List of All Articles with Tag 'fest'

Worldwide spending on business travel will top pre-pandemic levels next year and expand to more than $1.78 trillion

Church & Dwight, the parent company of Batiste, has agreed to settle a $2.5m class action lawsuit that claims its dry shampoo products contain a potentially harmful level of benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer in humans. Now, customers who purchased one or more Batiste dry shampoo products may be able to cash in on the million-dollar lawsuit. In the lawsuit, plaintiffs claimed that Batiste dry shampoo was contaminated with benzene, a known human carcinogen linked to leukaemia and other blood-related cancers. While the manufacturer has denied allegations of contamination and “denies that it did anything wrong”, it has agreed to pay out the $2.5m settlement “to avoid the costs and distractions associated with continuing this case”. The company’s settlement means that customers can qualify for a refund based on the type and number of Batiste products they purchased. Those who bought Batiste Bare or Clean or Batiste Light Bare dry shampoo products before 30 May 2023 - and can provide proof of purchase - can receive a full refund for the products they purchased through cash payment or a voucher. Meanwhile, people who cannot provide proof of purchase may receive $2 per product up to five products, for a maximum payment of $10. Customers who purchased Batiste products that were not Bare dry shampoos can still receive a $2 product voucher for each purchased product up to five items, for a maximum total of $10. Those who wish to take part in the class action claim must submit a valid claim form by 15 November 2023. The form asks customers to submit their name, address, and email, as well as information about the products purchased and payment options to receive the refund. The final approval hearing for the settlement is currently scheduled for 16 October 2023. The Batiste dry shampoo class action lawsuit comes nearly one year after Unilever - the manufacturer for brands like Dove, Suave, and TRESemmé - recalled 19 dry shampoo aerosol products for “potentially elevated levels” of benzene. After conducting an internal investigation, the company identified the propellant used in its aerosol cans as the source for the high levels of benzene. However, Unilever added that daily exposure to benzene in dry shampoo products “would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences”. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), benzene is a chemical that can occur naturally in the environment – such as in crude oil or gasoline – and can be used to manufacture plastics, lubricants, dyes and detergents. Indoor and outdoor air also contains low levels of benzene due to tobacco smoke, motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and or household paints. The major effect of long-term exposure to benzene is on the blood, which can lead to a decrease in red blood cells or anemia after a year or more of exposure to high benzene levels. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene can also cause blood-related cancers, such as leukaemia. Last November, independent laboratory Valisure found that 70 per cent of samples across 34 brands of Unilever dry shampoo products contained “quantifiable” levels of benzene. “The detection of high levels of benzene in dry shampoos should be cause for significant concern since these products are likely used indoors, where benzene may linger and be inhaled for prolonged periods of time,” said David Light, chief executive officer of Valisure, in a statement. “These and other issues identified by Valisure, including the detection of benzene in body spray, hand sanitiser, and sunscreen products, strongly underscore the importance of independent testing and its need to be better integrated into an increasingly complex and vulnerable global supply chain.” The Independent has contacted Church & Dwight for comment. Read More High levels of cancer-causing chemical detected in dry shampoo, study finds Procter & Gamble recalls more than 30 dry shampoo and conditioner products Trader Joe’s recalls two types of cookies over concerns they may contain rocks How quitting smoking can boost your health and finances – as Government considers adding messages to cigarette packs Mother tried to cure son of disease by putting him in a hole as a child Is it ever safe to sunbathe?

Portugal's Mais Habitação ("More Housing") law seeks to tackle the country's spiraling housing crisis. But its broad-brush measures threaten the future of hostels, guesthouses and the entire tourist industry, say those affected.

“We concluded that birthdays end lethally more frequently than might be expected."

The ‘00s Irish boy band-turned-pop group Westlife are set to embark on their first-ever run of North American tour dates in 2024, surrounding St. Patrick’s Day

Breakfast for dinner is a ritual I firmly believe should be participated in at least once a week and protected at all costs. The “most important meal of the day” is also the most contentious – debates still rage on what you should eat, when you should eat it, whether you should eat it at all. To which I say: be damned! Eat whatever you want, whenever you want. As a strictly savoury supporter, you won’t find me indulging in overly sweet pastries come dinnertime, but you will often find me whipping up mushroom crepes, toast with all the toppings or, as below, omelettes. In August, when tomatoes and peppers and courgettes and all the other colourful things are at their best, a summer garden omelette is the perfect way to start – or end – your day on a seasonal note. Speaking of summer’s bounty, other recipes in this week’s meal plan include a stir-fry with in-season courgette and sweetcorn, which makes for a quick, satisfying and veggie-packed meal for any day of the week. Equally light and bright is the bruschetta chicken delight or the grilled honey-lime pork chops with mango salsa, which celebrate the flavours of summer but are by no means restricted to the season. For something a little heartier, one-pan rice with prawns and salsa verde is easy to make, offers up serious flavour and, more importantly, saves on washing up. Summer garden omelette Bursting with a medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs, this omelette is a perfect way to start (or end) your day on a sunny note. The combination of colourful bell peppers, courgette, tomatoes and fragrant basil creates a symphony of tastes that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious. With a hint of melted cheddar cheese and a fluffy egg base, this omelette is a celebration of seasonal produce. Serves: 2 Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 4 large eggs ¼ cup (60 ml) milk Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon butter ½ red bell pepper, diced ½ yellow bell pepper, diced ½ small red onion, finely chopped 1 small courgette, diced 1 small tomato, seeded and diced ¼ cup (30g) grated cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped Method: Crack the eggs into a bowl, add the milk, a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. Whisk the mixture until well combined. Set aside. Prepare all the vegetables by washing, peeling and dicing as needed. Keep them ready for cooking. Grate the cheddar cheese and set it aside. Chop the fresh basil and set it aside as well. In a non-stick frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced red and yellow bell peppers, chopped red onion and diced courgette. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add the diced tomatoes to the pan and cook for an additional 2 minutes. This helps to remove excess moisture from the tomatoes. Give the egg mixture a final whisk and pour it evenly over the sautéed vegetables in the pan. Allow the omelette to cook undisturbed for a few minutes until the edges start to set. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over one half of the omelette. Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the cheese. Using a spatula, carefully fold the other half of the omelette over the cheese and basil side, creating a half-moon shape. Let the omelette cook for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and the omelette is cooked through but still slightly moist in the center. Gently slide the omelette onto a serving plate. You can garnish with additional fresh basil if desired. Serve the summer garden omelette with a side of toast or a fresh salad for a delightful summer breakfast or brunch. Zesty courgette and sweetcorn noodle stir-fry This dish is a harmonious blend of tender courgette, crisp sweetcorn and flavourful noodles, all brought together with a tangy sauce. Quick to prepare and bursting with fresh, vibrant ingredients, this recipe is perfect for those seeking a delicious and wholesome meal. Serves: 2 Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 200g egg noodles 2 medium courgettes, julienned or spiralised 1 cup sweetcorn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 red chilli, finely chopped (adjust to taste) 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 teaspoon brown sugar Salt and pepper, to taste Fresh coriander, chopped, for garnish Lime wedges, for serving Method: Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar and a pinch of black pepper. Set the sauce aside. Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped red chilli and grated ginger. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the julienned or spiralized courgettes to the pan. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften but still retain some crunch. Add the sweetcorn kernels to the pan and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cooked egg noodles to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and vegetables. Gently toss everything together to ensure the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, if needed. Remember that soy sauce is already salty, so be cautious. Remove the pan from the heat and garnish with chopped fresh coriander. Divide the courgette and sweetcorn noodle stir-fry between two plates. Serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra zesty kick. Bruschetta chicken delight This dish combines succulent grilled chicken with the fresh and zesty taste of classic bruschetta toppings. The marriage of juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil and tangy balsamic glaze atop tender chicken breasts creates a summery dish that’s sure to impress. Serves: 2 Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 2 large ripe tomatoes, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze or reduction 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick) ½ baguette, sliced diagonally Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Method: Rub the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the chicken in a zip-top bag or a shallow dish and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the other components. In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, sliced basil leaves, balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set the bruschetta topping aside. Preheat your grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken breasts for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 75C and the chicken is cooked through. Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the chicken breasts. While the chicken is grilling, brush the baguette slices with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Toast the baguette slices on the grill for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until they’re golden and crisp. Set aside. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing. Place a grilled chicken breast on each plate. Top the chicken with a generous amount of the bruschetta topping, allowing the juices to mingle with the chicken. Drizzle balsamic glaze or reduction over the chicken and bruschetta. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an extra burst of flavour and visual appeal. Serve the bruschetta chicken delight with the toasted baguette slices on the side for a complete and delightful meal. One-pan salsa verde prawns with rice This vibrant dish combines succulent prawns with the zesty allure of salsa verde, all cooked together in a single pan. With the added bonus of rice soaking up the delicious juices, this recipe promises a quick, satisfying and tantalising meal that’ll become a staple in your kitchen. Serves: 2 Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes Ingredients: 200g raw prawns, peeled and deveined 1 cup long-grain rice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth ½ cup salsa verde (shop-bought or homemade) 1 teaspoon cumin Salt and pepper, to taste Juice of 1 lime Fresh coriander, chopped, for garnish Method: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside. Pat the prawns dry with paper towels and season them with a pinch of salt, pepper and cumin. In a large pan or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the rinsed rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb some of the flavours. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and salsa verde. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid and let the rice cook for about 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Once the rice is almost cooked, gently nestle the seasoned prawns into the rice mixture. Cover the pan again and let the prawns cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque. The cooking time will depend on the size of the prawns. Squeeze the lime juice over the cooked prawns and rice. Sprinkle freshly chopped coriander (cilantro) over the dish for a burst of fresh flavour. Serve directly from the pan, offering a vibrant and satisfying meal in just one dish. Grilled honey-lime pork chops with mango salsa These succulent pork chops are marinated in a zesty honey-lime mixture, then perfectly grilled to create a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavours. Topped with a vibrant mango salsa, this dish is a burst of tropical goodness that encapsulates the essence of the season. Serves: 2 Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 2 bone-in pork chops Zest and juice of 1 lime 3 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin Salt and pepper, to taste For the mango salsa: 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced ¼ red onion, finely chopped ½ red bell pepper, diced ½ jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped (adjust to taste) Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped Salt, to taste Method: In a bowl, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, honey, olive oil, ground cumin, salt and pepper to create the marinade. Place the pork chops in a shallow dish or a zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them. Ensure the pork chops are evenly coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. In a bowl, combine the diced mango, finely chopped red onion, diced red bell pepper, chopped jalapeno pepper, lime juice and chopped fresh coriander. Season the salsa with a pinch of salt and gently mix everything together. Set the salsa aside. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the pork chops from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Grill the pork chops for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 63C and are cooked through. Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the pork chops. Once cooked, remove the pork chops from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Place a grilled pork chop on each plate. Top each pork chop with a generous spoonful of the mango salsa, allowing the vibrant flavours to mingle. Serve alongside your favourite summer sides, such as grilled vegetables or a fresh salad. Read More Where to find the best Guinness in London – and how to spot a bad one How sizzling kitchen drama The Bear is spicing up the dating game for chefs Marina O’Loughlin is wrong – there’s joy in solo dining Budget Bites: Three recipes to keep food bills down before pay day Meal plan: Romesco chicken and other recipes to fall in love with The chef who hated food as a child

A 24-year-old triple threat who toured in “Hairspray,” competed on “American Idol” and came to the attention of casting agents with her TikTok videos has landed the plumb role of Dorothy in the Broadway-bound production of “The Wiz.”

Chloe Bailey was left in distress after she recently accidentally ate a beef burger, interrupting 10 years of dedicated veganism. The Little Mermaid star, 25, and her younger sister Halle Bailey, 23, have both been vegans for the last decade and have been outspoken about their dietary choices. However, Chloe revealed in an Instagram Live stream that she was mistakenly served red meat instead of a plant-based Beyond Meat burger over the weekend, just before attending Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia. According to Chloe, the incident occurred on Saturday (12 August) after she ordered burgers for her and Halle in the hotel they were staying in before the show. She told fans: “So I called to get a Beyond Burger for sis and I like usual. Specified that it’s vegan, no butter on the bun, nothing like that. “So we get the burgers, I’m getting out of the shower… and she’s eating the burger and she’s like, ‘Are you sure this is Beyond?’” Confident in her ordering, Chloe said it was. However, when she took a bite of the burger herself, she realised something was wrong. The “Do It” singer continued: “I touched the patty and smelled it and was like, ‘Of course it’s Beyond, yeah’. So I finish getting dressed, I take a bite and the juice dripping from the burger is not like a Beyond burger. I just knew it was not a fake burger. “The one bite I took and I just knew. Immediately I said, ‘This doesn’t feel right’.” She quickly rang the hotel’s front desk to ask if they delivered vegan burgers to her hotel room. However, the concierge’s answer horrified her. “He said, ‘No, they’re brand burgers’. I said, ‘Brand burgers? I said Beyond burgers’. I don’t even know what a brand burger is,” she told fans on the livestream. “Immediately I’m losing my s***. I gobbled down a whole can of Sprite. Halle’s laughing at me because I’m crying. This is right before the concert yesterday. I’m crying, Halle’s just laughing so hard at me because I’m freaking out. “I’ve been vegan for 10 years. I have not consumed any red meat for 10 years,” Chloe added. The clip was shared on the celebrity news Instagram account The Shade Room, and prompted sympathy from other vegetarian and vegan fans. “I’m vegetarian and it’s definitely hard to tell the difference sometimes but you know the taste of real meat and that stomach ache ain’t no joke,” one person commented. Another said: “My first time eating meat after a full vegan diet, my stomach… revolted.” Halle said in a 2017 interview with Complex that the sisters went vegan because of their mother. She explained: “One day, she was like, ‘I’m gonna try to be vegetarian for a week. You can join me if you’d like’. We started the week with her and just never went back.” In an awkward red carpet exchange at the premiere of live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, Halle was asked who she would choose to eat between Flounder and Sebastian. In the film, Flounder is a fish and Sebastian is a crab. She responded: “I would not eat either of them. They’re my friends." Read More The millionaire smuggled out of Japan in a box: Was Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn a victim or a villain? Husband ‘ruins’ dinner because of his wife’s typo: ‘The worst kind of control freak’ Billy Porter hits out at Harry Styles and Anna Wintour over Vogue cover: ‘You’re using my community’ How sizzling kitchen drama The Bear is spicing up the dating game for chefs Mick Fleetwood says his Hawaii restaurant was ‘lost’ in devastating Maui wildfires Where to find the best Guinness in London – and how to spot a bad one

Messages encouraging smokers to quit could be added to cigarette packs. A draft proposal with the suggestion is being considered by the Government. According to the Department of Health, these inserts will highlight the financial and health benefits of giving up smoking and the support available to those trying to quit. The Department of Health hopes the inserts – which have already been used in other countries including Canada and Israel, with Australia also planning to introduce them – could lead to an additional 30,000 smokers giving up, saving up to £1.6 billion in health costs. Smoking is still one of the most preventable causes of illness and death in the UK, with around 76,000 people dying from it every year, according to NHS figures. The consultation launched on Monday and will be running until October. In the meantime, it’s always a good time to try and stop smoking, and focusing on the positive outcomes can help you stay on track too. Here are some of the financial and health benefits of quitting smoking… More disposable income Smoking costs around £17.3 billion a year across England overall, according to the latest 2023 economic data analysis commissioned by public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). This includes a significant cost to the NHS and social care, with smoking-related admissions and primary treatments reportedly costing £1.9 billion yearly. However, quitting smoking could make a significant difference to people’s individual pockets too – a major incentive to beat the habit. Especially right now, with the cost of living so high. According to Everyone Health, if you get through 20 cigarettes a day, with a packet of cigarettes costing £13.30, that’s a spend of £93.10 per week, or £4,841.20 per year. The average smoker may smoke a bit less than that per day, but this could still add up to serious money. “The average smoker can save around £38 a week by quitting smoking, that’s £2,000 a year, according to the NHS,” said Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click. What could you do for yourself and your family with that extra money? Better mental and physical healthThe good news is, evidence suggests quitting at any point in life leads to big improvements in your health, including increased life expectancy and lower disease risk. “Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health,” said Kanani. “Quitting smoking improves your physical health, and boosts your mental health and wellbeing after as little as six weeks of being smoke-free. Every time you smoke a cigarette, your body is flooded with thousands of chemicals, many of which are poisonous. “The day you stop, your body starts clearing itself of all those nasty toxins and the repair process begins. People who have quit also have increased positive mood compared with people who continue to smoke,” Kanani added: “Longer-term risks of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke will be significantly reduced too. You will also be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, bone disease including osteoporosis, eye disease and dementia.” Improved blood circulation “The blood circulation to your heart and muscles can improve, which will make physical activity easier and improve lung function, which leads to reductions in any cough, wheezing or other breathing problems,” continued Kanani. All of this will have a knock-on effect on how energised you feel day-to-day, as well as contributing to better general health in the short and long term. Improved sense of taste and smell Being able to taste and smell food better is another huge bonus to quitting smoking. George Sandhu, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, said: “There are a number of almost immediate benefits to stopping smoking, including healthier teeth and gums, fresher breath, and improved sense of taste and smell. In the longer term, you’ll probably find your breathing will improve, and ultimately you’ll probably end up living a longer, healthier life.” Protecting your loved ones from second-hand smoke Second-hand smoking or ‘passive smoking’ is dangerous too. According to the NHS, most of the smoke from a cigarette goes into the air around you and not your lungs – therefore it’s those around you or nearby that will breath it in. And as the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. “Quitting means you’ll protect your loved ones from the potential health harms of second-hand smoke too,” said Kanani. If you would like support to help you quit smoking, talk to your GP or local pharmacist. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Is it ever safe to sunbathe? A beginner’s guide to pickling your homegrown fruit and veg Mother tried to cure son of disease by putting him in a hole as a child

A man who spent thousands of pounds to look like a dog has revealed what his life is like. In July, the man who goes by Toco on YouTube, went viral after he posted a video of himself walking around Tokyo wearing a realistic Border Collie suit, which cost him £12,500 to have custom made. He explained in the video that his life-long dream was to become a dog and explained that he chose to become a Border Collie due to the breed's size. Now he has shared more about his life as an animal in a series of press interviews. “My desire to be an animal is like a desire to transform, a desire to be something that I am not,” he told the New York Post. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter He added that he wears the costume once a week, mostly at home and his family are accepting of him. “The family was surprised, but received it favourably,” he said. 【驚愕】人が犬に変身！　リアルな着ぐるみで外を散歩してみた！ www.youtube.com “I am very happy that they accepted it.” In a separate interview with the Mirror, he said: “I rarely tell my friends because I am afraid they will think I am weird. “My friends and family seemed very surprised to learn I became an animal. But he told the Daily Mail his colleagues are less accepting. “They think it’s weird that I want to be a dog. For the same reason why I can’t show my real face.” But that won't stop him living the life he loves. “I’m just sad that people can think that,” he said. “I love animals and enjoy play-acting like a collie.” He continued: “This is my hobby, so I will carry on. It makes me happy and other people happy, too.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A paraplegic man with polio who spent hours of his childhood in a hole in the ground in Mumbai, as his mother believed blood flow to his legs may cure the disease, and was “carried everywhere” until the age of 14, has said “you should never give up” as he defied the odds to become a professional wheelchair sportsman and father a child in his 50s. Jignesh (Jig) Vaidya, 52, who was born in Mumbai, India, but now lives in Leicester, contracted polio aged two as he was not “vaccinated at the right time” because his family could not afford it. This resulted in him being paralysed from the waist down, and he was hospitalised for at least six months at the age of four, with his legs in plaster to keep them straight. After this, Jignesh’s doctor said “there’s nothing we can do”, and since his family could not afford a wheelchair or further treatment, and his access to education was limited due to his disability, he remained at home for several years, with his mother Nirmala, now 83, “doing everything for him” – washing, feeding, changing and carrying him. Defying his difficult beginnings, Jignesh has spent his life moving across the world, becoming a professional wheelchair basketball player and enjoying a successful career, currently working as a project assistant at Maximus UK and broadcast assistant at the BBC, all before the birth of his now 20-month-old son, Jesse. He has not forgotten where his life began, however, and told PA Real Life: “As an Indian remedy, (my mother) dug a hole outside our house in the sun and put my whole body in it for six hours every day, neck down, in 30-degree heat. “She put really heavy bangles on both my legs and asked me to sit on the wall for three, four hours a day, dangling them, as she thought, ‘Jignesh will walk one day’.” Jignesh said his mother believed in Indian medication and thought the blood flow may help to cure his polio – a serious infection caused by a virus – but Jignesh described it as “hell”. From that point on, he thought, “this is going to be my life, this is it for me, it’s not going to get any better”. “I thought, ‘I’m going to be a loser – I hate to say that word – I’m not going to have any friends, and I’m going to be asking people for help all my life’,” he added. At the age of 14, Jignesh was given a wheelchair after his community rallied to raise some funds and he was finally able to go to school. He said he had to “catch up to the people who were ahead of (him)”, but he loved having some independence and no longer having to be carried by his family or others. He experienced a major setback when he moved to Dubai at 16, as he gave up his wheelchair to support another young boy with polio in Mumbai, and this left him in a dark place, mentally, as he had no “freedom”. Since then, however, he has moved to Leicester, received an “amazing education”, competed as a professional wheelchair basketball player, skydived, and fathered a son called Jesse, despite doctors saying this would not be possible. Jignesh said: “You should never give up in this life, and don’t be afraid to open up and ask for help. “Do what you’re best at and, if you work at something every day, whatever your goal is in life, you will get there. “It may take some time, maybe even years – it took me until the age of 20 to learn how to write my name in English – but I didn’t give up and look at me now.” From the age of 14, when Jignesh received his first wheelchair in Mumbai, he said he started to “flourish” and enjoyed going to school. However, he was subjected to discriminatory comments by his teachers, with one saying: “He’s handicapped, he can’t go at the front, put him in the back.” Since Jignesh’s late father Laxmikant, 66, was working in Dubai at the time, he ended up moving out there for two years at the age of 16 – but because his family could not afford to send him to school and he no longer had his wheelchair, he said he spent two years “looking out the window, watching people go by”. He said “there was nothing for (him)”, apart from a taxi ride once a month, and this significantly impacted his mental health, as he felt this had reversed all the progress he had made. “There was one point in my life, in those two years, where I was going to dark places and crying all the time,” he said. “I thought, ‘If mum’s not here, I could jump out the window and nobody will know. I can end it’, because I thought, ‘This is it, I can’t go back to what I had, I’m stuck’.” After his father earned enough money from those two years in Dubai, he and his family moved to the UK in 1988, when he was 18, and this is when everything changed. He received a new wheelchair in March 1989, aged 19, and started full-time education in September 1990, aged 20, where he learned English, maths, and how to use computers – and given he had impressive upper body strength and speed, he started playing sports as well, including wheelchair hockey and basketball. “I was a coloured person, a new arrival, couldn’t speak the language, and yet I was treated like everyone else,” he said. “I just thought, ‘Wow, I’m a part of society, I’m not being treated like a dog, like I was in Mumbai’, and if an opportunity comes in, I will take it, as there’s no going back. “When I started playing sports, I knew there and then that this is it, this is my life, this is my path.” Jignesh has since gone on to compete as a professional wheelchair basketball player internationally in places such as France, play for teams including MK Aces Wheelchair Basketball Club and Leicester Cobras, coach at the Coventry Crusaders club, skydive, and father Jesse with his partner Julie, 40, a teacher – confounding doctors. He goes to his local Nuffield Health gym every day, completing workouts and classes which have been adapted for him, and this helps to slow the progression of his polio as muscle weakness can increase over time. He “cherishes” being able to work with the “amazing” staff, including his personal trainer Matthew Molloy, in an inclusive environment where he is part of a team, supported, and everyone can “flourish”. Looking back, Jignesh realises why his mother, who he now cares for, would say, “everything happens for a reason”, and he is extremely grateful for his family’s love and support. He is excited to watch Jesse grow up, and he wants to continue encouraging disabled people to stay active, fight for their rights, and “never give up”. “I never thought that when I was in that hole, or when I was in Dubai and had nothing, that I’d be where I am today,” he said. “Sometimes, when I’m driving, I think, ‘This could be a movie; I’m going to wake up and be back in Mumbai’, so every day now, I pray and say, ‘Thank you’.” To find out more about Nuffield Health, visit: nuffieldhealth.com Read More Trypophobia: ‘Mushrooms, Beanie Babies and Doja Cat - I lived in fear for 30 years’ Lucozade addict drinks eight bottles a day and says it’s harder to quit than class-A drugs Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Shoppers are looking beyond just the price tag of a skirt or a pair of pants in the wake of still stubbornly high inflation