India Comes to London

Louise Nousratpour
July 2007

LONDON mayor Ken Livingstone brought the might of Taj Mahal and the spice of India onto the Thames yesterday as he launched a summer of events celebrating the capital’s strengthening relationship with India.

The replica of Taj Mahal sailed up the Thames, pictured against some of London’s most famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, to mark the start of the India Now season.

Bollywood beauty and Big Brother celebrity winner Shilpa Shetty and Srinagar-born actress Joanna Lumley OBE joined the mayor on the London Bridge pier to promote the three-months rainbow celebrations dedicated to Indian culture and business.

Mr Livingstone said that the campaign aimed to highlight the strong economic and cultural links between London and India.

“I’ve been in talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown about removing all trade barriers between Britain and India,” he told a press briefing.

“We must resist temptations to see barriers raised against China and India, as the US is trying to do. It’s better to grow with these emerging economies.”

Mr Livingstone further called for a “business passport” to allow Indian businessmen “come and go without being hassled at airports.”

Asked if racism was still a problem in London following the Big Brother scandal last year, Mr Livingstone noted: “Yes, but they are an amazingly small minority and getting smaller by the year.

“Racism has no place in London’s future, because it’s simply not good for the capital’s health or wealth.”

Later that evening, the Taj Mahal replica floated in front of Big Ben with a backdrop of colours signifying the Indian flag to highlight the 60th anniversary of its independence from British rule.

London will be awash with India’s biggest Bollywood stars, art, film, food, theatre fashion and business between now and September.

For more details see the Time Out magazine, which, in partnership with the mayor, is producing a guide for the India Now season of over 1,500 events.