Rajkumari Amrit Kaur in new light

A different type of Asian hero has been identified in the shape of the former Rani of Mandi who died in 1942, apparently in a German concentration camp.
   If the author of a recently published book is to be believed, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur of Kapurthala, daughter of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh and divorced wife of the Raja of Mandi, defied the Nazis and saved the lives of many French jews.
   A fluent French speaker, Amrit Kaur moved to Paris after her divorce and immersed herself in the intellectual and artistic life of the French capital.
   According to Elisa Vázquez de Gey, author of Die Frau des Maharadschas: Das abenteurliche Leben der Anita Delgado, Amrit Kaur sold off all her jewellery in order to help a considerable number of Jews to leave France. The Gestapo arrested her and shipped her off to a camp, where she survived for almost two years. In spite of political and diplomatic efforts, she could not be saved.
   She was originally arrested and sent to a concentration camp for having ‘helped’ French and ‘impure’ citizens (intellectuals of the Jewish faith). The author adds that Amrit Kaur suffered considerably in the camp as her physical traits (darker complexion) led the Germans to believe that they were dealing with a person of Romanian or Hungarian origin.
   The current Maharaja of Kapurthala, Brigadier Sukhjit Singh, has told Asian Affairs he understands his great-aunt died of cancer in France in 1942. He says, however, he has an open mind and is willing to consider any new evidence about what happened to his distinguished ancestor.


London acknowledges Asian contribution to its economy

   More than 40,000 Asian-owned firms in London, representing 13% of the British capital’s businesses, generated nearly 210,000 jobs for London’s economy, according to a new report from the Greater London Authority’s Economics Unit, GLA Economics.
   The report, ‘Spotlight on Asian Business, launched by London Mayor Ken Livingstone, was based on research by independent economics research company DTZ and presented at December’s Asian Business Conference at City Hall.
   It reveals how India has the biggest number of inward investment projects into London of any country apart from the United States and predicts financial ties with South Asia will become even more substantial in the future.
   Mr Livingstone commented, ‘The 21st century is seeing exceptionally rapid growth by the Asian economies. Positioning London as a centre for investment and trade with India, and the other rapidly growing Asian economies, is therefore key for the incomes and jobs of all Londoners. This is why I recently opened London offices in Delhi and Mumbai.
  ‘There are 300 languages spoken in London. But with over 400,000 Londoners of Indian origin this is the largest single ethnic minority community in London. There are also large communities from other Asian communities. In addition to direct business links all aid London’s ability to continually innovate and help make London the world’s leading international business city. This is why this conference is important in discussing and implementing recommendations to help improve the economic climate for London’s Asian business community to thrive.
  ‘This report brings up to date information on the importance of Asia's businesses in London.’
   Asian Business Association Chairman Tony Sarin responded, saying, ‘I welcome this Mayoral conference and new report which, with the support of the London Chamber of Commerce’s Asian Business Association, updates us on the contribution of the Asian business community to the success of London. The conference will provide an ideal forum for those attending to discuss, debate and eventually decide on the path the Asian business community will take in years to come.
  ‘The significance of inward investment from India in particular is clear for all to see. The number of Indian companies operating in the UK has grown to over five hundred and India is currently the second largest investor in Britain. Last year the value of bilateral trade of goods and services between the UK and India was £7.9bn, up 25% on the previous year and this trend is set to continue. As the chairman of the Asian Business Association, I am pleased to be working with the Mayor to ensure Asian businesses are represented in this regard.’
   India’s emergence as a global economic leader has also been underlined in a new book written by the country’s Commerce and Industry Minister. Attending the launch in London of his book, entitled India’s Century: The Age of Entrepreneurship in the World’s Biggest Democracy, Kamal Nath explained the central theme was India’s emergence, from the backwaters of global economy to its frontline.
   During his London visit Nath attended the fourth meeting of the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee, known as Jetco, which discussed UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s impending visit to India in January 2008.
   Others present at the Jetco session included UK Secretary of State for Business Enterprises and Regulatory Reform John Hutton, Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment, Karan Bilimoria, Chairman of the Indo-UK Business Council, Feroze Bandrewala, Co-Chair of the Indo-British Partnership and Rana Kapur, Vice-Chair of the Indo-British Partnership.
   Among those making presentations were Graham Ward of Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), Colli Denis, Director General of Candon and Charli Ward Research Association, Amit Mitra from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, David Wright, Vice Chairman, Barclays Capital and Health Care, David Hawkins from UK Trade and Investment, DS Narula, Chairman, DS Group of Companies and Martin Harman of Pincent Macins.

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