Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

‘She was a brave pioneer’

‘She was a brave pioneer’

SIR KENNETH OLISA OBE, the lord-lieutenant of Greater London, paid tribute to the efforts of Mr and Mrs Solanki in integrating in British society and making younger generations of migrants feel at home in a multi-racial UK.

Sir Kenneth said, “That the UK is the tolerant country we know it to be in 2022, did not happen by accident. The people who came here from the old empire were not universally welcomed, to put it mildly. Shifting those attitudes was a Herculean task which entailed action on two fronts – supporting the immigrant communities while assuaging the fears of the natives.


23 The Solankis with Labour’s Peter Mandelson at the Asian Trader Awards

“Ramniklal and his wife Parvatiben were two brave pioneers who led the changes which have resulted in the nation we know today – the one that we saw united in celebrating the Platinum Jubilee and in mourning the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

“Using the power of a free press (afundamental value of our society), the Solankis can be credited with having made a massive and lasting contribution to British society.

“The death of Parvatiben, two years after that of her beloved husband, marks the end of an era – one to which every British citizen owes a debt of gratitude. And just as with the monarchy, the weight of responsibility to continue the work of their parents now rests firmly on the shoulders of their children.”

24 Parvatiben Solanki with granddaughter Jahnvi Karia and Ramniklal Solanki feeding a cow at a farm near Rishikesh.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less