WITH reference to the letter of Ms Anjum Anwar and Canon Chris Chivers (LT, November 13). I was as disappointed as they were at the lack of interest from our Asian councillors for the Remembrance Day service.

I am sure Blackburn with Darwen's Asian councillors have a full knowledge of the First and Second World Wars where millions of men (Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and the Ghurkhas) from the Indian sub-continent took part and gave their lives.

Some of these Asian dignitaries have achieved more than they deserve in Blackburn, so at least in return they could show some sort of respect for the young soldiers who defended their grandparents (if not themselves).

I am not entirely surprised as this is not the only time they have shied away from such an important commemoration. I have noticed their absence even on important local issues involving the Asian community.

When I was a student in Blackburn from 1956-1959, there was only a small number of Asian students. Almost all those students went to pay their respects to the soldiers who gave their lives for us.

We talk about integration, cohesion and harmony between the indigenous and Asian communities. These are the occasions where we could show the willingness and readiness of coming together.

I would love to see all English and Asian families joining together and rejoicing with each other on Eid and Christmas, and also a joint Mela and Arts in the Park festival. I know there are people in Blackburn who have tried and are still trying to break down barriers.

In response to Margo Grimshaw's article in the same edition of the Telegraph, I was so pleased to read there is somebody else in Blackburn who thinks the same way as I have been doing for the last 50 years regarding the cenotaph.

It really should be either in open ground in front of the Town Hall or somewhere in the spare ground of the Cathedral. Or as Margo has suggested, it could be erected in Sudell Cross.

If people across Blackburn were asked about the suggestion from Margo for the cenotaph in the town centre, I am sure that more than 90 per cent of Blackburnians would agree with her.

MUDASSIR KHAN (address supplied).