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Indians in Leicester: Unwelcome in 1972; hailed in 2012

Not only has the Indian community worked hard and prospered over the years, it has also transformed a declining town into a buzzing multicultural haven.

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It was in August 1972 – 40 years ago – that nearly 10,000 people of Indian-origin fled Idi Amin's Uganda and arrived in the depressed, deprived and unwelcoming town of Leicester on a cold, misty morning.

Officially, they were not welcome.

That year, the Leicester City Council had asked them in a newspaper advertisement that it was "in your own interests and those of your family... not come to Leicester."

Forty years on, the situation could not be more different – not only has the Indian community worked hard and prospered over the years, it has also transformed a declining town into a buzzing multicultural haven that is the subject of study by several European towns.

It is today seen as one of the major success stories of the Indian diaspora anywhere in the world.

The mostly educated Indians from Uganda had fled with nothing but literally built an empire in Leicester, with hard work and diligence.

Arriving in Leicester with minimal belongings and money, the community – predominantly of Gujarat origin – had been dispossessed of their houses and wealth after being told by Idi Amin to leave the country within 90 days and with no more than 55 pounds in cash.

Today, Leicester is Britain's multicultural poster town, with Indians and Asians holding top positions across professions.

The same city council that advised them not to move to the town today hails their contribution and actively encourages multicultural activities.

The 'then and now' transformation of the town is symbolised by the large annual celebrations for Diwali, when the city council sponsors festivities that attract thousands of people across Britain and elsewhere, besides the local Asian and non-Asian communities.

Goa-origin Labour MP Keith Vaz, who represents Leicester East, is one of many representatives of the Asian community who hold top offices in local and national politics, business, bureaucracy and the arts (Parminder Nagra, star of 'Bend It Like Beckam', hails from Leicester).

In 2008, Ludhiana-born Manjula Sood became the first Asian woman to become the Lord Mayor when she was elected to the ceremonial post which has a history of over 800 years.

The city council, inspired by the Gujarati community's links back home, officially twinned Leicester with Rajkot in 1996.

Leicester Mercury, a leading local daily, wrote of the change in the town's fortunes: "Forty years ago today, East African dictator Idi Amin made a decision that would change Leicester forever.

In August 1972, the leader of Uganda decided to expel all the Asians living in his country – most of whom held British passports and boarded planes for England".

It added: "Leicester City Council's reaction was to place an advert in the Uganda Argus warning that Leicester was full of immigrants already and that they should not move here. However, between 6,000 and 10,000 Ugandan Asians came to the city. They brought with them a wealth of skills and business know-how that would boost Leicester's fortunes".

Passengers at the Leicester train station are greeted with welcome signs in Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati, among other languages, while local radio stations Sabras Radio and BBC Asian network belt out latest Bollywood numbers and interviewers with stars.

Significantly, the first town Queen Elizabeth visited during her diamond jubilee celebrations earlier this year was Leicester, where she was welcomed by Bollywood songs and Indian dance, among other performances.

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