THIS WEEK'S VISITORS (2,108)

Here are the top ten countries from which the blog has received visits in the past week.

1. United States 683
2. United Kingdom 492
3. Russia 299
4. Poland 201
5. Germany 124
6. France 105
7. India 64
8. China 54
9. Ukraine 52
10. Israel 30

This week's total: 2,108 (last week: 1,766). These are aggregates of figures from the top ten countries only. Blogger's analytics doesn't show the numbers of pageviews below the tenth-ranking country and they don’t show the cumulative total including those additional countries, which is undoubtedly larger than the number shown above.

The world map at the top of this post is the graphic that I see on the stats page. The darker the green, the more pageviews from that country. I can see different versions of that map for "now" (i.e. in the last two hours), "today", "this week", "this month" and "all time". They're updated each time I look at them.

THERE'S MUCH ADO ABOUT JADOO

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Dharmesh Lakhani, owner of Bobby's restaurant, with Madhur Jaffrey and MP Keith Vaz in a scene from Jadoo

There's much ado about Jadoo

by David Owen

Excitement is building ahead of the world premiere in Leicester of a film showcasing the city’s vibrant Indian community and famous cuisine.

Stars of the much-anticipated foodie comedy Jadoo, shot on location in Belgrave’s Golden Mile, will walk the red carpet on Tuesday, September 3.

Tickets are now on sale for the exclusive screening at Showcase Cinema de Lux, in Highcross.

Jadoo, which means “magic” in Hindi, stars Harish Patel, of Run Fatboy Run fame, and Kulvinder Ghir, who appeared in Bend It Like Beckham.

Leicester-born writer and director Amit Gupta said: “I’m so happy my home town is hosting the premiere of Jadoo.

“It will be a very special evening and I’m so happy that the people of Leicester will have the chance to attend and experience the Jadoo magic.”

Jadoo follows two chef brothers, Raja and Jaqi, who have a nasty fall-out which sees them rip up the family recipe book – one left with the starters and the other the main courses.

Setting up rival restaurants on opposite sides of Belgrave Road, it is left to Raja’s daughter to help them reconcile their differences in time for her wedding feast.

The film includes dozens of cameo and walk-on performances from Belgrave residents.

Dharmesh Lakhani, owner of Bobby’s restaurant, plays a judge in a cooking competition alongside Leicester East MP Keith Vaz and actress-chef Madhur Jaffrey.

To see a trailer for the film CLICK HERE

THIS WEEK'S VISITORS (1,766)

Here are the top ten countries from which the blog has received visits in the past week.

1. United States 588
2. United Kingdom 407
3. Russia 272
4. France 102
5. Poland 96
6. Germany 87
7. Ukraine 70
8. India 50
9. Sweden 48
10. China 46

This week's total: 1,766 (last week: 2,115). These are aggregates of figures from the top ten countries only. Blogger's analytics doesn't show the numbers of pageviews below the tenth-ranking country and they don’t show the cumulative total including those additional countries, which is undoubtedly larger than the number shown above.

The world map at the top of this post is the graphic that I see on the stats page. The darker the green, the more pageviews from that country. I can see different versions of that map for "now" (i.e. in the last two hours), "today", "this week", "this month" and "all time". They're updated each time I look at them.

INDIA'S 67th INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Shivani Acharya, 9, of Birstall, celebrates with an Indian flag in Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre

India's 67th independence day celebrated

People gathered at an event last night to mark India's 67th Independence Day.

The celebrations began at 7.30pm at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, in Leicester.

The night, which was hosted by the Gujarat Hindu Association, began with a flag-raising ceremony.

Mr B C Pradhan, consul and head of chancery at the Indian High Commission in Birmingham, was the guest speaker.

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth read a short message, as did assistant city mayor Piara Singh Clair.

Mr Ashworth said: "I firmly believe Leicester and the UK are stronger today because of the Indian community."

After messages had been read out, Bollywood dancers took to the stage.

The night before, hundreds of people celebrated Pakistan Independence Day in the city.

HUNDREDS CELEBRATE PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY IN LEICESTER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Hundreds celebrate Pakistan Independence Day in Leicester

Hundreds of people poured on to the street to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day in Leicester last night.

St Peters Road, in Highfields, was closed by police from about 10pm as revellers gathered and celebrated by dancing, waving flags and sounding hooters.

The road, which was shut from East Park Road to Melbourne Road, re-opened at about midnight.

Inspector Ben Gillard, of Spinney Hills police station, wrote on social networking website Twitter: “Flags and high spirits in the Highfields for Pakistan independence day. All good natured.”

After the road re-opened he added: “Everything good humoured, people polite and friendly. A pleasure to police #credittoLeicester.”

Celebrations are also expected tonight to mark Indian Independence Day.

Festivities normally begin in the Belgrave Road area during the day and the street is often closed by police during the evening as revellers gather waving flags.

In Leicester, the celebrations traditionally involve a street party on Belgrave Road, a party in Cossington Park, and cultural performances at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre. Thousands of people attend the annual celebrations in the City.

CREATIVE COFFEE LEICESTER, 14 AUGUST 2013

At Phoenix this morning, for the regular fortnightly meeting of Creative Coffee Leicester. It’s a quiet day today (being in the middle of the summer holiday) but there’s still a mix of old faces and new. More new than old, I’d say, which is a good thing.

Becky Wilson (Social Media Geek) is steering the ship this morning. That's her in the photo above, sandwiched between Harry and Grace.

MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO MURDER GURU

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Man charged with attempting to murder guru

by Tim Healy

A 26-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder.

It follows allegations of an assault at the Gurdwara Namdhari Temple in Linden Street, Spinney Hill, Leicester, at approximately 5.25am on Sunday.

The alleged victim was Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, worldwide spiritual head of the Namdhari community. He was treated at the Leicester Royal Infirmary for injuries and later discharged.

The accused is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

GURU INJURED IN AXE ATTACK

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Guru injured in axe attack

by Alan Thompson

Worshippers at early morning prayers looked on in horror as a man in the congregation took out an axe and attacked a visiting guru.

About 300 people were at the Gurdwara Namdhari, in Leicester, on Sunday morning when the horrific attack took place on Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, spiritual head of the Namdhari community worldwide.

The guru, who had been taking prayers, was hit on the right wrist as he tried to defend himself. The blow broke a bone. As worshippers stared in disbelief, the attacker struck again, cutting open his forehead.

Several members of the congregation then rushed the attacker, pinning him to the floor until police arrived.

The guru's elderly mother, who is accompanying him on his first visit to the UK, was sitting next to him and witnessed the attack.

The guru's wounds were tended by members of the congregation until paramedics arrived and he was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary. He was later discharged.

His programme of activities in the UK, visiting members of the Namdhari community across the country, has been severely curtailed by the attack.

Witness Ranjit Singh Flora, vice-president of the Sikh community in the UK and secretary of the gurdwara, said: "This chap was in the congregation for the prayers, which began at 3.30am and were ending at 5.30am, just before sunrise. He walked in through the doors into the hall. He was wearing a religious outfit like the rest of the congregation and covered himself with a shawl."

He said the man had a strap of cloth across his chest, into which, it emerged, he had put what Mr Singh described as "an axe, about 30 inches long".

"I was sitting right at the front," said Mr Singh. "The programme was about to finish and the hall was full.

"He walked slowly down the walkway, then faster. As he came to the place where you bow down, he quickly took off the shawl and pulled out the axe, jumping on to the stage. He brought the axe down and Guru Ji put up his right arm to defend himself, which was fractured in the attack. He took a second swing at him, splitting his forehead above the left eye, down to the nose. It all happened so fast. There was a lot of blood.

"Members of the congregation, which came from all over the country, got up and overpowered him, asking him why he had done it.

"Everyone was shocked and shaking. Guru Ji's visit was very important to us. It was his first trip to England.

"He has a scar on his forehead and his right arm is in plaster.

"A chunk of flesh came off when the axe struck and it broke his wrist, but he is quite strong and energetic.

"He came back for morning prayers again this morning and police provided security."

Mr Singh Flora described the incident at the gurdwara, in Linden Street, Evington, as "very disturbing".

He said: "We are a peace-loving people. An attack like this is beyond our understanding. We don't know what his motive was."

Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji became the head of the Namdhari sect in December, after the death of the previous leader.

Indian news organisation Punjab Newsline reported that since then there had been a "consistent campaign against him", launched by followers of another claimant for the Namdhari gaddi, or throne. It is not yet known whether disquiet over the accession had any link to the attack.

SPIRITUAL LEADER ATTACKED IN LEICESTER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji

Spiritual leader attacked in Leicester

A spiritual leader was taken to hospital after being attacked in the early hours of the morning in Leicester.

Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, the spiritual head of the Namdhari community worldwide, was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment after the assault.

Police were called to the Gurdwara Namdhari in Linden Street, Leicester, at approximately 5.25am on Sunday August 11 following a report of an assault.

Officers attended the scene where Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji was found to have been assaulted.

A 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody.

At this time police believe it was an isolated incident, which was carried out by a single person.

Investigations are ongoing and police would ask anyone who has information about the incident or was in the Linden Street area between 3am and 6am on Sunday August 11 to contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

THIS WEEK'S VISITORS (2,115)

Here are the top ten countries from which the blog has received visits in the past week.

1. United States 1006
2. United Kingdom 311
3. Poland 153
4. France 145
5. Germany 115
6. Ukraine 93
7. China 84
8. Russia 68
9. India 63
10. Latvia 58

This week's total: 2,115 (last week: 3,366). These are aggregates of figures from the top ten countries only. Blogger's analytics doesn't show the numbers of pageviews below the tenth-ranking country and they don’t show the cumulative total including those additional countries, which is undoubtedly larger than the number shown above.

The world map at the top of this post is the graphic that I see on the stats page. The darker the green, the more pageviews from that country. I can see different versions of that map for "now" (i.e. in the last two hours), "today", "this week", "this month" and "all time". They're updated each time I look at them.