is acknowledge the importance and the value of those cultural links that enrich and enliven our communities, and how they too can be a source of shared prosperity.”

Shehla Hasan, Executive Director Manchester India Partnership said,

“Over 1,000 businesses in the Northwest exported over £310 million worth of goods to India in 2019 and in the financial year 2021-2022, India became the fastest growing economy in the world. Our aim is for Greater Manchester to be recognised as the strongest UK region as a partner for this sustained growth”.

Shehla elaborated that the strategy focuses on five key pillars that accurately mirrors GM’s priorities for the future:

1. Raising the profile of Greater Manchester in India

2. Accelerating educational, innovation and entrepreneurship links between GM and India

3. Promoting culture, sports and tourism collaborations

4. Enhanced trade and investment

5. Increase in visitor numbers to the city region from India

She explained that,”This is a live document with a flexible time-bound approach depending on external and internal circumstances. This strategy is based on a clear picture of what success would look like.”

To achieve these ambitions MIP will proactively engage partner organisations such as the Department for International Trade, the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, MIDAS, Marketing Manchester and Visit Britain.

The Manchester India Business Group launched this year by MIP, a networking club to promote the Manchester-India commercial and cultural relationship will also be an important platform for businesses and people from both regions to meet, exchange experiences and listen to informative and influential speakers including senior government officials, politicians, business leaders, editors, and culture curators, Shehla pointed out.

Jo Ahmed, Andy Burnham and Simon Arora

Simon Arora, MIP Chair and CEO B&M Stores said,

“India and the Greater Manchester region are key partners in each other’s future prosperity and sustainability. As we expect the announcement of the UK India Free Trade Agreement around Diwali next month, this is an opportune time to launch MIP’s refreshed strategy and action plan till 2030. We are enthused and excited to work to strengthen this relationship further.”

Jo Ahmed, MIP Deputy Chair and Partner at Deloitte said, “The year 2022 will be a pivotal moment in the UK-India relationship as the prospect of a Free Trade Agreement draws closer. As a priority international market for Greater Manchester with a burgeoning visitor economy and an Indian student economy that has almost tripled between 2018 and 2021, the refreshed Manchester India Partnership strategy will benefit multiple sectors and provide the platform for the next exciting phase of collaboration between Greater Manchester and India.”

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Lite Blogs Music UK News

Swati Natekar’s ‘Nazrana 2022’ presented by Bhavan, Manchester

Swati Natekar has blended her sonorous voice with the strenuous discipline of Classical music, Light Classical, Ghazals, Folk, and Devotional music, writes Prof. Geetha Upadhyaya, OBE

Prof. Geetha Upadhyaya, OBE

Established in 1993, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Manchester is the leading institution promoting Indian art and culture in the north west. The variety of classes and workshops have benefitted many and the team of committed teachers and management ensure that the rich cultural heritage of India is celebrated by all.

The Bhavan is delighted to present Swati Natekar’s musical concert ‘Nazrana 2022’

Hailing from a musical family, Swati Natekar has blended her sonorous voice with the strenuous discipline of Classical music, Light Classical, Ghazals, Folk, and Devotional music.

Born in Jabalpur in India, Swati began her music career at a very young age through regular performances on All India Radio, Bhopal and later in Mumbai where her musical career grew.

Swati shifted to London in 1990 and her private concerts led to many national and international concerts. She has performed with many reputed artists such as Sonu Nigam and her albums have been released by the music producer Biddu and Navras Records while her ghazal track was included by Warner Brothers in their movie. This led to her working with many western music producers and her album was nominated for the Mercury Music awards, UK. Swati has also been nominated for World Dance Star award 2001 for her track ‘Jakatta – American Dream’

Swati set up her own record label ‘Harmony Creations Limited’ and has since recorded a Traditional Ghazal album titled ‘Anjuman’. In 2007, Swati recorded & released an album ‘Surmohee’, a compilation of her mother & Guru’s compositions sung by various artists including Swati.

Swati has recorded “Vaishnav Jan” to represent U.K. for the 150th year of Gandhi Jayanti and composed & sang poetry for an exhibition at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London.

Swati will be accompanied by fantastic team of U.K. based musicians –

Violin: Kamalbir Singh;  Tabla: Hamit Walia; Guitar: Siddharth Singh; Keyboard: Mukesh Kannan

Details of the concert:

Date and Time : 17.9.22 at 6 pm

Venue : Flixton Girls school, Flixton Road, Urmston, Manchester M41 5DR.

For Tickets : Bhakti – 07849552579; Amit : 07724622333; Alka : 07772487027

For further information on Swati Natekar please visit :

https://youtube.com/c/SwatiNatekar

http://www.swatinatekar.net

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India News Lite Blogs UK News

UK Odia community to celebrate 43 annual convention in Manchester

With the vision to promote Odia culture and ethos among people interested in Odisha, the Odisha Society of UK (OSUK) has organised its 43 Annual Convention on Saturday and Sunday, Aug 27th & 28th, 2022 between 09:00 Am t0 11:30 Pm at the Poynton High School Yewtree Lane, Poynton, Stockport, SK12 1PU, Greater Manchester, UK, reports Akshita Brahma

The OSUK 43 year annual convention is an important landmark event every year. It provides a source of joy and connection for the families who are part of a bicultural lifestyle based in the United Kingdom. Governed by an Executive Committee made up of different branches and sponsored by a plethora of different sources every year such as ICICI Bank, Bindaas,  Xpertnest, Potli and so on, the organising committee and executive committee collaborate to  create a fusion of ideas to offer to the attendees every year. 

OSUK’s origin story begins in the Maharana’s family home in Leeds, where food and memories  were shared frequently, and from there over the past nearly five decades, OSUK has grown into an August bank holiday weekend of performance, community, talent and energy.

Perhaps the most special aspect of this amalgamation of hundreds of people, is the uniqueness that each family, each person brings to fuse together at the annual convention. As well as nuanced career paths, hobbies and individual magic, the different geographical locations of the United Kingdom have their own smaller community of Odias that are strongly interconnected.

When the bank  holiday weekend buzz begins, all of the different areas are able to come together as one, to meet  and glow with love and laughter together, which makes OSUK’s August convention one not to  miss. 

The 27 August Saturday begins with a beautiful inauguration, blessed by Lord Jagannath, rolling into the opening ceremony, complete with Bande Utkal Janani, to then having the rest of the day filled up with live art performances of song, dance, music, poetry and more in the main stage spaces, with smaller arts and crafts workshops, sports games of cricket, basketball, badminton and so on in the other indoor and outdoor spaces.

Mehndi and face painting artists at the OSUK events, are popular  amongst youth members! Annually, OSUK quickly becomes an intense taste of home, which satisfies the cravings not only through the wonderful caterers, but through the soul food that the community is able to engage in through the rigorous planning of the months gone by, and  celebrated raucously each night with a live-band disco. And that’s only Saturday! Sunday morning, still electric from the night before, sports and arts competitions of all ages are hosted for  medals, trophies and recognition in the community.

The afternoon sun blending all the excitement  together, brings us Antakshari, performers of all ages and talents, panel talks on a huge variety of  topics.The  programme continues with Kabita Patha, prize ceremonies, more food and recent additions  include an internationally acclaimed designer’s fashion shows (Ramoli Creations, Reemly  Mohanty), film festivals (Cine4Good, CineOdisha), to bring us up to the evening, where live music  by popular singers (Asit Tripathy, Rosalin Sahu) sends us off into the night, bittersweet with how  incredible the weekend has been with the knowledge the next party is a year away. 

A recollection of the unfaltering convention through the pandemic complete with the OSUK  Journal, annually produced and distributed with submissions of all themes, the Gurukul website  kept the community connected globally through pandemic.

Several dignitaries in the past have been part of our annual  conventions Dr Swaroop Ranjan Mishra, Achyuta Samanta, Ranjib Biswal, Assembly Speaker Dr.  Surjya Narayan Patro and many other dignitaries including Rajya Sabha MPs Dr. Amar Patnaik, Dr.  Sasmit Patra, Sujeet Kumar, Odisha Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Padma Shri  Haladhar Nag, Spiritual Guru Chandrabhanu Satpathy, Transgender Leader Meera Parida and  Actor Kuna Tripathy. 

This year the lineup of Jitendra Mishra, Dylan Theodore, Ramoli Creations,  Anandita Das, Krishna Behura, Nazia Alam, Sashank Shekhar and Pragyan Hota among others have added the necessary elegance , charm ,glamour and dignity to the convention.

ALSO READ: The guardian angels of Odisha’s Gundalba forests

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India News Lite Blogs UK News

Ace Bengali artistes to gather in Manchester to celebrate culture, arts

With the aim to connect a bridge between the Bengali culture and the people across continent the United Kingdom Bengali Convention (UKBC) will attempt to bring together the Bengali diaspora in UK and Europe to celebrate everything: Bengali – language, culture, food etc. will host its annual convention to raise awareness and recognise contributions of Bengalis in all spheres, reports Rahul Laud.

Music that traditionally binds Bengalis together is the staple of the two-day  cultural extravaganza at the 3rd edition of UKBC 2022, to be held on Saturday  27th August and 28th August 2022, in Stroller Hall(1) and in Carole Nash ,Hall  2 in Manchester.

The conference is expecting to draw attendees along with 75 Bengali organisations and charities with its offerings of sports, business, performing arts, politics, science, innovation, social welfare, charity etc. The sole attempt of this event is to reflect common Bengali heritage overall. In the list of celebration artists are invited from India to perform.

The event will showcase celebrity artists like Poushali Chatterjee, Jayati Chakroborty, Monami Ghosh, Trijoy, Anindya Chatterjee and Iman Chakraborty.

The conference also has literary seminars and discussions. Among many the prime focus of seminar is renowned Bengali author and novelist Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Prachet Gupta, Dolonchampa Dasgupta, Noor from Mitra Ghosh Publishers and UK based internationally acclaimed Bengali writer Dr Nabakumar Basu.

In addition to Pachforon, which aims essentially to provide the spices of conventional Bengali families, children will present solo dance, song, recitation or any other innovative performances. Antakshari and a Quiz competition will also be held, say the organisers.

At the UKBC Natya Utsav (Drama festival) performance of children can be seen in a wonderful drama  based on the introspective story of Ramkrishna Paramhansdev, Swami  Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita ,besides, the mature performers would  perform “Tahar Nam Ranjana” ,a tragedy drama.

At Another program named Bachik o Abriti, various talented performers from different parts of UK will participate to recite poems, short stories to showcase power of recitation.

Coffee  Houser Adda and Rang Moshal will attempt to foster ties strengthen Bengali – Britain cultural assimilation .On day 1, the programme will commence with Prabhat Feri (a road march) . The Opening Ceremony is to be presented with a mesmerizing performance, based on a dance drama theme by the silver screen queen Monami Ghosh; followed by various solo and duet dance and singing performances by artists like: Sridevi Bhattacharya, Debjani Deshpandey, Madhuchanda Ganguly, Debatrisha Sengupta and many more. Various dance and music groups will also perform to enthral audience. 

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Asia News Films UK News

MIFF is launched; “sensitive” films to be showcased

Sarah Li, Anthony Pius and Kanchana in conversation after the film Yahan Wahan screening

Tucked in the South West suburbs of Manchester, Carlton Club at Whalley Range experienced young and old fans of cinema that joined the Manchester Indian Film Festival at a special launch party supported by Manchester Indian Partnership — Rahul Laud reports

Following an enjoyable vegetarian finger food provided by Lily’s the cosy ambience at the club was completely different than the usual huge launch parties and celebration. Networking was informal and warm before and after the screening as the event saw the screening of British Asian short Yaha Waha a 30-minute documentary by Manchester born director and street photographer Sarah Li.

At the occasion of the launch Shehla Hasan, Executive Director at the Manchester India Partnership reiterated the dynamic and vibrant role played by the Indian diaspora in Manchester as “living bridge” between India and UK.  

Sarah has focussed on two artists from different sides of London and asks “what is it to be a second or third generation British Asian in 2020’s?” A hundred –odd audience was touched moved and the QandA that followed between Sarah, the led actor Anthony Pius and RNCM student Kanchana Jaishankar threw ample light on the distinct characters residents of East and West London representing two completely different ethos and cultural dynamics. Strong visuals blended with ethnic Asian music drew rapt attention from the audience. Using a documentary format to portray sensitive characters is an arduous task and Sarah succeeds showcasing both Anthony and Almass Baddat effectively in her effort by juxtaposing their diversity, traditions, roots and sexuality.

Supported by Manchester Mega Mela the official festival opening night will witness the city’s premiere of Little English starring Ameet Channa of Bend It Like Beckham fame.  A laugh out-loud story of a dysfunctional Punjabi family the evening will mark Pravesh Kumar’s debut feature and will also include a special Q&A with Ani Kaprekar who was also present at the launch at Carlton Club. Ani is a celebrated cineaste and pays various professional roles as Coach, mentor and active in the digital technology world. He is also the Ambassador of the on-going Season 3 of Sajda – Festival of South Asian Performing Arts. This Q&A will be definitely insightful, interesting and worth attending.     

Poetry on Screen features AT HOME – IN THE UK – ALHUMDULLILLAH based on real stories shared with Manchester City Poet and resident Anjum Malik. Anjum present at the launch pointed out that her “film is a privileged and intimate look into daily lives of Balqis Faroukh, Ayat Abo Al Jawz and Hayat Abouday as they dealt with the Lockdown and Ramadan together with their families. Anjum Malik will also be facilitating poetry workshops at Deeplish Community Centre and the final works by women from Rochdale will be presented at selected film screenings.

Further Festival highlights include themed strands covering cinema-based and online movies starting with the ‘Young Rebels’ strand with UK premieres of talented emerging film makers,  showing South Asian young people’s real-life challenges and experiences; including  Pakistani UK comedy Americanish.

Little English film on 26th in MCR

The ‘Extra-Ordinary Lives’ strand includes immigration film No Land’s Man, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and a phenomenal documentary touching on partition, Taangh.  

In the ‘Women Make Movies’ strand the festival will screen Rebana Liz John’s documentary Ladies Only which explores feminist themes through observing the

Female only compartments of Mumbai’s hectic trains. A special women only screening and a 30th anniversary restoration version of Mississippi Masala starring Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury.

Danielle Porter , Project Consultant said, “ The festival’s hit programme Too Desi Too Queer returns to HOME exploring the lives, experiences and well-being of South Asian LGBTQIA+ communities in the Subcontinent and diaspora, through a dynamic and thought-provoking selection of recent short films. A panel discussion will take place after the films attended by two local residents.”

Danielle with Shehla Hasan, Executive Director at MIP

The festival will also pioneer an ecology strand ‘Save the Planet’ with Moving Upstream:  Ganga and Chasing Sustainability: Tales from South Asia which will both be available on the festival’s online platform www.loveliffathome.com

Audiences can also  catch the festivals popular Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition, a rare chance to see the works of talented and emerging filmmakers who are exploring themes of South Asian experience.

Closing this year’s festival is the super-feel good, Canadian basketball film Super-Fan: The Nav Bhatia Story. This unique and uplifting documentary focuses on the life of the Toronto Raptors biggest fan and the massive impact he has had on the city’s basketball community. This screening is supported by Manchester Giants who will host a Q&A with Nav Batia and Producer Rinku Ghei after the screening.

Supported by title sponsor Blue Orchid Hotels, Integrity International, the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding) and Arts Council England, this year’s MIFF runs across 12 days from 25 June – 6 July screening at HOME, in association with Not Just Bollywood, EVERYMAN, Ducie Street Warehouse, Manchester Poetry Library and The Carlton Club.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney MBE.,Festival Director commented, “We are very excited to return in 2022 with an exciting, bigger, high impact festival programme featuring film premieres, documentaries, and Q&A’s.”

Danielle with Anjum Malik, poet, director

Title Sponsor Tony Matharu, Patron of the London Indian Film Festival, Chairman of Blue Orchid Hotels and Integrity International Trust and Founder and Chairman of the Central London Alliance (C.I.C.) says,“ This year’s programme is packed with exciting, entertaining, and thought-provoking films, including films which align with Integrity International Trust’s concerns around human rights, particularly relating to children, minorities and women, and environmental issues – depicted in several of the festival’s powerful premieres.”

For more information: www.manchesterindianfilmfestival.co.uk

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Events India News UK News

Indian ace singer Mohammad Vakil to perform in Manchester soon

Celebrated and award winning vocalist Mohammad Vakil will touch UK shores soon and enthral audience, Rahul Laud reports

Renowned singer Mohammad Vakil who sang  ‘Aaya Tere Dar Par Deewan,’’ in the film Veer Zara who is a younger generation playback singer was noticed in the musical reality TV game show SA RE GA MA PA and  declared the winner in the show will perform in two cities  – Birmingham and Manchester.

Mukesh Kannan on keyboards

Singh Sizzlers a leading Indian restaurant in Manchester has organised a special musical evening – Shaam –e–Mehfil – with food, drinks and Indian popular music with Vakil for Northerners in Manchester. On 29th May, Sunday evening Vakil will render a full- fledged concert belting out most popular ghazals and Bollywood numbers at the Elegance Banqueting in Manchester. Tickets for this premium show will be available at the restaurant in Manchester and other outlets.

Excited and happy partners and organisers of the evening at Singh – Sizzlers, Vipul Patel, Amey Karkhanis and Jivan Dhanik said, “We are privileged and honoured to present Mohammad Vakil – talent par excellence. Vakil’s voice and winning quality reflects similar ethos of our restaurant and catering services.”

Singh Sizzler’s social media channels and Facebook platforms will provide details of the tickets. Lovers of music can also visit www.singhsizzlers.com for more info about the concert and avail show passes.

Manchester based talented musicians Hamit Walia and Mukesh Kannan will accompany Vakil on tabla and percussion and keyboards respectively. The audience can look forward to an electrifying and a splendid evening with music and scrumptious food, organisers assured. ICICI UK and Asian Lite Media group have offered support to the event. 

Hamit Walia on tabla and percussion

Mohammed Vakil was born at Jaipur in Rajasthan on January 25, 1976 in a family of classical Ghazal singers. He gave his first stage performance at a young age of eight and later took a strong decision to establish himself as a singer. He was trained by his maternal uncles (Ustad Mohammed Hussain and Ustad Ahmed Hussain) who are Ghazal maestros. A rigorously trained classical musical vocalist training launched his first album ‘Sapney’ followed by more albums with every album presented amazing Ghazals that have had remained in the hearts of music lovers. In 2009, a musical video song ‘Keh Do Keh Do’ was sung by Mohammad Vakil for Sony Entertainment.

Singh Sizzlers have plans to offer quality entertainment events that will reflect on the quality and tasteful food and service they provide.

ALSO READ: KV Kumar: Indian diaspora champion spreads global wings

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-Top News Abu Dhabi Arab News

Emirates Palace named luxury hotel partner of Manchester City

Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace on Tuesday announced a new agreement with Manchester City, which establishes the legendary hotel as the Club’s Official Luxury Hotel Partner…reports Asian Lite News

The partnership will see the Emirates Palace brand featured across Manchester City’s facilities, including Etihad Stadium, its training ground, and the team’s training kit.

The hotel has previously been used by Manchester City’s first team as a base during warm weather training visits to the country. In addition, City Football Schools based in Abu Dhabi currently use the pitch facilities at the hotel to host educational and community sessions with children in the region.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi launches self-guided audio tours

“The partnership with Manchester City reinforces Emirates Palace’s position as the ultimate destination for sports, leisure and recreational facilities in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. With our FIFA-approved football pitch and other award-winning facilities, we are excited to be the training ground for the English Premier League Club and to host educational and training sessions for sports enthusiasts and children and of the region,” said Michael Koth, General Manager and Area Vice President Operations Middle East, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

In addition, as part of its community outreach programmes, Emirates Palace will continue to welcome Abu Dhabi-based City Football Schools to use the resort’s pitch facilities, and will host educational and training sessions for children of the region.

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-Top News Education UK News

Manchester school kids raise funds for UK charity

Socially conscious Manchester students used their creativity and talent to raise funds to help build a school library for the underprivileged students in India. Rahul Laud reports

Two months ago, socially conscious young students , students Soham Bhansali, Harish Chandra Nair and Aahi Shah studying at the Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (AGSB) and Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS) in Manchester planned an activity that would be festive, something entertaining, and inspire people to get back on their feet following a year and a half in lockdown.

Manchester

On Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th November 2021, students from AGSB’s Hindu Sikh and Jain society (HSJS) joined forces with AGGS’ Hindu Society students and gave birth to Utsav 2021. Following the festival of Diwali last month in November Utsav showcased a multicultural performance night. Surpassing all expectations these students raised £2800 to support a local UK charity.

Entirely organised by the Altrincham’s student community, these students rose up in action to serve the community. The city’s first ever! 2 nights, 15 performances, 87 performers and 39 volunteers at Utsav 2021 was organised in a span of little over two months held the audience spell bound.

Together they entertained 350 attendees, which included students, parents, and staff, at this much anticipated event. The organising team said, ‘’The Hindu, Sikh and Jain Society had two clear goals; spread the awareness of the cultural diversity within the two schools through 15 energetic performances and raise as much money as possible for the chosen charity – Veerayatan, a UK registered charity. ‘’

The first half of the night, consisted of a wide variety of multicultural performances including dance, drama, singing and more! The performances ranged from jazz bands to traditional Gujarati dance to the re-enactment of the Ramayana. Every performer was a volunteer and had a chance to express their creativity in different forms.

Understanding the value of good education, Veerayatan stood out as being the perfect charity with their fundamental aim of providing education by building schools for underprivileged children in rural India. Veerayatan is a charity that strives to uplift and empower humanity through the three jewels of humanitarianism (Sewa), education (Shiksha) and inner development (Sadhana).

The organisers informed that money raised would go to the building a new library in Tirthankar Mahavir Vidhya Mandir school in Palitana, India.

It was observed that the event allowed many AGSB and AGGS students to gain invaluable experiences. The chance to be on stage in front of many familiar and unfamiliar faces improved the confidence of the performers. In addition, the HSJS volunteers were able to develop as leaders through managing the various aspects of the event; decorations, food and drinks, tickets, and performances.

To find out more about the event, be sure to check out @agsb.hsjs on Instagram!