Blog Style - Asian Sunday & Style

Rejuvenate and revitalise at a spa with a twist

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February 9, 2015

Rejuvenate and revitalise at a spa with a twist

By Aalia Khan

The feeling of stress, anxiety and uneasiness arises at some point in everyone’s life. Taking a well deserved spa break can sometimes help tackle these issues, however a spa break is not always an attainable option in ones busy life.

The ‘Good Witches of the North’ have launched an exciting and unique retreat for the mind in Yorkshire.

All in a Good Day’s Work is a unique experience that whisks women away from their everyday environment to exclusive locations in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside for a single day of one-to-one coaching sessions.

Arriving in a chauffeur driven Mercedes, guests are greeted at a luxury cottage by two expert professional coaches – Bec Howard and Dannie-Lu Carr, the Good Witches of the North.

Sheltered from the usual daily distractions and pressures, guests enjoy gourmet chef-cooked Yorkshire food and breath-taking scenery combined with tough love and tea to leave them reinvigorated and focused, ready to return to their private and professional life refreshed, as if by magic.

The experts say “This retreat is perfect for business women who are time poor, who haven’t got six days worth of time to spend coaching and want change fast. It is a quick, effective, confidential, discrete service that delivers deep change, meaning your impact in the business world will undoubtedly shift as a result.”

Bec Howard and Dannie-Lu Carr, have already helped hundreds of women, from CEOs of women from all walks of life, including actors, CEOs and entrepreneurs. The one thing all attendees have in common is that they have something in their life that they want to change and little time to do something about it.

The women say “Following their sessions every single one of them has felt empowered to take control of their own destiny and make the changes that matter to them.”

The spa currently caters primarily for women as the witches are professional women themselves “Who believe strongly in working to empower other professional women.” However if they got requests from men to run something similar they would be happy to do it.

The significant and tangible changes take place in just one day. The coaching style is unique and combines the psychology of performance and psychology of identity. The Good Witches of the North, run by two highly sought after and effective coaches, run a day that delivers the impact that would usually take 6 traditional coaching sessions.

“Sometimes the best things, and the things you need, are right under your nose. The retreat also celebrates the best of North Yorkshire; locally sourced delicious food, the best landscapes and it means that those business people in Yorkshire don’t need to spend on expensive hotels other cities – they can come, experience the retreat, and be back at home in the same day” say the experts.

Are we (Private Hire Drivers) invisible?

News

Ninder Kaur

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February 9, 2015

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By Ninder Kaur

Taxi drivers gather to hand in petition to Leeds City Council

A private hire driver has taken a 946-name petition to Leeds City Council calling for all private hire vehicles to have access to bus lanes.

Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) want to be able to use the bus-only zones around Leeds city centre without incurring any fines.

Under current city council rules, the 537 Hackney carriages are the only vehicles allowed to drive in the city’s bus lanes, leaving the remaining 3,739 PHV drivers to take the longer route round.

Leader of the petition, Mohammed Sajaad has been a private hire driver for 9 years and is campaigning for equal treatment for all cab drivers.

He said: “The reason we are doing this is because PHVs are doing the same job as Hackney Carriages. We are only asking for equality and to be treated the same as everyone else. We understand that there are more PHVs but they’re working at various times throughout the day and will not be on the road simultaneously in any given area. ”

The main motives behind the petition are that there is a misconception that PHV drivers are taking the public a longer route, costing them more time and money. This is causing a detrimental effect on PHVs.

The 36 year old who works for Yeadon-based SJK was joined by other taxi companies in a bid to get the rules changed. The thoroughly written petition which started six months ago, and argues both sides of the case was finally handed in to Civic Hall on Tuesday 28^th January.

SONY DSC — Leader of the petition Mohammed Sajaad (pictured right)

“It has taken a long time to get the collect all the signatures, so it was a little bit disheartening that no official was available or willing to come down to formally receive the petition. I had rang up the day before and told the Council I was coming,” said Mohammed.

Despite the absence of an official member receiving the petition, Mohammed hopes that his efforts will help solve the injustice. “The struggle has just begun and I assure you this matter will not be laid to rest until an amicable and fair solution is reached.”

Nazakat Ali who works for Wheels was also present at the handing over of the petition. He said: “We are all doing the same job but we are the ones that are suffering. It should be the same rules for everybody. Hackney carriages don’t even pay additional charges to use the bus lanes, so why can’t it be the same for everybody?”

John Askham, of the Leeds Private Hire Drivers Association hopes that the city’s authority will seriously consider their proposal. “We provide a service to get our customers from A to B as quickly as possible. There has been an injustice for too long. There are other cities that are allowing private hire drivers to use bus lanes, we are lagging behind the times,” he said.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “Whilst both Private Hire Vehicles and Hackney Carriage vehicles play an important role within Leeds, it is recognised that Hackney Carriages fulfil a particular role for the public in providing a door to door service available on the street.”

“The possibility of using private hire vehicles to use bus lanes has been previously investigated by the council. With over 4,000 private hire vehicles registered in Leeds it would have a significant detrimental impact. Therefore, the use of bus lanes by other vehicles should be kept to a minimum, to avoid causing delays and obstruction to bus services.”

Now that Leeds PHV drivers have expressed their concern for bus lane use, it could mean that neighbouring cities may follow in their footsteps.

A spokesperson for Bradford City Council said: “Bradford Councils have legal orders in place that do not allow private hire vehicles to use the bus lanes, in accordance with Department of Transport (DfT) guidance.”
“In terms of safety, they want to limit cross movements between bus lanes and general traffic lanes as far as possible. Private hire vehicles are not easy to distinguish from normal cars which could lead to more private motorists abusing the bus lanes. In view of the Government’s guidance, we therefore wouldn’t support exemptions for private hire vehicles to use bus lanes.”

The women of the Arab Spring

Arts

Aalia Khan

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February 9, 2015

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By Aalia Khan

From the Mama Quilla Production Company comes a new theatre play called The Signing Stones. The Singing Stones fearlessly explores the different stories of women from the Arab revolutions. It follows the epic journey of Sarah, her daughter and granddaughter through changing times, places and ideas, and it asks the question, ‘Was the Arab Spring the greatest missed opportunity for humanity of the 21st century?’

When some would argue that theatre has been dulled down this production provokes and asks difficult questions.

The idea for the plays arose when Director/Writer Kay Adshead did a project called Theatre Of Protest which explored the state of the phenomena of global protest all around the world. She had then developed a piece on young people about student protests and at the same time the Arab spring began. Kay says “Interesting things were appearing in blogs for very short periods of time so I decided to also include the women spring in that piece.”

The production is comprised of three plays and is predominately a female cast who are diverse in ethnicity.

Najma Akhtar, an internationally renowned vocalist and songwriter has composed the music for this production and will be performing live. She says “The plays are about the hardships, brutalities and cruelties of what happened, it was mentioned and then forgotten about. The women who fought for their freedom, rights and equalities, its powerful and strong, some people will like it and some may not.”

Najma’s role is the voice of a woman who has undergone a lot of brutality as her husband has been taken away, her quest is to find her husband, and she sings from the heart and soul “My voice is to express the sorrow and sadness. It is very hard to get it into ones head that these things did happen and are still happening. It’s a complex, detailed piece which travels across 5 countries; Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria and England” she says.

Kay says it is vital for such material to be created as “The stories have to be told.” She adds “There’s been a big attempt to write women out of the Arab spring. They were briefly celebrated, then denied and now derided. We are showing women were there and very important at the inception of it.”

The key messages being portrayed in the plays are that “You achieve very little with violence, so you should think very carefully as violence is the last resort” explains Kay. Additionally “Don’t forget the voice of the woman, struggle and brutality that happened. Everything was forgotten but it’s still happening just not in the public eye. We have to strive to do right what’s wrong. Women must bring

The play runs from Wed 4th Feb until Saturday 28th February at the Arcola Theatre, London.

Exclusive Interview with Bilal Saeed

News

Ninder Kaur

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February 9, 2015

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By Ninder Kaur

After months of eagerly awaiting fans, Bilal dropped his new single which already topped the iTunes chart within a couple of hours of its release.

Bilal talks to me following the release of his newly anticipated single Kaash, and finally puts those Yo Yo Honey Singh collaboration rumours to rest.

Tell us a bit about the single- Kaash?

The first song I came up with was “Bara Saal” and then after that it was “Adhi Raat” which made me famous. The fans who were following me from the beginning have been asking me to come up with something similar to Bara Saal- an emotional love song. Since I have been making more happening dance tracks like “Lethal Combination” I wanted to make sure that this song was for the fans that started following me from day one.

What has the response been like so far?

So far, I can say the response has been the best it has ever been. Fans have been telling me how excited they have been about the new release and how they have been looking forward to hearing it. It has already managed to reach Number 1 on iTunes on the first day of the release and has already got thousands of views on YouTube.

What made you become a singer?

The love for music was always there. I used to sing other people’s songs from a really young age. I was in high school when I started writing songs. It took 6 to 7 years working in the studio as a composer and lyricist before anything really came of it. Music was the one thing I actually felt comfortable doing. There was no option B for me.

What is your biggest achievement?

Because I belong to Pakistan, the support from family wasn’t there in the beginning. I struggled for 8 to 10 years. I composed songs for so many other singers. So for me, the recognition I am getting now from people is a blessing. Just getting great love and response from the fans is the biggest achievement for me.

Are you and Honey Singh collaborating?

Almost a year ago, Yo Yo Honey Singh approached me. We met in Dubai and then we had 2-3 days worth of studio sessions. We planned to do a couple of tracks together which are in the pipeline. I am really surprised how the media found out about it because I never told anyone, but yes it is happening.

Is creating Bollywood songs a direction you want to go in?

For any Asian artists Bollywood is a dream. I have done my debut song in a Bollywood movie which is coming up very soon. My role in Bollywood can best be described as being a playback singer. They are all Hindi songs. Bollywood is something which I will definitely consider. The name of the song is “Mohabbat Yeh” but the name of the film has not yet been decided.

Any advice for aspiring artists in Bradford?

The only thing that can help you out is your hard work, pure intentions and you have to have faith in your God and yourself. If you have all that then nobody can stop you.

How do you balance your family life with your career?

The dream was there to be a famous singer and perform to an audience. I never realised that there would be this much travelling involved, so I think that is the most difficult thing. It is hard.

I am not really a social person the only thing I do is music. Then whatever time I get, I spend with my family.

What can we expect from Bilal Saeed in the future?

I want to do something revolutionary in music so I can connect people, so 2015 is going to be my year. You can expect all the bangers, the achievements, the international collaborations and my Bollywood debut.

I am looking to tour around India, Pakistan, England, America. The UK is my second home so I will be here soon, hopefully in a month or two’s time.

Quick Fire Round

Bhangra or Bollywood? Bollywood

Favourite Place in the World is: Pakistan. I love my country so much.

Favourite Food is: Biryani

Last song you listened to was: Kaash. I was listening to it in my car

Favourite Film is: Veer Zaara

Favourite Hobby is: Music, Music, Music

Celebrity Crush: It was Angelina Jolie. Katrina Kaif

Dream Collaboration: At the moment, I am looking forward to the one with Honey Singh

How do you relax away from work? Spending time with my family is the most relaxing time. Music isn’t always work for me, so when I am sitting down in my studio and composing music that is my relaxation time. I also like going to the gym too.

If you weren’t making music what would you be doing? I would probably be a Maulvi (Islamic teacher). But I think music was the only thing I was meant to do. There were no other options.

“Kaash” released on the 29^th January and is available to download now.

Bradford superstar sings his way to success

News

Ninder Kaur

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February 9, 2015

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Bradford singing sensation, Faheem Ashraf has been crowned the winner of a national singing competition.

The 21 year old Wibsey soul singer managed to beat over 9,000 hopefuls in the 2014’s Open Mic UK competition.

Faheem, who works for Virgin Media, began singing when he was 15 years old having been inspired by Lionel Richie and Boys II Men. It was the support from his family that encouraged him to pursue music. “I grew up listening to my mum sing and my granddad was a professional singer. I used to sing on my mum’s karaoke machine in my bedroom, but thanks to my mum she pushed me to sing publicly.”

For many years, Faheem had been trying to make himself known as a singer. He was busking in Leeds, and entering local competitions. “I was performing anywhere I could. I have done a few gigs, local charity events and performed in shopping centres like Kirkgate and The Trinity Centre. I have just been trying to get out there.”

Open Mic UK is described as “The Biggest Search for Unsigned Acts in the UK.” The music contest attracts thousands of singers, singer-songwriters, rappers and vocalists each year. They then compete at regional auditions to get the chance to perform at live music showcases to then reach an annual national final.

After hearing about the competition, Faheem thought it would be a great opportunity to create contacts with industry professionals and get noticed as an artist. “Unlike other singing competitions like the X Factor and The Voice, the judges in this competition are all representatives from record labels who are looking to further opportunities within the industry.”

After winning in the 16-20 category (he was 20 at the time) ,Faheem said how he was surrounded by tough competition. “There was so much raw talent but I wanted to strive to be the best that I could be. I planned each performance thoroughly.”

The singer went on to say how proud he felt of his recent win. “It has given me a good confidence boost. It made me appreciate what I have got and that I can actually sing. It has given me more belief in myself rather than people just telling me that I am a good singer.”

It was after singing Leona Lewis’ ‘First time, ever I your saw your face’ that saw Faheem cement his name in the competition and win over the judges. “For the grand final, with the acts that I was up against I wanted to sing a powerful song. I enjoy singing ballads so I wanted to show off my vocal range and show off my powerful voice.”

Previous winners of the competition include X Factor stars Lucy Spraggan, Jahmene Douglas and Union J’s Jaymi Hensley.

Faheem has high hopes of making it big in the music industry. In terms of new music, he is planning on releasing a single called “Young and Wild” which will be out in a couple of months.

“I am also looking to organise a show called “A night with Faheem” in a couple of months’ time. I want to scout some singers and give them a chance to perform. I want to get them on stage and give them to opportunity to do what I’m doing.”

For now, Faheem is looking to perform at festivals over the summer and is currently working on new music with producers in London. He is also searching for the perfect manager to help him advance to the next level of his career within music.

Ghap shap with Asghar Ali CEO of MyLahore

Aalia Khan

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February 9, 2015

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Ghap shap with Asghar Ali CEO of MyLahore

By Aalia Khan

Food is a major factor in everybody’s life and the food places in Bradford have become well renowned.

Many people have now become health conscious, and as well as ordering a delicious meal they will consider how healthy it is. As such MyLahore restaurant, founded in 2002 by CEO Asghar Ali and his cousin Shakoor Ahmed, Managing Director, has become one of the most popular go to places not just in Bradford but also in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham with their latest expansion.

MyLahore is a family run business and CEO Ali explains that having a family business has its pros and cons “The pros are the loyalty aspect and the fact that family will put in much more effort and time. And the cons are that sometimes things can be taken personally due to the family emotions.”

Becoming a successful business person takes a lot of hard work and dedication which Ali acknowledges; he says that the key factors in becoming a successful business person and running a successful business are “Passion, drive, hard work, a clear vision and motivation.” He also advises that if one wants to run a successful business they need to always remain passionate and enthusiastic about it, just as he has been about MyLahore, he says “We are still as passionate today about the business as we were when we first started.”

The success story of MyLahore has been evident with their expansion into Leeds, Manchester and more recently Birmingham. Ali says expansion was important for them as “The more we expand the more exposure we get to our concept and it all adds to the brand value.” The ideas for expansion arose when they realised that the successful concepts they had in the cities they were operating in could also work in other cities. For some businesses expansion is not always a viable option and does not always become a hit, Ali advises those whose expansions have failed in other areas to “Go back and focus on your offer and refine what you do and make it so successful that people demand it to be in their cities.”

With the amount of restaurants, cafes and deli bars around Bradford MyLahore has managed to stay on the top since opening in 2002, Ali reveals MyLahore’s secrets to being the best, “We always kept innovating and improving, we never stood still with the successes and we are as passionate today about the business as we were when we first started.”

The emphasis on health and fitness has become stronger today than it ever was and it has become vital for restaurants, cafes and food outlets to think about how healthy their dishes are as well as the taste and appearance. Ali says this is something that MyLahore are currently focusing on as initially they had developed food simply for good taste.

The dishes on offer at MyLahore vary from Indian curries to pastas and salads, Chinese stir fry’s, burgers, steaks, seafood, panini’s and wraps, a kid’s menu and exquisite desserts and smoothies. According to Ali their “Continental range is very popular with the young Asians as they are so used to eating Asian food at home, The curries and grills are popular with the mainstream British population as they love their curries and the desserts are popular with everyone.”

Starting a business in Bradford can be tough, especially a food business. Ali agrees that there is “Extremely tough competition” in Bradford but if people have a dream and desire to achieve something then they should go ahead and do it. He says “If you can succeed in Bradford with a restaurant you will more than likely succeed in other towns and cities.”

When asked if he felt that businesses in Bradford were taking off he responded “Yes they are starting to evolve into better and more sophisticated businesses as the younger generations are applying academic learning to traditional businesses.”

Things you didn’t know about Asghar Ali, CEO of MyLahore:

Favourite food – Daal
Favourite hobby – Football
Favourite place in Bradford? – MyLahore
Favourite film? – 12 Angry Men
Favourite holiday destination? – Pakistan
What profession you wanted to go into as a child? – Professional Football

Marking Golden Jubilee of Bradford’s first Sikh Temple

News

Ninder Kaur

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February 9, 2015

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By Ninder Kaur

A lecture took place in Bradford this week to mark the Golden Jubilee of the first Sikh temple in Bradford.

The open-door event was held at the Bradford Local Studies Library on Wednesday and was led by Dr Ramindar Singh MBE.

As the first elected secretary for Bradford’s first Sikh temple, Ramindar felt responsible to share the history of the Sikh community in the Bradford district over the past 50 years.

It was a very informative lecture which explained how the first Sikh temple was established by a small number of Sikhs in a former carpet warehouse in Garnett Street in 1965.

Although the building no longer exists, there are now seven Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in the Bradford district to accommodate the estimated 3,500 Sikhs living here.

Attendees had the opportunity to take a close look at the growth and development of Sikh temples and other organisations. It was a real eye opener to hear about the processes of integration as well as the contributions made by Sikhs in general and civic life.
One man in particular, Dr Balbir Singh was very impressed with the outcome of the lecture and said: “Ramindar has put a lot of effort into his research. He told me things that I didn’t know before, like how Sikh migrants came over in 1950s. I thought it was the 60s. It was good to see how he openly addressed the struggles that Sikhs faced in detail.”

Caroline Brown, Development Officer for Local Studies Libraries added: “It was fascinating to listen about how the first Gurdwara started off 50 years ago in a carpet warehouse. It is an amazing story about how things have changed so rapidly. It provided a real insight into some of the issues different communities face and the challenges they may have ahead.”

Despite the snowy weather conditions that took place, Ramindar was very impressed with the turnout. “It’s nice to see people have risked life and limb to come here and learn about the Sikh community in Bradford.”

Ramindar is the Head of Contemporary Studies at Bradford College for many years and was awarded an MBE for his services to community relations and has authored several books. He holds an MA from the Punjab University and an MSc in economics from Bradford University.

Ramindar explained the reason for why he put on this lecture. “50 years is a very long time since a community started. So there comes a time where you need to take a look back to see the changes that have been made, what we have learnt from them and what the challenges ahead are for the future. This is what I wanted to address and I can only hope that I did it well enough.”

Following the lecture, a Q&A took place and the audience members had the opportunity to ask any questions they had.

Winston Williams, a Senior Chess Coach, was one of many that managed to take a lot away from the lecture. “I was very fascinated by the lecture because I love history and religion, and not only that but I got to learn about where I live. Any questions that I had were answered, so it was a real eye opener.”

Overall, the lecture seemed to be a success among those who attended. “It was a very well organised and researched lecture. I learnt a lot about Sikh migrants settling down here in Bradford. He identified everything from the very beginning,” said Bradford businessman Mohinder Singh Khinda.

HighFlyers Album Review

News

Ninder Kaur

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February 9, 2015

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By Ninder Kaur

Last year, we saw Highflyers return with their second album release, and it was about time that I put their hard work under the lens to see whether it deserves a thumbs up.

“Born Desi” saw brothers Gurj and Indie making the transition from The Sound Pipe Records to the influential VIP label.

Their now current album features 14 deadly tracks to keep Bhangra fans moving and shaking. The album features a string of artists from Bakshi Billa, Meet Malkit to Jaswant Heera and the late Kaka Bhaniawala.

The duo’s first album released in 2011 featuring singles like ‘Daru Naal Yaari’ , ‘The Shinda Duet’ and the very popular ‘Baa Farke’.

3 years later with enough time to learn and grow as artists, the duo are on top form creating a buzz with their ‘Aaja Hun’ and ‘Shera Varge’ authentic folk bangers.

The lads have not fallen short from providing you with traditional elements that represent their Punjabi roots and music style in every song that they have produced.

The impressionable track ‘Pyar Tere Naal’ featuring Jaswant Heera is one that will definitely not disappoint. This easy listening track will put you at ease whilst it evokes the message of love in its lyrics written by Bhinder Khanpuri.

A personal favourite of mine is the ‘Gulabi Suit (Remix)’ featuring Meet Malik. The lyrics in the song are very catchy and the overall melody of the track is very addictive. This guaranteed dance floor favourite will be one that you’ll soon have on a repeat, even just after a few seconds of listening.

What makes this album special is that the boys have included a massive track ‘The Manak Tribute’ with vocals by the very talented Pargat Khan (nephew of the late Kuldeep Manak Ji). The track manages to captivate listeners with Pargat’s passionate delivery and the inclusion of the 1981 classic ‘Banoti Yaar’. It’s nice to see how Indie and Gurj have paid their respects to someone who can only be described as a legend in the Bhangra industry.

What’s new to the album is that the brothers have managed to extend their sound by finally utilising a female vocalist. Yes, that’s right. The boys teamed up with Jyoti Gill who featured on the track ‘Galwakri’. Through the use of her distinct vocals, they have managed to address meaningful themes like patriotism in the form of this duet.

The biggest disappoint of all when listening to the album and what surprised me most was the track ‘Full Speed’. With Demonic rapping his way through the song, it left me slightly confused as to how this track didn’t really fit in with the whole image of the album. With 13 singles being centred on folk renditions, it felt like this track had no real place on the album. It didn’t adhere to folk inspired lyricism, instead it encourages listeners to ignore red lights whilst speeding around in expensive cars. But like I have said, it is a peculiar track and I can only hope that the guys have placed it on the album by mistake. Thankfully the banging beat manages to save this track from being a total disaster.

Despite the album not having any solid dance floor favourites, the album is packed with great tracks and impeccable vocals. It does however, have a plethora of styles with each track containing a concrete Bhangra beat that is part of the Highflyers signature style.

Time for the final verdict. Three years after their debut release, it looks like Highflyers have upped their game by delivering a more versatile album that remains grounded as a folk rendition. For that reason, I would give this album 3/5 rating.

The Born Desi album is available to download online.

Female sports coach returns to Bradford from Bermuda

Sports

Ninder Kaur

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February 9, 2015

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By Ninder Kaur

A Bradford- born female sporting coach has returned back on home ground following her life-changing trip to Bermuda.

Halima Khan, a 30 year old cricket coach was on holiday in Dubai when she was given the opportunity of a lifetime to help coach young girls. “I got talking to members of the International Cricket Council (ICC). It was the West Indies and Bermuda CEOs in particular that told me how they wanted to develop women and girl’s cricket.”

As an advocate of increasing female participation in sports she agreed to help out.

“I thought they were joking and I didn’t know if they were being serious.”

After meeting with members of the ICC back in April last year they helped fund Halima’s week long trip to Bermuda in December.

Halima, who is now a National Project Leader had the opportunity to coach girls, aged 8-16 from Bermuda’s national teams. She also had the chance to shed her knowledge and passion for the sport by helping out at after school clubs.

Halima describes her trip as a real eye opener as she got to see the way cricket was instructed in a different country. “With the coaching, it was interesting to see the development in Bermuda and how it compared to England. The community is a lot closer out there. With cricket being their national sport there is a lot more discipline and seriousness involved.”

With only a week long contribution, she received some positive feedback from not only the girls she were coaching but their parents as well. They were impressed with how having a female coach gave them the drive and motivation to pursue the sport further.

The ICC officials are also looking to see if Halima can return. “They want me to come out there for a longer period, to not only develop the cricket side of things but the school’s resources. They also want more female role models and coaches to encourage participation. ”

Last year, Halima won the award for the Most Inspirational Employee at Bradford’s Inspirational Women’s Awards, and by winning the award it affirmed to her that she had made the right career choice in life.

“It just shows how women can take part in sports and carve out careers in sports. Sport is not just about participation, it’s a lifestyle. If you have the drive and perseverance then you can achieve it the same way I have.”

“If someone told me I was going to Bermuda, I would have laughed in their face but it happened.”

From this experience, Halima hopes to continue her work and do more to raise awareness on women’s participation in sport and not just here in the UK either. “I want to go to countries where women are just coming through the system. It’s about going to these less known cricketing countries and helping develop them from a grassroots point of view.”

With only a month into the New Year, Halima has big plans for the future ahead. She wants to help girls to transition from taking part in sports to becoming volunteers and coaches.

“ The biggest challenge will be educating our societies and cultures to being more open and accepting of having women in sports and taking on these leadership roles. In 4 or 5 years time I want to see hundreds of Halima Khan’s out there aspiring to become coaches in sports.”

Halima’s Biggest Accomplishment:“To see the amount of girls that now have come through the system and that are taking part in sport. Also, educating them and telling them they are careers in sports to help them pursue their aspirations.”

Halima’s Advice:“Don’t give up on yourself. It may be simpler to throw the towel in but if you push yourself it will happen. There may be challenges along to way but always have that self belief.”

WIN a pair of tickets to see the NT Live broadcast of Behind the Beautiful Forevers at a cinema of your choice!

Aalia Khan

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February 9, 2015

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WIN a pair of tickets to see the NT Live broadcast of Behind the Beautiful Forevers at a cinema of your choice!

Behind The Beautiful Forevers will be out in cinemas on 12 March and viewers have the opportunity to win two tickets to watch the film at a cinema of their choice.

India is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own. Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, twelve and stunted, wants to eat until he’s as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government anti-poverty funds to turn herself into a ‘first-class person’, while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum’s first female graduate.

But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade, and another slum-dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighbourhood.

Meera Syal returns to the National Theatre, directed by Rufus Norris (Broken, London Road).

Pulitzer Prize-winner Katherine Boo spent three years in Annawadi recording National Book Award for Non-Fiction 2012, and David Hare has fashioned a tumultuous play on an epic scale.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question:

Which star of The Kumars is in Behind the Beautiful Forevers?

a) Meera Syal

b) Indira Joshi

c) Vincent Ebrahim

Terms and conditions apply

Behind the Beautiful Forevers runs at the National Theatre until 25 May. For more information and to book tickets visit nationaltheatre.org.uk <http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk> or call 020 7452 3000.

Watch the trailer <http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/47823-behind-the-beautiful-forevers>