A charity, founded by Morningstar Pharmaceuticals' owner Dr Nik Kotecha and his wife Moni, has donated half a million pounds to help hundreds of thousands of people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in India.
Randal Charitable Foundation’s donation to the British Asian Trust’s Covid-19 Emergency Appeal helped saved over 137,000 lives with emergency kits between June and November 2020.
Facilitated by local non-governmental organisations - Goonj and Jan Sahas - the charity provided more than 27,500 families devastated by the impact of the pandemic across 15 Indian states with ration kits that included essentials like pulses, rice/flour, oil and vegetables.
"This is a good news story in the midst of this devastating virus with its unprecedented long-term effects on individuals, families and economies, said Richard Hawkes, chief executive of the British Asian Trust.
"The generosity of the Randal Charitable Foundation and dedication of its Founding Trustees Dr Nik and Moni Kotecha, together with the skills of our partners on the ground, shows what can be achieved at pace and through collaboration. This is a fantastic example of focused action by members of the British Asian community to support those most immediately in need. We are hugely grateful for the impact it has enabled."
Kotecha said: "We wanted to address the challenges in India as the early stages of the pandemic unfolded, with millions suddenly without jobs, security or any source of income.
"It is fantastic to have worked with our trusted partner the British Asian Trust and through amazing organisations on the ground, whose knowledge and experience ensures maximum impact in a crisis situation. We are delighted to have supported so many people."
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)