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Rishi Sunak Embodies Indian Values Abroad, Says Sudha Murty

November 18, 2024, 12:00 pm

Renowned author and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty praised for her son-in-law, Rishi Sunak, emphasizing his ability to maintain “good Indian cultural values” despite being a British citizen. She attributed these values to the upbringing Sunak received from his parents, Usha and Yashvir Sunak, in the UK.

Sudha Murty, accompanied by her daughter Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak, was a guest of honour at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s annual Diwali gala held in London. The event also saw the presence of Sunak’s parents, Usha and Yashvir Sunak, as students of Bhavan UK showcased traditional Indian classical music and dance performances.

The Importance of Education and Culture

Delivering the keynote address, Sudha Murty emphasized the dual importance of education and cultural roots for children growing up abroad. “I always believe when you are abroad, your parents must do two things: one is good education, which gives you wings in return and you can fly anywhere and settle; the second is great culture, your origin which is Indian origin or roots which you can get at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan along with your parents,” she said.

She also extended her appreciation to Usha Sunak, calling her a “sambandhi and a good friend,” for instilling cultural pride in Rishi Sunak.

Appeal for Supporting Indian Culture

Sudha Murty urged the British Indian community to support Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s cultural initiatives, emphasizing their role in preserving Indian traditions. “You must send your children here to understand Indian culture because when you grow old, you go towards your roots… that gap is addressed by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, so you have to help them in every way to survive,” she said.

Reflections on Diwali’s Universal Message

Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, highlighted the significance of Diwali in connecting diverse Indian traditions. Drawing upon Sudha Murty’s writings, he said, “Our origin story matters,” and explained how Diwali resonates across different regions and religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism. He added, “In a world where we fight about certainties, it is a good idea to look at Diwali as an opportunity to consider how so many things look differently in the light.”

Showcasing Indian Arts and Culture

The Bhavan UK, under the leadership of Subhanu Saxena and Dr. M.N. Nandakumara, showcased its achievements as a cultural hub for Indian arts, offering over 120 classes in 23 subjects, including music, dance, yoga, and languages. During the event, Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty presented mementoes to the team behind the centre’s activities since the 1970s.

Students and teachers performed Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Bharatanatyam, appealing for donations to enhance the centre’s summer school and scholarship programs. NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul lauded the Bhavan UK’s efforts, stating, “The Bhavan UK is a great organisation promoting Indian culture and deserves our full support.”

The gala underscored the enduring relevance of cultural preservation and community involvement in bridging the gap between Indian traditions and global living.

UK Election 2024 Result: Labour Party Claims Majority with 326 Seats in Parliament

July 5, 2024, 9:34 am

Official results show Britain’s Labour Party has won enough seats to have a majority in the UK Parliament will form the next government. Labour Party has won 326 seats, achieving a parliamentary majority in the 650-seat House of Commons. The party leader Keir Starmer told supporters at the Tate Modern museum in London.

Keir Starmer’s Labour Party registered a major victory, bagging 337 seats so far in the 650-member parliament, as counting continues. Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party was a distant third with 72 seats, and the Liberal Democrats won 46. Counting on nearly 150 seats is still underway.

“We did it! You campaigned for it, you fought for it, you ovoted for it, and now it has arrived. Change begins now. And it fees good, I have to be honest. four and a half years of wok changing the party, this is what it is for, a changed labour party, ready to serve our country, ready to restore Britain to the service of working people,” Starmer was quoted as saying.

Additionally, Nigel Farage, head of the far-right Reform UK party, secured a seat following seven unsuccessful election bids. Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour Party leader during the 2017 and 2019 general elections, retained his position in north London, now standing as an independent candidate.

Keir Starmer, the Labour leader on track to become the first Labour Prime Minister in 14 years, stressed his commitment to prioritizing “country first, party second.” He emphasized the weight of the electoral mandate, stating, “A responsibility of this magnitude comes with great responsibility,” and outlined his government’s focus on “national rejuvenation.”

“We must return politics to its core function of serving the public,” he affirmed.

With more than half of the 650 seats counted, Labour seems set to secure one of its largest majorities ever in the House of Commons.

Labour party is significantly leading with over 250 seats secured, surpassing other parties, with more than half of the 650 seats already announced. Later on Friday, Starmer is expected to meet with King Charles III to seek approval to form a new government.

UK General Election 2024: Rishi Sunak Concedes Defeat, Congratulates Keir Starmer After Tory wipeout

July 5, 2024, 9:25 am

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged the overwhelming victory of the Labour Party in the general election as initial results indicated a significant lead for his opponents.

“The Labour Party has emerged victorious in this general election, and I have spoken with Keir Starmer to offer my congratulations on his win, Prime Minister Sunak announced.

“Today, power will transition peacefully and orderly, with goodwill prevailing on all fronts,” Prime Minister Sunak added.

Sunak characterized the election outcome as “sobering,” recognizing Labour’s success. “The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have spoken with Sir Keir Starmer to extend my congratulations on his victory,” Sunak remarked, emphasizing a peaceful transition of power as a testament to the country’s stability and promising future.

He reiterated this sentiment after securing his own parliamentary seat in northern England. Additionally, Sunak, who was re-elected in North Yorkshire, addressed his supporters, affirming, “The Labour party has won this general election.”

UK current Prime Minister and Conservative Party candidate secured a victory in Richmond and Northallerton.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat in the general election as result trends predict a massive win for the Labour Party.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the British election result as “sobering,” acknowledging the Labour Party’s victory.

Sunak, re-elected in North Yorkshire, addressed his supporters, stating, “The Labour party has won this general election.”

Meet Keir Starmer: From Law to Leadership, Insights into Labour Leader’s Vision for India

July 5, 2024, 9:15 am

The Labour Party, the main Opposition in Britain, is expected to win a decisive victory in the general election, according to exit polls released on Thursday. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is poised to succeed as Britain’s next prime minister.

Exit polls suggest that the centre-left Labour Party will secure 410 out of 650 seats in the House of Commons, surpassing the majority mark by 170 seats. Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party is forecasted to win only 131 seats, marking a historic low. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is projected to win 13 seats.

Keir Starmer, aged 61 and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to law and criminal justice, is set to become Britain’s next prime minister. He first entered Parliament as a member from London in 2015 and is a lawyer by profession.

Starmer, who has two children with his wife Victoria, an NHS employee, is credited with revitalizing the Labour Party after its poor performance in the 2019 general election. He has strengthened ties with the significant Indian diaspora, which felt marginalized under previous leader Jeremy Corbyn due to concerns over his stance on Kashmir.

In a speech last year, Starmer emphasized the importance of a strong UK-India relationship based on shared democratic values and aspirations. His 2024 election manifesto pledges to forge a new strategic partnership with India, including a free trade agreement, and deepen cooperation in security, education, technology, and climate change.

Earlier this year, Starmer visited the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in London and assured the Hindu community of his commitment to combatting Hinduphobia in Britain.

Starmer’s upbringing was marked by financial challenges; he grew up in Surrey’s Oxted, where his father worked as a toolmaker and his mother as a nurse. His mother passed away in 2015 from Still’s disease shortly after he entered Parliament.

Educated in law at the University of Oxford, Starmer served as Director of Public Prosecutions under a Labour-led government. He has a passion for soccer and was named after Keir Hardie, the first leader of the Labour Party.

Throughout his campaign, Starmer has shared personal stories of financial struggles during his youth, reflecting on tough decisions like choosing which bills to pay.

He was the first in his family to attend college, marking a significant milestone in his personal journey.

UK Election 2024: Rishi Sunak Battles Keir Starmer for PM

July 4, 2024, 10:25 am

Campaigning for the United Kingdom’s general elections concluded just hours before voting was scheduled to begin nationwide on July 4. These elections are anticipated to mark the end of the Conservative Party’s current tenure. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is seeking another term, while the opposition Labour Party is aiming for a sweeping victory.

PM Rishi Sunak maintained that the Conservative Party is still “fighting hard,” although one of his close allies admitted that the Tories are heading for a “landslide defeat” in the elections.

According to Reuters, opinion polls indicate that the centre-left Labour Party is poised for a significant win in Thursday’s vote, potentially ending 14 years of Conservative rule. The election results are expected to be announced in the early hours of Friday, with polls suggesting that Labour Party leader Keir Starmer will move into the prime minister’s 10 Downing Street office.

UK Elections 2024: Key Details

Britons will vote on July 4 from 7 am to 10 pm local time. There are 650 constituencies in the United Kingdom, and opinion polls predict a decisive victory for the Labour Party. The results of the 2024 elections will be declared in the early hours of Friday, July 5.

After the results are announced, the leader of the party with the most votes, likely Keir Starmer, will be appointed Prime Minister. Following the vote count, the monarch of the UK, currently King Charles III, will invite the leader of the majority party to form a new government.

The current parliament was dissolved on May 30 following the announcement of the election dates.

YouGov’s final seat projection, released on Wednesday, suggests that Labour is on track to win a majority of 212 seats, the largest for any party in modern history. Faced with predictions of their worst-ever result, the Conservatives have focused on damage control, aiming to retain enough seats to serve as an effective opposition to a Labour government.

The Labour Party’s campaign has emphasized public frustration with the frequent changes in prime ministers during the Conservative term, Brexit, the faltering economy, and numerous scandals involving top Conservative leaders.

UK Election 2024: British Indian Vote Holds Key To Political Landscape

July 3, 2024, 2:44 pm

UK election, is a critical juncture with the British Indian community emerging as a pivotal demographic group. It is shaping the country’s future direction, with significant political influence with the elections scheduled for July 4, 2024.

Comprising an estimated 1.8 million people, the Indian community represents approximately 2.5 percent of the UK’s population. Known for their educational attainment, professional success, and economic contributions, British Indians wield substantial economic clout, contributing over 6 percent to the UK’s GDP despite their relatively small population size.

The political preferences of this community are highly sought after by all major political parties. Their influence has been underscored by the historic appointment of Rishi Sunak as the UK’s first prime minister of Indian descent in 2022, a milestone celebrated within the British Indian community.

However, as the election approaches, dissatisfaction within the community has grown due to concerns over rising living costs and economic stagnation under Sunak’s leadership. According to Ashwin Krishnaswamy, a UK-based technology investor, there is a palpable sentiment of discontent, with many leaning towards an “anti-Tory wave” and advocating for change in government.

“Sunak’s campaign has been about looking to the future. But in the past, the Conservative Party has had frequent leadership changes, which raises concerns about continuity,” remarked Priyajit Debsarkar, a London-based Indian author, reflecting on community sentiment.

The Hindu community, a significant segment of the British Indian population, has been particularly vocal about their political and social concerns. Ahead of the election, both Rishi Sunak and Labour Leader Keir Starmer have actively engaged with Hindu voters. Sunak visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, pledging to uphold community pride, while Starmer visited the Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury, emphasizing a strategic partnership with India.

Political parties vie for support from the British Indian electorate, their decisions and promises in addressing community concerns are expected to play a crucial role in the electoral outcome, potentially shaping the future political landscape of the United Kingdom.

Sunak Apologizes for Prioritizing TV Interview Over D-Day Commemorations

June 7, 2024, 7:15 pm

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologized after skipping D-Day commemorations in France for a TV interview, sparking widespread criticism. Sunak, facing a July 4 general election, admitted it was a “mistake” to leave the event early and regretted that the commemoration was “overshadowed by politics.”

Sunak attended Thursday’s memorial at Ver-sur-Mer in northern France but skipped the late afternoon ceremony at Omaha Beach. Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Defense Secretary Grant Shapps represented the British government in his absence. Labour Leader Keir Starmer, Sunak’s main opponent in the upcoming election, attended the event.
Sunak returned to London for an interview with ITV’s Tonight program, set to air next Wednesday. This decision drew anger from political and military figures in the UK. Former British Army commander in Afghanistan, Richard Kemp, criticized Sunak, telling the Mirror, “He should have stayed. As the PM of our country, he should have been there to represent the country and show our gratitude to those who fell.”

In his apology issued Friday morning, Sunak stated, “The last thing I wanted was for the commemorations to be overshadowed by politics. I care deeply about veterans and have been honored to represent the UK at several events in Portsmouth and France over the past two days. On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer — and I apologize.”

ITV’s UK Editor, Paul Brand, revealed that Sunak’s team had offered the interview slot. “Today was the slot they offered us,” he told ITV’s News at Ten. “We don’t know why.”
The controversy benefits the opposition Labour Party, which is leading in the polls but has faced scrutiny over its tax and spending plans. Labour spokesperson Jonathan Ashworth accused Sunak of “choosing to prioritize his own vanity TV appearances over our veterans,” calling it “yet more desperation, yet more chaos, and yet more dreadful judgment from this out-of-touch prime minister.”

Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda Plan Sparks Legal Action From Asylum Seekers

June 4, 2024, 4:22 pm

Asylum seekers detained by the British Home Office and threatened with deportation to Rwanda are set to take legal action against the government after Rishi Sunak admitted that no flights will take place before the general election. The Home Office started raiding accommodation and detaining people who arrived at routine immigration-reporting appointments on 29 April in a nationwide push codenamed Operation Vector, The Guardian reported.

Some have been held in immigration removal centres for a month, despite the prime minister announcing that flights would not start until after the 4 July election – and only “if I’m re-elected as prime minister” – while Labour has vowed to scrap the scheme if it wins the election.

As per The Observer, the Home Office’s lawyers were fighting legal challenges from detained asylum seekers on the basis that flights to Rwanda were “imminent” and “progressing”, despite the government legal department telling the high court on the same day that there would not be any flights before the election. Lawyers representing detained asylum seekers told the Observer they were mounting challenges for unlawful detention, even before the prime minister’s statement, because people were being seized without the Home Office making the legal decisions necessary to send them to Rwanda.

Lewis Kett, a solicitor at Duncan Lewis, said: “There was no justification for detaining them nine to 11 weeks before any potential flights, and even less so after the prime minister announced no flights would leave before the election.

UK Tories Pledge to Redefine ‘Sex’ If They Win Elections

June 3, 2024, 7:51 pm

Britain’s Conservatives will clearly define sex as “biological” in the Equality Act if they win an election on July 4 to end an “ambiguity” that is putting women and girls’ safety at risk, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. Before the vote, the Tories are pressing issues aimed at securing its core vote such as policies protecting pensioners, tackling illegal immigration and introducing mandatory national service for 18-year-olds.

“The safety of women and girls is too important to allow the current confusion around definitions of sex and gender to persist,” the party said in a statement. “The Conservatives believe that making this change in law will enhance protections in a way that respects the privacy and dignity of everyone in society.”

The Conservatives, who are around 20 percentage points behind the opposition Labour Party in the polls, said the confusion had left single-sex service providers vulnerable to challenge and legal action. Meanwhile, on Monday, Labour’s defence policy chief, John Healey said that the law did not need to be changed and what was needed was clearer guidance for service providers.

What is UK Equality Act?

The 2010 Equality Act already allows service providers to operate single-sex and separate-sex services such as toilets, domestic abuse refuges and changing rooms where they have a good reason to do so and it is proportionate.

Where justified, they may also be able to exclude transgender people with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRC), the government has previously said. A GRC changes a transgender person’s sex for most legal purposes.

The Conservatives said the change to the law would not remove existing protections against discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment. The sex of those with a GRC would still align with their acquired gender in law outside the Equality Act, for example, marriage law, as is the status quo, they said.

‘Biological Sex Matters’: UK PM Rishi Sunak Pledges Equality Act Amendment if Reelected

June 3, 2024, 5:06 pm

In a bid to safeguard women-only spaces, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to protect “biological sex” under British law if reelected. This proposal, which has stirred significant debate, would see trans women barred from certain female-only spaces.

Announcing his stance on X, formerly known as Twitter, Sunak stated, “Biological sex matters. We’re protecting women and girls.” This declaration underscores his commitment to ensuring that spaces designated for women remain exclusively for those assigned female at birth.

Biological sex matters.

We’re protecting women and girls.

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 3, 2024

Under the proposed law, trans women—individuals assigned male at birth but who identify as female—would face restrictions in accessing areas such as women’s prisons, domestic abuse support sessions, and other female-only facilities. This move aims to address concerns about safety and privacy in such environments.

The proposal has ignited a broad spectrum of reactions. Supporters argue that it is a necessary measure to protect the integrity and safety of women-only spaces. They believe that the law would reinforce the importance of biological sex in contexts where gender identity might conflict with the needs and rights of biological women.

However, critics see the proposed law as discriminatory and regressive. They argue that it undermines the rights and dignity of transgender individuals, potentially leading to increased marginalization and exclusion. Advocacy groups for transgender rights have expressed concerns that the law could legitimize prejudice and foster an environment of intolerance.

Sunak’s pledge comes amid ongoing debates about gender identity and rights in the UK and globally. The issue remains contentious, with strong opinions on both sides regarding how best to balance the rights and protections of all individuals within society.

As the UK heads towards elections, Sunak’s position on this issue is likely to be a significant talking point, reflecting broader societal debates about gender, identity, and equality.