BBC presenter Amol Rajan said he is considering relocating his family to India due to what he described as “big problems” in England, during a conversation with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth on the Rosebud podcast.
Rajan, who hosts BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and University Challenge, said he is “very worried” about the future of the country and is rethinking where his four children should grow up.He added that while he still loves England, he is unsure whether it remains a place “where history is being made”, contrasting it with India, which he described as dynamic and fast-changing.
What he said about India
Rajan said India feels “exciting and energetic in a way that Britain doesn’t always feel”, pointing to its young population, rapid economic growth and expanding workforce.He said India is a country “where history is being made” and added that he would like his children to spend time there so they can experience it first-hand and decide for themselves where they want to live in the future.
Concerns about “big problems” in UK
Rajan said he is concerned about Britain’s direction, calling it a place with “big, big problems that need addressing”.He said that although he believes the UK is currently the best place to raise his children, he is uncertain about its long-term cultural and global relevance compared to previous decades such as the 1960s and 1970s.
He also contrasted Britain’s present with its past influence in culture, politics and global affairs, suggesting it no longer holds the same sense of momentum.
Career shift
Rajan also revealed that he is stepping away from the BBC Radio 4 Today programme to launch his own digital venture in the creator economy.He said the early-morning nature of broadcast journalism has been challenging, especially alongside family life, and hinted at a desire to move towards a healthier and more flexible lifestyle.
Who is Amol Rajan
Amol Rajan is a British journalist and broadcaster of Indian origin. Born in Kolkata and raised in London, he is best known as the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and BBC Two’s University Challenge.He previously served as editor of The Independent newspaper and is regarded as one of the most prominent media personalities in the UK. Rajan is married to academic Charlotte Faircloth, and the couple has four children.
