University’s India Centre marks five years by celebrating a landmark project
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The University of Southampton’s India Centre has celebrated its fifth anniversary with a high-profile event to share the inspiring outcomes of a major research project.
This is the first time the personal stories of 10 highly influential South Asians have been recorded and archived, with the Pioneers project charting how each of them has significantly shaped modern Britain, ensuring that their legacies are not forgotten.
Watch the video below to hear more about the project.
The culmination of the first phase of this research project - along with the fifth anniversary of the university's India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development - was celebrated at a colourful event at the Turner Sims concert hall on Wednesday 10 July. The celebrations coincide with the national South Asian Heritage Month which starts on Thursday 18 July.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith said: "The University of Southampton has a long and much valued relationship with India. This research project will play an important role in giving the historical context, showing how these pioneers have influenced people and shaped Britain. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the India Centre, which has grown so significantly."
Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, patron of the India Centre and newly appointed joint Chancellor at the university, said: "This project charts the many success stories of immigration and the changing face of Britain thanks to the contributions that the South Asian diaspora have and continue to make. It has been so inspiring to hear the pioneers’ personal stories, and it is important that we record and preserve them for the benefit of generations to come."
Professor Sabu Padmadas, founding Executive Director of the India Centre, said: "We are humbly proud of the India Centre’s impactful journey and accomplishments over the past five years, particularly spearheading a timely and high-profile ‘living legacy’ project of national significance that captures the inspiring life histories and multicultural spirit of Great Britain."
The project’s full title is the Ramniklal Solanki Pioneers Research Project, named after the late Ramniklal Solanki, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Garavi Gujarat newspaper and the Asian Media Group. The project’s aim is to continue to identify and preserve the stories of a further 90 pioneers.
Ramniklal Solanki’s sons, Kalpesh and Shailesh Solanki, said: "Our father was a pioneer of ethnic journalism in the UK and was relentless in serving the community and his readers – everything revolved around that. He launched his newspaper in 1968 and sustained it for six decades, which is quite an achievement."
Dr Priti Mishra, Associate Professor of History at the University of Southampton, said: "Some of the pioneers’ stories are quite shocking. Overall, there is a positive story of change, but there are also lost opportunities due to barriers because of their heritage, and stories of people having to really fight for what they deserve."
The ‘pioneers’
The actress, writer and comedian Meera Syal, star of Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42, amongst many others.
The Right Honourable Sajid Javid, former Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Cricketer Azeem Rafiq, who played professionally for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, and prior to that was the youngest man – and the first person of Asian origin – to captain a Yorkshire side.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the first ethnic minority chair of the British Medical Association, who was chairman during the Covid-19 pandemic and played a key role in bringing to light the disproportionate deaths from Covid amongst ethnic minorities.
The Southall Black Sisters, established by three women – Pragna Patel, Meena Patel and Hannana Siddiqui. They started a women’s refuge and advocacy organisation in London in the ‘70s. The organisation continues to campaign for women’s rights.
Poppy Jaman, a mental health advocate, social entrepreneur, CEO and founding member of Mental Health First Aid England, and Global CEO of the MindForward Alliance.
Neil Basu, former Assistant Commissioner for Special Operations within the Metropolitan Police.
The late Sardar Harnam Singh Roudh, a community champion and entrepreneur, remembered as the ‘father’ of Southampton’s Sikh community.
Lord Dholakia, Co-Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Peers in the House of Lords.