Birmingham :

Mr. Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, High Commissioner of India to the U.K. called on the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr. Chaudhry Abdul Rashid during his official visit to Birmingham on 13th and 14th October, 2008.  His interaction during the visit included a meeting with the Leader of the City Council Cllr Mike Whitby, round-table discussions with the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by Mr. Jerry Blacket, CEO, Mr. Jonathan Webber, Head of international Trade and others. At Aston University and Aston Business School, High Commissioner held discussions with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Julia King, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Helen Higson, Dean, Mr. Michael West and Prof. Pawan Budhwar of International Human Resource Management. High Commissioner also visited the TATA Jaguar and Land Rover complex at Castle Bromwich and held discussions with CEO Mr. David Smith, Head of Tata International, Mr. S.A. Hassan and others. On 13th October evening, a function was held at the Consulate where High Commissioner interacted with the Indian Community. During this visit, High Commissioner was interviewed by BBC Midlands and Business editor of Birmingham Post and Mail to understand his vision for the Midlands region.

Manchester:

          On 16th and 17th October 2008, High Commissioner made an official visit to Manchester and called on the Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Mrs. Val Stevens at the Manchester Town Hall. Both the Lord Mayor and Leader of the City Council were not in town.  The programme at Manchester included a business meeting with members of the North West Development Agency, UK-India Business Council, UK Trade Investment, The INDUS Entrepreneurs, International Business Centre for pursuing the Indian agenda in the context of Indo-UK Trade and Commerce.  The Indian community held a reception on 16th October evening to welcome the High Commissioner. The reception was hosted by the Hindu Council, North of the UK, Indian Association and Indian Social & Sports Centre where invitees who attended included the Police Chief, Mr. Rob Taylor, Mr. Tim Newns of Manchester Inward Development Agency, Mr. Greg Woodly of The Mersey Partnership, Mr. Frank Robotham of the Peel Ports Authority and Ms. Caroline Monks & Ms. Salma Aziz from the North West Development Agency. 

Leeds, Bradford:  

            High Commissioner made an official visit to Yorkshire on 17th and 18th October 2008. During the visit, High Commissioner called on the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Frank Robinson and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs. Sheila Robinson, interacted with representatives of businesses that explored partnership opportunities on innovations in health and entrepreneurship at the Institute of Pharmaceuticals Innovation in the University of Bradford.  The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Jeff Lucas and the Director of the Institute, Mr. Paul Thorning hosted the event along with Dr. Mahendra Patel, immediate Past President of Yorkshire Indian Society. Later that evening, the High Commissioner visited the Bradford Hindu Temple where he interacted with leading members of the Indian community.  During this leg, the High Commissioner also spoke to the local BBC radio network and to the Deputy Business Editor of the CRAIN¢S business magazine.

 Liverpool:

            On 22nd and 23rd October 2008, High Commissioner paid an official visit to Liverpool. His engagement in Liverpool included a courtesy call on the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr. Steven Rotheram, business interactions at the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry with representatives of businesses led by Mr. Jack Stopforth, Chief Executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry. High Commissioner also visited the Peels Port and held discussion with the Peel Ports authorities who were represented by Mr. Frank Robotham, Marketing Manager and others. The Indian community from the Merseyside Indian Association held a reception for the High Commissioner at the Mayur Restaurant on 22nd October evening.

Blackburn:

           High Commissioner made an official visit to Blackburn on 23rd and 24th October 2008. During the visit he paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Cllr. Mohammed Khan OBE. The Indian community represented by the India League held a reception for the High Commissioner on 23rd October evening at the Jan Conference Centre.

Leicester:

High Commissioner made an official visit to Leicester on 24th October 2008. During the visit he paid a courtesy call on the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr. Manjula Sood and held discussions with Ms. Helen Deas, Head of East Midlands India Business Bureau, Mr. David Wallace, Director International and Board Member of the East Midlands Development Agency and others. During the visit, High Commissioner formally launched the East Midlands India Business Bureau.