British week in Chandigarh: partnership for progress and prosperity
The British week kicks off on Saturday 21 November and runs till Sunday 29 November.
The British Deputy High Commission Chandigarh, in collaboration with the British Council Chandigarh, UK Trade & Investment and Visit Britain, is organizing a week of events to showcase UK expertise and take forward UK’s partnership with Northern India, especially in the areas of food and culture, education, tourism, healthcare, agri-tech and tackling climate change.
The British week will be inaugurated by the Honourable Kirron Kher, Member of Parliament (MP) for Chandigarh.
Speaking about the British week in Chandigarh, Kirron Kher said:
I am delighted to be a part of the British week in Chandigarh by inaugurating the ‘Taste of Britain Curry Festival’ on Saturday. It is wonderful that Chandigarh is playing host to British chefs, healthcare experts, agriculture specialists, companies and universities. It is a great way of strengthening our relationship and I look forward to all the events and activities.
British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh, David Lelliott said:
British week in Chandigarh will be a celebration not only of the strength but also the breadth of the UK’s relations with this part of India – and, of course, provide an opportunity to explore ways to develop our partnership further. So the program encompasses education, culture, politics, trade, investment and tourism. A wide range of UK excellence and expertise will be showcased, both in areas where we have long standing collaborations like education and healthcare, but also in those where we would like to do more, such as climate change and agri-tech. It is the breadth of our engagement, coupled with our people to people links that make the India-UK relationship unique. Our decision to establish our new Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh is a reflection of that and of our commitment to take our partnership with this part of India to the next level.
The week will conclude with two performances of the Filter Theatre’s rendition of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”, organised by the British Council Chandigarh.
Schedule of events:
Below is a synopsis of the events during the British week.
Taste of Britain Curry Festival
Date: 21-29 November 2015
Venue: The Taj, Chandigarh
Organised by Curry Life Magazine, in association with the Taj Chandigarh, the ‘Taste of Britain Curry Festival’ is a globetrotting event, which has over a decade promoted the best of British curry in countries as far afield as Europe, Middle East, South-East Asia.
The delegation will include celebrity Michelin star chef Mark Poynton who has appeared in the BBC series of GREAT British menu. He will be whipping up a gourmet storm at Taj Chandigarh by showcasing the unique, cutting-edge gastronomy that earned him his Michelin star and three AA rosettes in the UK.
Three of the UK’s best British curry chefs, Abul Monsur from Kent, Ali Hussain from Sunderland and Khalis Miah from Aberdeen, will be producing 30 dishes, many high street favorites including British Chicken Tikka Masala, Balti and Jalfrezi.
The Curry Life Magazine is acknowledged as the voice of the curry industry in GREAT Britain. It reaches to over 10 thousand restaurants in the UK alone, with an estimated readership of over 100,000. We also have presence in continental Europe, Middle East and South Asia.
Roundtable on climate change and sustainability
Date: 23 November
This is a private event. Entry by invitation only.
Organised by the British Deputy High Commission Chandigarh, the roundtable aims to bring together legislators, members of civil society and farming community to discuss the role they can play in increasing resilience to climate change impacts and also ensuring an environmentally sustainable growth pathway.
This also aims to create climate champions i.e. a network of legislators and other stakeholders enabled to effectively use climate relevant information for local development.
Visit Britain destination and access seminar
Date: 24 November
This is a private event. Entry by invitation only.
Organised by VisitBritain, the seminar will be exclusively for travel agents & tour operators from across Punjab and Chandigarh. They’ll have a chance to attend a destination presentation on UK, followed by a business update from Virgin Atlantic Airways & conclude with a visa presentation by UK Visas & Immigration.
With direct connectivity to the UK, Punjab has become an important market in terms of outbound tourism from India & the seminar aims to update the travel-trade community on how best to promote Britain as a preferred destination to their clients.
Session on “Taking your Business Global from the UK”
Date: 24 November
This is a private event. Entry by invitation only.
Organised by the British Deputy High Commission, in association with Kingston Smith LLP and London & Partners, the session aims to educate potential investors from the region on setting up their business in the UK and widening their reach to the global markets.
GREAT Debate Chandigarh
Date: 26 November
Venue: DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh
Time: 12 PM
Organised by the British Deputy High Commission Chandigarh, the GREAT Debate is a unique opportunity to celebrate the UK and India’s shared culture of vibrant discussion and debate. In its third and biggest edition of the competition, the debates will be organised in ten cities across India. Universities and colleges in Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Jaipur will battle it out to make it to the Grand Finale of the GREAT Debate scheduled in January 2016.
The winning team will be offered a one-week sponsored study tour in the UK, which will include visits to historical sites, academic institutions and cultural events, as well as interaction with students in the UK.
Indo-UK conference on emergency and critical care services
Date: 27 November
This is a private event. Entry by invitation only.
With the emergence of emergency medicine and critical care as a distinct speciality, emergency services are now being recognised as one of the most crucial pieces of the Health Systems puzzle. In both India and the UK, the focus is now on transforming Emergency Departments into integrated, end-to-end acute care service delivery organizations, with special stress on cost-effectiveness, and quality of care.
Organised by the British Deputy High Commission, the conference aims to provide an opportunity to organisations from UK and India to explore the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships in the areas of pre-hospital care and ambulance services, and emergency and critical care. It will also showcase the best of India and UK in these areas, and allow for exchange of knowledge and learning.
Interactive roundtable on agri-tech with Dr Simon Doherty
Date: 27 November
This is a private event. Entry by invitation only.
Organised by UK Trade & Investment, the interactive session with Dr. Simon Doherty, Animal Science Expert aims at understanding UK’s capabilities in animal science exploring collaboration opportunities in the areas of dairy, poultry farming and aquaculture.
Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” by Filter Theatre
Date: 27 November
Venue: Strawberry Fields High School, Sector 26, Chandigarh
Time: 7 PM- 8.30 PM
Limited passes will be distributed by the British Council. Available at the British Council, Elante Office Block; The Golf Club, Sector 6 and Strawberry Fields High School, Sector 26, Chandigarh.
The British Council brings to India an astounding show that none would want to miss - Filter Theatre’s acclaimed Twelfth Night, a fast and furious reworking of Shakespeare’s well-known work. Twelfth Night is a fresh, unconventional and interactive experience with the feel of an intimate, rock gig. It is a radically-cut, fast-paced and extremely accessible version of Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy. It is an intelligent approach by a strong ensemble with striking new techniques that renews the power of Shakespeare for a 21st century audience.
Education UK exhibition
Date: 28 November
Venue: Hotel Mountview, Sector 10, Chandigarh
Time: 1 PM – 6 PM
Education UK exhibition is a platform for aspiring students to meet delegates of UK institutions and understand every facet of studying and living in the UK.
Students can visit the exhibition with parents /counsellors and understand the range of courses offered by UK institutions at undergraduate, postgraduate levels including research. At the exhibition, students will also get a chance to meet representative from UK Visas and Immigration to understand student visas application processes and related policies.
Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” by Filter Theatre
Date: 28 November
Venue: The Golf Club, Sector 6, Chandigarh
Time: 7 PM- 8.30 PM
For further information on any of the events, please contact British Deputy High Commission Chandigarh at + 91 8288009897. Our office timings are 0930 to 1730 Monday-Thursday & 0930-1430 on Friday.
Media opportunity:
Press launch of the “British week in Chandigarh” and the inauguration of the “Taste of Britain Curry Festival” will take place on 21 November, 2015 at 12 PM at the Taj, Chandigarh. Kirron Kher, Hon’ble MP Chandigarh will be the Chief Guest. David Lelliott, British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh; Gill Caldicott, Director Operations, British Council; Surinder Singh, General Manager, Taj Chandigarh; Belal Ahmed, Festival Founder & Editor, Curry Life Magazine; Michelin Star Chef Mark Poynton and Suman Dadwal, Executive Chef, Taj Chandigarh will be present at the press launch.
For further information:
Representatives of the media are cordially invited to cover the press launch and/or other events. Please contact:
Alam Bains
Media Adviser
British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh
Mob: 9501925556
Mail to: Alam Bains
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