UK-based BBC journalist Amol Rajan has said that India feels like a place where “history is being made”, while Britain no longer carries the same sense of energy and change.
UK-based BBC journalist Amol Rajan has said that India feels like a place where “history is being made”, while Britain no longer carries the same sense of energy and change.
Speaking openly about his personal life and concerns for the future, Rajan revealed that he is even considering whether India might be a better place to raise his children.
The BBC’s Amol Rajan has given a podcast interview saying that Britain is “no longer a place where history is being made” and he is considering moving to India to raise his children there. Kolkata-born Rajan, who moved to the UK from India as a toddler, currently presents the…
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Rajan, 42, was born in Calcutta but grew up in England after moving there as a young child. Over the years, he has built a successful career in British media, becoming a well-known face on television and radio. Despite his strong ties to the UK, he admitted that he feels increasingly uncertain about the country’s direction.
His comments came during a conversation on Gyles Brandreth’s Rosebud podcast, as reported by GB News.
Concerns about Britain’s future
Rajan said he still loves ‘his country’ England, but worries that it is facing serious challenges. He questioned whether it remains the best place for his children to grow up.
“I can’t tell you how much I love my country, by which I mean England,” he said, adding that the country has “big, big problems that need addressing.”
In the podcast, Rajan expressed doubt about Britain’s global role today. He suggested that, unlike in the past, the country no longer feels like a centre of major change or innovation.
Reflecting on earlier decades, Rajan pointed to the 1960s and 1970s as a time when Britain was culturally vibrant and influential. In contrast, he said that today’s Britain does not always feel as dynamic.
India stands out
Rajan talked about India with great enthusiasm, related to its rapid growth and youthful energy. He described the country as “extraordinarily exciting and energetic”, highlighting its large and growing workforce.
He noted that India adds around one million people to its workforce every month, calling it a sign of a young and fast-moving nation. In his view, this momentum makes India a place where significant developments are happening.
Rajan also compared India with other parts of the world he has experienced, including the United States, and Europe, suggesting that several regions are currently undergoing major economic or social change.
Family connection
Despite his praise for India, Rajan made it clear he is not planning an immediate move. Instead, he wants his children to spend time in the country and form their own opinions about the issue.
“I want it to be their decision,” he said, adding that he hopes they will grow to appreciate their cultural roots.
He also described England as a “wonderful” and “peaceful” country with relatively low crime, showing that his concerns do not outweigh his affection for it.
Rajan’s opinions seem to reflect his personal as well as professional journey, including his recent travel series exploring India. His comments highlight a broader debate about where opportunity and progress are most visible in today’s world.
First Published:
April 14, 2026, 11:47 IST
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