Prasun Sonwalkar In London

Stories by Prasun Sonwalkar In London

UK to probe misuse of education aid in India

UK to probe misuse of education aid in India

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2010

Shocked by reports of massive embezzlement in India in the use of millions of pounds granted as aid for education, Britain on Monday promised "zero tolerance to corruption" and launched an "immediate inquiry".

Indian alumni help Cambridge raise 1-b pounds

Indian alumni help Cambridge raise 1-b pounds

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2010

Many Indians who studied at the University of Cambridge have contributed to a major fund-raising campaign that has reached the figure of one billion pounds two years ahead of schedule.

Indians top list of new UK citizens

Indians top list of new UK citizens

Rediff.com   28 May 2010

The David Cameron government is committed to reduce migration from non-EU countries like India after official figures showed that Indians topped the list of of people who acquired British citizenship in 2009.

UK's new govt to forge 'enhanced ties with India'

UK's new govt to forge 'enhanced ties with India'

Rediff.com   25 May 2010

Britain's new Conservative- Liberal Democrat coalition government in its first policy pronouncement on Tuesday promised to "enhanced partnership" with India, but said that restrictions will be imposed on the entry of non-European Union immigrants.

Author wins Lost Booker prize 31 years after death

Author wins Lost Booker prize 31 years after death

Rediff.com   20 May 2010

Forty years after it was first published, Troubles by late author J G Farrell has been announced as the winner of the Lost Man Booker Prize -- a one-off prize to honour the books published in 1970, but not considered for the prize when its rules were changed.It won by a clear majority, winning 38 per cent of the votes by the international reading public, more than double the votes cast for any other book on the shortlist.J G Farrell died in 1979.

New UK govt plans annual cap on immigrants

New UK govt plans annual cap on immigrants

Rediff.com   12 May 2010

As per the understanding between the Conservative and Liberal Democrats parties, it is the Conservative policy that has been adopted by the new coalition government.

David Cameron new British PM; Clegg his deputy

David Cameron new British PM; Clegg his deputy

Rediff.com   12 May 2010

Conservative leader David Cameron took over as Britain's new Prime Minister on Tuesday after Queen Elizabeth II invited him to form the new government following the resignation of incumbent Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown quits as British PM

Gordon Brown quits as British PM

Rediff.com   12 May 2010

Prime Minister Gordon Brown resigned on Tuesday night after talks between his Labour party and Liberal Democrats for a coalition government failed, clearing the deck for Conservative leader David Cameron to head the new government.

UK: Brown to step down as Labour Party chief, PM

UK: Brown to step down as Labour Party chief, PM

Rediff.com   10 May 2010

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he will resign as leader of the Labour Party. This move comes in the background of his party's talks with the Liberal Democrats to form a government.

Clegg now talking to both Tories, Labour

Clegg now talking to both Tories, Labour

Rediff.com   10 May 2010

Negotiations on government formation took a new turn today in the UK with revelation that the Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg has also been holding discussions with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Interlocutors representing the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative party have been locked in protracted negotiations since last Friday, but failed to reach an understanding until 4 pm (GMT) on Monday.

Britain's PM-to-be wants special ties with India

Britain's PM-to-be wants special ties with India

Rediff.com   7 May 2010

David Cameron, the man most likely to take over as the next Prime Minister of Britain, has promised to forge a "new special relationship" with India and support India's bid for a seat in the UN Security council.

Brown refuses to give in; may talk to Lib Dems

Brown refuses to give in; may talk to Lib Dems

Rediff.com   7 May 2010

British Premier Gordon Brown, whose Labour lost to the Tories in general election, on Friday appeared to be not conceding defeat and would like to discuss with the Liberal Democrats the chance of the two parties coming together to form a government, if power-sharing talks between the Conservatives and Lib Dems fail.

Voting for cliffhanger UK poll begins

Voting for cliffhanger UK poll begins

Rediff.com   6 May 2010

Polling booths opened across the United Kingdom for what is considered as the most tightly contested election since the World War II with Conservative party holding the edge in last night opinion polls.

LSE: Indian stocks outperform others

LSE: Indian stocks outperform others

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2010

Share prices of Indian companies listed on LSE continue to outperform both the AIM All-Share and the FTSE 100, according to India Watch, a quarterly review due to be released by business and financial adviser Grant Thornton. AIM is the LSE's international market for smaller growing companies.

India's cotton export ban: West to be hit

India's cotton export ban: West to be hit

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2010

India's last week decision to ban cotton export until further notice will raise prices of cloths in Britain and other parts of the world, according to retailers and manufacturers in London.

UK experts resolve Himalayan climate riddle

UK experts resolve Himalayan climate riddle

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2010

Scientists from the University of Reading have helped to explain why heavy snowfall over the Himalayas in winter and spring can lead to drought over India, especially in the early part of the summer monsoon an issue that has defied experts for years.

Tory plan will anger Indians: UK business leaders

Tory plan will anger Indians: UK business leaders

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2010

The Conservative party's election manifesto released on Tuesday contained a pledge to issue an annual cap on migrants.

UK close to banning caste-based discrimination

UK close to banning caste-based discrimination

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2010

In a "historic" step, British Parliament has moved closer to amending equality laws to declare as illegal caste-based discrimination, which is also prevalent in India, after the House of Lords cleared the measure. The Equality Bill -- which unites the various strands of diversity legislation, outlaws age discrimination and requires businesses to report on the gender pay gap -- will now face final consideration by the House of Commons prior to receiving royal assent.

UK: Indian hotelier found guilty of trafficking

UK: Indian hotelier found guilty of trafficking

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2010

Chef Shahnawaz Ali Khan, once lauded in press reviews for his skills, his brother Raza Ali Khan and their mother Parveen Khan were found guilty of trafficking up to nine members of staff, following a three month trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Pay to read 'The Times' online from June

Pay to read 'The Times' online from June

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2010

Media baron Rupert Murdoch's News International (NI) has announced that readers will have to pay to access the online content of its two flagship titles, The Times and The Sunday Times, from June.