2 Countries and Nowhere to Call Home

The 2001 UK census showed 3.9% of the population to be ‘Asian’ or ‘British Asian’ (just over 2.3 million people). This included first, second and third generation settlers.

The International Passenger Survey estimates shows India as the top country for people coming to the UK with 11.9% of all immigrants. It's followed by Pakistan (5.8%).

India and Britain have had ties for a long time. Many Indian Punjabis served in the British army starting from 1857.

A number of Pakistani migrants first settled in the UK in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, after working on British ships, in engine rooms.

Bangladeshi sailors arrived through the 18th and 19th centuries and settled here in the UK, however, the largest migration period from Bangladesh was in the early 1970s, as people fled from the civil problems in their country.

A comparatively small number of white-collar professionals moved to the UK from Sri Lanka during the 1960s and 70s.

The Commonwealth Immigrants Act was passed in 1962, after which time many South Asians decided to move to the UK and set up a life here, before their families moved over to join them.

Many immigrants from South Asian countries moved to the UK in order to secure better jobs, education and lifestyles.

While moving here brought about new opportunities for them and their families, it also provided their British-born children and grandchildren with identity issues, leaving them unsure of where they fit into society and feeling like outcasts in both countries.

I spoke to 3 first and second generation British Asians to discuss how their Eastern heritage affects their place in Western society, and vice versa.