Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Leicester gets ready for Diwali street festivities

Leicester gets ready for Diwali street festivities

Preparations are underway to celebrate the return of Diwali on Leicester's Golden Mile.

Usually tens of thousands of people attend the celebrations in the Belgrave area, which were cancelled last year due to the pandemic.


The festivities, believed to be the biggest outside of India, is scheduled to behin on Sunday (24). However, measures will be in place to prevent crowding at one place.

However, in a change to previous years, near the Belgrave roundabout - where the countdown to the light switch-on and performances normally take place, will be replaced with a big screen. There will be additional two screens near Wand Street and Cossington Street recreation ground.

According to the Leicester City Council, a cultural programme would run on each screen throughout the evening, along with a pre-recorded countdown to the 18:30 BST switch-on of the city's famous Diwali lights.

The usual firework display at Cossington Street recreation ground will be replaced with hundreds of candles and a flaming centrepiece. Moreover, there will be giant puppets, with food stalls and funfair rides.

The deputy city mayor for culture, councillor Piara Singh Clair, said: "We were determined to do all we could to bring the Diwali celebrations back to the streets of Leicester this year, while making public safety our priority, so I'm delighted that we've been able to do so."

Theo Crew, senior festivals and events officer at the council, said with three screens in different areas, as well as the large recreation ground, it "won't be quite as dense as it normally is".

"People can look after their own space... and manage their own risk level," he added.

Belgrave Road will close to traffic from 17:00 BST on 24 October for the screening of the countdown, and again at the same time on 4 November for the Diwali Day festivities.

More For You

uk-india-defence-ties

The dialogue was co-chaired by India’s defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the UK’s permanent secretary David Williams. (Photo: X/@UKDefenceIndia)

India, UK review defence ties, agree to boost collaboration

INDIA and the United Kingdom reviewed their defence relationship at the 24th Defence Consultative Group meeting held in London this week, with a focus on strengthening defence industry collaboration and supporting the 'Make in India' initiative.

The dialogue was co-chaired by India’s defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the UK’s permanent secretary David Williams. Both sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral defence cooperation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bradford drivers to keep decals despite safety concerns

Passengers prefer taxis with clear company and licensing signs

Bradford drivers to keep decals despite safety concerns

PRIVATE hire drivers in Bradford will still be required to display decals on the side of their cars, despite claims that they make them targets of attacks.

Dozens of drivers piled into Bradford City Hall last Thursday (10) to hear councillors discuss plans to make changes to its taxi licensing conditions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sunak rewards allies with honours in farewell list
Theresa Villiers
Theresa Villiers

Sunak rewards allies with honours in farewell list

FORMER prime minister Rishi Sunak rewarded his former cabinet colleagues, Downing Street aides and advisers in his resignation honours list released by the government last Friday (11).

The former housing secretary Michael Gove and former transport secretary Mark Harper were among seven allies elevated with life peerages, while former ministers Andrew Mitchell and Theresa Villiers were conferred with Knight and Dame Commander honours, respectively.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD-Usha-Vance-Getty

Vance’s visit comes amid growing global concerns over president Donald Trump’s tariff policy. (Photo: Getty Images)

JD Vance and wife Usha to visit India from April 21 to 24; to meet Modi

US VICE PRESIDENT JD Vance and his wife Usha will visit India from April 21 to 24. During the visit, Vance will meet prime minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are expected to discuss the proposed bilateral trade agreement and ways to strengthen India-US ties.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the visit on Wednesday. Vance's office also released a separate statement confirming the trip.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bangladeshi men duped into fighting for Russia, say families

Russia is said to be recruiting south Asians to replenish its war ranks

Bangladeshi men duped into fighting for Russia, say families

YOUNG Bangladeshi men desperate for work have alleged they were tricked into fighting for Russia against Ukraine, with the reported death of a 22-year-old triggering anxious calls from relatives.

Bangladesh’s embassy in Moscow said around a dozen families have contacted them seeking to bring back their sons they allege were duped into joining the Russian army.

Keep ReadingShow less