Cricket and Yorkshire are synonymous and both figured prominently at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Global Business Forum Thursday, with Sachin Tendulkar and Geoffrey Boycott being fondly remembered, though neither was present.

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Yorkshire Forward, a regional development agency, recalled the many legendary cricketers who played for Yorkshire and the list included Tendulkar, who played for the British county cricket club in the initial stages of his career.

Dickie Bird, the popular umpire from Yorkshire, is scheduled to be the master of ceremonies on the field during the celebrity cricket match between Yorkshire XI and IIFA XI cricket match to be played Friday.

Tendulkar, however, will not be turning out for Yorkshire XI.

Riordan said: "It is a pity that Tendulkar will not be here as he is doing Test duty, but if he had played, I am sure his loyalties would have been split".

Tendulkar had endeared himself to the people of Yorkshire by his demeanour and batting prowess during his stint at Yorkshire.

India's Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel responded to considerable applause: "After India's defeat in World Cup, no one in India wants to talk about cricket, notwithstanding Sachin Tendulkar".

Speaking about the global spread and appeal of India's film industry, Patel recalled that when he was in Germany some time ago, quietly having coffee in a restaurant, a youth came up to him and asked if he knew Shah Rukh Khan.

"That incident made it clear to me how Indian cultural heritage has transcended borders. The large Indian Diaspora is our cultural ambassadors. But I would be more happy if a lot more is done to deepen cultural relationship between India and Britain".

The Indian film industry figures, world's largest in volumes and ticket sales, shows that Indian films sell more tickets in Britain than British films, while nine Indian films made it to the Top 10 in Britain during the last year.

IIFA has gone green. The red carpets at various events have been replaced with green carpets. Even Shilpa Shetty - easily the most recognised Indian in Britain now - turned up at IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan's press conference wearing a green top.

The reason for this change is IIFA adopting the cause of global warming and climate change and committing the Indian film industry to communicate this message through its various activities and products.

Patel said he had watched former US vice-president Al Gore's film on climate change during his flight to London, and recommended it to all to realise the potential dangers of climate change.

One of the IIFA partners at the event is Global Cool, an organisation that works towards raising awareness of the subject.

IIFA organisers and Global Cool have produced a film on the subject starring Prime Minister Tony Blair, Amitabh Bachchan and John Abraham.

In a videotaped message to the event, Prince Charles said: "It is clear that through the partnerships between Global Cool and the International Indian Film Academy, Indian cinema has the potential to provide great leadership by exciting its enormous and enthusiastic audience to do their bit to save the planet".