Three Pounds In My Pocket

Episodes

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010120140307

In the 1950s, tens of thousands of migrants came to Britain from the Indian subcontinent. Many arrived with no more than £3 in their pocket - the limit set by the Indian authorities. They came to work in Britain's factories, foundries, and new public services. It was a time when the country desperately needed workers from its former colonies to regenerate its post-war economy. Presenter Kavita Puri, whose own father Ravi came with just a few pounds himself, hears his and other stories of the pioneering men who arrived in the 50s. They recall their first impressions of the country that once ruled over their own: the shocking housing conditions, the curiosity of neighbours and kindness of strangers and also the memories of casual racism and animosity. These men led the way for the three million people of South Asian descent who live in Britain today.

Producer Smita Patel
Editor Bridget Harney.

Migrants from the Indian subcontinent recall coming to the UK in the '50s with just \u00a33.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

01012014030720140519 (R4)

In the 1950s, tens of thousands of migrants came to Britain from the Indian subcontinent. Many arrived with no more than £3 in their pocket - the limit set by the Indian authorities. They came to work in Britain's factories, foundries, and new public services. It was a time when the country desperately needed workers from its former colonies to regenerate its post-war economy. Presenter Kavita Puri, whose own father Ravi came with just a few pounds himself, hears his and other stories of the pioneering men who arrived in the 50s. They recall their first impressions of the country that once ruled over their own: the shocking housing conditions, the curiosity of neighbours and kindness of strangers and also the memories of casual racism and animosity. These men led the way for the three million people of South Asian descent who live in Britain today.

Producer Smita Patel
Editor Bridget Harney.

Migrants from the Indian subcontinent recall coming to the UK in the '50s with just \u00a33.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

010220140314

We tell the untold story of the women and children from the Indian subcontinent who came to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Many remember arriving with little more than £3 in their pockets because of currency restrictions imposed by their governments back home. Kavita Puri hears the story of the pioneer women of this three-pound generation: their first impressions of Britain, the unlikely friendships, and their struggles at work. And we learn how in 1966 when England won the World Cup, these women were more excited by Miss India winning Miss World; which they said, put Indian women on the map!

Producer Smita Patel
Editor Bridget Harney.

Pioneer women who arrived from India in the 50s and 60s recall their first impressions.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

01022014031420140520 (R4)

We tell the untold story of the women and children from the Indian subcontinent who came to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Many remember arriving with little more than £3 in their pockets because of currency restrictions imposed by their governments back home. Kavita Puri hears the story of the pioneer women of this three-pound generation: their first impressions of Britain, the unlikely friendships, and their struggles at work. And we learn how in 1966 when England won the World Cup, these women were more excited by Miss India winning Miss World; which they said, put Indian women on the map!

Producer Smita Patel
Editor Bridget Harney.

Pioneer women who arrived from India in the 50s and 60s recall their first impressions.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

010320140321

Men and women arriving from the Indian subcontinent in the 1950s and 1960s with as little as three pounds in their pockets recall their first impressions of Britain. In this final programme in the series, Kavita Puri talks to this pioneer generation who have spent most of their lives in Britain. Where is home now, she asks them, and how do you hold onto your own culture?

Where do the pioneer generation call home now and how do they hold onto their own culture?

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

01032014032120140521 (R4)

Men and women arriving from the Indian subcontinent in the 1950s and 1960s with as little as three pounds in their pockets recall their first impressions of Britain. In this final programme in the series, Kavita Puri talks to this pioneer generation who have spent most of their lives in Britain. Where is home now, she asks them, and how do you hold onto your own culture?

Where do the pioneer generation call home now and how do they hold onto their own culture?

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

020120150805

In the second series Kavita Puri picks up the story of the early pioneers from the Indian subcontinent in 1968: the year of a significant Race Relations Act and Enoch Powell. She charts the years to 1976 when the make-up of the South Asian community in Britain was changing. Young single men came after the Second World War with as little as £3 because of strict currency exchange rules. By the 1960s family reunions had already taken place for many Sikh and Hindu families. By the 70's, as Pakistani men became more settled, their wives joined them too. Increased numbers of Bangladeshi men came over following the war of Independence in 1971, but most of their wives would not come over until the following decade. Asians also came from East Africa in the late 60's and early 70's. Against this new tide of migration, this programme charts how the three pound generation - many here for two decades - responded to the new arrivals. With increased numbers, the community became more visible. We see how the atmosphere on the street was changing towards them - in contrast to the post-war years - where many had been greeted with curiosity. Racist abuse became commonplace as immigration became a charged political issue.

Producer: Smita Patel

With help from Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter.

The turbulent years from 1968 to 1976 for South Asians in Britain.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

02012015080520160109 (R4)

In the second series Kavita Puri picks up the story of the early pioneers from the Indian subcontinent in 1968: the year of a significant Race Relations Act and Enoch Powell. She charts the years to 1976 when the make-up of the South Asian community in Britain was changing. Young single men came after the Second World War with as little as £3 because of strict currency exchange rules. By the 1960s family reunions had already taken place for many Sikh and Hindu families. By the 70's, as Pakistani men became more settled, their wives joined them too. Increased numbers of Bangladeshi men came over following the war of Independence in 1971, but most of their wives would not come over until the following decade. Asians also came from East Africa in the late 60's and early 70's. Against this new tide of migration, this programme charts how the three pound generation - many here for two decades - responded to the new arrivals. With increased numbers, the community became more visible. We see how the atmosphere on the street was changing towards them - in contrast to the post-war years - where many had been greeted with curiosity. Racist abuse became commonplace as immigration became a charged political issue.

Producer: Smita Patel

With help from Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter.

The turbulent years from 1968 to 1976 for South Asians in Britain.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

020220150812

Kavita Puri looks at a turbulent period for South Asians living in Britain, from 1976 to 1981. There were confrontations and street battles across the country, in largely immigrant towns, between the National Front and anti-racist organisations. Many from the first generation shied away from conflict and ignored racist abuse, but the younger generation - many born here - fought back. "We are likely to die in this country," one interviewee says, "so if it means staying and fighting that's what we will have to do, and we won't give an inch." Kavita explores this generational difference, through candid and heartfelt memories.
Producer: Smita Patel

With help from Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter.

The programme contains archive from "Mind Your Language" written by Vince Powell for London Weekend Television.

Kavita Puri looks at the turbulent years from 1976 to 1981 for South Asians in Britain.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

02022015081220160116 (R4)

Kavita Puri looks at a turbulent period for South Asians living in Britain, from 1976 to 1981. There were confrontations and street battles across the country, in largely immigrant towns, between the National Front and anti-racist organisations. Many from the first generation shied away from conflict and ignored racist abuse, but the younger generation - many born here - fought back. "We are likely to die in this country," one interviewee says, "so if it means staying and fighting that's what we will have to do, and we won't give an inch." Kavita explores this generational difference, through candid and heartfelt memories.
Producer: Smita Patel

With help from Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter.

The programme contains archive from "Mind Your Language" written by Vince Powell for London Weekend Television.

Kavita Puri looks at the turbulent years from 1976 to 1981 for South Asians in Britain.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

020320150819

Kavita Puri listens in to intimate and heartfelt conversations between the early pioneers to Britain from the Indian subcontinent and their children. They talk about what is important to carry on between the generations and discuss whether the act of migration always means loss.
Producer: Smita Patel.

Early pioneers to Britain from the Indian subcontinent in conversation with their children

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

02032015081920160123 (R4)

Kavita Puri listens in to intimate and heartfelt conversations between the early pioneers to Britain from the Indian subcontinent and their children. They talk about what is important to carry on between the generations and discuss whether the act of migration always means loss.
Producer: Smita Patel.

Early pioneers to Britain from the Indian subcontinent in conversation with their children

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

030120191206

For the past five years, Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of British South Asians in post-war Britain. Many came with as little as three pounds due to strict currency controls. By the 1980s, the ‘three pound generation' had been here for decades - they were not going back. And their children - many born here - were coming of age. This series begins with the aftermath of race riots in 1981.

The 1980s saw a cultural flourishing take place for the South Asian community in Britain, but later in the decade there would be a backlash. And in 1984, events on the Indian subcontinent would prove to be of monumental significance for British Sikhs. The Indian Army's storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest shrine of Sikhism, created anger and disbelief among British Sikhs - and led them to question their relationship both with India and the UK.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter
Dr Edward Anderson, University of Cambridge

Dramatic upheavals in the 1980s for Britain\u2019s South Asians.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

03012019120620210907 (R4)

For the past five years, Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of British South Asians in post-war Britain. Many came with as little as three pounds due to strict currency controls. By the 1980s, the ‘three pound generation' had been here for decades - they were not going back. And their children - many born here - were coming of age. This series begins with the aftermath of race riots in 1981.

The 1980s saw a cultural flourishing take place for the South Asian community in Britain, but later in the decade there would be a backlash. And in 1984, events on the Indian subcontinent would prove to be of monumental significance for British Sikhs. The Indian Army's storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest shrine of Sikhism, created anger and disbelief among British Sikhs - and led them to question their relationship both with India and the UK.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter
Dr Edward Anderson, University of Cambridge

Dramatic upheavals in the 1980s for Britain\u2019s South Asians.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

030220191213

Kavita Puri hears stories of the pioneering migrants from the Indian subcontinent and their children. She hears how the politics of 1980s Britain was shaping not only the ‘three pound' generation of early migrants but also their children.

It was a period during which there was the largest intake yet of MPs - all Labour - from ethnic minority backgrounds. Under Margaret Thatcher's premiership, the Conservatives began to court the South Asian vote. We meet the first female British South Asian to be chosen as a parliamentary candidate for the Tories.

By the mid-1980s, many of the 'three pound generation' had been in Britain for longer than they had lived on the Indian subcontinent. They and their children were becoming ever more ingrained into British life, part of its fabric. And as the decade drew to an end, we see how dramatic events would lead to the South Asian community fragmenting.

Presenter: Kavita Puri
Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, Exeter University
Dr Edward Anderson, Cambridge University

Dramatic upheavals in the 1980s for Britain\u2019s South Asians.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

03022019121320210914 (R4)

Kavita Puri hears stories of the pioneering migrants from the Indian subcontinent and their children. She hears how the politics of 1980s Britain was shaping not only the ‘three pound' generation of early migrants but also their children.

It was a period during which there was the largest intake yet of MPs - all Labour - from ethnic minority backgrounds. Under Margaret Thatcher's premiership, the Conservatives began to court the South Asian vote. We meet the first female British South Asian to be chosen as a parliamentary candidate for the Tories.

By the mid-1980s, many of the 'three pound generation' had been in Britain for longer than they had lived on the Indian subcontinent. They and their children were becoming ever more ingrained into British life, part of its fabric. And as the decade drew to an end, we see how dramatic events would lead to the South Asian community fragmenting.

Presenter: Kavita Puri
Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, Exeter University
Dr Edward Anderson, Cambridge University

Dramatic upheavals in the 1980s for Britain\u2019s South Asians.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

030320191220

Kavita Puri hears what that catch-all term `Asian` really means for British South Asians. Although the Indian subcontinent is a vast place, the main migrant groups from the early "three pound" generation came from a handful of places. Each of these regions has its own distinctive language, food and tradition. All these years on, what matters to them and their children: is it the region they first came from on the Indian subcontinent, or the country? Their religion? A mix? Or does it no longer matter? And we hear how for some it's not just the `Asian` bit of British South Asian that can be hard to define, right now it's also the `British` part. These are personal reflections rarely voiced.

Presenter: Kavita Puri
Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, Exeter University
Dr Edward Anderson, Cambridge University

Personal reflections rarely voiced from British South Asians.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

03032019122020210921 (R4)

Kavita Puri hears what that catch-all term `Asian` really means for British South Asians. Although the Indian subcontinent is a vast place, the main migrant groups from the early "three pound" generation came from a handful of places. Each of these regions has its own distinctive language, food and tradition. All these years on, what matters to them and their children: is it the region they first came from on the Indian subcontinent, or the country? Their religion? A mix? Or does it no longer matter? And we hear how for some it's not just the `Asian` bit of British South Asian that can be hard to define, right now it's also the `British` part. These are personal reflections rarely voiced.

Presenter: Kavita Puri
Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, Exeter University
Dr Edward Anderson, Cambridge University

Personal reflections rarely voiced from British South Asians.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

040120210108

Since 2014 Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of British South Asians in post-war Britain. Many came with as little as three pounds due to strict currency controls.

This series picks up where the last one finished - the fatwa against Salman Rushdie in 1989 - and begins by looking at the 1990s. The decade began with Norman Tebbit and his so-called 'cricket test', which questioned the loyalty of those who supported India over England in international cricket. It was a far cry from the multicultural Britain that would be ushered in by Tony Blair's New Labour in 1997.

Amidst this changing political landscape, the children of the three pound generation were finding mainstream cultural success. Goodness Gracious Me was a hit on national television, films like East is East and Bhaji on the Beach found success, and there were hit records from acts like Apache Indian, Bally Sagoo and Panjabi MC. Regular British Asian music nights at commercial venues began, such as Bombay Jungle at Soho's Wag Club, and soon hundreds were queuing up in central London to get in.
Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University

British South Asians and the 1990s: a golden decade

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

04012021010820210407 (R4)

Since 2014 Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of British South Asians in post-war Britain. Many came with as little as three pounds due to strict currency controls.

This series picks up where the last one finished - the fatwa against Salman Rushdie in 1989 - and begins by looking at the 1990s. The decade began with Norman Tebbit and his so-called 'cricket test', which questioned the loyalty of those who supported India over England in international cricket. It was a far cry from the multicultural Britain that would be ushered in by Tony Blair's New Labour in 1997.

Amidst this changing political landscape, the children of the three pound generation were finding mainstream cultural success. Goodness Gracious Me was a hit on national television, films like East is East and Bhaji on the Beach found success, and there were hit records from acts like Apache Indian, Bally Sagoo and Panjabi MC. Regular British Asian music nights at commercial venues began, such as Bombay Jungle at Soho's Wag Club, and soon hundreds were queuing up in central London to get in.
Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University

British South Asians and the 1990s: a golden decade

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

040220210115

2001: the year everything changed for British South Asians. Since 2014, Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of this community in post-war Britain. Many came with as little as three pounds due to strict currency controls.

After the optimism and progress of the 1990s, there was an abrupt change in 2001. The year began positively enough - in Spring, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook declared chicken tikka masala a national dish. It may not have been something that many - if any - British South Asians cooked at home, but Cook's speech was an imagining of Britain as diverse, open and multicultural.

Later that year, there was civil unrest in areas with large numbers of British South Asians, including Oldham, Burnley and Bradford. Racial tensions in Oldham were stoked by the British National Party. Their leader Nick Griffin made some electoral gains in the General Election in June. And then a few months later, on September 11th, al-Qaeda attacked the Twin Towers in New York City.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University

2001: the year everything changed for British South Asians

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

04022021011520210414 (R4)

2001: the year everything changed for British South Asians. Since 2014, Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of this community in post-war Britain. Many came with as little as three pounds due to strict currency controls.

After the optimism and progress of the 1990s, there was an abrupt change in 2001. The year began positively enough - in Spring, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook declared chicken tikka masala a national dish. It may not have been something that many - if any - British South Asians cooked at home, but Cook's speech was an imagining of Britain as diverse, open and multicultural.

Later that year, there was civil unrest in areas with large numbers of British South Asians, including Oldham, Burnley and Bradford. Racial tensions in Oldham were stoked by the British National Party. Their leader Nick Griffin made some electoral gains in the General Election in June. And then a few months later, on September 11th, al-Qaeda attacked the Twin Towers in New York City.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University

2001: the year everything changed for British South Asians

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

040320210122

Different generations of South Asians reflect on what it means to belong in Britain. Since 2014, Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of this community in post-war Britain. Many came with as little as three pounds due to strict currency controls.

Many of these early pioneers expected to return to the Indian subcontinent. Their instinct on arrival was to keep their heads down, work hard, and accept the humiliations that came their way. For their children - many of whom were born here - their relationship to Britain was quite different: this was their home. There was nowhere else for them to go back to.

Following this summer's wave of protests after the death of George Floyd, we look at the conversations that have opened up among British South Asians - and the different demands for progress and equality made by the different generations.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University

Different generations of South Asians reflect on what it means to belong in Britain.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

04032021012220210421 (R4)

Different generations of South Asians reflect on what it means to belong in Britain. Since 2014, Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of this community in post-war Britain. Many came with as little as three pounds due to strict currency controls.

Many of these early pioneers expected to return to the Indian subcontinent. Their instinct on arrival was to keep their heads down, work hard, and accept the humiliations that came their way. For their children - many of whom were born here - their relationship to Britain was quite different: this was their home. There was nowhere else for them to go back to.

Following this summer's wave of protests after the death of George Floyd, we look at the conversations that have opened up among British South Asians - and the different demands for progress and equality made by the different generations.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Exeter
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University

Different generations of South Asians reflect on what it means to belong in Britain.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

050120220408

Kavita Puri hears stories from British South Asians about life in the early noughties. For almost a decade Kavita has been charting the social history of these communities in post-war Britain. Many of the pioneers arrived with as little as £3, due to strict currency controls.

The fifth series picks up where the last one ended: the aftermath of 9/11. The world was changing fast. The revolution in communication technology meant the Indian subcontinent felt closer than ever. The £3 generation and their descendants could now call family on the Indian subcontinent whenever they wanted - rather than just a few times a year. And 24-hour global TV news meant that events on the Indian subcontinent, like the Gujarat riots of 2002, could be beamed into living rooms in Britain.

However, the pull to Britain was getting deeper as the pioneer generation were entering retirement, and their children were having their own children. The British South Asian community, complex in its voices and experiences, was telling its own stories its own way, including the pioneering Silver Street, the first daily Asian soap opera. But violent clashes by a minority of protesters over the play Behzti, resulted in the cancellation of the run. It made national headlines and would become `the Sikhs' Rushdie moment,` raising difficult questions about Britain's commitment to free speech and about offence to religious minorities.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Bristol
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University
Professor Gurharpal Singh, School of Oriental and African Studies

British South Asians and the noughties: pioneers and a backlash.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

05012022040820220411 (R4)

Kavita Puri hears stories from British South Asians about life in the early noughties. For almost a decade Kavita has been charting the social history of these communities in post-war Britain. Many of the pioneers arrived with as little as £3, due to strict currency controls.

The fifth series picks up where the last one ended: the aftermath of 9/11. The world was changing fast. The revolution in communication technology meant the Indian subcontinent felt closer than ever. The £3 generation and their descendants could now call family on the Indian subcontinent whenever they wanted - rather than just a few times a year. And 24-hour global TV news meant that events on the Indian subcontinent, like the Gujarat riots of 2002, could be beamed into living rooms in Britain.

However, the pull to Britain was getting deeper as the pioneer generation were entering retirement, and their children were having their own children. The British South Asian community, complex in its voices and experiences, was telling its own stories its own way, including the pioneering Silver Street, the first daily Asian soap opera. But violent clashes by a minority of protesters over the play Behzti, resulted in the cancellation of the run. It made national headlines and would become `the Sikhs' Rushdie moment,` raising difficult questions about Britain's commitment to free speech and about offence to religious minorities.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Bristol
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University
Professor Gurharpal Singh, School of Oriental and African Studies

British South Asians and the noughties: pioneers and a backlash.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

050220220415

British South Asians and the noughties: too British or not British enough? For almost a decade Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of these communities in post-war Britain. Many of the pioneers arrived with as little as £3 due to strict currency controls.

Kavita hears stories of strike action from a group of Indian women that brought Heathrow to a standstill and about how life changed for British South Asians after the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London. She looks at the latter years of Blair's premiership and how questions about Britishness became very public as the rhetoric around multiculturalism soured. And she explores lesser-known - but no less significant - stories of quiet rebellion and accommodation, as the second generation came to terms with life in Britain in the 21st century.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Bristol
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University
Professor Gurharpal Singh, School or Oriental and African Studies

British South Asians and the noughties: too British or not British enough?

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

05022022041520220418 (R4)

British South Asians and the noughties: too British or not British enough? For almost a decade Kavita Puri has been charting the social history of these communities in post-war Britain. Many of the pioneers arrived with as little as £3 due to strict currency controls.

Kavita hears stories of strike action from a group of Indian women that brought Heathrow to a standstill and about how life changed for British South Asians after the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London. She looks at the latter years of Blair's premiership and how questions about Britishness became very public as the rhetoric around multiculturalism soured. And she explores lesser-known - but no less significant - stories of quiet rebellion and accommodation, as the second generation came to terms with life in Britain in the 21st century.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Bristol
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University
Professor Gurharpal Singh, School or Oriental and African Studies

British South Asians and the noughties: too British or not British enough?

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

050320220422

Kavita Puri looks at how where you come from and what you come with can affect outcomes for generations. For almost a decade Kavita has been charting the social history of British South Asians in post-war Britain. Many of the pioneers arrived with as little as £3 due to strict currency controls. In the final episode of this series, Kavita explores a sensitive subject - but one that keeps coming up while making these series. She tries to understand a bit more about how origins on the Indian subcontinent, your background and where you settled may affect your life chances after migration. She hears stories about how different groups are perceived and accepted. These are personal reflections rarely told of what you give up to survive - and thrive - in Britain.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Professor Tariq Modood, University of Bristol
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Bristol
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University
Professor Gurharpal Singh, School of Oriental and African Studies

Personal reflections from British South Asians on surviving - and thriving - in Britain.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.

05032022042220220425 (R4)

Kavita Puri looks at how where you come from and what you come with can affect outcomes for generations. For almost a decade Kavita has been charting the social history of British South Asians in post-war Britain. Many of the pioneers arrived with as little as £3 due to strict currency controls. In the final episode of this series, Kavita explores a sensitive subject - but one that keeps coming up while making these series. She tries to understand a bit more about how origins on the Indian subcontinent, your background and where you settled may affect your life chances after migration. She hears stories about how different groups are perceived and accepted. These are personal reflections rarely told of what you give up to survive - and thrive - in Britain.

Producer: Ant Adeane
Editor: Hugh Levinson

Historical consultants:
Professor Tariq Modood, University of Bristol
Dr Florian Stadtler, University of Bristol
Dr Edward Anderson, Northumbria University
Professor Gurharpal Singh, School of Oriental and African Studies

Personal reflections from British South Asians on surviving - and thriving - in Britain.

Kavita Puri hears the stories of Asians who came to Britain from the 1950s onwards.