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.

GATHERING CELEBRATES INDIA INDEPENDENCE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Gathering celebrates India independence

More than 100 people gathered to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of India Republic Day.

People gave speeches about topical issues affecting the Indian community at a celebration at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rothley Street, Leicester, on Saturday night.

Jashvant Chauhan, vice-president of the Gujarat Hindu Association in Leicester, said: "It was very well-attended and the programme went very well.

"Lots of people spoke about different issues – the UN in India, the rape in Delhi, the protection that exists because of the constitution and how it has stood the test of time, and the contribution Indians have had in the past, and hopes for the future."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby also attended, alongside assistant mayors Manjula Sood and Piara Singh Clair.

India gained independence from Britain in August 1947, but a new constitution was not adopted until January 26, 1950 and it is celebrated on that day.

REFUGEES OF UGANDA GET TO TELL STORIES

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Refugees of Uganda get to tell stories

Curators of a museum exhibition are inviting Leicester's Ugandan Asian community to share their memories at an event this Saturday.

The exhibition, planned for New Walk Museum later this year, will mark the 40th anniversary of the expulsion of Asian people from Uganda and, for some of them, their move to Leicester.

Using archive materials and oral histories, it will look at how Ugandan Asians adapted to life in the UK and how the community has influenced the city over the last four decades.

Organisers are hoping people will attend an event at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday to tell their tales.

Museum staff will be on hand to record interviews, scan photographs and gather other material that could feature in the 40 Years: The Ugandan Asian Story exhibition, which opens at New Walk Museum on July 14 and runs until September 30.

The event at the Rothley Street centre runs from 11am until 4pm. To find out more, or if you have an interesting story but cannot attend, call Philip French on 0116 225 4980.

40 YEARS: THE UGANDAN ASIAN STORY

Last week, I posted an article lifted from the Leicester Mercury about a forthcoming exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of the expulsion of the Asian community from Uganda. This morning, I found out some more information about this on the website for New Walk Museum and ArtGallery.

40 years: The Ugandan Asian Story

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, Leicester

14th July - 30th September 2012 

Leicester Arts & Museums are planning an exhibition at New Walk Museum & Art Gallery to mark the 40th anniversary of the expulsion of Ugandan Asians, and for some of them, a subsequent move to Leicester.

The exhibition will focus on the 40 years since the expulsion and the impact the Ugandan Asian community has had on Leicester and the way the community has adapted to life in the UK.

As part of the development of the exhibition we are looking to work with the Ugandan Asian community to record memorable stories by interviewing people, scanning photographs and recording objects. We are particularly interested in memories and objects from the early years of moving to and living in Leicester.

Please come along to our event day in March to share your memories and stories as well as to learn more about the events that unfolded over 90 days in 1972.

40 years: The Ugandan Asian Story - Event Day

Saturday 10th March 2012, 11.00am - 4.00pm

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rothley Street, LE4 6LF

If you would like to find out more about the exhibition or event day please contact: Philip French on 0116 225 4980 / philip.french@leicester.gov.uk

LAUGHS FOR ALL AS EAST MEETS WEST

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Laughs for all as East meets West

It's a universal language, laughter. Just ask Raj Brahmbhatt, actor, writer, director and producer of the Gujarati Comedy Group (Leicester), writes Gemma Collins.

He has been performing at Leicester's comedy festival since 2004 with his community sketch club and has built up quite a following.

"About 700 people came to see the shows last year," he says, proudly.

"Life can be tough, so it's nice to create a bit of light relief for the people of Leicester."

The group speak Gujarati. But that doesn't make this an exclusive gig, says Raj.

"Sure we're doing this for the Asian community, but people who cannot speak the language will understand when something is funny by the way we move or our expression. Laughter is for all."

It also has something to do with the fact the Gujarati Comedy Group pride themselves on addressing the city's diverse community with funny stories and sketches based on everyday situations.

Such as cross-cultural marriages and elderly Indians refusing to speak English.

Raj came to England in 1990 and couldn't speak a word of English.He was a lawyer in India but had done extensive acting both on stage and screen.

He went to night school and learned English as a foreign language.

"I used to go in to Leicester Market and just listen to people chatting and shouting," he says.

"It's traditional thinking in modern times, and always with a message," explains Raj. "We get our inspiration from life."

The group all have day jobs, as accountants, teachers, business people and such like.

"It's East meets West, featuring a lot of comedy material and a ridiculous number of costume changes.

"We've been working on this set for about five months," says Raj.Like all good regular gigging comedians, you can expect lots of new material from the Gujarati Comedy Group.

"Our regulars demand it," he laughs.

"We won Best Newcomer Community Group at the festival in 2005. Who knows what the future holds?"

Info: The Gujarati Comedy Group perform on Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 4pm, in Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rothley Street, Leicester.

HELP WANTED FOR UGANDAN ASIAN EXHIBITION

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Help wanted

Members of the Ugandan Asian community are being asked for their photographs and memories of moving to Leicester for an exhibition.

The interviews will be collected and used as part of an exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of the expulsion of Asian people from Uganda.

A session is being at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, in Rothley Street, Leicester, on March 10, from 11am for all the information to be collected.

For more information, or take part, call Philip French on 0116 225 4980.