Countryfile presenter Anita Rani reveals her pride at wearing a sari for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Countryfile presenter Anita Rani today reveals her pride at wearing a sari when she hosted the Platinum Jubilee celebrations – and her delight at the ‘incredible’ reaction from the public.
In an interview with The Mail on Sunday’s You magazine, the TV presenter, whose parents emigrated to Bradford from India in the 1970s, recalls previously feeling ‘shame’ about her Asian heritage.
Countryfile presenter Anita Rani today reveals her pride at wearing a sari when she hosted the Platinum Jubilee celebrations – and her delight at the ‘incredible’ reaction from the public. Anita Rani is pictured at the Platinum Jubilee with A J Odudu
But of her wardrobe for the recent Royal celebrations, the 44-year-old says: ‘I didn’t think, ‘Ooh, I’m going to make a point’, I just felt it was the right time. For so many years I was made to feel shame – ‘We can accept you in Western clothes but you need to tone the Asian side down…’ But now I think being able to move between two cultures is a gift. With the Jubilee, I thought, ‘When else am I going to have a moment like this?’
‘The reaction was incredible. Someone messaged me saying, ‘My mum cried when she saw you on screen – she was a doctor in the 1970s and wasn’t allowed to wear a sari on the ward.’
‘I mean, it’s nothing, it’s just wearing a sari, but at the same time you have to take a stand. Sometimes people don’t want [Indians] here and I have to turn around and say, ‘This is Britain now – so sorry, get over it.’ ‘
In an interview with The Mail on Sunday’s You magazine, the TV presenter, whose parents emigrated to Bradford from India in the 1970s, recalls previously feeling ‘shame’ about her Asian heritage
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