London to Enjoy an Indian Summer with the Launch of India Now
On July 17th London begins its Indian summer with the celebrity unveiling of an intricate replica of India’s most iconic landmark and symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal. In an unusual move, the Taj will float down the river Thames and past many of London’s iconic landmarks. This visual spectacle will kick off India Now, a three month series of events and exhibitions dedicated to Indian art, film, theatre, music, fashion, food and business.
Rahul Dravid, the Captain of the Indian cricket team, actresses Joanna Lumley OBE and Shilpa Shetty, and Mayor of London , Ken Livingstone, will be just some of the well-known faces celebrating the launch of India Now alongside the Taj Mahal.
India Now will see over 200 cultural organisations contribute to the season, including a selection of London’s most well known museums and galleries such as the British Museum and V&A. Over 1,500 events will take place during India Now, with well over one million Londoners expected to participate in events during the season.
India Now will recognise the existing strong relation between India and London and show that in the future, with India’s emergence as one of the world’s greatest economic powerhouses, this relation will become stronger still. If Londoners already think they know India, and Indians think they know London, both will be getting to know a lot more about each other in the future.
India plays a crucial role in the business and culture of London. In 2006 the number of Londoners of Indian origin was over 430,000 – accounting for 6% of London’s population, the largest national minority community in the city. India now has the second largest number of inward investment projects to London of any country – after only the United States.
Over 21 2,000 Indian visitors came to London in 2006, for the first time spending more than Japanese tourists. Over 4,000 students from India are now studying in London, contributing an estimated £60m to London’s economy. In 2006, over 40 Indian film productions were filmed in London, with an estimated annual worth of £14m to London.
To see more pictures of this extravagant photo shoot click here
|
