Exeter expertise helps shape a second BBC Radio 4 series on Asian migration

The first series of Three Pounds in My Pocket charted the history of tens of thousands of migrants who came to Britain in the 50’s and early 60’s from the Indian subcontinent. Because of strict currency controls, many arrived with as little as three pounds.

In the second series, presenter Kavita Puri picks up the story in 1968 - to follow the migrant pioneers through the turbulent years that end with the Southall riots in 1981. 

Dr Stadtler said: “The new arrivals from the Indian subcontinent in the 50’s and early 60’s paved the way for the more than 3 million South Asians who live in Britain today. It is a little known story that deserves much wider public attention and for me as a researcher it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be involved with both series.”

Episode one looks at the years 1968-76. The make-up of the South Asian community was changing and the increased numbers, made the community more visible. The atmosphere on the street was changing towards them - in contrast to the post-war years - where many had been greeted with curiosity. Racist abuse was commonplace as immigration became a charged political issue.

Episode two studies the dark years from 1976-81 when confrontation was commonplace. The programme explores the generational difference in approach to conflict with candid and heartfelt memories. 

Episode three has the early pioneers in a searingly honest conversation with their children about what is important to carry on between generations, and whether migration always means loss.

Dr Stadtler is a lecturer in Global Literature in the English department. He has expertise in the areas of British Asian history and literature, Indian writing in English and Indian popular cinema. He has published widely in these subjects and was involved in two major AHRC projects led by Professor Susheila Nasta and The Open University, ‘Making Britain: South Asian Visions of Home and Abroad’ and ‘Beyond the Frame: Indian British Connections’, which investigated the cultural, social and political history of Asians in Britain. Out of this came the photo history book ‘Asian Britain’ co-authored with Susheila Nasta, about the long-standing legacy of South Asian contributions to British life over the centuries. The research involved charting Britain’s process of coming to terms with the historic realities of its culturally diverse past and present.

The second series of Three Pounds in My Pocket will be broadcast on 5, 12, and 19 August 2015 at 11.00 on BBC Radio 4 and is then available on iPlayer.