Sunita Pandya appointed as the new Chair of Tara Arts' Board
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Sunita Pandya appointed as the new Chair of Tara Arts’ Board Tara Arts Board of Trustees and Helen Jeffreys, Executive Director and Joint CEO, today announced the appointment of Sunita Pandya as the new Chair of Tara Arts’ Board. Tara Arts is an award-winning theatre in London, home to a world of stories, producing, touring and presenting world-class small- scale theatre and inspiring learning and engagement programmes. Sunita Pandya is currently the Director of Artistic Partnerships, Planning and Administration and sits on the Executive team at the Southbank Centre having started there over 6 years ago as Producer. Previously, Sunita was the Executive Director at Wildworks, as well having producing roles prior to that at Sadler’s Wells, Battersea Arts Centre and the National Theatre. Sunita started her career at the Orange Tree Theatre having completed her training at Drama Studio London and the University of Bristol. Projects in Sunita’s producing repertoire include the first presentation of War Horse, the 2007 The History Boys West End transfer as well as programming Battersea Arts Centre’s first One-on-One Festival, and Sadler’s Wells presentation of The Most Incredible Thing. Whilst at Wildworks, Sunita produced work including a World Stages London project and collaborations with National Theatre of Scotland, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Kastel van Gaasbeek (Belgium) and Hall for Cornwall. Sunita is also a Guest Lecturer on the MA in Creative Producing at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and is currently Deputy Chair of Battersea Arts Centre. Sunita Pandya, Tara Arts Chair of the Board, said: “I am utterly thrilled to be joining Tara Arts as Chair. With the
upcoming appointment of a new Artistic Director, the organisation is moving into an exciting chapter of its history. With Tara’s commitment to presenting diverse artists and welcoming diverse audiences, its role in a 21st Century cultural landscape couldn’t be more important right now.” Helen Jeffreys, Tara Arts Executive Director and Joint CEO, said: “On behalf of the Tara Arts team, I am absolutely delighted to welcome Sunita as the new Chair of the Tara Arts Board. Sunita brings a wealth of experience, expertise and insight to lead the company into this next chapter. I very much look forward to working alongside Sunita to build a thriving and exciting future for Tara Arts.” Joyce Wilson, Area Director, London, Arts Council England, said: “We’re really pleased that Sunita Pandya has been appointed as Chair of Tara Arts. The organisation has experienced some significant challenges in the last year, but its work remains an important part of the local arts ecology, delivering South Asian led work. Sunita’s wealth of experience will be pivotal in helping to guide Tara Arts through this transitional period and in establishing a strong foundation for future success.” Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “I’m delighted that Sunita Pandya will be the new Chair of Tara Arts’ Board. Since opening its doors, Tara Arts has led the way in championing new talent, inclusion and representation across the industry, and Sunita’s experience will be vital in continuing and building on this legacy.” About Tara Arts Tara Arts is an award-winning theatre in London, home to a world of stories, producing, touring and presenting world- class small-scale theatre and inspiring learning and engagement programmes. Tara Arts is an incubator of creative
talent, enabling and empowering South Asian theatre makers. The organisation was set up in 1977 by Jatinder Verma who stepped down as Artistic Director at the end of last year. Tara Arts is currently in the process of appointing a new Artistic Director to be announced in due course. Super inquiry on post- pandemic economy as GDP falls by 20.4% The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee today launched a new super inquiry on post-pandemic economic growth. This wide-ranging and ambitious inquiry will look at the options available to Government to secure our economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19; covering investment, industrial strategy, jobs, skills, exports and sustainable growth. On 12th June 2020, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) announced that UK GDP fell by 10.4% in the three months to April 2020. There were widespread contractions across the economy contributed to the fall in GDP in the three months to April 2020. GDP fell by 20.4% in April 2020, the biggest fall the UK has ever seen.
Jonathan Athow, Deputy National Statistician for Economic Statistics, said: “April’s fall in GDP is the biggest the UK has ever seen, more than three times larger than last month and almost ten times larger than the steepest pre-covid-19 fall. In April the economy was around 25% smaller than in February. “Virtually all areas of the economy were hit, with pubs, education, health and car sales all giving the biggest contributions to this historic fall. “Manufacturing and construction also saw significant falls, with manufacture of cars and housebuilding particularly badly
affected. “The UK’s trade with the rest of the world was also badly affected by the pandemic, with large falls in both the import and export of cars, fuels, works of art and clothing.” The BEIS Committee post-pandemic economic growth super inquiry The over-arching inquiry is likely to run through the Parliament and will include a series of sub-inquiries examining issues such as devolution and the ‘levelling-up’ agenda, the role Government might play as a shareholder or investor in businesses in the future, and the measures needed to rebuild consumer confidence and stimulate economically and environmentally sustainable growth. Further terms of reference for these sub-inquiries will be published during the course of the Parliament. Darren Jones, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said: “We must build a new, modern Britain that has a stronger, more sustainable and more productive economy where every nation and region shares the opportunities created by economic growth. This new super inquiry is wide ranging and illustrates our ambition as a committee to be at the forefront of Parliament’s contribution to the future shaping of our country. “As a Committee, we want to investigate whether the post- pandemic world presents an opportunity for a resetting of the UK economy – from delivering ‘green’ growth and jobs and levelling up regional economies so that communities and individuals no longer feel left behind, to solving old problems such as poor productivity, sluggish exports and disorganised devolution and embracing new opportunities to modernise the UK economy. “The Government has a big job to do in helping businesses survive, stimulating economic growth and encouraging the
creation of well-paid meaningful jobs. Levelling up the UK
economy and meeting our climate change targets should be at
the heart of the Government’s economic vision. As a Committee,
we will look to the future and see what government, at local,
regional and national level, needs to do to help businesses
and the economy thrive in the future.”
While looking at how to map a path to future growth, the
Committee will also explore how the Government can mitigate
against the risk of a resurgence of problems that existed
before the pandemic, including issues such as inequality,
regional imbalances, poor productivity, declining
manufacturing and slow progress on delivering net zero.
The Committee is likely to begin evidence hearings at the end
of June and, over the course of this super inquiry, will be
looking to hear evidence from a wide range of businesses,
workers, entrepreneurs, and investment bodies as well as local
and national government and institutions.
The BEIS Committee is currently undertaking a separate inquiry
on the impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers which
initially looked at the immediate impact and support offered
to workers and businesses during the coronavirus crisis and
will continue to keep a close eye on Government policy during
the transition from economic emergency to economic recovery.
Terms of reference of the committee
The Committee is inviting initial written submissions for this
super inquiry which will focus on the following key questions,
covering immediate and longer-term issues:
What core/guiding principles should the Government
adopt/prioritise in its recovery package, and why?
How can the Government borrow and/or invest to help the
UK deliver on these principles?
What measures and support will businesses need to
rebuild consumer confidence and stimulate growth that issustainable, both economically and environmentally?
Whether the government should give a higher priority to
environmental goals in future support?
Whether the Government should prioritise certain sectors
within its recovery package, and if so, what criteria
should it use when making such decisions? What
conditions, if any, should it attach to future support?
How can the Government best retain key skills and
reskill and upskill the UK workforce to support the
recovery and sustainable growth?
Is the Industrial Strategy still a relevant and
appropriate vehicle through which to deliver post
pandemic growth?
How should regional and local government in England,
(including the role of powerhouses, LEPs and growth
hubs, mayoralties, and councils) be reformed and better
equipped to deliver growth locally?
What opportunities does this provide to reset the
economy to drive forward progress on broader Government
priorities, including (but not limited to) Net Zero, the
UK outside of the EU and the ‘levelling up’ agenda? What
should the Government do to ensure that delivering on
these priorities does not exacerbate the vulnerability
of businesses, consumers and communities/workers that
have been impacted by COVID-19?
What lessons should the Government learn from the
pandemic about actions required to improve the UK’s
resilience to future external shocks (including – but
not limited to – health, financial, domestic and global
supply chains and climate crises)?
What opportunities exist for the UK economy post Brexit
and the pandemic for export growth?
What role might Government play as a shareholder or
investor in businesses post-pandemic and how this should
be governed, actioned and held to account?
The closing date for submissions on these initial terms ofreference is Friday 17 July. Inquiry: Post-pandemic economic growth Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema Narrated by Sharmila Tagore and others,’Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema’ by Mark Cousins is released in a 4- disc set on 18 May 2020 by BFI. Five years in the making, this bold follow-up to Mark Cousins’ The Story of Film: An Odyssey uses hundreds of clips from films directed by women to show how movies are made. Presented in thematic chapters, Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema looks at how a great opening shot is done, how to frame an image, how to introduce a character, how to film sex, dance and death, how work and love are portrayed in cinema, and how the genres such as comedy, melodrama and sci-fi work. Many famous female directors are included, but so are scores of forgotten women from every period in film history and from five continents. Women Make Film is a revealing eye-opener, a celebration of the art and craft of cinema, and a j’accuse to film history. Women Make Film is now released by the BFI on Blu-ray in a 4- disc set with additional features. It has also been released on BFI Player’s Subscription service in five episodes; one uploaded each week from 18 May – 15 June 2020. Special features includes:
The Making of… (2020, 13 mins): a video essay by Mark
Cousins in which he discusses the influences,
motivations and methodology of Women Make Film
Mark Cousins and Barbara Kopple Q&A (2020, 18 mins): a
discussion following a screening of Women Make Film at
Toronto International Film Festival
Together (1956, 48 mins): two deaf-mute dock workers eke
out a humble East End existence in Lorenza Mazzetti’s
striking and poetic film
Trailer
Illustrated booklet with an introduction by Cari
Beauchamp, an essay by Mark Cousins, biographies and
full credits
Product details
RRP: £49.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1385 / 15
UK / 2020 / colour, black and white / 848 mins / optional
English language and English hard-of-hearing subtitles /
original aspect ratio 1.85:1 / 4 x BD50: 1080/50i, 5.1 DTS-HD
Master Audio (48kHz/24-bit), PCM 2.0 stereo audio (48kHz/24-
bit)
BFI DVD/Blu-ray releases can be ordered from home
entertainment online retailers or from the BFI Shop (online
only) at shop.bfi.org.uk.
About the BFI
The BFI is the UK’s lead organisation for film, television and
the moving image. It is a cultural charity that:
Curates and presents the greatest international public
programme of World Cinema for audiences; in cinemas, at
festivals and online
Cares for the BFI National Archive – the most
significant film and television archive in the world
Actively seeks out and supports the next generation of
filmmakersWorks with Government and industry to make the UK the
most creatively exciting and prosperous place to make
film internationally
Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by
Royal Charter. The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Josh
Berger CBE.
Keerthy Suresh stars in
thriller ‘Penguin’, out 19th
June 2020
The leading ladies of the Indian film industry – Samantha
Akkineni, Taapsee Pannu, Trisha and Manju Warrier, together,
released the teaser of Keerthy Suresh’s film, Penguin. The
spine-chilling crime thriller stars Keerthy Suresh (Mahanati)
as a pregnant mother who sets out on a dangerous and
physically demanding journey to unravel a mystery from her
past and save her loved ones. Penguin is produced by
Kartheekeyan Santhayanam and presented by Karthik Subbaraj
(Jigarthanda) and marks the directorial debut of Eashvar
Karthic.
“Penguin has definitely been one of the most exciting and
interesting projects I’ve worked on,” said Keerthy Suresh. “As
a mother, Rhythm is both gentle and caring, but also fiercely
determined. She’s complex, but authentic, and I think that
will really strike a chord with audiences. I had a wonderful
time working with the incredibly talented Eashvar Karthic to
bring the story to life. It will be great to see a film in
Tamil, Telugu that will be appreciated by audiences around the
world.”“We are so happy to be a part of Prime Video’s ever-growing global community,” said Producer Kaarthekeyen Santhanam, Stone Bench Films. “While we’re not new to working with digital platforms, it’s fantastic to have collaborated on such an important project with a global partner like Prime Video.” “At Stone Bench Films, we are committed to telling unique stories, while ushering a new wave of Southern cinema, backed by fresh voices and perspectives. This marks the incredibly talented Eashvar Karthic’s directorial debut, on a script that he has written. Prepare to watch the powerhouse performer Keerthy Suresh in a completely different avatar.” noted Producer Karthik Subbaraj, Stone Bench Films. From 19th June 2020, Prime members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide can watch the much-awaited movie in Tamil, Telugu and with Malayalam dubbing. Tamasha’s ‘Made in India’ to web stream from 16 – 30 June 2020 Made in India, the thrilling play about birth and motherhood in a brave new world that captivated UK audiences in 2017 is being streamed from 16th – 30th June 2020. Presented by Tamasha and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in association with Pilot Theatre, Made in India is written by Satinder Chohan and directed by Katie Posner. Watch Made In India from 7:30pm UK time on Tuesday 16 June until 7:30pm UK time on Tuesday 30 June 2020.
Synopsis In a surrogacy clinic in Gujarat, three women meet. It’s Londoner Eva’s last chance for motherhood. For village girl Aditi, surrogacy is a lifeline out of poverty. For clinic owner and businesswoman Dr Gupta, it’s all just another transaction. But with the backdrop of profound global forces, can it possibly remain that simple? Click here to watch on YouTube Click here to watch on Facebook South Asian Heritage Month goes online, 18th Jul – 17th Aug 2020 South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) will launch online from 18th July – 17th August 2020 with a view to raising the profile of the campaign and galvanising support for a host of events in 2021. It aims to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian history and culture, and build an understanding of the diverse heritage that continues to link UK with South Asia. SAHM raises the profile of British-South Asian History in the UK through education, arts, culture and commemoration, with the goal of helping people to better understand the diversity of present-day Britain, as well as improving levels of social cohesion between the various communities. What is the background to South Asian Heritage Month?
South Asian Heritage Month is a collaboration between The Grand Trunk Project (1) and Partition Commemoration Campaign (2), in order to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian history and culture, as well as better understand the diverse heritage that continues to link Britain with South Asia. Improving the levels of education and literacy within British society on South Asian heritage will form a central part of the month. South Asian Heritage Month is seeking to build upon the momentum that was gathered during the various commemorations which took place in 2017 to mark 70 years since the Independence of India, creation of Pakistan, and Partition of Punjab and Bengal. There is strong goodwill within wider British society to help make South Asian Heritage Month a great success. Due to the global pandemic, the very first South Asian Heritage Month from 18th July to 17th August 2020 will be launched online in 2020 with view to raising the profile of the campaign and galvanising support for a host of events in 2021. What can you do to support South Asian Heritage Month in 2020? 1. Create a blog or vlog and share via social media using the hastag #southasianheritagemonth What story do you want to tell others? Why is celebrating South Asian Heritage important? How does it feel to be of South Asian Heritage? If you aren’t South Asian Heritage yourself, what do you think of South Asian Heritage in modern day Britain ? Perhaps you want to share something related to your heritage, whether this is through food, fashion, music or art? Have you or someone you know overcome barriers to achieve something great? Or you want to share your family’s migration story?
What can you do to raise awareness of the British-South Asian
history in your community? What does it mean to you to be
British?
2. Share an image or photograph on social media that connects
you with South Asian Heritage using the hastag
#southasianheritagemonth. This can be personal or more
general.
3. Talk to others about celebrating South Asian Heritage
Month, including family, friends and people in your local
community.
4. Ask your organisation or professional body to celebrate the
contribution of employees of South Asian Heritage
5. Create a local working group that can plan events for 2021
A call for ideas to digitally celebrate South Asian Heritage
Month
To ensure that young people have a leading role in SAHM 2020,
Manchester Museum and the British Council invite proposals to
build a youth-led online programme around the following
themes*
Art
Literature/poetry/languages
Fashion
Food
Music
Countries
Diaspora
Dance
Other – if there is a particular idea you have that
doesn’t fit in the above please do get in touch
This youth-led activity is supported by the DCMS YouthAccelerator Fund via National Lottery Heritage Fund. It is
part of Our Shared Cultural Heritage (OSCH), a project that is
working to create new ways for museums and youth organisations
to work together and become better places for young people. It
is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Kick the
Dust programme that aims to involve more young people in
heritage.
*Themes have been selected by members of the OSCH young
person’s collective (please visit the OSCH blog to find out
more: https://sharedculturalheritage.wordpress.com/).
As a guide, online programming could involve any of the
following (although we welcome other suggestions): Creative
workshops; Intergenerational conversations; Q&A panel
discussions; Demonstrations (crafts, cooking, etc.); Showcases
(music, performance, poetry, fashion etc.); Short film
screenings; Online exhibitions
Applications should meet all of the following criteria:
Submissions by or on behalf of 18-25 year olds living
in England.
Proposals that respond to any of the themes (above).
Activities that celebrate South Asian heritage and
cultures, and build understanding of the varied
connections between the UK and South Asia. We are
particularly interested in proposals that explore hidden
or marginalised histories and stories.
Proposals that will be relevant or interesting to young
people between 11-25 years old.
Activities that can be delivered in time for SAHM 2020
i.e. between 18 July and 17 August 2020.
What we are offering:
Simplicity: the application process is short and simple
with a fast turn-around.
Support: you will receive support from project staffworking on SAHM and we will discuss any other training
and support you may need to help deliver your idea.
National exposure: a chance to promote your work through
SAHM – a new national initiative that will reach
national and international audiences through Museum and
British Council channels.
Access to funding: successful proposals may receive up
to £600 where financial support is needed, but please
note that this is not a grant application. Any financial
support will be allocated on a case by case basis and in
line with the approved purposes for the project,
including costs to cover time spent on the development
and delivery of online content for SAHM. Financial
support will require approval by Manchester Museum and
the British Council and will be administered by
Manchester Museum on behalf of our funders.
Application process:
Read through the guidance, FAQs and criteria.
Complete the short online form.
Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis and
decisions will be made by a panel of young people and
staff from Manchester Museum and British Council,
according to the criteria set out above.
We will contact all applicants with a decision within a
fortnight of a proposal being submitted.
For further information visit
https://www.mminquarantine.com/south-asian-heritage-month
References:
1. The Grand Trunk Project – created by Jasvir Singh OBE (City
Sikhs/Faiths Forum for London) in 2017, takes its name from
the Grand Trunk, or GT, Road. An ancient thoroughfare over
2,000 years old, it runs from Bangladesh, through India,through Pakistan, and to Afghanistan. The project was an attempt to build a bridge between the various communities that make up people of South Asian heritage in the UK, and in 2017 it marked the commemorations in an inclusive and non- judgmental way. 2. The Partition Commemoration Campaign was created by Dr Binita Kane after being a contributor to Leo Burley and Anita Rani’s award-winning BBC1 Documentary ‘My Family Partition and Me’, resulting in August 17th being declared ‘Partition Commemoration Day’ and the establishment of a UK working group working to raise awareness of Partition History in the British school education system. UK bhangra star reconnects with Sikh faith in BBC religion series One of the UK’s biggest bhangra acts Jaz Dhami has spoken of reconnecting with his sikh faith during lockdown in one of a series of religious reflections on BBC Local Radio. He said his Sikh faith had become a “pillar for direction, stability and focus during these weird times”. Many know Jaz – real name Jasvinder Singh Dhami – for his collaboration with top Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh on the track ‘High Heels’ which has been viewed more than 150 million times on YouTube. Speaking on the broadcast, airing on BBC Local Radio stations this Sunday, he said: “However unusual and unsettling this current situation is, I’ve been able to draw inspiration from
these teachings and it’s from a period in my life where you could say I learnt the full meaning of discipline through my education with music. “I’d spend countless hours, days and weeks reciting just one Raga or one Shabad. “I kind of lost that sense of discipline through the fast pace of my life but this lockdown has enabled me to revisit that time.” The reflation will feature on 14 BBC Local Radio stations* at 5.50am on Sunday. It will be available afterwards on BBC Sounds. * The 14 Local Radio stations are: Leeds, Sheffield, Lancashire, Manchester, WM, Leicester, Stoke, Derby, Nottingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, Three Counties, London, Merseyside and Berkshire. ‘Das De Tu’ by Jagtar, Rush Toor and Rishi Rich, out now ‘Das De Tu’ by Jagtar, Rush Toor and Rishi Rich is the stunning debut track from the newly formed Break The Noise Records released on 3rd June 2020. Singer, songwriter and composer Jagtar is perfectly teamed with the sensational rapper Rush Toor to deliver a beautifully smooth, yet edgy ballad. The recently launched Break The Noise Records is an innovative and dynamic new label created by the pioneer of the Urban-Desi movement Rishi Rich, singer-songwriter Kiranee, and Mumbai
based executive producer Richard ‘RDV’. The label promises to bring together an eclectic musical mix that weaves together East and West elements based on an international framework and sound. Break The Noise Records has ingeniously created an alliance with the leading digital distributor ‘Believe’ which has an extensive network of offices across the world including India, USA, Canada, Singapore, Russia, China, Malaysia, Italy and the UK providing artists with a truly global platform. One of the key aspects of Break The Noise Records is its passion for developing undiscovered and/or emerging talent along with supporting independent artists around the world. Rishi Rich shares his vision: “I have been working with a roster of exciting talents, developing them whilst making the music that I believe in. I am really excited about the partnership between our label, Break The Noise Records and Believe Distribution, a company that values and recognises the music we are creating. I would like to give a special thank you to Anurag Rao, KGV and the whole team at Believe Distribution for their continuous support.” About Jagtar Das De Tu vocalist Jagtar grew up in Birmingham, UK, where he began his journey as an artist. With music being a major influence in his life, coupled with his passion and love for Bhangra and his culture, Jagtar always dreamt of being a Brit- Asian Pop & Soulful Sensation. His musical debut in 2015 was met with great success and since then, Jagtar has continued to develop his signature style with a number of chart-topping singles by working with the likes of PropheC, Pav Dharia and Aman Hayer. About Rush Toor San Francisco based Rush Toor is a force to be reckoned with behind the microphone. His lyrical flow, energy and style have gained him a following around the globe. His influences
include 2 Pac, Biggie, Wu-Tang, Kendrick, Drake, Kanye and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Rush aspires to go worldwide with his deep and thought-provoking lyrics and inspire others the same way others have inspired him. Das De Tu is releasing 3rd June 2020 via digital outlets and streaming platforms. Tara Arts’ Tara Tales celebrate stories from The Panchatantra Tara Arts, the award-winning theatre arts organisation, announced Tara Tales, a series of online storytime, bringing to life famous Indian fables from The Panchatantra. Performed online by Nitin Ganatra (EastEnders), Medhavi Patel (Kidulthood), and Sita Thomas (Channel 5’s Milkshake!) Tara Tales are available at www.tara-arts.com Tara Arts is proud to bring these online stories to audiences young and old to celebrate diversity in children’s storytelling whilst the country’s theatres remain closed. The company, formed over forty years ago, is a theatre with the rich diversity of voices with South Asian cultural heritage at its core. The project has been created in light of a study by The Centre for Literacy and Primary Education suggesting that only 4% of the 9,115 Children’s books published in the UK in 2017 had a BAME character. The Panchatantra is an ancient collection of Indian animal fables, believed to have originated more than 2500 years ago, written in Sanskrit by Vishnu Sharma to educate and entertain
the children of the Indian Royal family. Tara Tales presents stories from the collection which have been newly adapted by emerging young and award-winning writer Carmen Gaur. The readings have been performed and filmed during lockdown for audiences in the UK and are also accessible worldwide. These are: The Monkey King and the Mangoes performed by Medhavi Patel, The Donkey and the Rooster performed by Nitin Ganatra and The Loyal Mongoose performed by Sita Thomas. Each of the stories uses animal characters to explore moral themes, including of friendship and courage, love and loyalty, kindness and wisdom. Tara Tales is suitable for everyone aged 6 years and over and can be seen at www.tara-arts.com. The Monkey King and the Mangoes and The Donkey and the Rooster are now available and The Loyal Mongoose will be released in addition on 12 June 2020. Further tales will be announced in due course. The Donkey and the Rooster A happy family of farm animals live together on the edge of a beautiful jungle. Join Donkey and Rooster as they set out on a dangerous mission – and learn a valuable lesson. A tale of friendship and courage. Performed, filmed and brought to life by Nitin Ganatra. The Monkey King and the Mangoes On the banks of the River Ganges, two mischievous monkeys swing in the branches of the majestic mango tree. Join Billa and Chitham on their adventure as they learn what it means to share their forest. A tale of kindness and wisdom. Performed, filmed and brought to life by Medhavi Patel. The Loyal Mongoose A farmer brings home an orphaned mongoose to live with his
wife and newborn daughter. But can it be trusted? A tale of love and loyalty. Performed, filmed and brought to life by Sita Thomas. Tara Tales performers from L-R: Medhavi Patel, Nitin Ganatra and Sita Thomas About the performers Carmen Gaur (writer and adapter) is currently studying for a BA English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Warwick. She has received the ‘Outstanding Talent Award for an Original Piece of Writing selected for publication’ by Young Writers and The Prize for Excellence (English Literature) from London Schools Gold Club, 2015-16. Her work includes Blinding Light (The Poetry Trials – A poem is just the beginning), The Boy Who Broke The Rules (Phizz-Whizzing Stories), The Lady of Shalott (Express Yourself Through Poetry), Friendship (The Poetry Games) all with Young Writers. Carmen has also been published in It always seems so simple
(an anthology by the first story group). Her work was chosen to be read at the first story open house event. Carmen is a member of YouthCan (Youth Civil Activism Network), an organisation committed to challenging extremism and hate speech. Additionally she was chosen to be a part of the Hounslow promise mentoring scheme. Nitin Ganatra recently starred as series regular Masood Ahmed in EastEnders. His other TV credits include Worst Witch, Midsomer Murders, Silent Witness, The State, Twenty Twelve, Hounded, Mumbai Calling, The Catherine Tate Show Christmas Special, The Bill and Holby City. His film credits include Shooters, Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen, Eaten by Lions, Mad, Sad and Bad, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chess, Inferno and Truly, Madly Deeply. Nitin has also starred in numerous stage productions including God’s Dice (Soho Theatre), The End of the Pier (Park Theatre), Animal Farm (Belgrade), As I Lay Dying (Young Vic), Haroun and the Sea of Stories (National Theatre), I am not India/Kiwi (Southwark Playhouse), Les Enfants Du Paradis (RSC), Lucifer You and Testimonial (National Tour), Oh Sweet Sita (Tara Arts), The Bacchae (Edinburgh Fringe) and To The Green Fields Beyond (Donmar Warehouse). Medhavi Patel is an actress, storyteller, dramaturg and writer. She trained at The Brit School of Performing Arts and has developed and dramaturge projects with Tara Theatre along with Associate Anjali Chadha and most recently as Associate Director for Santi and Naz at the Vaults festival with The Thelmas Theatre Company. Recently Medhavi performed in the UK national tour of Mushy Lyrically Speaking with Rifco Theatre Company and Three Sat Under the Banyan Tree – Tara Arts and Polka Theatre’s first collaboration, nominated as Best Theatre Production of 2019 by the Eastern Eye’s Arts Culture & Theatre Awards. She also performed in the much acclaimed UK wide tour of We Are The Lions Mr Manager with Townsend Production for which she was also nominated for Eastern Eye’s Best Actress in
Theatre Award for 2018. Other theatre credits include Women of the Mahabharata (Tara Arts), Food for Thought (Tara Arts), Tales of Birbal (Mashi Theatre/UK Tour), Trident Moon (Finborough Theatre) and Fragile Land (Hampstead Theatre). Her television credits includes: Doctors, Holby City, Dogma 3: Only Girls and Dogma 3: Snowman (Channel 4). Film includes: Kidulthood. Radio includes: Together, Bombay Talky and Romeo and Juliet In Southwark (all for BBC Radio). Sita Thomas is a Creative Associate at Watford Palace Theatre, has worked as Associate Director for Out of Joint, Kali and National Youth Theatre and was trainee Artistic Director at the Bush Theatre. She holds a PhD examining culturally diverse Shakespearean performance (University of Warwick) and a Masters in Movement Direction (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama). Sita runs Tamasha’s Directors Programme and recently directed We Are Shadows: Brick Lane by Fin Kennedy and Rabiah Hussain for Tamasha. Her latest production in development is Queer Tales, a verbatim inspired LGBT+ play with music. In lockdown, Sita directed BA Acting students at Mountview for five weeks, testing and developing online possibilities resulting in ten 15-minute films. Sita was staff director at the National Theatre and has assisted at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Royal Court and Southbank Centre. She also works as a movement director, film maker and presenter of Channel 5’s milkshake! About Tara Arts Tara Arts is an award-winning theatre in London, home to a world of stories, producing, touring and presenting world- class small-scale theatre and inspiring learning and engagement programmes. Tara Arts is an incubator of creative talent, enabling and empowering South Asian theatre makers.
Pharma company boss disqualified for competition law breaches The CMA has secured the disqualification of pharmaceutical company director Amit Patel after he admitted his role in arrangements that broke competition law. Amit Patel has signed undertakings that ban him from holding a director role at any UK company for the next 5 years, in connection with his involvement in illegal arrangements during his time at Auden McKenzie (Pharma Division) Ltd and Amilco Ltd. Auden McKenzie From September 2014 to May 2015, Mr Patel was a director at the pharmaceutical company Auden McKenzie. A Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into agreements affecting the supply of nortriptyline, an NHS prescribed drug used by thousands of patients to relieve the symptoms of depression, found that Auden McKenzie and King Pharmaceuticals Ltd had shared out between them the supply of the drug to a large pharmaceutical wholesaler. The 2 companies agreed that King would supply only 25mg tablets and Auden Mckenzie only 10mg tablets. They also agreed to fix quantities and prices to the wholesaler. The object of this agreement was to limit competition, meaning the NHS – and ultimately the taxpayer – could have been paying higher prices than if competition hadn’t been restricted by the agreement. Amilco
Mr Patel is currently the sole director at Amilco and has held this directorship since 2013. Mr Patel admitted that, from 1 March 2016 to 19 Oct 2016, Amilco and another pharmaceutical company, Tiofarma, stayed out of the UK fludrocortisone market enabling the market-leader Aspen to maintain its position as the sole supplier for the UK. Fludrocortisone* is a prescription-only medicine that patients rely on to treat primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, commonly known as Addison’s Disease, and the CMA has alleged that this illegal agreement protected Aspen’s monopoly, giving it an opportunity to increase prices charged to the NHS by up to 1800%. Mr Patel has now admitted that, in exchange for staying out of the market, Amilco received a 30% share of the increased prices that Aspen was able to charge. Amit Patel will now be disqualified from taking up any director role or being involved in the management of any company based in England, Scotland or Wales for 5 years. Consistent with his admission, Mr Patel has also withdrawn his appeal against the CMA’s nortriptyline decision. Michael Grenfell, the CMA’s Executive Director of Enforcement, yesterday said: “Company directors have a responsibility to make sure their companies comply with competition law. And the CMA is determined to protect the public from directors who fail to do so. Today’s action should act as a warning to those in management positions – the CMA will not stand by when your firms break the law and take advantage of customers.” The disqualification announced yesterday brings the total number of disqualifications secured by the CMA to 16, after it began actively using its power in December 2016. As part of the Company Directors Disqualification Act, the CMA can seek
the disqualification of any director where their company has
broken competition law. It is one of a number of tools the CMA
can use to protect consumers from anti-competitive behaviour.
* References in this press release to fludrocortisone acetate
tablets and to fludrocortisone are to fludrocortisone acetate
0.1mg tablets.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is EY
World Entrepreneur Of The
Year 2020
Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder of Biocon Limited, India, was
last night named the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2020
via a video broadcast on CNBC. She is a trailblazer who turned
a US$500 investment into one of Asia’s leading biotech
companies.
For Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, 1975 was a pivotal year. She had
graduated from brewing school in Australia and had returned to
India, ready to embark on a career as a master brewer. She
quickly discovered that, despite her expertise, no one would
hire a woman. Undeterred, she decided to create her own
business and prove that “women should not be underestimated or
denied opportunity just because of gender stereotypes.”
Since then, Kiran has been a trailblazer for businesswomen in
India and around the world. Biocon, the company she founded in
1978 with just US$500, is now one of Asia’s leading biotech
companies. It has become one of the largest employers in the
region, with an 11,000-plus workforce, and is a pioneer of
Bangalore’s technology hub. Kiran’s name has become synonymouswith the biotech industry in India, and she is recognized as a global thought leader, appearing on the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women list and Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World list. Kiran’s can-do attitude and determination have been the company’s driving force. When the banks refused to lend her money, Kiran developed a business model that would still enable her to grow. “It forced me to create a model that was based on revenues and profits, rather than venture capital,” she explains. That gave her the cash flow to fund the research and production of pharmaceutical drugs. “At its core, entrepreneurship is about solving problems,” she says. “The greatest opportunities often arise at the toughest times, and that’s been my experience throughout my entrepreneurial journey.” Under Kiran’s leadership, Biocon has evolved from manufacturing pharmaceuticals such as statins and immunosuppressants to discovering, developing and producing biologics to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes. Biocon has been consistently ranked as one of the highest R&D spenders in India. Throughout Biocon’s incredible growth, Kiran has been driven by her ambition to create a business that would leverage science for the benefit of society. Biocon is leading efforts to provide affordable insulin for patients around the world by producing rh-insulin at less than US$0.10 per day, a third of current prices. Kiran has been leading Biocon’s corporate social responsibility programs in health care, education, science, startups, and civic and social issues. She is the second Indian citizen to join the Giving Pledge global initiative and has received two of India’s highest civilian honors. However, Kiran is not ready to stop pursuing her goal “to develop
affordable blockbuster drugs with the potential to benefit a billion patients.” Face coverings to become mandatory on public transport From 15 June 2020, face coverings will be required while using public transport in England,the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced today (4th June 2020). The government will work with operators to make it mandatory for passengers to wear face coverings when using public transport in England and asks transport operators in England to make wearing face coverings a requirement of using public transport from 15th June 2020 to coincide with the next stage of carefully easing restrictions. Wherever possible people should continue to avoid public transport and walk, cycle or drive, but for some people this may not be an option. Transport usage has been slowly increasing, including on the tube which has seen around a 20% rise this week compared to last week. When necessary to use public transport people may be more likely to be in enclosed spaces for longer periods of time where we know there is a greater risk of the spread of the virus and social distancing is likely to be difficult to follow consistently. This differs from enclosed spaces like shops, for example, where people can more easily go outside if social distancing is not possible and where shop owners can place limits on the number of customers allowed inside at any one time. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has set out that using face coverings in this setting can
provide some small additional protection to fellow passengers and can help people to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus if they are suffering from coronavirus, but not showing symptoms. Speaking at the Downing Street coronavirus briefing, Grant Shapps said the government will also work closely with the transport industry to help them implement the plans. Penalty Fines for those who fail to wear a face covering The changes will be made under legislation such as the National Rail Conditions of Travel and Public Service Vehicle Regulations for buses. While the government expects the vast majority of people to comply with the changes, operators will be able to refuse travel or issue penalty fines for those who fail to wear a face covering, in a similar way to the rules on having a ticket for travel. British Transport Police will also support the implementation of these changes. Social distancing and hand washing remain by far the most important disease prevention measures but it is also vital all passengers travelling on buses, coaches, trains, trams, ferries and aircraft should wear a face covering and the government will also work with operators to ensure staff are provided with, and wear face coverings, where appropriate for their role. People should wash their hands or use hand sanitiser before putting their face covering on and after taking it off and it is important that people don’t touch their face covering when wearing it, where possible, to avoid hand to mask transmission of the virus. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “People should continue to avoid public transport wherever possible. But, as restrictions are carefully eased when it is safe to do so, it’s likely that we will see more people
needing to use public transport. So, while respecting social distancing and maintaining good hand hygiene remain the most important steps we can all take to stay safe, wearing a face covering can play a role in helping us to protect each other. This is about the small changes we can take to help control the virus, which is why I urge everyone using transport to wear a face covering, to help keep us all safer. Face coverings are not the same as face masks. It is important that people do not use medical grade PPE masks to ensure these remain available for frontline staff. Last month, the government set out advice for people on how to make their own face coverings easily at home, using scarves or other textile items. These face coverings should cover the mouth and nose while allowing the wearer to breathe comfortably and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head to give a snug fit.” To ease pressure on public transport, the government has announced measures to encourage people to choose other forms of transport, including £2 billion for cycling, and the acceleration of e-scooter trials across the country. To capitalise on the increase in cycling uptake in recent months, the government is also working hard on measures to get more people commuting by bike with initiatives such as the Cycle to Work scheme to help with the cost of bikes, including e-bikes. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I’m pleased that our lobbying has paid off and the Government has finally seen sense and made it mandatory for people to wear face coverings on public transport. This is something I and others have been calling on ministers to do for some time, and is in line with a large body of evidence that they can help stop the spread of coronavirus.
“I encourage anyone travelling on public transport, or anywhere you can’t keep a safe 2 metre distance, to wear a face covering, but from Monday 15 June, everyone must wear a covering over their nose and mouth for the entirety of any journeys made using the public transport network. This will be mandatory and will help everyone be safer. “TfL continues to work hard to maximise services despite staff being ill, shielding or self-isolating. The reality is that due to social distancing the effective capacity of public transport services has been dramatically reduced. We can only carry between 13% – 15% of passengers. We all must play our part by working from home if we can and making journeys on foot or by bike if at all possible in order to keep the service safe for those who really need it. I want to thank Londoners who have made monumental sacrifices over the last ten weeks and stuck to the rules. I urge them to continue to do so to help save lives.” Uday Kotak of Kotak Mahindra Bank takes over as CII President The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today announced that Uday Kotak, Managing Director & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, has assumed office as the President of CII for 2020-21. He takes over from Mr Vikram Kirloskar, Chairman and Managing Director of Kirloskar Systems Ltd, and Vice Chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor. Mr Uday Kotak has been associated with CII for over two decades and has served in many capacities in CII. He has been
the Chairman of CII Economic Affairs Council, Financial Sector Development Council, Services Council, Corporate Governance Council, Banking Committee, Capital Markets Committee and Financial Services Committee over the last many years. Mr. Kotak was also the President- Designate for the last two years. Mr Kotak holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. Mr Kotak has several awards to his credit including ET’s Business Leader of the Year award, USIBC Global Leadership Award and Lifetime Achievement Award at the Financial Express Best Banks Awards 2016, Businessman of the year 2016 by Business India and Best CEO in Banking Sector by the Business Today Best CEO Awards 2019. Mr Kotak is a member of the International Advisory Panel of Monetary Authority of Singapore and member of the International Advisory Board of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation. Mr Kotak was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of the new IL&Fs Board to steer the IL&FS out of the current crisis. Mr Kotak was also Chairman of SEBI panel on Corporate Governance. Over the years, leaders at the helm of CII have proved themselves to be visionary industrialists. At critical turning points in the country’s economic history, CII’s leaders have demonstrated the courage to lead Indian industry into uncharted territories and engineer change. CII leaders have consistently promoted a policy of partnership and cooperation with all stakeholders, and particularly with the Government. This intrinsic partnership approach has played a major role in the evolution of Indian industry over the years, as it transformed from a frail entity insulated from the global economy into a strong and vibrant sector that is driving India’s economic growth today. CII new office-bearers for the year 2020-21 The organisation also announced the appointment of Mr T V
Narendran, CEO & Managing Director of Tata Steel Limited, as the President Designate of CII for 2020-21 and Sanjiv Bajaj as Vice President for 2020-21. Mr T V Narendran has been engaged with CII for many years at the State, Regional and National level. Mr Narendran was the Chairman of CII Eastern Region during 2016-17 and had led CII National Committees on Leadership and Human Resources besides being Chairman of CII Jharkand. Mr Narendran is an alumni of IIM Calcutta and NIT Trichy. He was the co-chair of the Mining & Metals Governors Council of the World Economic Forum. He is also a member from Indian side on BRICS Business Council and a member of the Indo-French CEO council. Mr. Narendran is also a member of the Board of the World Steel Association and its Executive Committee. He is currently the Vice President of India Institute of Metals. Mr Sanjiv Bajaj takes over as CII Vice President for 2020-21. Mr Bajaj is the Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv Limited. Mr Bajaj has been engaged with CII for many years at the Regional and National level. Mr Bajaj was the Chairman of CII Western Region during 2019-20 and had led CII National Committees on Insurance & Pensions and CII Taskforce on Fintech. Mr Bajaj has several awards to his credit including AIMA’s Managing India Awards – Entrepreneur of the year 2019, ET’s Business Leader of the year 2018, Financial Express Best Banker of the year 2017-18 and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year in 2017. Mr Bajaj is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, USA and a Member of the Board of Indian School of Business, Member of Insurance Advisory Committee of IRDAI, International Technology Advisory Panel of Monetary Authority of Singapore and Regional Stewardship Board for India and South Asia 2019-2020 of World Economic Forum.
Gaitri Kumar appointed India’s next High Commissioner to the UK Ms. Gaitri Issar Kumar, presently Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the European Union, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom and will take up her appointment shortly, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced on 2nd June 2020. Ms Kumar, a 1986-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, succeeds Ruchi Ghanashyam. Her appointment to the high-profile post comes at a time India is looking at further expanding ties with the UK after it came out of the powerful European Union. In her career spanning over 30 years, Ms Kumar served in multiple Indian missions including in Paris, Kathmandu, Lisbon and Geneva. She also served as Joint Secretary in the Americas division at the ministry”s headquarters in Delhi. Born in1962, she studied in New Delhi and Bangalore and graduated from Bangalore University before entering the Indian Foreign Service in 1986. She is married to Shri Sachit Kumar and they have two daughters.
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