Saudi Arabian Captain Abdullah Alrajhi ( Instagram A/c: pilotrajhi ) is an Airbus A320 pilot and aviation content creator. Since he was a young child, he has been passionate about aviation, and he is fortunate to live that dream every day. In addition to flying, he uses social media to share his aviation expertise and pilot lifestyle content with people all over the world.

Q.) How would you describe your life as a pilot?

Captain Abdullah: Being a pilot is both rewarding and challenging. Every flight involves responsibility, discipline, and continuous learning. In addition, it’s a unique profession that gives me the chance to travel, discover various cultures, and view breathtaking moments above the clouds that most people never get to see.

Q.) What obstacles did you confront to become a successful pilot?

Captain Abdullah: It takes patience, financial commitment, passion, and mental strength to become a pilot. Exams, rigorous training, years of study, and upholding high performance standards were all components of the process. Maintaining motivation and focus during difficult training and career advancement phases was one of the major obstacles.

Q.) Is the life of a pilot adventurous? What are your thoughts about it?

Captain Abdullah: Yes, flying is undoubtedly exciting. Every day is unique, and every destination offers a new experience. However, behind the adventure lies professionalism, planning, and responsibility. Although pilots struggle with tiredness, shifting schedules, and high-pressure circumstances that call for composed decision-making, people frequently overlook the glamour of their work.

Q.) How you enjoy your time as a passenger on the plane.

Captain Abdullah: When I go as a passenger, I like to relax and observe the operation from a new perspective. Furthermore, I like to gaze out the window, particularly during landing and takeoff. Even as a passenger, I still value every flight experience because aviation has become a part of my lifestyle.

Q.) What thoughts cross your mind when you are flying as a passenger?

Captain Abdullah: As a pilot, I automatically keep an eye on the weather, flight operations, and general route flow. However, because I am aware of the degree of professionalism and accountability required behind the scenes, I have respect for the flight crew.

Q.) What do you think are the most crucial abilities a prospective pilot should have in general?

Captain Abdullah: Discipline, effective communication, situational awareness, self-assurance under pressure, and the capacity for lifelong learning are all important qualities for a potential pilot. Technical knowledge is vital, but mindset and professionalism are also essential in aviation.

Q.) What is the most significant lesson you have learned in your career as a pilot?

Captain Abdullah: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that safety should always come first. You learn humility, collaboration, and the value of making composed decisions even under pressure in aviation. Although confidence is crucial, discipline and sound judgment are what really define a competent pilot.

Q.) What is your favorite aspect of your cockpit?

Captain Abdullah: The view from the cockpit is my favorite feature. A genuinely unique experience is witnessing cities from thousands of feet above the ground or watching the sunrise above the clouds. I also value the focus and teamwork that exist in the cockpit.

Q.) Any advice for the future pilot.

Captain Abdullah: Never give up on your dreams. Becoming a pilot involves hard effort, patience, and sacrifice, but the rewards are worthwhile. Maintain your discipline, keep learning, and keep in mind that success in aviation is developed gradually through perseverance and enthusiasm.

By: Rida Khan (Aviation Author)

Instagram A/c: aviationauthor.ridakhan

Q.) Kindly share your accomplishments.

Chef Marco: I started from nothing and built myself up. No shortcuts, no conventional route. I gained knowledge through failure, repetition, and obsession. Today, I research concepts, make distinctive meals, and work on my own book, which is very personal and reflects not only recipes but also a way of thinking. My true accomplishment is not a title, but having a voice.

Q.) When did you initially fall in love with cooking?

Chef Marco:  Not in the romantic sense. It was not immediate. Almost unintentionally, it developed steadily. It started out as curiosity, evolved into necessity, and eventually became everything. I knew I was in love with cooking when I couldn’t stop thinking about it—even when I was fatigued and things didn’t go as planned.

Q.) What would you say about your cooking style?

Chef Marco:  Emotional, accurate and changing. I prefer not to repeat myself. My approach strikes a mix between contemporary technique and raw instinct. There is influence from Italian roots, but also from Japanese precision and global perspectives. I make an effort to eliminate the superfluous and retain only what is important.

Q.) How do you stay up-to-date on the current culinary trends?

Chef Marco: I watch, but I don’t just follow. Trends are not directions; they are information. I observe, taste, and study, but I filter everything through my own identity. You will vanish if you follow trends. If you comprehend them, you maintain your relevance without losing your identity.

Q.) Your meal presentation is really colorful; could you perhaps share your inventiveness with us?

Chef Marco: Color is structure, not decoration. It’s balance. Each component—contrast, tension, and harmony—has a function. I work like a chef, but I think like a painter. I begin with an emotion or a concept and then transfer it into color, texture, and shape. Nothing happens at random.

Q.) What do you think about the food industry’s current trends?

Chef Marco: Though there is a lot of noise, there is also a lot of innovation. Sometimes aesthetics dominate too much over substance. Today, maintaining authenticity while continuing to evolve is a challenge. Although technique is crucial, it is meaningless without identity.

Q.) How can you make sure your food is visually appealing and enticing?

Chef Marco: Control and Intention. You have to understand light, texture, spacing, and proportions.  The eye must be guided naturally by a plate. More significantly, though, it needs to make sense. It fails if it tastes bad despite having a lovely appearance.

Q.) What do you think about “The Rise of Food Styling for Social Media”?

Chef Marco: It’s powerful but risky. It stimulates imagination, but it can also produce delusions. Food is more than simply an image; it’s an experience, temperature, texture, and aroma. Social media is a tool, not an objective. You lose something important if you cook just for the camera.

Q.) Any advice for the upcoming chef.

Chef Marco: Work. Fail. Repeat. Avoid seeking approval too soon. Build your foundation with discipline, technique, and consistency. Next, discover your voice. And once you find it, keep it safe.

Because cooking isn’t about being perfect in the end.

It’s about being authentic.

By: Rida Khan (Aviation Author)

Instagram A/c: aviationauthor.ridakhan

The In Appreciation of Spreading Humility, Kindness & Love Worldwide award will be presented at the Humility, Kindness & Love (HKL) conference in Telford on 11 April, the sixth of its kind internationally since 2024, which brings together organisations focused on positive social impact. It recognises The Big Lunch’s role in creating happier, healthier and more connected communities across the UK. Up to 3,000 people are expected to attend the conference in person, with around 1 million people joining the live stream from around the world.

The Big Lunch is the Eden Project’s annual invitation for neighbours to come together over food, friendship and conversation. Since it began in 2009, millions of people have taken part, from small street gatherings to larger community celebrations. 10 million people took part in The Big Lunch last year and research shows that over 80% of participants felt their wellbeing and mental health had improved and they felt a stronger sense of belonging and community spirit as a result of joining in.  

This year, The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out are teaming up for the first time to create one big nationwide moment of community action. Taking place from 5–8 June 2026, the weekend will bring people together to share food, connect with neighbours and take part in volunteering opportunities in their local area.

Organisers of the HKL conference will host a Big Lunch and local communities will be part of the celebrations at the conference, with local Big Lunch organisers invited to attend the event and inspire other guests with stories of how simple acts of connection have made a real difference in their areas – from reducing loneliness to building up green spaces and tackling anti-social behaviour.

In Tamworth, Etheline Deer, Chair of Belgrave Community Allotment, has helped transform a green space at the heart of a council estate into a thriving hub for the local community. Run by a small group of senior citizens, the allotment now includes raised beds, an orchard, a wellbeing garden and wildflower areas, all managed sustainably. By joining in with The Big Lunch, Etheline has brought together residents, schools, local fire and police, and the memory café, helping to reduce loneliness and build stronger community ties.

Etheline Deer, Chair of Belgrave Community Allotment, says:
“The Big Lunch has been a wonderful way to bring people together. We’ve seen friendships form, people feeling less isolated, and a real sense of pride growing in our community. It’s fantastic to be part of Humility, Kindness & Love and to meet so many inspiring people who are just as passionate about making a difference in their communities as me.”

Tracey Robbins, Head of Communities at the Eden Project, says:
“It’s a huge honour to be presented with this award at this wonderful gathering of community-minded people. This award is a real testament to the power of community and the things that can be achieved when people come together and support one another. The Big Lunch is driven by people across the UK who are making their neighbourhoods more welcoming, connected and resilient – and we’re incredibly proud to celebrate that.”

Richard Good, Humility, Kindness & Love Board Member said: 

“This is the first time we are presenting awards as part of our conference, celebrating the many acts of kindness and humility that happen every day but often go unnoticed. We are proud to recognise Eden Project’s The Big Lunch for bringing people and communities together through shared meals, helping individuals feel more connected and fostering a sense of unity and inner wellbeing.”

For more information about The Big Do and The Big Help Out visit www.thebigdo.com or www.GoVo.org

Micky Singh, who founded Blues 4 All (B4A) with the Championship club in 2015 and now runs the community supporter’s group with his son Bik, was given the prize by Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE during a special event to celebrate the 10th anniversary celebrations of Blues 4 All.

The Lord Mayor’s Award is an award for “outstanding achievement or exceptional service to the City and people of Birmingham”.

Professor Jagtar Singh, the UK’s first Asian firefighter to achieve the rank of chief fire officer and who set up the country’s very first equality department in the fire service in 1985, was honoured with an award by B4A, in addition to former BCFC Club photographer Roy Smiljanic and community volunteer Colin Nelson, integral figures within B4A and the Club’s community.

Over 100 guests from business, media, and sport – including former Birmingham City players – and B4A members attended the celebration hosted by Sky Sports and BBC broadcaster Amber Sandhu at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.

Micky Singh from Blues 4 All, said: “My feet haven’t touched the ground. It was a big surprise for me as I didn’t expect to receive something like this. For it to happen on the same day as our 10 year celebration was fantastic.”

Attendees at the B4A celebration event were also treated to a performance and PA by British-Punjabi composer, producer and singer Dr Zeus.

B4A, led by father and son Micky and Bik Singh, has grown into a powerful force for positive change over the past decade.

The group have helped to transform and extend the fanbase of Birmingham City FC’s Men and Women’s teams by engaging with thousands of members from local churches, gurdwaras, mosques, mandirs, grassroots, and community organisations.

The group has been shortlisted three times at the prestigious National FSA Awards and won the Fans for Diversity Award in 2017.

Blues 4 All has boosted attendance and involvement in the women’s game, particularly among local South Asian communities, and supported fans during the COVID-19 pandemic – presenting virtual watch parties, mental health-focused social events, a running club, and food parcel deliveries.

The group’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity in football by providing access to match day experiences for underrepresented communities around the revamped St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park, coincides with the 10th anniversary of the supporter-driven initiative and a new era of investment at the Club.

 London, UK — Sunil Chandarana, a leading expert on world and Asian food distribution across the UK warns that British Asian households are facing increasing financial pressure and the risk of food insecurity as the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran disrupts one of the world’s most critical trade routes — the Strait of Hormuz — driving up global shipping, fuel and food costs.

Recent military escalation in the region has effectively resulted in a sustained blockade and heightened instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route responsible for a significant proportion of global oil transit. The situation has forced major shipping operators to suspend passage through the strait or reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope — adding weeks to journey times and significantly increasing costs.

Although the UK imports relatively little food directly from the Gulf, it remains highly exposed to knock-on effects, including rising fuel prices, increased cargo insurance premiums and constrained global shipping capacity.

Industry analysts warn that UK food inflation — already elevated — could rise further in the coming months as retailers pass on increased costs. The cost of transporting goods has surged due to higher fuel prices and war-risk insurance premiums, with some estimates suggesting shipping costs on key routes have doubled or more since the onset of the crisis.

Impact on British Asian Households

British Asian communities are likely to be disproportionately affected due to their reliance on imported staple goods such as basmati rice, lentils (dals), spices, flours and cooking oils — many of which depend on complex international supply chains now under strain.

Households may face:

Significant price increases on essential cultural food staples, including rice, pulses, spices and edible oils

Reduced availability of certain imported goods due to delays and disrupted supply routes

Heightened cost of living pressures, forcing families to allocate more of their household budgets to food

Dietary adjustments, with some households potentially substituting traditional ingredients for lower-cost or more readily available alternatives

Cultural impacts, as the affordability of traditional meals and ingredients comes under strain, potentially altering long-established cooking and eating habits

A Shift in Food Habits?

If current conditions persist, many families may be forced to reconsider their food choices. Traditional diets — often centred around specific imported staples — could become increasingly difficult to maintain. There is growing concern that some households may turn to cheaper, more processed foods, with potential long-term implications for both health and cultural identity.

Multi-generational households and lower-income families are particularly vulnerable, as they often have less flexibility to absorb sustained price increases.

When Will Consumers Feel the Impact?

The effects are already beginning to filter through supply chains. Wholesale prices for key goods are rising, and retailers are expected to adjust prices more quickly than in previous disruptions due to the scale and immediacy of cost increases.

If the blockade and conflict continue over the coming weeks and months, consumers are likely to see more noticeable price rises across both supermarkets and independent retailers.

Long-Term Outlook

A prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could have lasting consequences for UK households:

Sustained food price inflation, adding further strain to the ongoing cost of living crisis

Long-term changes in purchasing behaviour, with consumers prioritising affordability over tradition

Pressure on cultural food practices, particularly within diaspora communities reliant on imported goods

Community leaders, industry stakeholders and policymakers are being urged to monitor developments closely and consider targeted support measures to ensure vulnerable households are not pushed into food insecurity.