-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm | | | |The Riviera Opposite Hotel Mandovi, Panjim (near Ferry Jetty/Riverfront)| | Attending.......drop a line to [EMAIL PROTECTED] | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multicultural Britain very much intact: Keith Vaz New Delhi | December 25, 2005 9:15:06 AM IST
Multiculturalism is a hallmark of British society that has not been dented by the bomb blasts that shook London in July, says Keith Vaz, the first Asian to become a minister in the British government. "It was a major shock. We are still trying to recover from that shock," Vaz told IANS, referring to the July blasts, while on a visit here. "We are trying to find out the reasons why it happened. But there is no threat to the multi-cultural ethos. Nothing is going to destroy that," Vaz, the eternal optimist, confidently predicted. Vaz has been a Labour MP for Leicester East, which has about 16,000 Asian voters, since he first got elected in 1987. The multiple blasts on three tube stations and a bus in London on July 7, blamed on Muslim extremists, had raised anxieties about the viability of allowing immigrants access to Britain and exposed Asians, especially Muslims from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, to scrutiny. "There is definitely some racial profiling. But we need to ensure that it is done for the right reasons to ensure the security of people," Vaz said. "It is absolutely imperative that this is not abused," stresses the politician, who traces his family roots to Goa. Vaz's new muse is the British Asian youth who he feels deserves the best. "We are doing a project to enable young British Asians to reach the highest level of society. They should have the opportunity to shine and make a mark because they have the ability to do so," said Vaz. "British society has changed a lot over the years. It is now more open to accepting Asians in politics," said the politician who became minister for Europe in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1999. He was, however, implicated in a scandal involving citizenship applications for the Hinduja brothers - one of the wealthiest NRIs in Britain - and was forced to resign. "Things have changed. There are more black Asian MPs than before. We've got to ensure that we are part of the political mainstream," says the 49-year-old flamboyant politician, known for his legendary networking skills, especially among the Asian community. Vaz was in India recently in connection with the investigation of the murder of British Sikh Mohan Singh, who was killed while overseeing a house-building project in a Punjab town in August this year. "We must solve this terrible murder. I am happy that the local police will consider passing this investigation to the central police," he said. "I am glad that they are considering offer of support from the British police. That is good news. Real progress has been made as a result of this visit but now we want to see real action," he added. Vaz is now intensely involved in a project that will enable disabled children to perform a play in the House of Commons in March. "The bonds between India and Britain are as strong as ever. Over 700,000 British citizens visit India ever year," Vaz said. (IANS) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
