ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
'Wearing My Heart': British Indian Author chooses Sari at UK's Royal Ascot
Despite living in the UK for decades, Banga said some connections to her roots have never changed.
-
Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 23, Jun 2026
- 18:24 EDT
- 52
Kamini Banga / LInkedIn
British-Indian author and philanthropist Kamini Banga chose a traditional chanderi sari over the customary dresses and hats at Royal Ascot, describing the decision as an expression of her Indian identity and heritage.
Banga, a former brand strategist, author and chair of the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, shared her experience in a LinkedIn post titled "Wearing my Heart on my Sari at Royal Ascot." The UK-based philanthropist said that despite being a British citizen for 20 years, her connection to her Indian roots remains unchanged.
Also Read: Saree worn by Indian scientist on display in U.S. museum
"When invited to Royal Ascot, I panicked," Banga wrote, recalling how she had long associated the prestigious event with "beautifully dressed women in summer dresses with the most exotic, striking and glamourous hats."
The Royal Enclosure at Ascot permits guests to wear either formal Western attire with hats or their national dress. Banga said she initially explored the traditional Ascot look, visiting some of London's leading fashion salons with English friends.
"Soon it was clear that an English dress and a hat was never going to be 'me'," she wrote. Although friends assured her she looked elegant, Banga said she could only see "my grandmother's quizzical look and her bemused face in the mirror."
She ultimately opted for a chanderi sari paired with vintage jewellery. "Final consensus reached was a sari with vintage jewellery," she wrote, adding, "I have lived in the UK, a citizen of this country for 20 years, but somethings never change."
Banga said her friends later encouraged her to embrace her heritage, convincing her that she and her husband, Vindi Banga, dressed in an achkan, would stand out at the event.
"They then set to convince me that Vindi in an achkan and I in my chanderi sari would stand out and that the royal family, the King in particular, love things Indian," she wrote.
According to Banga, the couple received compliments throughout the event from staff and fellow attendees.
"On the grounds, we were stopped often and complimented by security guards to stewardesses, fair maidens, and gentlemen and ladies who shared a common history and a homeland," she wrote.
The occasion concluded with their hosts raising a toast to "Made in India" and horse racing at Ascot Racecourse.
An MBA graduate of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and a master's graduate in Physics from Miranda House, Banga founded Dimensions Consultancy and has advised multinational companies across India, China, Turkey and Europe. She is also a cancer survivor, published author and philanthropist involved with organizations including Cancer Research UK, the Almeida Theatre and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login