Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Team India receive special Birmingham welcome ahead of Commonwealth Games 2022

Hundreds of supporters from across the Indian diaspora joined the event to honour the Asian nation’s boxing, gymnastics and squash professionals ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Team India receive special Birmingham welcome ahead of Commonwealth Games 2022

MEMBERS of India’s elite athletic squad were on Thursday (28) given a rapturous welcome by fans on arrival in the UK, as part of a special event organised by the Indian High Commission and hosted by Birmingham City University (BCU).

Hundreds of supporters from across the Indian diaspora -- drawn from the worlds of education, culture, sport, and business -- joined senior leaders and staff from the university and Indian government officials to honour the Asian nation's boxing, gymnastics and squash professionals who have arrived in Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.


Indian athletes at Birmingham City University ahead of CWG 2022 Professor Philip Plowden, vice chancellor of Birmingham City University, lights the ceremonial lamp at the Team India welcome event at the university's Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Picture: Birmingham City University)

On the occasion, athletes, coaching staff and members of the Birmingham-based Consulate General of India were met by BCU’s vice chancellor Professor Phillip Plowden, deputy vice chancellor Professor Julian Beer and director of sport and physical activity Mark Jeffreys -- all members of the BCU India group, before being presented with gifts and being shown the renowned £57-million music and acting school.

Professor Plowden said, “Hosting members from Team India ahead of one of the biggest sporting events the city of Birmingham has seen was a tremendous honour.

“The event, delivered with our friends at CGI Birmingham, underlined our commitment to strengthening links between the UK and India – we have a clear ambition to celebrate and invest in education, culture, business and sport infrastructure projects delivering real impact for our domestic and international communities.

“We wish the whole Indian team the very best at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and look forward to following their progress over the coming weeks.”

The near-capacity audience enjoyed food provided by leading Midlands Indian restaurant Bacaba and heard Dr Shashank Vikram, Indian consul general, Birmingham; acting Indian high commissioner in London Sujit Ghosh, and professor Plowden who took part in a ceremonial lighting of a lamp symbolising knowledge over and darkness and ignorance.

Six athletes were interviewed on stage by BCU Media Production course director and head of Birmingham Indian Film Festival Dharmesh Rajput, before enjoying traditional and contemporary Indian performances from Sampad.

Dr Vikram welcomed the diaspora and lauded their spirit to cheer on Team India, highlighting that more than 65 Indian athletes are participating in Commonwealth for the first time before wishing them luck, particularly in the year when India is celebrating 75 years of Independence.

In recent months, BCU has celebrated the first phase of the opening of ground-breaking business innovation centre MBCIE in India in a partnership with India's motorbike and cycle manufacturing giant Hero Group; hosted visits by acclaimed musicians Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, and Sartinder Sartaaj; signed a cultural Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian government and undertaken visits to the Punjab region in order to further develop cultural, business, political and academic links with India.

More For You

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
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less