A CAMPAIGN to 'create a legacy' for people killed during the biggest mass migration of humans in history made its way to Parliament following the tireless efforts of an Appleton woman.

Dr Binita Kane visited Bangladesh to emulate how her father, Bimal Bhowmick, escaped death when his home was attacked during the Partition of India in 1947, as part of last year's award-winning BBC One documentary, My Family, Partition and Me, presented by Anita Rani.

Millions made the trip across the nation after India was partitioned into India and Pakistan when British rule came to an end.

The terrifying ordeal cost the lives of up to two million Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs, while between 10 and 12 million were displaced along religious lines.

But, remarkably, it remains an event that many across the UK are unfamiliar with.

However, following an 'overwhelming' response to the documentary, mum-of-two Dr Kane made it her mission to raise its profile.

And, on Wednesday, she was joined by partition survivors, politicians, curators, and youngsters who are leading projects in a House of Commons committee room to make the case for August 17 – the day the border between the two new states was officially unveiled, two days after independence – to be formally declared Partition Commemoration Day.

Ms Rani, who won the 2018 Royal Television Society Award for her presentation of the series, and fellow presenter Babita Sharma, who travelled to the India-Pakistan border for the acclaimed BBC Two partition series, Dangerous Borders, also made their way to Westminster and delivered moving speeches as they backed the campaign.

The campaign also aims to celebrate the contribution of South Asian immigrants in the UK, along with ensuring the event forms part of the school curriculum.

Dr Kane said she hopes to help 'create a legacy' for those who lost their lives, along with ensuring future generations are fully aware of what happened in 1947 'to build a more cohesive society'.

"This will be a day to commemorate the hundreds of thousands who sacrificed so much and gave their lives – but also to celebrate people who are here and their contribution to the community," she added.

"I think everyone has acknowledged that this is the right time and it is an important thing that we must do.

"We must commemorate the partition and we must ensure that our future generations understand the history of this country.

"I think having people like Anita Rani and Babita Sharma behind it, and having support of some MPs, has really, really helped – obviously we couldn't have done it without that."

Labour MP Virendra Sharma, chair of the Indo-British all-party parliamentary group, hosted the event.

The politician believes it is 'crucial' for the 'sensitive issue' to be included on the school curriculum.

He said: "I really feel proud and honoured to come with Binita and the rest of the members to get this issue debated.

"We will need to take further steps.

"This is a start and what we are going to do is raise awareness, first among our own communities through the media, through the shows around the country, and you can see many MPs who will take it on board.

"It is (about) taking it further to raise the awareness, so people are aware that what we have read and what we have heard, the story is more than that.

"That is what we are bringing and I am quite confident that we will be successful."

Labour's shadow immigration minister Afzal Khan, shadow minister for schools Mike Kane, and Slough MP Tan Dhesi also attended to back the calls for a commemoration day.

Mr Dhesi highlighted the partition's 'devastating impact on the subcontinent'.