The UK Punjab Heritage Association launched a major new on-line exhibition this week exploring 150 years of the Anglo-Sikh relationship.

‘Empire, Faith and Kinship’ is an exhibition that speaks volumes of a fascinating relationship that has touched and shaped the lives of millions. Through illustrations and detailed captions, the key events and people concerned are presented in eight sections, from the rise of the Sikh kingdom of Lahore in 1801 to the settling of the Sikh Diaspora in Britain in the twentieth century.

Sometimes as friends, other times as foes, the Sikhs and the British have had one of the most rich and intriguing of partnerships. It is accompanied by tools for community groups, student bodies, parents and educators to display the exhibition at their own local venues.

www.efk.ukpha.org

ITN’s multimedia division, ITN On, has launched a channel on YouTube. The ad-funded channel will have entertainment at its heart, plus sports, film and Bollywood programmes made specifically for online platforms allowing YouTube users to view, comment on and link to their favourite ITN content.

Content available on the channel will include Bollywood Insider, one of the UK’s leading, weekly Bollywood programmes, featuring all the latest gossip and movie releases presented by Sunrise Radio’s Suzi Mann.

A fan of BBC Sports Editor journalist Mihir Bose? Well, now there’s a fan club page just for you on the website Facebook.
Mihir was formerly one of the Daily Telegraph’s sports columnists and before that at BBC World Service.

On the BBC Birmingham website, local businessman Nadeem Malik is writing a blog during the month of Ramadan, sharing his thoughts throughout the holiest of Muslim months.

After our meeting we talk in detail about the state of Muslims in the UK, his intrigue and questions about Ramadan were enlightening to me. After my meetings I dash into the Bullring, I remember when this place was alive with market traders, and I expect the same hive of activity, but the place seems a little slower, maybe a little happier.

The people I walk past are all smiling, but I’m not smiling at them. Soon the contagious grin from the last person who smiled at me slides across my face and I find myself walking along New Street with a smile. I guess I’m starting to understand the phrase that a smile in life is charity.

From the authors of Warrior Saints and Sicques, Tigers or Thieves comes a new online exhibition that explores the fascinating Anglo-Sikh relationship over 200 years - a relationship that has touched and shaped the lives of millions. Through illustrations and detailed captions, the key events and people concerned are presented in eight sections, from the rise of the Sikh kingdom of Lahore in 1801 to the settling of the Sikh Diaspora in Britain in the twentieth century. Sometimes as friends, other times as foes, the Sikhs and the British have had one of the most rich and intriguing of partnerships.

More information.

“In the old days it was Paki-bashing that was the norm,” writes Anila Biag, feature writer, The Sun, “now it’s ‘multiculturalism’ that’s being stalked and beaten over the head,” says Anila Baig, sharing her experiences of growing up in 70’s Bradford as a Pakistani in Channel 4’s new website The Race Debate.

But what is racism? Why are people racist? What are your experiences of racism? These are just some of the questions posed on the site – www.channel4.com/racedebate - which offers an open platform for the public to debate issues around race and what it is to experience racism. It also offers additional facts and figures about Britain’s regional diversity.

Shiva Soundsystem has launched it second series of podcasts to entertain its fans in new ways. The theme for this series is ‘Influences’, DJ Nerm tells us. Guest presenters for the show will include Anita Rani, Asian Dub Foundation, Audio Dakoos, Aziz, D-Code, Fundamental, Rock ID, State Of Bengal and Swami.

You can listen to the first episode mp3 by clicking here. You can also subscribe through iTunes or directly use the xml file.

Channel 4 Radio and 4Talent are launching the first ever commercial radio nationwide search for new radio playwrights as part of the channel’s The Play’s The Thing initiative. The competition will give four aspiring writers the opportunity to have their words brought to life, with their scripts professionally produced and broadcast on Channel 4 Radio.

With radio drama an ideal arena for honing writing talent, this year the search is on to discover fresh radio talent by inviting previously un-produced writers to submit their scripts for a 15-minute radio drama. The scripts can cover any genre and users can submit their entries via www.channel4.com/theplay. Individuals and writing teams of up to three people have until Monday 26 March, 2007, to submit excerpts and character sketches from their radio script, which will then be assessed by a judging panel.

Well, you can’t say British Asians can’t spot a marketing angle when it presents itself. Popular England cricketer Monty Panesar has launched his own website and merchandise. A press release sent to us states:

Monty, who is currently on the England Ashes tour in Australia, is the first Sikh ever to represent England at this prestigious level and made his historic debut in March 2006 against India. His new website www.monty-panesar.com comes to life on 15th December 2006 giving his fan base the opportunity to interact with their favourite cricket star.

Fans will be treated to – up to the minute national and international cricket news, register to receive regular e-newsletters and become a part of Monty’s online community. Pictures and wallpapers will be available to download at a later date. There will be opportunities for fans to view exclusive interviews with the man himself, post their own comments about Monty or cricket in general and take part in competitions to win prizes.

Media contact: minaxi@monty-panesar.com

Entrepreneur Sheeraz Hasan, who presents a Bollywood show for Asian channel B4U, has big plans for his website Hollywood.Tv. Actually, calling them ‘big plans’ could be an understatement.

He says in the press release:

I want to control Hollywood online by making Hollywood.TV the Google of Hollywood. Our mission is to organize the world’s celebrity video and make it universally accessible for all people, anywhere in the world.

Ermmm… yeah. Or maybe the mission is to make lots of money quick without doing much work? He adds:

It’s all about getting on the boat before it’s too late. There is no business in the world today that can make you a billionaire faster than the Internet, and there is no better brand than Hollywood.TV, and investors are lining up to be a part of the next big thing.

Don’t rush to buy the website all at once now.

A new online magazine aimed at British Sikhs launched this month. Sikh Speak is an intiative by a group of friends.

The magazine will cover worldwide Sikh news, issues relating to the religion, history, profiles and more. They also have their own blog running. You can subscribe to the e-newsletter from their website.