Gurkhas get UK citizenship

All Gurkhas who have served at least four years and were discharged after July 1, 1997, will be eligible for "fast-track" citizenship. The Home Office expects the number of those eligible under the new rules to be over 6000.

Ann Widdecombe, the Tory MP, who has led the campaign for them said: "I am pleased and grateful that so much progress has been made but I am very disappointed by the cut-off date which I think will be challenged." She added that she did not see any logic of denying the right to those who having served for say 15 years but retired before 1997.

Describing the Blair announcement as very good news, Major Tikendradal Dewan, chairman of the Gurkhas Welfare Society, said: "But it is not a 100 per cent celebration because of the cut-off date."

The Gurkhas have won 13 Victoria Crosses and have fought for he British in nearly every conflict since the Second World War. David Blunkett, Home Secretary said: "I hope that the decision will make our gratitude clear."

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Ash 'twin' unveiled at Madame Tussauds amidst song & dance

Dressed in a red satin and black lace dress Aishwarya Rai came to Madame Tussauds in a white stretch limousine to see her wax replica for the first time at its launch. The atmosphere was charged with live bands playing Bollywood songs, colourfully attired dance groups performing vibrant Bollywood dance routines.

An eager Aishwarya, accompanied by Gurinder Chadha, the director of Bride & Prejudice starring Aishwarya, stood looking at the wax figure from all angles. Like a young teenager Aishwarya giggled constantly as she carefully examined her wax double, attired in an intricately hand-embroidered red crepe chiffon sari, which has been made by her own dresser in India. Adorned in a Kundan set with heavy gold bangles the wax replica strikes a dancing pose.

When asked what she thought of her replica, Aishwarya giggled even more and said: "It's strange to see another me. I don't have a twin." She even called out to her mom to tell her she was "cloned". Her mother came later to admire her daughter's wax replica. Mother and daughter were full of laughter while photographers could not stop photographing the former Miss World.

Chadha's Bride & Prejudice which will give Aishwarya an international status, admired the wax figure but said: "It is undoubtedly beautiful but not quite as beautiful as the original one," she said as she looked at the actress who giggled again.

With the launch of Aishwarya's wax replica Madame Tussauds is also starting 'Bollywood for Beginners' which opens on October 1, where scenes from Bride & Prejudice can be enacted by guests. A drama coach and choreographer will invite guests to take centre stage for a master class to enact scenes from the film with a team of professional dancers. The timing fits well with Chadha's Bollywood version of the British classic Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen which will release in theatres worldwide on October 8. Posters for Bollywood for Beginners are pasted all over the walls of the museum, adding a touch of India.

As Chadha said of her film, and about the character Elizabeth Bennett, being played by Aishwarya: "She represents the modern, fiercely proud, fiercely nationalistic Indian - that is what India is today."