BH-e-Magazine Narendra Modi

BRITISH HERALD WHERE BRITAIN MEETS THE WORLD ISSN 2632-8836 £4.00 VOL 1 P/42 P/74 ISSUE 3 Welcome to the Haulio of Fame: England Lift World Cup after JUL-AUG 19 Startup takes top prize at RISE a 44-year wait Narendra Modi WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL PERSON facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 1

BRITISH HERALD 2 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD British Herald is among the world’s leaders in online news and information delivery. With our service, one can read up-to-the-minute news stories and receive Breaking News text alerts. British Herald is a registered trademark owned by Herald Media Network Limited, United Kingdom. Herald Media Network Limited is one of the leaders in the global media market. Leveraging on its consolidated strengths in the digital media and communication market, as well as its well-established branding and advertising networks. The efforts in producing quality content and transforming them into a multimedia platform have been well recognized and has accreditated British Herald both at National and International levels. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 3

BRITISH HERALD JULY-AUGUST 2019 | VOLUME 01 | ISSUE 03 CONTENTS 8 74 8 | Narendra Modi The Man, The Mission, The Challenges, The Legacy 74 | England Lift World Cup after a 44-year wait 39 42 48 39 | World's central banks tackle 42 | Container haulage startup 48 | Deutsche Telekom first to market technology with innovation hub. takes top prize at RISE in Germany with limited 5G rollout 44 | France's Mirazur crowned 66 | Massive shark fin haul into 70 | In Japan, the business of world's best restaurant, Denmark's Hong Kong dodges global shipping watching whales is far larger than Noma is No. 2 bans hunting them WHERE BRITAIN MEETS THE WORLD ISSN 2632-8836 Managing Director & Group Editor-in-Chief Ansif Ashraf www.ansif.com, Consultant Editor Prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury, Senior Editor Ashly Christopher, Associate Editor Azam Rafiq Sait, Creative Designer Sooraj SV., Contributors | Via Reuters Steve Gorman, Nichola Groom and Alex Dobuzinskis, Paul Sandle, Isla Binnie, Julie Zhu and Kane Wu, Sinead Cruise and Huw Jones, Edward Taylor, Matthew Stock, Josh Horwitz, Stephen Nellis, Kate Kelland and Julie Steenhuysen, Tom Miles, David Shepardson, Paul Lienert and Ben Klayman, Paresh Dave, Jayson Mansaray, Pascale Denis and Richard Lough, Sheila Dang, Jamie Freed, Paul Carsten and Alexis Akwagyiram, Emily G Roe IT & Support Jibin Thomas & Vinod Kumar Advertising & Sales Shameela Jabeen ([email protected]) Digital Marketing Adnan Niroukh Published by; HERALD MEDIA NETWORK LIMITED Company Number – 11289223, Registered Address: 156 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW31HW, England. United kingdom, T +44 20 8123 7074, M [email protected] W www.britishherald.com ©2019 Herald Media Network Limited. © 2019 BRITISH HERALD, as to material published in the U.K., All Rights Reversed. ©2019 Herald Media Network Limited, as to material., British Herald e-Magazine is published bi-monthly. Copying for other than personal use or Internal reference or of articles or columns not owned by BRITISH HERALD without written permission of Herald Media Network Limited is expressly prohibited. Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Herald Media Network Limited, Its publisher and/or editor. We (at Herald Media Network Limited) do Our best to verify the information published, but do not take any responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information. Herald Media Network Limited does not accept responsibility for any investment or other decision taken by readers on the basis of information provided herein. British Herald ® is published under a license Agreement with Herald Media Network Limited, 156 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW31HW, England. ‘’BRITISH HERALD’’ is a trademark used under license From Herald Media Network Limited. 4 JRuelya-dAumguosrte2!0lo19g on to: www.britishherald.com www.facebook.cwowmw/b.brriittiisshhhheerraalldd.com

BRITISH HERALD EDITOR'S NOTE Solving the Brexit Impasse Areferendum sets rules in a wide range a reasonable solution to was held in of areas - including on the them. Finally, the political the United environment, transport, leadership of Britain faced Kingdom on consumer rights and even a profound loss. The “leave” Thursday things such as mobile phone voters rejected both the 23 June 2016, to decide charges etc. Conservative and Labour whether the UK should leave parties. Both parties had or remain in the European Opponents of the EU argued endorsed remaining with the Union. Leave won by 51.9% that it is a dysfunctional EU and saw many of their to 48.1%. The referendum economic entity. The members go into opposition turnout was 71.8%, with EU failed to address the on the issue. Ultimately, it more than 30 million people financial problems that had was a three-way struggle. voting. Since then the been developing since Two established parties controversy has continued 2008, for example, 20% wanted to remain in the unabated, and nothing unemployment in southern EU, and a third faction, divided the British society Europe. The difference drawn from both parties, ever more than this in the between the lives of the opposed it. People in this last century. south Europeans and third group saw both of the Germans—who enjoy 4.2% establishment parties as But what is the unemployment—is profound. hostile to their interests. mandate of the EU, Europe, as a whole, has and why was the stagnated economically. The current status is that demand to leave The argument for remaining Brexiteer leaders have all the European Union in the EU was that the secretly realized that it is a (EU) in the first alternative was an economic disaster. The wilful ignorance place? disaster. However, staying of before has crashed in a stagnated organisation into the reality of actually EU is an economic and to solve British problems looking at the benefits of political partnership seemed short-sighted EU membership because involving 28 European and made little sense to now they have to replace it. countries in the post-II World opponents. The chasm between what War era to foster economic they ignorantly thought and co-operation, with the idea The second reason for Brexit reality is now more evident. that countries which trade is the rise of nationalism While all of this has been together were more likely across the world. There’s going on, the bedrock of the to avoid going to war with a growing distrust of British economy, the financial each other. It has eventually multinational financial, trade, services industry, has started evolved into a \"single and defence organisations to shrink and the momentum market\" allowing goods and created after World War of operations moving abroad people to move around, II. The EU, the IMF, and is reaching the sort of critical basically as if the member NATO are good examples mass that will permanently states were one country. It of this. Many who oppose make the UK lose its global has its own currency, the the EU believes these financial services crown. euro, which is used by 19 of institutions no longer serve Some 40,000 jobs have the member countries, its any purpose. Not only that, been lost in the secondary own parliament and it now these organisations take waves of this fall-out. The control away from individual revenue that the UK is set nations. Mistrust and fear of to suffer from the loss of losing control made Brexit this economic activity far facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 5

BRITISH HERALD other words, if parliament EDITOR'S NOTE voted for it. In March, an exceeds gains on payments online petition calling for beneficial trade deals around to the EU. Article 50 to be revoked the world. gained over six million By the earlier deadline, the signatures. The World Trade UK had been due to leave Organization sets rules for on 29 March 2019, two Earlier, after months of countries that don't have years after it started the negotiation, the UK and EU free trade deals with each exit process by invoking agreed with a Brexit deal. It other, including tariffs - Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon comes in two parts. A 585- the taxes charged on the Treaty. But the withdrawal page withdrawal agreement import of goods. Without agreement reached between is a legally-binding text an agreement on trade, the EU and the UK has been that sets the terms of the the UK would trade with rejected three times by UK UK's divorce from the EU. the EU under World Trade MPs. Having granted an It covers how much money Organization rules. initial extension of the Article the UK owes the EU - an 50 process until 12 April 2019, estimated £39bn - and what When the UK leaves the EU, EU leaders have now backed happens to UK citizens the 310-mile border between a six-month extension until living elsewhere in the EU Ireland and Northern Ireland 31 October 2019. If the UK and EU citizens living in the will become the land and EU ratify the withdrawal UK. Additionally, a 26-page border between the UK agreement before then, the statement on future relations and the European Union. UK will leave on the first day has been reached which Neither side wants to see of the following month. is not legally-binding and a return to checkpoints, sketches out the kind of towers, customs posts or Interestingly, Ursula von der long-term relationship the surveillance cameras at the Leyen, EU leaders’ next pick UK and EU want to have in border, in case it reignites to be the EU President, has a range of areas, including the troubles and disrupts said she would be open to a trade, defence and security. the free cross-border flow of Brexit extension beyond 31 trade and people. But they October 2019. What does this The UK can leave without a can't agree on the way to do mean? For a start, it is not deal too. This is the so-called that. up to her – the 27 remaining no-deal Brexit. In that case, EU leaders get to decide the UK would sever all ties Interestingly, PM Theresa at a summit earlier that with the EU with immediate May was against Brexit month. If she were against an effect, with no transition during the referendum extension, it would make life period and no guarantees on campaign but is now in quite difficult for leaders to citizens' rights of residence. favour of it because she says approve one. The government fears this it is what the British people would cause significant want. She triggered the two- But public opinion is sharply disruption to businesses in year process of leaving the divided on this. Stopping the short-term, with lengthy EU on 29 March 2017. It has Brexit would require a tailbacks of lorries at the been in a precarious position change in the law in the channel ports, as drivers face because she lost her House UK, something neither the new checks on their cargos. of Commons majority in the government nor the main UK Government ministers and 2017 general election. She opposition parties want to do multinational companies has survived two attempts at this point. The European with factories in the UK have to remove her from the Court of Justice ruled on also warned about the long- office so far. Mrs May herself 10 December 2018 that UK term impact on the British has told Tory MPs she will could cancel the Article 50 economy. Brexit-supporting resign, if MPs back her deal, Brexit process without the MPs claim it would not so someone else can lead permission of the other 27 be as bad as they say and the next phase of Brexit EU members, and remain the UK would save on the negotiations, so her time in a member of the EU on its £39bn divorce bill, as well as the top job is limited. existing terms, provided being free to strike its own the decision followed a Labour says it accepts the \"democratic process\", in referendum result and that Brexit is going to happen. 6 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD less and focus only on its EDITOR'S NOTE \"strict international legal But it opposes Theresa obligations\". The UK could leave May's Brexit plan and wants without any Brexit \"divorce to stop it and force a general David Cameron, his bill\" deal, but that would election. In February, it said Chancellor George Osborne probably mean everyone it was prepared to back and many other senior ending up in court battles. another referendum to figures who wanted to stay If a compromise can be prevent a \"damaging Tory in the EU, predicted an achieved, and if payment Brexit\", after failing to win immediate economic crisis of the bill were to be a vote of no-confidence if the UK voted to leave. spread over many years, against the government. It is true that the pound the amounts involved slumped the day after the may not be that significant If no trade deal is in prospect referendum - and is currently economically. Given the by July 2020, the two sides about 10% down against the complex nature of Brexit, could agree to extend the dollar, and 10%-15% down deal or no deal, and the transition period instead. against the euro. Predictions fact that a referendum has They could do this only of immediate doom were supported Brexit, with larger once. The transition could wrong, with the UK economy sections of the ruling and not go on being extended estimated to have grown opposition parties also now indefinitely. But there is no 1.8% in 2016, second only falling in line. To go ahead agreement on how long any to Germany's 1.9% among with Brexit by October 2019 extension would be. Mrs May the world's G7 leading is the only right democratic has said EU citizens in the industrialised nations. UK way out unless there is a UK will be able to stay even economy continued to grow huge outcry and people en if there is no deal done on at almost the same rate in masse want to remain in the Brexit. There is uncertainty 2017 but slowed to 1.4% in EU. about what no deal would 2018, the slowest rate since mean for Britons living in 2012. In the first quarter However, there is France, Spain, Germany and of 2019, the UK economy undoubtedly a need for a elsewhere. grew at 0.5%. Interestingly, re-negotiated deal, with no nation-state has ever lower pay-out on behalf All existing EU laws will left the EU. But Greenland, of the UK, spread over be copied across into UK one of Denmark's overseas several years. Easier said law, to prevent legislative territories, held a referendum than done. Statesmanship \"black holes\", under the in 1982, after gaining a higher going beyond narrow British terms of the European Union degree of self-government, party positions and narrow (Withdrawal Bill). The UK and voted by 52% to 48% to national/EU interests can government can then decide leave, which it duly did after only ensure such a solution. over a period which ones it a period of negotiation. wants to keep, change or Best, ditch. On the issue of the UK's political influence globally, ANSIF ASHRAF There is much debate about views differ. View one is Managing Editor, British Herald the long-term costs and that UK projects power benefits to the UK economy and influence in the [email protected] of Brexit - but what we do world, working through know for sure is that the EU organisations such as EU wants the UK to settle any and that on its own will be a outstanding bills before it much-diminished force. View leaves. The £39bn \"divorce two is that unencumbered bill\" will cover things like by the other 27 members; pension payments to the UK can get on with EU officials, the cost of things and start adopting a relocating London-based EU much more independent, agencies and outstanding self-confident, assertive role EU budget commitments. on the world stage. The UK says that if there is no deal agreed on Brexit, it would pay substantially facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 7

COVER STORY BRITISH HERALD 8 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY MODINARENDRA Some weeks ago, in the NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic height of the Indian THE MAN elections, the readers of THE MISSION the British Herald had THE CHALLENGES voted for Narendra Modi, THE LEGACY the Prime Minister of India as the World’s Most Powerful Person 2019 PM Narendra Modi branded with 31% votes, beating other world as #Namo is a big brand built leaders and politicians, like Russian on the same tenets as any other President Vladimir Putin (29%), US good product would have been President Donald Trump (22%), and marketed. Brand gurus also the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping (18%). believe that PM Modi has built his political campaign on the Good or bad, power is a combination very same tenets of a strong of many important factors that promise and strong leadership, enable leaders to shape the world. the result of which has been an But only a selected few possess overwhelming victory in the Lok the political clout to effect global change. For better or worse, their Sabha elections. decisions affect millions and change nations. This poll result provides a facebook.com/britishherald look at how the world sees these figures. PM Narendra Modi branded as #Namo is a big brand built on the same tenents as any other good product would have been marketed. Brand gurus also believe that PM Modi has built his political campaign on the very same tenets of a strong promise and strong leadership, the result of which has been an overwhelming victory in the Lok Sabha elections. July-August 2019 9

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic Modi raised his profile as a The Rise of Modi with more ease than recent world leader in recent years 2.0: Pros and Cons past. BJP alone got 37% during official visits with U.S. of vote-share and 56% of President Donald Trump and On May 23, PM Modi led BJP seat-share, against 20% Xi Jinping. He has emerged and its National Democratic vote-share of Congress with as a key figure in the Asian Alliance was elected to a less than 10% of seat-share. region with his active Act second tenure in office with DMK of Tamil Nadu with 23 East policy. His effort to a huge majority. On the final MPs and Trinamool (TMC) of tackle climate change has count, NDA got 353 seats, Bengal and YSR Congress been seen positively by the of which 303 by BJP itself, of Andhra with 22 each were world, as warming affects giving it a clear majority and next in line. Against 353 of millions of his country’s rural hence freedom to govern NDA, Congress-led UPA citizens. www.britishherald.com 10 July-August 2019

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Narendra Modi in Osaka, Japan Earlier, Modi came NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic under scrutiny when his alliance managed to have implementations of schemes critics pointed at the just 91 seats, and rest others like Ayushman Bharat — a high unemployment rate 98. It was Modi all the way. health insurance scheme for and skyrocketing Non- 500 million citizens, Prime Performing Assets (NPAs) of In recent months, in the Minister Ujjwala Yojna — the Indian banking industry. run-up to the 2019 general free LPG connection for 60 The lower-middle strata and elections, Modi saw high million people below the poor blamed his government approval ratings from poverty line, and Clean India for not being able to control Indians. It was mainly due to (Swachha Bharat) scheme high inflation and high rates his stand against terrorism building toilets all around of fuel after September 2018 and the airstrike on the the country earned him as he came to power in 2014 terror camps in Balakot, remarkable support. promising to break high Pakistan. Besides, the inflation rates. His decision to get rid of 500- and 1,000-rupee notes through demonetisation, impacted cash-based businesses and threatened India’s economy. In other words, he took the risk to refresh the Indian economy for the future to come. Followed by goods and services tax (GST), the Indian business community and the industry at-large felt the turbulence with the implementation initially. However, the people of India have accepted his style of governance and politics as he was voted back as their Prime Minister in 2019. Before the votes were cast for 2019 Lok Sabha election, the general speculation was that BJP may emerge as a single largest party and an unstable coalition will be formed, implying that India will become weak and vulnerable. That danger has now been warded off and, irrespective of politics; India will have a rock-like stable government. That is, perhaps, the biggest achievement of this election. Also in the poll-2019 people voted in the name of Modi and nobody took the name of BJP. One may say that Modi has grown taller than the party. In a stunning landslide win, when normally facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 11

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi meeting the President of Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin, in New Delhi. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic an incumbent PM faces India's 'Grand Old Party' has The first time voter has some dissatisfaction at the been virtually confined to obviously gravitated towards end of his term, it was not so Kerala, Punjab, and piggy- Modi, and this is significant with Narendra Modi. backing on DMK's popularity since the median age in India in Tamil Nadu. It could not in 2020 is going to 29 years. With BJP hovering around stem the Modi effect even in A BJP sweep in Madhya the 300-mark on its own, states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan – the India is set to enter an era of Pradesh and Chattisgarh — two key heartland states, one-party dominance, with it had won only six months which the Congress won BJP occupying the position ago. Congress, as it exists five months ago — and once held by Congress. today, has shown no match Karnataka, where it trounced That will have its spin-off for Modi's BJP, either in its Congress-JD(S) alliance, may effect on the country's leadership or its organisation, have implications for the politics, governance, social planning, strategy and hard stability of the governments dynamics and constitutional work required to counter in these states. functioning in the months to its opponents. BJP's hold come. Congress's decline on the north and west India There have been various remains unabated and Smriti is near complete while the critical interpretations also Irani's unseating of Congress party made impressive of the win of Modi led BJP. President Rahul Gandhi in gains in the east, BJP-JD(U) Columnist and a fellow the Nehru-Gandhi family's chemistry has worked with at Observer Research long-held fiefdom of Amethi Modi Magic and Nitish Foundation Mihir Swarup is only straw in the wind to Kumar's popularity amongst Sharma said that BJP has indicate what ails the party; women voters and extremely taken the national pole but also the changing mood backward castes yielding position in most state of India. rich dividends for NDA. polities and Congress has 12 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD Mehta, wrote that the COVER STORY 2019 Indian election can “lost because it has lost the be analysed in two words: side, and a weak image of ideological argument” about Narendra Modi. a conglomeration of forces the “Idea of India”. Sharma unsure of themselves and writes Congress’ ideas have He pointed out that the the future with conflicting been replaced by the Sangh verdict was “the greatest ideologies and programs on and Modi’s conception of concentration of power in the other. India as “essentially Hindu; modern Indian history” and India is a unitary civilisation, hence it “is also a moment of The Modified divided by the vestiges of dread for Indian democracy.” Government- countless invasions… and in Mehta cautioned, “But Second Term order to be strong, it must let us be clear: Modi has embrace its Hindu identity not won because of his The first major steps taken and be united in mind.” economic success; he has by Modi government in its won despite his economic two months old second Assistant Professor of failures.” He added, “In tenure are related to Triple Political Science at Ashoka ideological terms, it is a Talaq bill, attempt to bring in University Gilles Verniers victory for majoritarianism, a simultaneous polls for centre and political scientist desire to openly marginalise and states, and the new Christophe Jaffrelot termed minorities and assert the budget for 2019-20. the last decade as a “return cultural hegemony of of the savarn (upper caste) Hindutva.” Mehta ended by As for Triple Talaq bill, there – and the erosion of OBC saying, “This is also, finally, a can be no denying that representation – along victory of the politics of fear instant triple talaq and Halala with the rise of the BJP.” and hate.” Criticisms apart, it practices among certain They say the BJP received cannot be denied that Modi- sections of the Muslims the “support of the savarn, return has been emphatic need to be banned. Quran precisely to contain the rise both due a strong leadership never validated these and of OBCs.” image with nationalistic many sects of Muslims call fervour flowing high on one these as Haram. Vice-chancellor of Ashoka University, Pratap Bhanu Prime Minister, Narendra Modi handing over Chaadar to be offered at NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic Dargah Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmer Sharif to the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, in New Delhi. July-August 2019 13 facebook.com/britishherald

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the jawans of the Indian Army and ITBP. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic From that perspective, the once earlier, Modi has again backed 'one nation, one poll' Modi government's attempt raised his voice, arguing as an antidote to keeping to socially reform Muslim that “frequent elections the country perennially marital practices through impede governance and in election mode. Such law is well attempted. But development,” results in a an exercise would, it said, critics also point out that drag on public exchequer save public money, help jailing Muslim men on instant and gives rise to “election reduce the burden on the triple talaq will force them fatigue” that is harmful to administrative setup and to desert families without democracy. However, from security forces and ensure divorce or their jailing will Rahul to Mamata, Mayawati better implementation of make the families go without to Naidu, Stalin to Akhilesh, government policies. It also any succour. the most prominent leaders noted that to legitimise the of the opposition parties switch-back to the 1952 The Prime Minister, boycotted the meeting conduct of simultaneous Narendra Modi, on being making their stand clear on polls, Article 172 of the elected a second time this issue. However, the PM Constitution needs to be with a thumping majority, has formed a committee to amended. has identified One Nation look into the feasibility of One Poll or simultaneous this, and it will be one of the As for the budget, there is elections for the nation flash-points in Indian politics a mixed reaction. Finance and the states as his first ahead. The Law Commission Minister Nirmala Sitharaman priority and had called for before the general elections, presented the first Union an all-party meeting. As in its draft report, had Budget of the re-elected 14 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD The budget also notes, COVER STORY inter alia, govt is mulling Modi government. She also organizing an annual global rural family, except those became only the second investors' meet in India; it will unwilling to take connection, women in the history of create a payment platform will have an electricity, LPG independent India to present for MSMEs to enable filing connection by 2022; FPI the Union Budget. *India of bills and payment on investment limit increased will become a $3 trillion the platform itself; pension from 24 per cent to sectoral economy in the current benefit to be extended FDI investment limits; Credit fiscal year, and a $5 trillion to around 3 crore retail Guarantee Enhancement economy in the next few traders and shopkeepers Corp will be set up in 2019- years. The highlights of with an annual turnover of 20, action plan to deepen the budget include these: less than 1.5 crores under markets for long-term India to invest heavily in Pradhan Mantri Karam bonds with specific focus infrastructure and job Yogi Man Dhan Scheme; on infra sector to be put creation; the government govt to soon announce in place; and NRI portfolio will carry out a restructuring a package for power route to be merged with FPI of highway building. sector; comprehensive for seamless investment Programme to ensure restructuring of National in stock markets. The govt enough capacity is created; Highways Programme proposes to initiate steps Railway infrastructure will to ensure the creation of for an electronic fundraising need an investment of $72 National Highways Grid of programme for a listing billion between 2018 and desirable capacity and govt of social enterprises, 2030; India will enter into to liberalise FDI in aviation, voluntary organisations; aircraft financing and leasing media, animation and it proposes rationalising activities; model tenancy insurance intermediaries. and streamlining of KYC law will be finalised and norms for Foreign Portfolio circulated to states, and Modi 2.0 first budget also Investors to make it investor- 100% FDI will be permitted notes that every single friendly. for insurance intermediary. Govt also proposes to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi meeting the President of the NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic Republic of South Korea, Mr. Moon Jae-in, in Seoul, South Korea. July-August 2019 15 facebook.com/britishherald

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, in Osaka, Japan. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic upgrade 1,25,000 KM enable 50,000 artisans to India's independence from of roads under Phase III come into the economic the British Empire. Pradhan Gram Sadak Yojana value chain. To harness at an estimated cost of Rs India's space ability Governance: 80,250 crore; it proposes commercially, New Space Pradhan Mantri Matsya India Limited (NSIL) has His first year as Prime Sampada Yojana to address been incorporated to tap the Minister saw significant critical infrastructure gap in benefits of ISRO centralisation of power the fisheries sector; and also relative to previous proposes setting up 1.95 Critics have, however, noted administrations. Modi's crore houses under Pradhan that enough and more have efforts at centralisation have Mantri Awas Yojna (Rural). not been done for mitigating been linked to an increase acute farm distress and in the number of senior Provision of safe drinking rampant joblessness in the administration officials water for every citizen is Indian society today. resigning their positions. the priority of this govt, and Initially lacking a majority in hence it is working towards Major highlights of the Rajya Sabha, or upper 'Har Ghar Jal' by 2024. PM’s First Tenure house of Indian Parliament, Govt proposes to expand Modi passed a number of Swachch Bharat to include Modi was sworn in as the ordinances to enact his solid waste management in Prime Minister of India on 26 policies, leading to further every village. May 2014. He became the centralisation of power. first Prime Minister born after Around 100 new clusters In December 2014 Modi will be set up in 2019-20 to www.britishherald.com 16 July-August 2019

BRITISH HERALD year of the administration. COVER STORY The investigations, on abolished the Planning the grounds that these scheme to provide free Commission, replacing it with organizations were slowing LPG connection to rural the National Institution for economic growth, was households. The scheme Transforming India, or NITI criticized as a witch-hunt. led to an increase in LPG Aayog. The move had the consumption by 56% in 2019 effect of greatly centralising Modi repealed 1,200 as compared to 2014. In the power previously with obsolete laws in first three 2019, a law was passed to the planning commission years as Prime Minister; a provide a 10% reservation in the person of the Prime total of 1,301 such laws had to Economically weaker Minister. The planning been repealed by previous sections. commission had received governments over a span heavy criticism in previous of 64 years. He started a Economy: years for creating inefficiency monthly radio programme in the government, and titled \"Mann Ki Baat\" on 3 The economic policies of of not filling its role of October 2014. Modi also PM Modi's first government improving social welfare: launched the Digital India focused on privatisation however, since the programme, with the goal of and liberalisation of the economic liberalisation of ensuring that government economy, based on a the 1990s, it had been the services are available neoliberal framework. Modi major government body electronically, building liberalised India's foreign responsible for measures infrastructure to provide direct investment policies, related to social justice. high-speed Internet access allowing more foreign to rural areas, boosting investment in several The Modi government manufacturing of electronic industries, including in launched investigations goods in the country, and defence and the railways. by the Intelligence Bureau promoting digital literacy. Other proposed reforms against numerous civil included making it harder society organizations and Modi launched Ujjwala for workers to form unions foreign non-governmental and easier for employers to organizations in the first President, Ram Nath Kovind administering the oath of office of the Prime Minister to NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic Narendra Modi, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 17

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the leaders of BRICS nations, in Osaka, Japan. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic hire and fire them, though programme, declined by Modi's administration some of these proposals 22%. The government also passed a land-reform bill were dropped after protests. lowered corporate taxes, that allowed it to acquire Even the Bharatiya Mazdoor abolished the wealth tax, private agricultural land Sangh, a constituent of the increased sales taxes, and without conducting a social Sangh Parivar, stated that reduced customs duties impact assessment, and the underlying motivation on gold, and jewellery. In without the consent of of labour reforms favoured October 2014, the Modi the farmers who owned it. corporations over labourers. government deregulated The bill was passed via an diesel prices turning it to executive order after it faced The funds dedicated market forces. opposition in parliament but to poverty reduction was eventually allowed to programmes and social In September 2014, Modi lapse. Modi's government welfare measures were introduced the Make in put in place the Goods and greatly decreased by the India initiative to encourage Services Tax, the biggest tax Modi administration. The foreign companies to reform in the country since money spent on social manufacture products independence. It subsumed programmes declined from in India, with the goal of around 17 different taxes and 14.6% of GDP during the turning the country into a became effective from 1 July Congress government to global manufacturing hub. 2017. 12.6% during Modi's first year Supporters of economic in office. Spending on health liberalisation supported In his first cabinet decision, and family welfare declined the initiative, while critics Modi set up a team to by 15%, and on primary and argued it would allow foreign investigate black money. secondary education by 16%. corporations to capture a Later, on 9 November The budgetary allocation for greater share of the Indian 2016, the government the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, market. demonetised ₹500 and or the \"education for all\" ₹1000 banknotes, with the 18 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD was attributed to the 2016 COVER STORY demonetization, and to the stated intention of curbing effects of the Goods and in the previous year. corruption, black money, the Services Tax. use of counterfeit currency, Some 15 national health and terrorism. The move led Healthcare: programmes, including to severe cash shortages, a those aimed at controlling steep decline in the Indian In his first year as Prime tobacco use and supporting stock indices BSE SENSEX Minister, Modi reduced healthcare for the elderly, and NIFTY 50. However, the amount of money were merged with the in the subsequent year, spent by the central National Health Mission. In the number of income tax government on healthcare. its budget for the second returns filed for individuals The Modi government year after it took office, the rose by 25%, and the number launched the New Health Modi government reduced of digital transactions Policy (NHP) in January healthcare spending by increased steeply. 2015. The policy did not 15%, while the healthcare increase the government's budget for the following year Over the first four years of spending on healthcare, rose by 19%. The budget Modi's premiership, India's instead emphasizing the was viewed positively by GDP grew at an average role of private healthcare private insurance providers. rate of 7.23%, higher than organisations. The National The healthcare budget the rate of 6.39% under the Health Mission, which rose by 11.5% in 2018; previous government. The included public health the change included an level of income inequality programmes targeted at allocation of 2000 crore for a increased, while an internal these indices received nearly government-funded health government report said that 20% fewer funds in 2015 than insurance program, named in 2017, unemployment had Ayushmann Bharat, and a increased to its highest level decrease in the budget of in 45 years. The loss of jobs the National Health Mission. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the President of the Argentine NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic Republic, Mr. Mauricio Macri, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. July-August 2019 19 facebook.com/britishherald

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the inauguration of the “Parakram Parv”, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic The government introduced announced plans to build election campaign and did stricter packaging laws for new sewage treatment not feature prominently in tobacco, which requires plants. the BJP's election manifesto. 85% of the packet size to Modi invited all the other be covered by pictorial The construction projects leaders of SAARC countries warnings. PM Modi's have faced allegations of to his swearing-in ceremony Ayushman Bharat Yojana, corruption, and have faced as Prime Minister. He was the a government health severe difficulty in getting first Indian Prime Minister to insurance scheme intended people to use the toilets do so. to insure 500 million people, constructed for them. had 100,000 people signing Sanitation cover in the Modi's foreign policy, up by October 2018. country increased from 38.7% similarly to that of the in October 2014 to 84.1% in preceding INC government, Modi emphasised his May 2018, a major success of focused on improving government's efforts at Modi government; however, economic ties, security, sanitation as a means of usage of the new sanitary and regional relations. Modi ensuring good health. On 2 facilities lagged behind continued Manmohan October 2014, Modi launched the government's targets. Singh's policy of \"multi- the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan In 2018, the World Health alignment.\" The Modi (\"Clean India\") campaign. The Organization stated that at administration tried to stated goals of the campaign least 180,000 diarrhoeal attract foreign investment included eliminating open deaths were averted in rural in the Indian economy from defecation and manual India after the launch of the several sources, especially scavenging within five years. sanitation effort. in East Asia, with the use As part of the programme, of slogans such as \"Make the Indian government Foreign policy: in India\" and \"Digital India\". began constructing millions The government also tried of toilets in rural areas and Foreign policy played a to improve relations with encouraging people to use relatively small role in Modi's Islamic nations in the Middle them. The government also East, such as Bahrain, Iran, 20 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD ratified a land exchange COVER STORY deal with Bangladesh about Saudi Arabia, and the United the India–Bangladesh under Modi. The military Arab Emirates, as well as enclaves, which had been budget declined over Modi's with Israel. initiated by the government tenure both as a fraction of Manmohan Singh. Modi's of GDP and when adjusted During the first few months administration gave renewed for inflation. A substantial after the election, Modi attention to India's \"Look East portion of the military budget made trips to a number of Policy\", instituted in 1991. was devoted to personnel countries to further the goals The policy was renamed costs, leading commentators of his policy and attended the \"Act East Policy\", and to write that the budget was the BRICS, ASEAN, and G20 involved directing Indian constraining Indian military summits. One of Modi's first foreign policy towards East modernization. visits as Prime Minister was Asia and Southeast Asia. to Nepal, during which he The government signed The BJP election manifesto promised a billion USD in agreements to improve had also promised to deal aid. Modi also made several land connectivity with with illegal immigration into overtures to the United Myanmar, through the state India in the Northeast, as States, including multiple of Manipur. This represented well as to be more firm in its visits to that country. While a break with India's historic handling of insurgent groups. this was described as an engagement with Myanmar, The Modi government unexpected development, which prioritised border issued a notification allowing due to the US having security over trade. Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist previously denied Modi illegal immigrants from a travel visa over his role Defence policy: Pakistan and Bangladesh during the 2002 Gujarat to legalise their residency riots, it was also expected to India's nominal military in India. The government strengthen diplomatic and spending increased steadily described the measure as trade relations between the being taken for humanitarian two countries. reasons but it drew criticism from several Assamese In 2015, the Indian parliament Prime Minister, Narendra Modi greets Xi Jinping in New Delhi NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 21

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi laying wreath on the mortal remains of the martyred CRPF Jawans, at Palam airport, in New Delhi. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic organisations. Further military skirmishes received. The government followed, including cross- also tried to reconstitute the Modi promised to be border shelling and the loss Wildlife board such that it no \"tough on Pakistan\" during of an Indian aircraft. longer had representatives his election campaign from non-governmental and repeatedly stated Environmental organisations: however, this that Pakistan was an policy: move was prevented by the exporter of terrorism. On Supreme Court. 29 September 2016, the In naming his cabinet, Modi Indian Army stated that it renamed the \"Ministry of Modi also relaxed or had conducted a surgical Environment and Forests\" abolished a number of other strike on terror launchpads the \"Ministry of Environment, environmental regulations, in Azad Kashmir. The Indian Forests, and Climate particularly those related media claimed that up to Change.\" In the first budget to industrial activity. A 50 terrorists and Pakistani of the government, the government committee soldiers had been killed in money allotted to this stated that the existing the strike. Pakistan initially ministry was reduced by system only served to denied that any strikes had more than 50%. The new create corruption and that taken place. Subsequent ministry also removed or the government should reports suggested that diluted a number of laws instead rely on the owners Indian claim about the related to environmental of industries to voluntarily scope of the strike and the protection. These included inform the government number of casualties had no longer requiring about the pollution they been exaggerated, although clearance from the National were creating. Other cross-border strikes had Board for Wildlife for changes included reducing been carried out. In February projects close to protected ministry oversight on small 2019 India carried out areas, and allowing certain mining projects, and no airstrikes in Pakistan against projects to proceed before longer requiring approval Balakot terrorist camp in the environmental clearance was from tribal councils for aftermath of the killing of projects inside forested CRPF jawans in Pulwama. areas. In addition, Modi 22 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD Modi as the first COVER STORY time PM lifted a moratorium on of GDP growth in Gujarat. new industrial activity in Much before becoming Modi projected himself as the most polluted areas the Prime Minister of India, a person who could bring in the countries. The in September 2013 Modi about \"development\". His changes were welcomed was named the BJP's PM message found support by businesspeople, candidate in the 2014 Lok among young Indians and but criticised by Sabha election. Modi played among middle-class citizens. environmentalists. a dominant role in the The BJP under Modi was BJP's election campaign. able to downplay concerns Under the UPA government Several people who voted about the protection of that preceded Modi's for the BJP stated that if religious minorities and administration, field trials of Modi had not been the Modi's commitment Genetically Modified (GM) prime ministerial candidate, to secularism, areas in crops had essentially been they would have voted for which he had previously put on hold, after protests another party. The focus on received criticism. Prior to from farmers fearing for Modi as an individual was the election, Modi's image their livelihoods. Under the unusual for a BJP election in the media had centred Modi government, these campaign. The election was around his role in the 2002 restrictions were gradually described as a referendum Gujarat riots, but during lifted. The government on Narendra Modi. the campaign, the BJP was received some criticism for able to shift this focus to freezing the bank accounts During the campaign, Modi Modi's neoliberal ideology of environmental group focused on the corruption and the Gujarat model of Greenpeace, citing financial scandals under the previous development. In addition irregularities, although a INC government and played to more conventional leaked government report on his image as a politician campaign methods, Modi said that the freeze had who had created a high rate made extensive use of to do with Greenpeace's social media and addressed opposition to GM crops. more than 1000 rallies via Prime Minister, Narendra Modi practising Yoga in a Mass Yoga Demonstration, on NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic the occasion of the 5th International Day of Yoga 2019, at Ranchi, Jharkhand. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 23

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressing at the presentation of the Gandhi Peace Prize for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic hologram appearances. from progressive parties and and poor administration were towards the right-wing. made and Patel's standing The BJP won 31% of the vote, had been damaged by his and more than doubled its Modi's tweet announcing administration's handling tally in the Lok Sabha to 282, his victory was described of the earthquake in Bhuj in becoming the first party to as being emblematic of the 2001. win a majority of seats on political realignment away its own since 1984. Voter from a secular, socialist The BJP national leadership dissatisfaction with the INC, state towards capitalism and sought a new candidate for as well as with regional Hindu cultural nationalism. the Chief Ministership and parties in North India, was Modi, who had expressed another reason for the Major highlights as misgivings about Patel's success of the BJP, as was CM of Gujarat administration, was chosen the support from the RSS. as a replacement. Although From late 2001 to early 2014, BJP leader LK Advani did In states such as Uttar Narendra Modi served as the not want to ostracise Patel Pradesh in which the BJP Chief Minister of Gujarat. and was concerned about performed well, it drew Modi's lack of experience in exceptionally high support Taking office: government, Modi declined from upper-caste Hindus. It an offer to be Patel's deputy performed particularly well In 2001, Keshubhai Patel's Chief Minister, telling Advani in parts of the country that health was failing and and Atal Bihari Vajpayee that had recently experienced the BJP lost a few state he was \"going to be fully violence between Hindus assembly seats in by- responsible for Gujarat or not and Muslims. The magnitude elections. Allegations of at all\". On 3 October 2001, of the BJP's victory led many abuse of power, corruption he replaced Patel as Chief commentators to say that Minister of Gujarat, with the the election constituted a responsibility of preparing political realignment away 24 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD The Modi government COVER STORY imposed a curfew in 26 the BJP for the December major cities, issued shoot- 2002 election: 2002 elections. at-sight orders and called for the army to patrol the In the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots: streets, but was unable to violence, there were prevent the violence from widespread calls for Modi to On 27 February 2002, a escalating. State officials resign as Chief Minister from train with several hundred later prevented riot victims within and outside the state, passengers burned near from leaving the refugee including from leaders of the Godhra, killing approximately camps, and the camps were Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 60 people. The train carried often unable to meet the and the Telugu Desam a large number of Hindu needs of those living there. Party (allies in the BJP-led pilgrims returning from National Democratic Alliance Ayodhya after a religious In March 2008, the Supreme coalition), and opposition ceremony at the site of the Court reopened several parties stalled Parliament demolished Babri Masjid. cases related to the 2002 over the issue. Modi riots, including that of the submitted his resignation at Riots began during the Gulbarg Society massacre, the April 2002 BJP national bandh, and anti-Muslim and established a Special executive meeting in Goa, violence spread through Investigation Team (SIT) to but it was not accepted. His Gujarat. The government's look into the issue. In April cabinet had an emergency decision to move the bodies 2009 the court also asked meeting on 19 July 2002, of the train victims from the SIT to investigate the after which it offered its Godhra to Ahmedabad issue of Modi's complicity resignation to the Gujarat further inflamed the in the killings. The SIT Governor S. S. Bhandari, violence. The state questioned Modi in March and the state assembly was government stated later that 2010; in May, it presented to dissolved. 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus the court a report finding no were killed. evidence against him. In the Dec 2002 elections, the BJP won 127 seats in the 182-member assembly. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi interacting with the NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic winners of Rashtriya Bal Puraskar - 2019, in New Delhi. July-August 2019 25 facebook.com/britishherald

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the NCC Rally, in New Delhi. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic He won the Maninagar Modi's relationship with During the run-up to the constituency, receiving Muslims continued to 2007 assembly elections 113,589 of 154,981 votes and attract criticism. Questions and the 2009 general defeating INC candidate about Modi's relationship election, the BJP intensified Yatin Oza by 75,333 votes. with Muslims were also its rhetoric on terrorism. In raised by many Western July 2006, Modi criticised Second term: nations during his tenure Prime Minister Manmohan as Chief Minister. Modi was Singh \" for his reluctance to During Modi's second barred from entering the revive anti-terror legislation\" term the rhetoric of the United States by the State such as the 2002 Prevention government shifted from Department, in accordance of Terrorism Act. He asked Hindutva to Gujarat's with the recommendations the national government to economic development. of the Commission on allow states to invoke more Modi curtailed the International Religious stringent laws in the wake influence of Sangh Parivar Freedom formed under the of the 2006 Mumbai train organisations such as the aegis of the International bombings. In 2007 Modi Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Religious Freedom Act. The authored Karmayog, a 101- (BKS) and the Vishva Hindu UK and the European Union page booklet discussing Parishad (VHP). Sangh refused to admit him. As manual scavenging. In it, organisations were no longer Modi rose to prominence Modi argued that scavenging consulted or informed in India, the UK and the was a \"spiritual experience\" in advance about Modi's EU lifted their bans in for Valmiks, a sub-caste of administrative decisions. October 2012 and March Dalits. After the November Nonetheless, Modi retained 2013, respectively, and 2008 Mumbai attacks, Modi connections with some after his election, as Prime held a meeting to discuss Hindu nationalists. Minister, he was invited to the security of Gujarat's Washington. 1,600-kilometre (990 mi)- long coastline, resulting in 26 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD technology parks in Gujarat COVER STORY and during the 2007 Vibrant government authorisation of Gujarat summit, real-estate growing at an average rate 30 high-speed surveillance investment deals worth ₹6.6 of 9.6 percent from 2001 boats. In July 2007 trillion were signed. to 2007. Public irrigation Modi completed 2,063 measures in central and consecutive days as Chief The governments led by southern Gujarat, such as the Minister of Gujarat, making Patel and Modi supported Sardar Sarovar Dam, were him the longest-serving NGOs and communities in less successful. holder of that post, and the the creation of groundwater- BJP won 122 of 182 state- conservation projects. By The Sardar Sarovar project assembly seats in that year's December 2008, 500,000 only irrigated 4–6% of the election. structures had been built, area intended. Nonetheless, of which 113,738 were from 2001 to 2010 Gujarat Development check dams, which helped recorded an agricultural projects: recharge the aquifers growth rate of 10.97 percent beneath them. Sixty of – the highest of any state. In As Chief Minister, Modi the 112 tehsils which had 2008 Modi offered land in favoured privatisation depleted the water table Gujarat to Tata Motors to set and small government, in 2004 had regained up a plant manufacturing which was at odds with their normal groundwater the Nano after a popular the philosophy of the RSS, levels by 2010. As a result, agitation had forced the usually described as anti- the state's production of company to move out of privatisation and anti- genetically modified cotton West Bengal. Several other globalisation. His policies increased to become the companies followed the during his second term have largest in India. The boom Tata's to Gujarat. been credited with reducing in cotton production and its corruption in the state. He semi-arid land use led to The Modi government established financial and Gujarat's agricultural sector finished the process of bringing electricity to every village in Gujarat that its Prime Minister, Narendra Modi pays tribute to NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic soldiers at National War Memorial, in New Delhi. July-August 2019 27 facebook.com/britishherald

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi interacting with the people, at the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk, in New Delhi. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic predecessor had almost of Gujarat's economic Gujarat's economic growth completed. Modi significantly development during Modi's was frequently used as changed the state's system tenure as Chief Minister. an argument to counter of power distribution, greatly The state's GDP growth rate allegations of communalism. impacting farmers. Gujarat averaged 10% during Modi's Tax breaks for businesses expanded the Jyotigram tenure, a value similar to were easier to obtain in Yojana scheme, in which other highly industrialised Gujarat than in other states, agricultural electricity was states, and above that of as was land. Modi's policies separated from other rural the country as a whole. to make Gujarat attractive electricity; the agricultural Under Modi, Gujarat topped for investment included the electricity was rationed the World Bank's \"ease of creation of Special Economic to fit scheduled irrigation doing business\" rankings Zones, where labour laws demands, reducing its cost. among Indian states for two were greatly weakened. Although early protests consecutive years. by farmers ended when Despite its growth rate, those who benefited found In 2013, Gujarat was ranked Gujarat had a relatively that their electricity supply first among Indian states poor record on human had stabilised, according for \"economic freedom\" development, poverty relief, to an assessment study by a report measuring nutrition and education corporations and large governance, growth, during Modi's tenure. farmers benefited from the citizens' rights and labour The social policies of the policy at the expense of and business regulation government generally did small farmers and labourers. among the country's 20 not benefit Muslims, Dalits, largest states. In the later and Adivasis, and generally A contentious debate years of Modi's government, increased social inequalities. surrounds the assessment 28 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD to a family of grocers in COVER STORY Vadnagar, Mehsana district, Development in Gujarat Bombay State (present- teacher described him as was generally limited to day Gujarat). He was the an average student and a the urban middle class, third of six children born keen debater, with interest and citizens in rural areas to Damodardas Mulchand in theatre. Modi had an or from lower castes were Modi (1915–1989) and early gift for rhetoric in increasingly marginalised. Hiraben Modi (born 1920). debates, and his teachers In 2013 the state ranked Modi's family belonged and classmates noted this. 10th of 21 Indian states in to the Modh-Ghanchi-Teli Modi preferred playing the Human Development (oil-presser) community, larger-than-life characters in Index. Under Modi, the state which is categorised as an theatrical productions, which government spent far less Other Backward Class by the has influenced his political than the national average on Indian government. image. education and healthcare. As a child, Modi helped When eight years old, Modi The early life of his father sell tea at the discovered the Rashtriya Narendra Modi Vadnagar railway station Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) prior to electoral and said that he later ran and began attending its politics a tea stall with his brother local shakhas (training near a bus terminus. Modi sessions). There, Modi met Narendra Modi was born completed his higher Lakshmanrao Inamdar, on 17 September 1950 secondary education in popularly known as Vakil Vadnagar in 1967, where a Saheb, who inducted him as a balswayamsevak (junior cadet) in the RSS and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the President of the Republic of South Africa, NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 29

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the other leaders, at the ASEAN-India Informal Breakfast Summit, in Singapore. NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic became his political mentor. containing profiles of various working under Inamdar. While Modi was training with RSS leaders. The longest In 1978 Modi received a the RSS, he also met Vasant was of M. S. Golwalkar, Bachelor of Arts degree Gajendragadkar and Nathalal under whose leadership the in political science from Jaghda, Bharatiya Jana RSS expanded and whom School of Open Learning at Sangh leaders who were Modi refers to as Pujniya University of Delhi. Five years founding members of the Shri Guruji (\"Guru worthy later, in 1983, he received BJP's Gujarat unit in 1980. of worship\"). According to a Master of Arts degree in The Economic Times, his political science from Gujarat A vegetarian and teetotaler, intention was to explain the University, as an external Modi is a workaholic and workings of the RSS to his distance learning student. introvert. Modi's 31 August readers and to reassure RSS 2012 post on Google members that he remained Modi became an RSS Hangouts made him the first ideologically aligned with sambhag pracharak Indian politician to interact them. Modi authored (regional organiser) in 1978, with citizens on a live chat. eight other books, mostly overseeing RSS activities Modi has also been called a containing short stories for in the areas of Surat and fashion-icon for his signature children. Vadodara, and in 1979 he crisply ironed, half-sleeved went to work for the RSS in kurta, as well as for a suit In interviews, Modi has Delhi, where he was put to with his name embroidered described visiting Hindu work researching and writing repeatedly in the pinstripes ashrams founded by Swami the RSS's version of the that he wore during a state Vivekananda: the Belur Math history of the Emergency. visit by US President Barack near Kolkata, followed by the He returned to Gujarat a Obama, which drew public Advaita Ashrama in Almora short while later and was and media attention and and the Ramakrishna Mission assigned by the RSS to the criticism. Modi's personality in Rajkot. Vivekananda has BJP in 1985. In 1987 Modi has been variously described been described as a large helped organise the BJP's by scholars and biographers influence in Modi's life. campaign in the Ahmedabad as energetic, arrogant and municipal election, which charismatic. After the Indo-Pakistani the BJP won comfortably; War of 1971, he became Modi's planning has been He had published a Gujarati a full-time pracharak described as the reason for book titled Jyotipunj in 2008, (campaigner) for the RSS, that result by biographers. 30 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD Modi returned to electoral COVER STORY politics in 1994, partly at the After L. K. Advani became insistence of Advani, and promoted to BJP general president of the BJP in 1986, as party secretary, Modi's secretary (organisation) in the RSS decided to place electoral strategy was May of that year. From this, its members in important considered central to the he moved on to be Gujarat positions within the BJP; BJP victory in the 1995 state Chief Minister in 2001 when Modi's work during the assembly elections. Keshubhai Patel government Ahmedabad election led to was in the doldrums. his selection for this role, and In November of that Modi was elected organising year, Modi was elected Awards and secretary of the BJP's Gujarat BJP national secretary Recognitions unit later in 1987. and transferred to New Delhi, where he assumed As a Prime Minister, Modi Modi rose within the party responsibility for party has received consistently and was named a member activities in Haryana and high approval ratings; at of the BJP's National Election Himachal Pradesh. Modi, the end of his first year in Committee in 1990, helping on the selection committee office, he received an overall organise L. K. Advani's 1990 for the 1998 Assembly approval rating of 87% in Ram Rath Yatra in 1990 elections in Gujarat, favoured a Pew Research poll, with and Murli Manohar Joshi's supporters of BJP leader 68% of people rating him 1991–92 Ekta Yatra (Journey Keshubhai Patel over those \"very favourably\" and 93% for Unity). However, he took supporting Vaghela to end approving of his government. a brief break from politics in factional division in the party. His approval rating remained 1992, instead of establishing His strategy was credited as largely consistent at around a school in Ahmedabad; key to the BJP winning an 74% through his second friction with Shankersingh overall majority in the 1998 year in office, according to a Vaghela, a BJP MP from elections, and Modi was nationwide poll conducted Gujarat at the time, also by instaVaani. played a part in this decision. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi meeting the President of Maldives, NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. July-August 2019 31 facebook.com/britishherald

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic At the end of his second year Narendra Modi addressing the UN General Assembly in office, an updated Pew Research poll showed Modi www.britishherald.com continued to receive high overall approval ratings of 81%, with 57% of those polled rating him \"very favourably.\" At the end of his third year in office, a further Pew Research poll showed Modi with an overall approval rating of 88%, his highest yet, with 69% of people polled rating him \"very favourably.\" A poll conducted by The Times of India in May 2017 showed 77% of the respondents rated Modi as \"very good\" and \"good\". In early 2017, a survey from the Pew Research Center showed Modi to be the most popular figure in Indian politics. Modi was named the Best Chief Minister in a 2007 nationwide survey by India Today. In March 2012, he appeared on the cover of the Asian edition of Time 32 July-August 2019

BRITISH HERALD COVER STORY Narendra Modi witnessing the Naval show - Air show aboard INS Vikramaditya Magazine, one of the few Association (GIA) conducted on environmental action\". NARENDRA MODI Decoding Modi Magic Indian politicians to have a poll and ranked Modi as He was conferred with done so. He was awarded third top leader of the world. the 2018 Seoul Peace Indian of the Year by CNN- In 2016, a wax statue of Modi Prize in recognition of his IBN news network in 2014. was unveiled at Madame dedication to improving In 2014, 2015 and 2017, he Tussaud Wax Museum in international cooperation, was named one of Time London. raising global economic magazine's 100 Most growth, accelerating the Influential People in the In 2015 he was named one Human Development of the World. He was also declared of Time's \"30 Most Influential people of India by fostering the winner of the Time People on the Internet\" as economic growth and magazine reader's poll for the second-most-followed furthering the development Person of the Year in 2014 politician on Twitter and of democracy through and 2016. Forbes Magazine Facebook. In 2018 he was anti-corruption and social ranked him the 15th-Most- the third most followed integration efforts. He is Powerful Person in the World head of the state on Twitter the first Indian to win the in 2014 and the 9th-Most- and the most followed award. Following his second Powerful Person in the World world leader on Facebook swearing-in ceremony as in 2015, 2016 and 2018. In and Instagram. In October Prime Minister of India, 2015, Modi was ranked the 2018, Modi received UN's a picture of Modi was 13th-Most-Influential Person highest environmental displayed on the facade of in the World by Bloomberg award, the 'Champions the ADNOC building in Abu Markets Magazine. Modi of the Earth', for policy Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. was ranked fifth on Fortune leadership by \"pioneering Magazine's first annual list work in championing\" Collated from Various Sources, of the \"World's Greatest the International Solar by Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury Leaders\" in 2015. In 2017, Alliance and \"new areas the Gallup International of levels of cooperation facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 33

BRITISH HERALD INSIDE UK Stowaway falls from plane \"At first I though it was a over London, narrowly missing tramp asleep in the garden. sunbather He had all of his clothes on and everything,\" the neighbor The body of it was to begin with. He was was quoted as saying. a suspected asleep and then there was a stowaway fell huge impact.\" \"I had a closer look and saw hundreds of there was blood all over the meters from a Police said in a statement walls of the garden. His head plane flying over southwest they were called to a home was not in a good way. I London, landing in the after the body was found. A realized immediately that he garden of a man's home, post-mortem examination had fallen.\" just missing him as he is due to be carried out and sunbathed, according to the man has not yet been Kenya Airways said the neighbors. identified. 4,250-mile trip from Nairobi to Heathrow takes eight Police believe the man A bag, water and some food hours and 50 minutes. fell into the property in was found in the landing Clapham from the landing gear compartment of the \"It is unfortunate that a compartment of a Kenya plane after it arrived at person has lost his life by Airways plane as it lowered Heathrow. stowing aboard one of our its wheels on the approach aircraft and we express our to Heathrow Airport. Photographs show the body condolences,\" the airline said landed partly on concrete in a statement. A neighbor, who asked not paving slabs and partly on a to be named, said the body lawn - leaving a crater in the Stowaways have previously landed only three feet (one garden of the house, which landed in trees and on meter) from the resident. is more than 10 miles (15 km) shop roofs in London after from Heathrow. falling on the approach to \"He was so lucky not to be Heathrow. hit and killed. The impact Another neighbor told the obliterated the body,\" the Press Association that he Jose Matada fell to his death neighbor told The Sun heard a \"whomp\" when the in 2012 from a British Airways newspaper. body hit the ground, and flight from Angola. He was went upstairs to look out of a not reported missing and it \"He didn't even realize what window. took six months to identify him. The inquest into his death heard that he endured temperatures of between minus 50 Celsius and minus 60 Celsius and suffered a lack of oxygen before he fell to earth. In 2015, the body of a stowaway on a British Airways flight from Johannesburg to Heathrow landed on a shop in Richmond, southwest London. A second stowaway survived the 10-hour flight and was found in the undercarriage of the plane. 34 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD BUSINESS Uber Eats courts smaller Poland, Portugal and European restaurants Spain. It estimates there with new offer are an additional 120,000 restaurants it can target, on Uber Eats is win more business in Europe, top of 40,000 it currently opening up its where more food is ordered partners with across Europe. platform to more directly from independent restaurants in outlets. It is only trailing the service Europe that prefer in Europe so far after to use their own delivery Uber is investing to build up launching in Britain, Ireland staff, seeking the business its food delivery business, and the Netherlands at the of smaller, independent tripling incentives to Uber start of this year. It said take- restaurants as it battles Just Eats drivers to $291 million up had been \"good\", without Eat and Takeaway.com in a last quarter as revenue elaborating. crowded market. almost doubled, and contributing to a $1 billion Uber Eats is a distant The takeaway food delivery overall loss. challenger in Italy and Spain unit of ride-hailing group and a closer competitor Uber has built its business \"We have a lot of restaurants to Just Eat and Deliveroo by offering a complete range out there that want to do in France and Belgium, of services, including riders, their own delivery,\" Stephane according to usage data first to high-end restaurants Ficaja, Uber Eats' general from computer and mobile that did not offer delivery manager for Western and traffic measurement firm and then expanding to large Southern Europe, told SimilarWeb. chains including Mcdonald's, Reuters. \"We are really Subway and KFC. targeting the more smaller, It is the main global player independent restaurants.\" active in Portugal and a But as the need for scale remote challenger in Poland intensifies to weed out Uber Eats is now rolling out to Takeaway.com's local winners and losers in a $107 the platform-only service brand, Pyszne.pl. billion global market where - which simply connects most players are spending customers to restaurants Platform-only businesses heavily on marketing and still - to 150 towns and cities are more profitable, because loss-making, Uber needs to in Belgium, France, Italy, the delivery provider avoids the costs of logistics facebook.com/britishherald infrastructure and riders. But the market is limited in size. The three-year-old service delivered $8 billion of meals last year, up from $3 billion in 2017, and claims to be the world's largest takeout service outside China. Illustrating the intensity of competition in the food- delivery business, Amazon said last month it would end its U.S. restaurant food delivery service, where its rivals included GrubHub, DoorDash and Uber Eats. Germany's Delivery Hero relinquished its home market to Dutch rival Takeaway.com at the end of last year. July-August 2019 35

BRITISH HERALD BUSINESS Facebook's WhatsApp hires WhatsApp's parent company senior exec from London last week unveiled plans for a remittances startup sources digital currency called Libra, a project that is part of efforts Facebook Inc's WhatsApp has hired a senior executive from to expand from social media London-based money transfer startup WorldRemit, three to e-commerce and cross- people familiar with the matter said. border payments. WorldRemit's chief product officer, Alice Newton-Rex, will WhatsApp is testing the join WhatsApp's product team later this year to work on the app's ability to send payments on messaging service, one of the people said. its platform in India. Newton- Newton-Rex did not respond to requests for comment. Rex will not be working on WhatsApp is one of the world's most popular messaging tools, with payments or Libra, one of more than 1 billion users in over 180 countries. It has been expanding the people said. The persons its team in Europe, including in London. familiar with the matter could A well-known European fintech startup, WorldRemit was founded not speak for attribution in 2010 by Ismail Ahmed, an entrepreneur from Somaliland, to give because the information was consumers an easier and cheaper way to make international money not public. transfers online. The company has 4 million customers and offers Newton-Rex has worked services in 150 countries. It has raised $375 million in funding. at WorldRemit for almost Ahmed led the company as CEO until October, when he was five years, where she held replaced by the former chief executive of Paddy Power Betfair Plc, a number of senior roles Breon Corcoran. in product and design, according to her LinkedIn profile. She previously led the product team for GOV. UK, the online portal for the British government's services, according to WorldRemit's website. Grab raises $300 million from asset manager Invesco to fuel growth Grab has received an weeks after announcing additional $300 million over $4.5 billion of investment from asset funding in Southeast manager Invesco Ltd as Asia's largest round of part of plans by Southeast private financing. Asia's biggest ride-hailing \"We have been closely company to raise $6.5 billion watching Southeast in total capital this year. Asia and have every \"The additional investment confidence in Grab's in Grab takes Invesco's ability to unlock new overall total to $703 million opportunities across on-demand mobility, delivery and financial and re-affirms its belief in services in the region,\" said Justin Leverenz, senior portfolio Grab's vision and plan for the manager at Invesco Emerging Markets. region,\" Grab said. Singapore-headquartered Grab, like its regional rival Go-Jek, has Softbank-backed Grab said been raising billions of dollars to bring ride-hailing, food delivery, in April that it was looking to e-commerce and banking to a populous region with a growing raise another $2 billion this number of consumers that use smartphones to commute, shop and year to ramp up expansion, make payments. 36 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD FINANCE Singapore to allow virtual banks as part of the move to open up market Singapore's central Singapore's banking market Shanmugaratnam said a bank plans to issue is dominated by DBS Group digital full bank will start as up to five digital Holdings Ltd, Oversea- a restricted digital bank to bank licenses to Chinese Banking Corp and build up its business model suitable applicants, United Overseas Bank Ltd. and internal processes, in a move that could deliver Earlier this month, sources and gradually progress to the biggest shake-up in were cited as saying that become a full functioning two decades in a market ride-hailing company Grab is full bank. dominated by local banks. close to hiring a consultancy Hong Kong, Singapore's \"The new digital bank to advise it on its banking fierce financial center rival, licenses mark the next potential and is gearing up to began issuing licenses chapter in Singapore's apply for a digital-only bank earlier this year. banking liberalization license in Singapore. In Hong Kong, affiliates of journey,\" said Tharman Global financial technology Alibaba Group Holding Shanmugaratnam, senior players are among other Ltd and Xiaomi Corp, and minister and chairman of groups expected to seek consortia led by Standard the Monetary Authority of licenses in Singapore, with Chartered PLC and BOC Singapore (MAS). some of them looking to Hong Kong Holdings Ltd \"We welcome firms with form joint ventures. were among those who won innovative value propositions \"The far-reaching effects of the digital-only banking to apply for the digital digitalization are stimulating licenses. bank licenses, even if they a fundamental re-think of The MAS said in a statement have not yet established the role of banks, in most that it will issue up to two a track record in banking,\" advanced financial centers,\" full digital bank licenses to Shanmugaratnam said Shanmugaratnam said. companies headquartered in at an annual event of the \"We are starting with two Singapore and controlled by Association of Banks in digital full bank licenses, Singaporeans. Singapore. so as not to fragment Foreign firms are eligible Asia's non-banking firms are Singapore's small domestic for these licenses if they keen to challenge traditional retail banking market,\" he form a joint venture with a banks by leveraging their said. Singapore company, and technology and their user MAS expects to invite the venture meets the databases to offer banking applications in August. headquarter and control services to retail customers requirements. and small businesses The central bank will also issue up to three digital wholesale bank licenses which will be open to both local and foreign players. Digital wholesale banks will not be allowed to take Singapore deposits from individuals, except for fixed deposits of at least S$250,000 and will be permitted to maintain deposit accounts for corporate and small and medium enterprises. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 37

BRITISH HERALD FINANCE SoftBank-backed Artificial Intelligence (AI) and lender OakNorth business analytics in a bid doubles staff, inks deal to cut costs and improve with NIBC Bank decision making, OakNorth has grown rapidly since the British financial software and justify the February funding round. technology firm 'unicorn' status implied by its OakNorth has multi-billion dollar valuation. The financial technology signed a five-year firm's staffing levels have deal to provide It will see NIBC use nearly doubled from just its credit analysis and OakNorth's technology below 300 in February to monitoring platform to Dutch which it says helps banks 520 today, Khosla said, as lender NIBC Bank NV [NIBC. make better decisions on OakNorth hires software AS], OakNorth said in its first small business loans. developers, credit experts such agreement to be made and product designers. public. More such deals will be announced shortly, He said OakNorth has made OakNorth is Britain's most OakNorth Chief Executive a number of significant hires valuable financial technology Rishi Khosla told, declining from major technology company, having raised to give financial details of the companies in recent weeks $440 million from investors NIBC deal. and is targeting expansion including Japan's SoftBank in the United States, Group in a February funding \"We are engaged with over continental Europe and 'two round that valued the firm at 10 banks from today, and to three' Asian markets. $2.8 billion. behind that there are at least another 10 which we are OakNorth operates two The deal with NIBC bank actively working with,\" he main businesses, a bank is the first enterprise-wide said. in Britain focused on loans agreement to be announced to small and medium- between OakNorth and a Seizing on a growing trend sized businesses, and its bank, as the firm works to for banks worldwide to technology platform which monetize its proprietary invest heavily in technology, it says uses data analytics and AI to help lenders make decisions. The software uses data about a prospective borrower such as the financial performance of its peers and sentiment about its brand from online reviews to help inform lending decisions. OakNorth says such software allows a level of detailed credit analysis normally reserved for loans above 25 million pounds. NIBC listed in Amsterdam in March last year and is known as a mortgage broker and lender to small and medium- sized corporate borrowers in the Netherlands, Germany, Britain and Belgium. 38 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD FINANCE World's central banks tackle locations simultaneously,\" technology with innovation hub BIS Chairman Jens Weidmann said in a Central banks the urgency of coordinating statement following the grappling with regulatory responses to decision to create the hub at fast-changing financial technology trends. a BIS board meeting. financial technology and \"The IT revolution knows no The hub will focus on companies like Facebook borders and therefore has helping central banks to moving into finance will repercussions in multiple \"identify relevant trends aim to work together in technology, supporting more closely through these developments where an innovation hub this is consistent with their approved by the Bank for mandate, and keeping International Settlements. abreast of regulatory requirements with the The BIS said the intention objective of safeguarding of the hub, which will be financial stability,\" he added. based in Basel, Hong Kong and Singapore, is to Basel-based BIS, a central improve the functioning bank umbrella group, has of the global financial already called on politicians system and it will identify to closely scrutinize Big and develop insights Tech's incursion into finance, into trends in technology a move that raises questions affecting central banking. about data privacy, competition, markets and Facebook's plan to banking. expand into payments and launch its own Libra Details about the hub were cryptocurrency were not limited, and the BIS said mentioned in the BIS it was not able to provide statement, but the social details on investment or media giant's move has staffing levels. helped crystallize opinion among central bankers on The Swiss National Bank (SNB), the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Monetary Authority of Singapore have all signed up to support the initiative. SNB Chairman Thomas Jordan said the central bank would step up its efforts in scrutinizing new financial technology. \"The SNB is already keeping very close track of technological innovations in the financial area, and works actively within the central banking community in identifying and assessing relevant developments at an early stage,\" Jordan said. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 39

BRITISH HERALD E-COMMERCE Amazon launches new in-store pickup option with Rite Aid as first partner Amazon.com stores where customers can The service was originally has steadily pick up packages. Patrick launched in the United added options Supanc, world director of Kingdom and Italy with for customers Amazon Hub, said that retailers NEXT, Giunti Al to receive their the locker has spread to Punto Librerie, Fermopoint packages including in car thousands of stores but and SisalPay. Amazon's trunks, inside home garages some retailers do not have Supanc would not comment and potentially by drone. the space to accommodate on the financial details of the a locker. deals or whether Amazon Amazon added another is paying the retailers to alternative for U.S. \"Overall, we want to give participate. customers: Walk into a every Amazon customer nearby retailer and pick up the option of an alternative Supanc said early data from an Amazon package over the delivery location,\" Supanc the European launch has counter. said. \"This will become an shown \"very clear evidence\" extensive network.\" that the increased foot traffic The new option, called from Amazon customers Counter, will launch with Amazon said the service coming into partner stores pharmacy Rite Aid Corp will not cost extra and will increases sales there. offering the service in 100 work with existing shipping stores, with an expansion options such as same-day \"They're being introduced to 1,500 stores by year's service. When a package to Amazon customers, and end, the companies said. arrives at a store, the Amazon customers are Amazon is also looking to customer will get an email getting to know that store. get other retailers, including notification. Once in the That additional footfall into small businesses, to join the store, the customer shows their stores translates into program as it expands. an employee a barcode, and additional sales for those the employee scans it, finds partners,\" he said. The new option builds on the package and hands it Amazon's previous efforts over. In a statement, Jocelyn to put lockers inside retail Konrad, Executive vise president of pharmacy and retail operations at Rite Aid, said the program, along with Amazon's lockers in Rite Aid stores, \"creates a stronger in-store experience for existing customers and new customers that come in to pick up their packages.\" Supanc said that the two companies were \"not sharing any retail data with each other\" and that the effort was focused on delivery experiences and not connected to Amazon's other efforts to get into pharmacy retailing, such as its purchase of startup PillPack last year. 40 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD E-COMMERCE India's Flipkart to replace 40% of its delivery vans with EVs W \"These efforts will help us In a statement dated June meaningfully contribute 27, Flipkart said it is working almart Inc's Indian unit towards electric mobility... with local partners to co- Flipkart said it plans while bringing cost design concepts for EVs to replace nearly 40% efficiencies for the business. best suited for the growing of its current fleet of In this process, we also hope e-commerce industry. delivery vans with to create an ecosystem for electric vehicles (EVs) adoption of electric mobility \"We believe these small by March 2020, as part in India,\" Amitesh Jha, senior but meaningful steps in of its efforts to cut down vice-president of Ekart and this direction will go a on its carbon footprint. Marketplace at Flipkart, said long way in paving the in a statement. way for larger adoption of The Bengaluru-based EVs in the country,\" group ecommerce company Ecommerce companies in Chief Executive Kalyan said it will start with India are also in talks with Krishnamurthy, said. deploying 160 vans the government around by 2019-end. Some of various policies related The electric last-mile these EVs are already to their operations in the delivery vehicles will plying in the country's country. Earlier, Commerce help cut Flipkart's carbon capital of New Delhi. Minister Piyush Goyal met emissions by over 50%, the with ecommerce companies, company added. Flipkart has amped including Flipkart, to talk up its focus on about compliance with new sustainability since its foreign investment rules. $16 billion acquisition by Walmart last year. The company has also expanded its operations at a fast pace as it competes with rival Amazon Inc in India's online sales market. Flipkart's move towards electric vehicles, the first among big online firms in the country, comes as the Indian government is pushing for faster adoption of these to fight pollution. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 41

BRITISH HERALD TECH EVENT Welcome to the Haulio of Fame: Container haulage startup takes top prize at RISE, Asia’s largest technology event in Hong Kong Container haulage saving time and resources are suffering silently from startup Haulio for hauliers. It’s the simplest the inefficiencies. They just has been named and most reliable way for do the same thing over and the winner of businesses to get their over again for years and they PITCH 2019 at containers moved. Haulio don’t change their habits. RISE. comes from PSA unboXed They are so good at what incubator and is now working they do, but it’s a profession PITCH, in partnership with with tens of thousands of built by early generation that Manulife, brings together the containers in Singapore. don’t really understand tech. world’s leading early-stage Industry leaders want to startups for a live onstage “Winning PITCH is validation transform their business but battle. This year around half for our business.” - said co- they don’t know how. There’s of the 777 startups of Asia's founder Alvin Ea. “Containers not many startups in the largest technology event are so big but people don’t logistics industry for cargos.” RISE applied to be part of actually notice them. We’re the competition, with 60 trying to bring to the world “PITCH has helped me hone being selected and given the stage something that is up my pitching skills. It’s opportunity to present at the hidden to many people. a challenge to explain my PITCH stage in front of Asia’s PITCH can help bring our business in 3 minutes! I have top investors. company to the world stage to bring toy trucks, as they and let people know this is a don’t really understand the From Singapore, the problem worth solving. ” business to show them how operating system for it actually works!” container haulage enables “Our speciality is in container containers to move like trucks. There’s a big pain in About Haulio clockwork beyond the port, this industry and workers Haulio is Singapore's largest network of haulage service providers and the simplest & most reliable way for businesses to get their containers moved. A centralized collaborative B2B platform for the Container Haulage Industry, we connect Containers to Customers seamlessly. With more than 70% of Singapore’s hauliers already on the platform, Haulio is Singapore’s largest network of haulage services, giving customers an outreach of more than 2,000 trucks and 20,000 trailers. Incubated by PSA unboXed, Haulio aims to bring value to the various stakeholders within 42 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD TECH EVENT facebook.com/britishherald the Container Haulage space, and lead the industry's digital transformation into Industry 4.0. About RISE According to CNBC, RISE is “the largest technology gathering in Asia”. Now in its fifth year, the event brings together the world’s leading founders, investors, multinationals and the world’s most promising startups to Hong Kong from July 8-11. They’ll be joined by journalists from major global media outlets and thousands of attendees for three days of unparalleled networking potential. About Web Summit Forbes says Web Summit is “the best tech conference on the planet”, Bloomberg calls it “Davos for geeks”, Politico “the Olympics of tech”, and the Guardian “Glastonbury for geeks”, and in the words of Inc Magazine “Web Summit is the largest technology conference in the world”. Whatever Web Summit is, it wouldn’t be possible without an incredible team of over 200 employees based in Dublin, Lisbon, Toronto and Hong Kong; including world class engineers, data scientists, designers, producers, marketers, salespeople and more. They’ve disrupted an old industry by building incredible software and designing mind-blowing events - revolutionising how people and ideas come together to change the world. As one of the world’s largest gatherings of entrepreneurs, investors multinationals and thought leaders - over 120,000 people from more than 170 countries join Web Summit in Lisbon, Collision in Toronto, RISE in Hong Kong. July-August 2019 43

BRITISH HERALD AWARDS France's Mirazur crowned world's best restaurant, Denmark's Noma is No. 2 Mirazur, on the French Riviera, was crowned No.1 at the on the 2019 list at No. 2. In its World's 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony held in previous incarnation, Noma Singapore, lauded for its fresh and seasonal cuisine. won the top title in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. The three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Menton climbed to the top from third last year, replacing Italy's Osteria Spain dominated the top 10 Francescana. list with three restaurants. Asador Etxebarri in Axpe was Mirazur's menu, which includes dishes like salt-crusted beetroot ranked No.3 for showing off from the garden with caviar cream, is inspired by the sea, the simple ingredients by grilling mountains and produce from its own gardens, which cascade over them, while Mugaritz was three levels. seventh and Disfrutar came ninth. Its Argentine-born chef Mauro Colagreco told he felt like he \"was in the sky\" after winning the award, which \"showed the world when Compiled by William Reed you have a dream all is possible\". He and his team accepted the Business Media, the Best prize carrying a banner that combined the flags of Argentina, 50 list is based on the France, Brazil and Italy. experiences of more than 1,000 restaurant industry Launched in 2002, the 50 Best list has grown in prominence to experts around the world. rival the long-established Michelin star system. The ceremony in Singapore is the first to be held in Asia. The only Asian restaurant in the top 10 was Gaggan in After a change in the rules earlier this year, restaurants that Bangkok, Thailand, at No. 4. previously topped the poll will no longer be eligible for the annual Kolkata-born chef Gaggan ranking. Past winners, including Osteria Francescana, joined a newly Anand's playful menu created \"Best of the Best\" category. includes a curry dish that diners are encouraged to lick Ren Redzepi's re-opened Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark, debuted from the plate, while music by rock band Kiss plays in the background. Another Copenhagen restaurant, Geranium, was fifth on the list, while Paris's Arpge, where vegetables take centre-stage, was No. 8. Peru, which has emerged in recent years as a top culinary destination, featured twice in the top 10 -- Lima's Central remained sixth, while Japanese-Peruvian fusion outlet Maido, with its 50-hour-cooked beef short rib, was No. 10. 44 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD MOBILE Vietnam's Vingroup in deal with Fujitsu unit, Qualcomm to make 5G phones V ingroup JSC, Vietnam's Earlier this month, the company started construction of biggest-listed firm by market the factory that can produce 125 million units a year. value, said it had signed a deal with Qualcomm and a unit of Vingroup launched Vsmart brand in December last Japan's Fujitsu Ltd to produce 5G year, seeking to win market share from popular brands smartphones in the country. Samsung and Apple in Vietnam, which has a population of 95 million people. The Vsmart phones will be manufactured at its factory in the The company began selling Vsmart phones in Spain in capital city of Hanoi and will be sold in March and plans to expand into other European markets. the U.S. and European markets from Its phones went on sale in regional neighbor Myanmar last April next year, Vingroup said in a month. statement. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 45

BRITISH HERALD MOBILE Vodafone launches 5G Jeffery said Vodafone always in Britain with unlimited complied with government data plans guidance on its products and services. \"But if it's possible Vodafone switched Vodafone for us to sell a wider range on its 5G network is taking a of 5G devices, particularly in seven British different the Huawei one, we will,\" he cities, aiming to approach added. set itself apart in by offering Vodafone uses a range its home market from rival unlimited of telecom equipment EE by offering unlimited downloads suppliers including Huawei data plans that include the tiered and Ericsson in its network, high-speed service at no according but it does not use the premium. to speed, Chinese company in its core. The move by the world's starting from 23 pounds a \"Huawei is one third of No.2 mobile operator came month for up to 2 Mbps, 26 our base stations, and the as Deutsche Telekom pounds for up to 10 Mbps other two-thirds are other announced a limited rollout and 30 pounds for speeds vendors,\" chief technology of 5G services in its German as fast as the device and officer Scott Petty said. \"We home market, stealing a network will allow. like to use Huawei in base march on competitors. \"Let battle commence, stations, they make great Nick Jeffery, chief executive Vodafone is looking to products and they work of Vodafone UK, said go toe-to-toe with EE,\" really, really well.\" offering unlimited data industry analyst Paolo Britain was set to allow plans to both consumer and Pescatore said. \"The scale Huawei some participation in business customers would of its ambitions should not the radio part of 5G networks revolutionize the mobile be underestimated. 5G but bar it from the intelligent market. represents a significant core. But a decision has not \"We will give customers all opportunity to turn around been announced, and the the data they need, when its fortunes in the UK.\" U.S. and some politicians and where they want it,\" he He added that the 5G market are pushing for a more far- said. would see a further boost reaching ban. Jeffery said Vodafone had when Apple releases its first Asked about the possibility examined how consumers 5G device, most likely next of a total ban, Jeffery used their devices and how year. said Britain had to grasp it managed its network, the opportunity to be a including the efficiencies Huawei technology leader. \"Anything offered by 5G technology, Uncertainty that slows us down is bad before deciding to switch to news for us all,\" he said. unlimited data plans. Vodafone is launching the \"We thought it was the right service with Xiaomi Mi Mix www.britishherald.com role for Vodafone to get back 3 and Samsung S10 5G to its roots as a great British handsets and a 5G router. tech innovator,\" he told Both Vodafone UK and EE reporters. pulled 5G handsets made EE, which is owned by BT, by China's Huawei from their launched the first British 5G launch line-ups because of commercial service on May uncertainty about support 30. It is offering a range of by Google's Android after contract and sim-only deals a U.S. move to block the for the ultrafast service. Chinese firm's access to its technology. The status of the ban remains unclear. 46 July-August 2019

BRITISH HERALD MOBILE Singapore to invest $30 million in 5G tests ahead of 2020 rollout Singapore launched a manufacturing and the announcement. S$40 million initiative consumer applications as to test applications the city-state looks to be Unlike the upgrades of for 5G networks, the next \"a global front-runner in cellular standards 2G in the generation of mobile impactful 5G use cases\" early 1990s, 3G around the communications, ahead of a millennium and 4G in 2010, planned rollout next year. Singapore will pick a 5G standards will deliver telecoms company to be not just faster phone and The project, unveiled by the first to mass-market 5G computer data but also help minister for communications networks by the end of the connect up cars, machines, and information S Iswaran, first quarter of next year, the cargo and crop equipment. will test the network in areas first step in a broader rollout, such as port management, Iswaran told journalists after Chinese telecom firm Huawei Technologies is one firm vying for global deals to operate 5G networks. But the United States has asked countries to reject Huawei technology in the development of new mobile phone networks, arguing that it could be vulnerable to Chinese eavesdropping. Huawei denies its equipment is a security risk. Singapore has not ruled out allowing telecoms companies to use Huawei technology in their new 5G systems. BT to launch 5G services this autumn Britain's former telecoms monopoly BT said that it would launch 5G services across its business customers in the autumn this year. BT's 5G service will be available in the busiest parts of 16 British cities by the end of the year, the country's biggest broadband and mobile provider said. facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 47

BRITISH HERALD MOBILE Deutsche Telekom first to market in Germany with limited 5G rollout Deutsche Telekom 5G to the streets, to our month in Germany's longest- stole a march on customers, as quickly ever auction of mobile its competitors as possible,\" Deutsche frequencies. by announcing a Telekom's Germany head, limited rollout of Dirk Woessner, told a glitzy It competes with existing 5G services in its German presentation in Berlin. operators Telefonica home market, targeting Deutschland and Vodafone, early adopters in cities with Networks running on 5G while new market entrant the high-speed mobile offer much faster download Drillisch also acquired technology. speeds than existing 4G spectrum to serve as the services while latency - or basis for a fourth national Existing 5G trials will be reaction times - is reduced network. opened up to public use to milliseconds. That can in the German capital power multi-player video The market leader, which Berlin and in Bonn, where games or run billions is partly state owned, had Deutsche Telekom is of devices and sensors complained that the high headquartered, with four connected to the industrial cost of the auction had left a more cities to follow this Internet of Things (IoT). \"bitter aftertaste\" and would year. By the end of 2020, 20 sap the ability of network German cities will get 5G Deutsche Telekom bid operators to invest in costly coverage. 2.17 billion euros for 130 network upgrades. Megahertz of the 420 MHz of \"Our goal now is to get 5G spectrum allocated last But it will still be able to 48 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com

BRITISH HERALD should not depend on one MOBILE vendor.\" plow 5 billion euros this year It is also marketing a mobile into building out its network Germany's three main 5G hotspot hub from HTC, infrastructure, technology network vendors are Huawei which offers speeds of up to chief Claudia Nemat told the customers and, industry 1 gigabyte per second and same briefing. sources say all are keen can run up to 20 devices, to build on their existing at a price of 556 euros, plus Germany lags countries like relationship with the Chinese a 75 euro monthly fee for South Korea and the United vendor as they adopt 5G. unlimited data use. States in rolling out 5G The alternative, of ripping services. and replacing existing gear, \"We are doing this for the could set back rollouts by people who want to be Also Vodafone said it is years and cost billions, they there at the very start,\" said switching on its 5G network warn. Michael Hagspihl, head of in seven U.K. cities and consumer business. would continue to invest in CONSUMER rolling out 5G with the aim FOCUS Deutsche Telekom will bring of reaching at least eight 300 5G-enabled antennas million consumers by 2021. Deutsche Telekom is into service this year, making making 5G-enabled devices use of its newly acquired HUAWEI available to early adopters 3.5 Gigahertz spectrum CUSTOMER with immediate effect, that is most suited to urban offering the Samsung Galaxy coverage. Deutsche Telekom partnered S10 5G smartphone for 900 with Huawei Technologies euros as part of its all-you- More broadly, the company in a Berlin 5G trial now being can-use data package. will continue to build 2,000 opened up to users, despite new masts per year, bringing calls by the United States on The unlimited data plan the total to 36,000 by the its allies to bar the Chinese will be priced at 85 euros a end of 2021, as it strives to network vendor on national month. meet coverage requirements security grounds. for its existing 4G network set by the network regulator, Instead of imposing said Woessner. blanket bans, Germany has toughened security rules on all network vendors. Deutsche Telekom, for its part, is conducting an ongoing review of its vendor strategy and said it was in close touch with regulators and the government on the matter. \"The most important criterion is network security,\" said Nemat. \"And the most important statement to make here is that we facebook.com/britishherald July-August 2019 49

BRITISH HERALD MOBILE Samsung in hot water over number of phones, which it splashy Australian phone ads soon fixed. But customers online continued reporting Australia's represented problems, forum comments consumer Galaxy phones show. watchdog has would be sued Samsung suitable for Some consumers damaged Electronics use in, or for their phones when exposing Co Ltd's Australian unit exposure them to water and Samsung for allegedly misleading to, all types had refused to honor consumers by promoting of water warranty claims, the ACCC water-resistant Galaxy when this said in the lawsuit, though smartphones as suitable to was not the Samsung said it complied use in swimming pools and case,\" ACCC with all of its warranty the surf. Chairman Rod obligations under Australian Sims said in a law. The world's largest statement. smartphone maker did not The regulator also said know or sufficiently test the Samsung said it stood by its Samsung's advice to some effects of pool or saltwater advertising, complied with Galaxy model users that the exposure on its phones Australian law and would phones were not suitable for when ads showed them fully defend the case. beach or pool use suggested submerged, the Australian the firm considered water Competition and Consumer The South Korean could cause damage. Commission (ACCC) lawsuit electronics giant has spent says. heavily on advertising to \"Samsung showed the rebuild public faith in its Galaxy phones used in The case is the first filed by premium smartphones situations they shouldn't be a major regulator and could following the costly recall of to attract customers,\" Sims result in multi-million dollar its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 said. fines. It centers on more than devices in 2016. 300 advertisements in which \"Samsung's advertisements, Samsung showed its Galaxy It is due to announce we believe, denied phones being used at the preliminary quarterly consumers an informed bottom of swimming pools earnings, when it is widely choice and gave Samsung and in the ocean. expected to flag a profit an unfair competitive plunge due to fall in chip advantage.\" \"The ACCC alleges prices. Samsung's advertisements The ACCC alleges law falsely and misleadingly Hot Water breaches occurred in more than 300 advertisements. If Samsung's water resistance proven, each breach after 1 claims came under heavy Sept. 2018 can attract a fine scrutiny as early as 2016 of up to A$10 million, triple when influential U.S. the benefit of the conduct magazine Consumer Reports or as much as 10% of annual said the Galaxy S7 phone turnover. - which appears dunked in a fish tank in commercials - Breaches prior to 1 Sept. had failed an immersion test. 2018 can attract penalties as high as A$1.1 million. Rival The company attributed Sony settled a U.S. class that to a manufacturing action over similar claims for defect, affecting a small its Xperia smartphone range in 2017, promising refunds where the phones had failed. 50 July-August 2019 www.britishherald.com