Redhotcurry - Archived South Asian News Stories

The Foreign Secretary met today Professor G L Peiris, Sri Lankan Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy, Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs. Professor Peiris is the Minister leading the government delegation at the peace talks. Commenting on the meeting Jack Straw said: 'I was very pleased to be able to meet Professor Peiris today.

£6 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY COHESION

Community Cohesion Minister Beverley Hughes launches the joint guidance note on commmunity cohesion.

Joint guidance on community cohesion was today launched at a joint LGA (Local Government Association) and Home Office Conference. The Guidance covers issues such as housing, young people, refugee communities and how local councils can best promote strong united communities and avoid the conditions which gave rise to the disturbances in the Summer of 2001.

JACK STRAW WELCOMES INDIAN MINISTER YASHWANT SINHA

The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, today met with the Indian Minister for External Affairs, Yashwant Sinah. After their meeting Jack Straw said: 'I was pleased to see Yashwant Sinah today. This is the third time we have met in as many months, but there is always a lot to talk about. We are both working hard to promote the already excellent bilateral relationship between India and the UK. We spoke about our growing links in commerce and education. We agreed that there is a need to increase direct air services between the UK and India to satisfy consumer demands.

ASIANS HONOURED IN GOLDEN JUBILEE YEAR

A number of well-known Asians have been chosen by Queen to receive honours in her Golden Jubilee year Honours List. Knighthoods have been bestowed on Gulam Kaderbhoy G K Noon and Professor Partha Sarathi Dasgupta of Cambridge University.

ASIAN HIGH FLIERS GET EASY ROUTE INTO THE UK

Asian Doctors, Entrepreneurs, IT & Technology workers and other high fliers got some welcome news today as the UK Home Office published a new report on its work permit and visa schemes. The new report shows that the UK is a world leader in attracting skilled migrants

BUSINESS SHOULD USE ETHNIC MEDIA

Business managers should be using the ethnic media more to help tap into the talent that exists within the UK's ethnic minorities, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said today.

NON-ASIANS SWEEP THE BOARD AT EMMA 2002

Sanjeev Bhaskar was one of the few Asians to pick up an award for his show 'The Kumars at No 42'

Non-Asians swept the board at last night's EMMA Awards ceremony winning nearly 70% of the awards from all categories. Partly reflecting the American Oscars voting this year, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry were awarded Best Film Actor and Best Film Actress for their parts in Training Day and Swordfish. Sanjeev Bhaskar was one of the few Asians to pick up an award for his BBC show 'The Kumars at No 42'

Asian Leaders call for calm over India/Pakistan Tension

Home Secretary David Blunkett and leaders of British South Asian communities met today to discuss the effect on community relations in the UK of current tension between India and Pakistan. They called on British South Asian communities to remain calm and urged the Governments of India and Pakistan to respond to diplomatic pressure to desist from war. read more

Asian Women of Achievement Award Winners 2002

At a glittering awards ceremony last night, Baroness Prashar of Runnymede was awarded the Chairman's Award for The Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2002. The awards were set up to recognise the immense accomplishments of unsung heroines within the Asian community as well in the commercial, professional, artistic and humanitarian sectors.

The Queen to visit ethnic communities

Buckingham Palace today released details that The Queen wished as part of her Jubilee programme to celebrate with British non-Christian communities. The four largest such groups are Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Jewish. The Queen will be visiting each of these faiths in separate visits over the summer

The War on Terrorism is boosting racism

In a new report published today, the Institute of Race Relations claims that the EU (European Union) in following the US approach to fighting terrorism, is seriously undermining its own democratic traditions and creating explosive racism.

Wobbly bridges better than none says CRE

Gurbux Singh, Chair of the CRE comments on Jean-Marie Le Pen's French presidential election success.

Following Monday's electoral success by Jean-Marie Le Pen in the French presidential elections, Gurbux Singh Chair of the CRE commented that "the challenge for all politicians and policy makers now is to build bridges between communities, however wobbly and fragile those bridges may initially be."

Xenophobia unsettles Europe

Yesterday's success of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the first round of the French presidential elections has confirmed the trend of electoral success by right-wing parties throughout Europe. The EUMC has called on political leaders throughout Europe to counter the rise of the Far Right in Europe by condemning xenophobia and racism and embracing ethnic diversity. Read more

"Curry & Lager" Ads to help unite Communities

New radio adverts to help unite communities

Two new radio adverts launched today will use the power of radio to promote a very different understanding of race relations in the riot-hit towns of the North of England. Commissioned by the CRE, the first advert features four men of different nationality in a sinking ship in shark infested waters; the second expounds the curry and lager theme!

Race can limit Career Choice say Women

In a new survey published today two in three British women believe race can limit career choice and career progression. Over 1,100 women were asked for their views in a major new survey commissioned jointly by She Magazine and the Commission for Racial Equality. Their answers make fascinating reading. Read more

Asian Business Awards 2002

The Prince of Wales presented the Eastern Eye Young Achiever Award to a British Asian businessman who began his career selling fish at the age of 18 while studying for his A'levels. Shelim Hussain now aged 29, has a workforce of 200 staff in his food processing plants in Newport, South Wales and Croydon.

Women are still going cheap

EOC, "why are women still going cheap" equal pay campaign advert

Women graduates are still going cheap, Julie Mellor, Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) said today as she launched a new phase of the EOC's Valuing Women campaign for equal pay. Female students can expect to be earning 15% less than men before they reach the age of 24, according to the early findings of research commissioned by the EOC and the gap gets progressively wider among older graduates.

Equal Payers rewarded with a new Mark of Excellence

Women job seekers will be able to identify employers offering them the best equal pay deal under a new award scheme opened today by Minister for Women, Barbara Roche. Employers were urged to apply for a Castle Award, the new mark of excellence rewarding employers' work in tackling equal pay issues within their organisation.

Mittal still the Richest Asian in Britain

Steel baron Lakshmi Mittal, whose company Ispat International is the world's eighth largest steel manufacturer, maintains his position at the top of the money mountain this year. Friday 15th March 2002 sees the publication of the annual Asian Xpress Rich List, the official listing of the 275 wealthiest Asians in the UK.

Migrants make money for the UK

Migrants to the UK contributed around £2.5 billion to the Exchequer in 1999/2000 according to a report published today by the Home Office. Overall, migrants contributed £31.2 billion in taxes.

Immigration Overhaul

Home Secretary, David Blunkett, today announced a radical reform of nationality, immigration and asylum policy in the UK. The White Paper sets out a comprehensive set of measures to deliver a properly managed, robust and integrated system of immigration, nationality and asylum for Britain in the 21st Century.

India banks on more IT outsourcing.

India is one of the hottest destinations for financial companies looking to outsource their back-end administration processes. Almost a fifth (19%) of financial institutions already outsource their business processes, with banks leading the way - over 44% entrust their electronic payments, bill queries, customer service and call centres to other countries. Read more

Amitabh Bachchan brings 'Bollywood' to Selfridges

Legendary Bollywood actor, Amitabh Bachchan, nearly brought London's Oxford Street to a stand still as he joined a host of celebrities to the launch the 'Bollywood' season at Selfridges. The 23 1/2 Days of Bollywood season will run at Selfridges from 3 - 26 May and represents the biggest celebration ever mounted of Bollywood's film culture. It will include personal appearances by the stars, 'filmi' dance shows, screenings, fashion shows, and food.

FCO Comment on the situation in Gujarat

The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw met with representatives of Muslim organisations including Lord Patel, Shamsuddin Agha, President of the Indian Muslim Federation, Yousuf Bhailok, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Mohammed Gajia of the Council of Indian Muslims, Khalid Mahmood MP and Mark Hendrick MP this afternoon following the Godhra train burning incident in Gujarat on February 27th.

Home Office appoints New Race Equality Adviser

The Home Office announced that Mark Carroll will be appointed as its new Race Equality Adviser. He will be responsible for advising on the promotion, implementation and monitoring of race equality in Home Office policy and programmes. His role will earn him more than £50,000 per annum.

Gurpal Virdi returns to work with £90,000

Having won his fight to clear his name and reputation, Metropolitan Police Sergeant Gurpal Virdi is set to go back to what he does best - fighting crime. Mr Virdi today signed a settlement agreement with the Met at the CRE.

Government to Tackle Job Discrimination.

Barbara Roche, the Minister responsible for equality co-ordination, today published new proposals to outlaw unfair discrimination at work on the grounds of sexual orientation, religion, and age. The consultation exercise will last until the end of March 2002, with the Race Directive being implemented by July 2003.

Core values, not Britishness, are the key says the CRE.

Welcoming a Government-sponsored report into the north of England riots, CRE Chairman Gurbux Singh today said: "There are certain core values at the heart of every civilised society. I believe honesty, respect for others, respect for the law, fairness, and accepting each others' differences - these are the basic requirements of any good citizen." read more

Britain. We all make it unique.

The "Unique faces of Britain" poster campaign, launched by the CRE (Commission for Racial Equality), celebrates and encourages recognition of ethnic diversity in this country. It acknowledges modern Britain for what it is - a fascinating multicultural, multiracial, multi-faith nation.

Click on the links in the left-hand navigation panel to read archived news stories, or Click here to read current News stories.

Top