Latest news with #Sahota
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Debate over having Sikh Regiment in British Army resurfaces, but UK MoD says no such plans
File photo LONDON: The debate over whether there should be a Sikh regiment in the British armed forces has resurfaced but the ministry of defence (MoD) insists there are no such plans. The debate was triggered after Lord Sahota asked defence minister Lord Coaker in the House of Lords on July 7 whether there was any progress on having a Sikh regiment in the British Army, given the loyalty of Sikh soldiers in both world wars. Coaker replied, 'Let me consider that request from my noble friend. I am quite happy to meet him to see what more we can do to recognise the contribution of soldiers such as Sikhs.' This led to UK headlines such as 'Minister open to British Army Sikh regiment proposal'. But MoD sources told TOI: 'Over the years there have been conversations about this, but it would breach Britain's anti-discriminatory laws. There are no current plans for a Sikh regiment as it goes against the Equality Act. We want to do something to recognise Sikh contributions in some way, but not through a Sikh regiment.' Lord Sahota, whose grandfathers served in the British Indian army, including the 15th Punjab Regiment, told TOI: 'I don't think it would go against the Equality Act.' He pointed out the British Army has had the Staffordshire regiment and currently has the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Royal Welsh and Royal Regiment of Scotland and so on.'It doesn't mean other faiths like Hindus, Muslim or Christians wouldn't be able to serve in a Sikh regiment. If you are in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, it doesn't mean you have to be Scottish.'. 'We are struggling to recruit ethnic minorities in this country,' he said, and so having a Sikh Regiment would give Sikhs a 'reason to join.' 'They would wear turbans and have beards and it would reflect Sikh heritage and values,' he said. 'It would foster a better relationship with other countries such as India and South Asia as well,' he added. There are estimated to be only 200 Sikhs in the British Armed Forces currently. 'People tend to go in the army if their grandfather was in it. Sikhs don't have that role model here,' Sahota said. He said if there was a Punjab or Sikh Regiment they would have that role model. 'There are more than 700k Sikhs in the UK. I am sure quite a few would be prepared to follow in their great grandfather's footsteps. King Charles even told a Sikh soldier he wanted to see more Sikhs in the British Army,' the Labour life peer added.
CNBC
27-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
The metaverse as we knew it failed, but it's being resurrected for new worlds
While the metaverse is often seen as a joke in 2025 because of low user counts and poor financial performance (take Meta's Reality Labs division and its continued losses, estimated by Statista at $70 billion all-time), the industry may be thriving in ways the general public doesn't realize. "The hype around the entertainment part has subsided," said Andy Lee, partner at law firm Jones Walker who specializes in privacy, data strategy, artificial intelligence and the metaverse. Instead, Lee said there's a "pragmatic recalibration" happening, where enterprise companies and even entire industries are starting to use immersive 3D worlds for uses like upskilling and scenario planning. Venture funds like Intel Capital and Venture Reality Fund are taking a close look at the metaverse for all its purposes. For instance, the metaverse might serve to train police officers on how to handle someone in a mental health crisis or someone that's high on fentanyl, according to Neil Sahota, CEO of ACSILabs, which develops virtual worlds for enterprises. "While you might hear about it or read about it in the classroom setting, it's very different when it's happening in real life," said Sahota, who also serves as an artificial intelligence advisor for the United Nations. While the use cases vary, one thing remains consistent — where the metaverse seems to thrive today is not as a generic duplicate of our world as we know it, but rather a purposeful industry solution solving a need that already exists. Meta's VR headset business continues to evolve and find new uses cases outside the consumer market. Other challengers such as Apple Vision Pro face an uncertain outlook. But more targeted metaverse solutions are taking place inside large enterprises. ACSILabs has created custom virtual worlds to help lawyers prepare for big cases, helping them play out different types of arguments and case strategies. Based on what's known about the judge, opposing counsel and jury, they can combine cognitive science and AI to determine how different tactics will land. What's interesting is that when users try this technology, they feel emboldened. "They start realizing that I can try more risky things, and see what happens," Sahota said. But does it really work? While there are caveats, there are positive results. When working with a government client to provide training in an immersive world, Sahota said that ACSILabs was able to deliver the equivalent of three years of field experience for a specific topic over the course of 18 in-game hours. Osso VR is another company developing VR modules for health technology. Those who used its solution to learn surgical techniques performed up to three times better than those educated via standard practices, according to the company. Sahota added that jet engine manufacturers use the metaverse (or even simpler digital twins) to test safety and performance in ways that are impossible in the real world. He pointed out questions the metaverse could answer, including: "How would this perform on a Boeing 777 at 80,000 feet? What happens if the engine is in an electrical storm?" Regardless of how it's used, the metaverse is not without risks — and given the sheer depth of this technology, the number of considerations can add up. The primary consideration, for Lee, is data privacy and security. "The platforms are going to be handling sensitive data, anything from performance metrics to biometric data," he said. Additionally, scenarios being used for law enforcement or healthcare training could have sensitive information, particularly if they stem from real-world occurrences. For companies seeking safe vendors, privacy and security by design (where these elements are built in from the beginning rather than added on after the fact) are key. Staying plugged in to regulations like the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, California Consumer Privacy Act, or HIPAA in the U.S. is crucial. Even with a potential state-level moratorium on AI regulation coming into play in the U.S., paying attention to the evolution of global AI regulation (as it pertains to privacy, bias and more) is also relevant because metaverse platforms often use AI to streamline asset creation. Lee recommended choosing one or a few people in the organization to take on reading the full terms and conditions of an enterprise metaverse vendor to make sure you know exactly what you're getting into. Especially for high-stakes scenarios, liability plays a major role. "You're going to have potential for a real-world error if the training itself was inaccurate," Lee said. "Companies and users are going to have to be dialed in on the liability issues if the training were to be deemed insufficient or misleading," Lee added. Then there's content moderation, which Lee considers crucial even in professional settings. Outside of harassment concerns, highly realistic images can trigger trauma responses. While most research currently pertains to video games, it's clear that virtual worlds can indeed elicit negative psychological responses. At the core of it all, metaverse training and scenario planning is designed to be real-world-adjacent. But it's not the real world. "While these are simulations that are powerful for learning, direct transfer of the learned skills to real world situations requires critical reflection," Lee said. "Most folks employing it should know that they need real world practice before something actually occurs that they have to respond to and not to rely fully on the virtual training," he added.
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Punjab's first liver transplant surgeon pushes for early detection and organ donation
Dr Gursagar Singh Sahota, Punjab's first liver transplant surgeon, is on a mission to fill a critical gap in India's healthcare system. By combining high-stakes clinical work with a growing public awareness campaign, the surgeon trained at the New Delhi AIIMS is pushing for early detection, specialised care, and a cultural shift around organ donation. His LiverGuru platform and expanding transplant programme aim to bring focus to liver disease—a growing but often ignored public health crisis in India. Rooted in Anandpur Sahib Born and raised in the historic town of Anandpur Sahib, Dr Sahota grew up in a family of teachers with no medical background. Yet, his fascination with science and desire to serve began early. 'I always loved studying, and there was never any family pressure,' he recalled. 'My father used to say both teaching and medicine are noble professions. I felt medicine would allow me to reduce suffering.' After completing his MBBS from Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, he pursued a Master's in Surgery from King George's Medical University, Lucknow. It was there that he developed a deeper interest in gastrointestinal surgery. Discovering the liver's complexity His first direct exposure to liver transplant surgery came during his MCh in gastrointestinal surgery and liver transplant at AIIMS, where he witnessed his first liver transplant, an experience that would redefine his career. 'I realised how complex and rare this field is. Some surgeries take 12 to 15 hours. But I wanted to take on that challenge and contribute where the country lacked enough specialists.' A spiritual process For Dr Sahota, liver transplantation is not just a surgical procedure, it's deeply human. 'It's a spiritual process in many ways. A person's organ lives on in another body. It gives life, energy, and hope,' he said. 'It's unlike any other surgery. It gives a different kind of peace.' He pointed to the acute shortage of specialists as a pressing national concern. 'Many Indian states don't have even a single liver transplant surgeon. I wanted to fill that gap,' he said. LiverGuru: public education meets medical outreach In 2023, Dr Sahota launched LiverGuru, a digital platform dedicated to liver health. 'I deliberately didn't name it after myself. It had to be neutral,' he said. The goal was to create a reliable, unbiased public resource on preventive, clinical, and surgical aspects of liver care. From social media campaigns to virtual consultations, LiverGuru aims to reach people before their condition becomes critical. 'Most people show up at hospitals too late,' he said. 'By then, the damage is often irreversible.' India's changing diets, rising risks Dr Sahota blames the rising burden of liver disease on changing lifestyles and food habits. 'Our grandparents walked, cooked fresh, and ate vegetables. Today, we're hooked on sugar and processed food,' he said. 'They may please the tongue, but they destroy the liver.' He said that vague symptoms like fatigue, low appetite, and mild weight loss are often the first signs. 'People brush them off. But when you see jaundice or vomiting blood, the liver is already in deep distress.' Prevention is cure He strongly advocates preventive screening. 'After 40, everyone should get annual liver function tests and an abdominal ultrasound,' he said. 'The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself. But beyond a point, transplant becomes the only option.' He also warned against self-medication and unverified treatments. 'Herbal supplements and quack remedies delay proper treatment and cost lives.' A high-stakes surgery Liver transplant is one of the most technically demanding surgeries, requiring precision, stamina, and coordination. 'Complications are inevitable, but it's the surgeon's response that defines the outcome,' he said. 'At AIIMS, we were trained to stay calm and think clearly.' He credits his centre's success to rigorous training and seamless teamwork. A record-making milestone Among his career highlights is the successful liver transplant of a three-year-old child, with the child's father as the donor. 'It was a rare condition. No child with it had survived globally. He just completed two years post-transplant,' he said. A surgeon with strings Despite long surgical hours, Dr Sahota makes time for self-care and creative pursuits. His day begins at 6 am with a cup of coffee, 'which is good for the liver,' he smiles followed by 30–40 minutes of exercise. On lighter days, he focuses on LiverGuru and spends time with his family. An avid singer and guitarist, he says music is his therapy. 'If I weren't a doctor, I'd probably be in a band,' he joked. 'Exercise removes stress, and music heals the mind.' Building for the future Dr Sahota is now working to establish a full-spectrum liver care centre in Punjab, integrating diagnostics, surgery, and post-op care under one roof. 'We don't go to general physicians for brain surgery. Why treat the liver any differently?' He's also pushing for normalising organ donation. 'India lacks a culture of organ pledging. We need to make that conversation easier.' Advice to future doctors To medical students, he offers a message of purpose. 'Choose a field you're truly passionate about. You'll spend your life in it—don't follow peer or parental pressure.' The authors are interns with The Indian Express.
Calgary Herald
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Calgary Herald
Looking to rent a car in Calgary? Good luck with that
Tourists looking to rent some wheels on their vacation in the city might be out of luck, as the summer season brings an explosive demand of customers to Calgary's car rental market. Article content Pal Sahota, a manager for the Toronto Branch for Zoom Rent A Car who is also involved with the company's Calgary location, said the car rental market is very seasonal, with peak vehicle rentals taking place from the end of June towards mid-July. Article content Article content Article content 'Calgary is very different than us here in Toronto, because in Calgary, there's not walk-in customers that show up to the door looking for cars they can get here,' Sahota said. 'Most people make appointments when they need a car. It's very slow in general, but summer's when it's really busy.' Article content Article content As a car rental service near the airport, Sahota said its fleet is usually sold out in the summer, with the weekend as the busiest times through the season. Article content A trend Sahota notices with his clientele is the different destinations their customers visit during their time in Calgary. Although they might stop in for the Stampede, tourists also take the time to drive to places outside of the city. Article content 'From experience, we have a lot of clients from the U.S. that fly into Calgary,' Sahota said. 'They're mainly driving to Banff, Lake Louise, and the Jasper area. Because we are close to those places and the mountains, that's why we get a lot of clients.' Article content Article content Sahatat Tanzir, associate manager with the downtown Calgary Hertz Car Rental, said the business would receive on average between 10 to 15 car rental requests a day in May. By June, business quickly started to pick up for the summer vacation season. Article content 'So now, on an average, we are giving about 20 retail rentals,' he said. 'It also depends on the location. If you compare us to the airport location, let's just say for today, there can be 250 to 300 rentals in one day.' Article content Depending on the time when customers rent a vehicle, Tanzir said that rates can vary if they decide to rent during the week or over the weekend.
Glasgow Times
20-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Fire chief took own life amid probe into claims he lied on his CV, inquest hears
Wayne Brown, 54, chief fire officer at West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), was found at his flat in Birmingham by police on the morning of January 24 last year after colleagues alerted them that he had failed to turn up for work, Birmingham Coroners' Court was told. Mr Brown, the UK's first black fire chief, had been under pressure because of a 'barrage' of harassment and complaints about his character in the form of emails, Freedom of Information requests and letters to his workplace as well as social media posts making allegations about him, and had left a note for police saying the last 18 months of his life had been 'absolutely awful' and 'I can't do this anymore'. Mr Brown's partner, Nicola White, told the inquest on Monday that national media attention in relation to claims he had lied on his CV and his LinkedIn page about having an MBA postgraduate business qualification – which was a requirement for chief fire officers – was the 'final straw'. The court was told that on January 16 last year, days before he took his own life, colleagues at the fire service had been copied into an email saying that Mr Brown did not have the MBA qualification from London South Bank University he claimed to, which sparked an internal investigation. Satinder Sahota, monitoring officer for WMFS, said after questioning him about the claims, Mr Brown admitted he had started an MBA but had not finished it and apologised for putting it on his CV. Ms White said her partner was clearly 'low' about the ongoing investigation, but felt the 'final straw' for him was when a national news outlet ran a story about him the night before he took his own life. She said: 'He just couldn't take it anymore. I said 'Wayne, you need to speak to someone', but he didn't like to show his weaknesses. 'He was the first person to support others and tell them to seek help, but he felt he needed to be strong for everyone else. 'On the Tuesday… I did think to ask him, 'you're not going to do anything silly are you?' but I put that thought immediately out of my head because I thought he would never do that.' Ms White said her partner did say he felt supported by the fire service, although Mr Sahota said Mr Brown was a 'private and stoic' man who did not seek the support from occupational health colleagues that he was urged to take during their meetings. On one occasion days before he died, the fire chief, who took up the role permanently in April 2023, did tell Mr Sahota that he was feeling under pressure, was exhausted, struggling to sleep and had 'racing thoughts'. Mr Sahota told the inquest: 'My view at the time was that he was saying he was okay. I urged him to reach out to occupational health. 'I had to be careful with Wayne… I didn't want to annoy him, it was quite clear he was private and he was the most senior person in the organisation and I didn't want to be disrespectful of that because it would affect my relationship with him going forward.' Deputy chief fire officer Joanne Bowcock said in a statement read out at the inquest that she recognised Mr Brown was under pressure due to the alleged harassment and the media interest, but that she never considered he would take his own life. She said he appeared to be coping well but when speaking to him on January 18 after the email about the MBA had been received, told her he had 'the worst two weeks of his life' and feared he would be suspended. Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Kiteley, who was the West Midlands Police officer investigating the alleged harassment, said a man was charged with harassing the fire chief in July 2023 and while there had been some early court appearances, Mr Brown had expressed 'frustration' to DCI Kiteley that a court date had been pushed back. He said: 'I had no idea he would go on to take his own life but I could tell the constant barrage of contact was getting to him. 'I appreciated it was difficult for him to go on with his day job because of other pressures.' The charges against the man accused of harassment were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service after Mr Brown's death. Senior coroner Louise Hunt, who presided over the inquest, said Mr Brown had died as a result of suicide and indicated she would be writing a Prevention of Future Deaths report to WMFS to raise concerns. She said the fire service did not undertake any investigation following Mr Brown's death so lessons could be learned and was concerned that there was no policy requiring them to do so. Mrs Hunt was also concerned that there appeared to be no mechanism for recording concerns raised about the welfare of staff during a fact-finding or formal investigation, and that there was no provision in the service's health and wellbeing or mental health policy for employees as senior as Mr Brown was. In a tribute, Mr Brown's son Kai said he was 'loved and respected', had many friends and was their 'shining star'. He said: 'We will be forever proud of him and he leaves a void in our lives which will never be filled.'
