Asian Achievers Awards

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From Aspiration to Inspiration

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10 DOWNING STREET LONDON SW1A 2AA www.number10.gov.uk

Let me start by congratulating everyone taking part in the Asian Achievement Awards ceremony, now in its eleventh year and a wellestablished part of the British cultural calendar.

The awards continue to provide an opportunity to recognise excellence and reward the successes of British Asians. It is hugely important that we take time to celebrate the important contribution that people of all backgrounds have made, and continue to make, to our society.

Asian communities have produced some of Britain's most successful figures in business, sports, arts, politics and philanthropy.

Through their determination and hard work, he nominees and award winners have enriched their neighbourhoods and the country as a whole.

They are inspiration to people in every community across Britain.

Well done to all the winners! I hope you have a fantastic evening.

Rt Hon David Cameron, MP Prime Minister

Britain’s Asian Community Another year, another spectacular ceremony. These Awards have become one of the brightest fixtures in the Asian calendar, and it is absolutely right that we pause to showcase the wealth of talent within Britain’s Asian Community.

From efforts in business, to sports, to culture and public service, tonight’s celebration captures the many ways in which Asian men and women are enriching life in Britain. These individuals have had made a lasting impression on their fields as well as their communities – they are an inspiration to us all.

I’d also like to congratulate the organisers of what will no doubt be a sensational event. My colleague Lord McNally told me just how immensely he enjoyed last year's event. I am really sorry I can't be there to share the experience with everyone else tonight and I hope it all goes well - I’m sure you’ll all have a great night.

Rt Hon Nick Clegg, MP Deputy Prime Minister

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Chief Guest

It's a great honour to be the Chief Guest at this year's Asian Achievers Awards.

As a Business Secretary, I have seen the Asian community flourishing and thriving even in the most difficult of times. The credit goes to their hard work, talent, enthusiasm, dedication and ambition to make a mark.

The theme of this year's event- 'Aspiration to Inspiration' is perfectly suitable to describe the journey of these Asian men and women, who have achieved highly in all walks of life- whether it's business, profession, media or sports.

However stories of achievements are just not about those who are successful in the most traditional way. It is also about those people who individually or collectively have worked, are working and will work for making this society fairer and better. It was those Asian men and women, who even in the most adverse of situations like that of the London riots, have protected each other, their community and their country- the Great Britain.

I would like to congratulate all of this year's winners and nominees, as well as the organisers and all those here to support tonight's event. I wish you a very good evening.

Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

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Aspiration to Inspiration e celebrate the 11th Asian Achievers Awards at a time when Britain and the world are in flux. This year's theme is 'Aspiration to Inspiration' and it tells the story of immigrants like us, who arrived in Britain with a dream.

Four centuries ago the West had invested in the East, especially in India, founding East India company and laying the foundations of an empire! Now we have a significant change in direction as the East, Indians particularly, come calling with their capital and their entrepreneurial skills. Whether it be Land Rover Jaguar or Corus, Indian companies were quintessentially European, even a decade back. But Tata's long business reach ownership marks a visible shift of power: aspirations that have turned into achievement, a role model for those seeking inspiration from their surroundings.

The relationship of the native British community and British Asians has always been fascinating.

We arrived in this country roughly 50-60 years back, with almost nothing but with the determination to make decent life for ourselves through the opportunities granted us by freedom and the rule of law.

Today we are turning heads – in whichever fields we work. And this magazine and awards celebrate such success stories.

We are extremely happy and privileged to have Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of Business, Innovation and Skills as our Chief Guest. With his India connections and recent trip to the country last year with David Cameron's delegation, it would instructive to learn more about the deepening IndiaBritish strategic partnership and its impact on the present global order.

The recent inner city riots in London and elsewhere have given us much food for thought. A feral underclass is growing in our midst and spreading its tentacles. Poverty and social disadvantage cannot be the sole cause. Values also play a significant role.The influence of strong family values in Asian society overall – the diversity being so great – has been telling. The father Haroon Jahan, who lost his son, showed the strength and outreach of forgiveness.

That is the level of aspiration and inspiration created by the Asians in today's Britain.

Having said that, I must not overlook the contribution of the Asians in the field of philanthropy.

Whether in Britain or abroad, they have extended support to good causes everywhere, most of all to charities. Last year we raised almost £40,000 for Oxfam and many more pledges were made later. In 2009 we had raised almost £55,000 for St Luke's Hospice and almost £350,000 for FFLV in 2008.

This year’s charity is Silver Star, which cam-

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paigns to provide diabetes awareness. It runs Mobile Diabetes Units which carry out important diabetes testing and promotes culturally sensitive healthcare in the major towns and cities of Britain.

Last year we were privileged to have Rt Hon Lord McNally, Minister for State of Justice. The year before it was Baroness Shriti Vadera. Others who have attended this function down the years included peers, members of parliament, businessmen and senior professionals. Tony Blair, Jack Straw, David Blunkett, Patricia Hewitt, Ruth Kelly, Valerie Amos, Peter Hain, Eddie George, Yvette Cooper and Willie Whitelaw were high on this list of dignitaries.

Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, our flagship titles, owe much of their success to our esteemed and loyal readers. Their criticisms and support have kept us vigilant and provided the necessary impetus to push boundaries and raise standards. Thanks to them we have seen a steady growth in subscriptions.

I would like to thank every single subscriber and reader for the trust reposed in us. The Asian Achievers Awards would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors and well wishers and I am indeed grateful to them for standing with us in recognising and rewarding those individuals who have made us and our society exceptionally proud!

Lastly I would like to thank the team at ABPL for all the hard work and planning that have gone into making this event possible.

I hope you enjoy today's event and the souvenir.

Many thanks for coming.

Best Wishes CB Patel Publisher/Editor Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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HOUSE OF COMMONS

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of this year's Asian Achievers Awards.

The theme for this year’s awards, ‘From Aspiration to Inspiration’', reflects the way the award ceremony vividly demonstrates the great range and extent of the contribution that the Asian community makes to society.

These awards serve as a shining example of both aspiration and inspiration, and I commend all of those people from the Asian communities who are dedicating themselves to improving themselves and the lives of others.

Aspiration and inspiration are the cornerstones for success, especially for our young people.

I celebrate with you the growing success of the Asian Achievers Awards and I hope that these Awards will serve as an example to all of what can be achieved when people have the courage to aspire and the drive to inspire.

Thank you very much for inviting me to be part of your celebrations.

Ed Miliband, MP Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Now in its 11th year, the Asian Achievers Awards ongoing endeavour to recognise and drive excellence has been invaluable. I regularly meet British Asians whose entrepreneurial spirit and determination has improved the lives of people both nationally and internationally.

British Asians continue to make huge contributions to numerous fields in the UK. Their hard work and drive have enabled them to turn adversity into opportunity. The Asian Achievers Awards, nominated by the public, serves to highlight not only the prominence of British Asians in British society, but also to provide role models to inspire young British Asians to excel.

I would like to congratulate Asian Voice and the Gujarat Samachar for their dedication to recognising outstanding British Asians, and particularly CB Patel for founding the awards in 2000. CB has become one of the iconic figures in the British Asian community. I would also like to congratulate all those nominated for the awards and wish them all the best in their inspirational endeavours.

Rt. Hon Keith Vaz, MP Chair, Home Affairs Select Committee

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AAA Chair of Judges Panel here were those who had served their communities with devotion and without recognition. Others who had been recognised but deserved more. Quiet acts of courage and compassion inspire even the most hardened of cynics. All inspire us to do more. They show us our better selves.

I thank my fellow judges, every single one of whom immediately accepted the burden and the privilege of being a judge. I commend my judges on their own successes and their own devotion and public service to both British public life and their work with India. They themselves are role models.

It would be unfair to single out individual judges but when I think of Julia Immonen who will be rowing across the Atlantic Ocean (yes, stop, read that again – rowing, not sailing, the Atlantic Ocean) to raise the profile of the issue of modern day people trafficking – including child sex trafficking – I am moved – an issue which plagues Britain and India. We have in the room at tonight’s event Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs whose great great grandfather was a Viceroy of India, appointed by Liberal PM Lloyd George, and who through her company Beulah provides safe refuge for former sex workers in India. ‘Role model’ is not adequate enough a description. These are giants.

I said recently I cannot understand how a Prime Minister can concentrate on anything, when there is child sex trafficking in the borders of the country he represents.

Today we have at this event the ear of the Prime Minister through a Minister of the Crown. That is why Awards are important. Minister Dr Vince Cable, there is a documentary about child slavery called ‘The Day My God Died’. Minister today you are god to these children. For you sir, the Nobel Peace Prize awaits as an Award – you just have to eradicate slavery. You will have an army of helpers.

When we read the huge measures of devotion by the nominees and the judges to public service – therein we see in microcosm of the Big Society; those willing to better the lot of their fellow citizen – whether through care or wealth creation. There were special constables, and foster parents, those serving in the armed forces. Let me highlight one who although she did not win, shows you the standard of the nominees alone: Kamaleshbhen Patel. She is the founder of a Day Centre; helping those with their letters and forms for 21 years. Imagine the numbers of hardship cases she has helped – unrecognised, just working quietly.

These are the people that make a society.

On behalf of the judging panel we commend these winners to you all, and the nominees, and to our Guest of Honour the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable and of course to CB Patel.

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Alpesh Patel,

Founding Principal, Praefinium Alpesh is the Founding Principal of asset management company Praefinium.

He was appointed by the Foreign Secretary to the UK India Roundtable in 1999. He has written 13 books on investment and entrepreneurship, mainly published by the Financial Times translated into 8 languages including Mandarin, Korean and Russian. He for five years had his own column in the FT and has had over 200 investment columns published by the Financial Times.

For three years he presented his own show on Bloomberg TV. Alpesh is a 'Dealmaker' for the British Government (UK Trade and Investment) responsible for looking for innovative technologies from India to land businesses in the UK, focussing on security, intelligence and defence. Formerly a barrister, Alpesh left to trade derivatives on his own account. He is a former Visiting Fellow in Business and Industry, Corpus Christi College, Oxford, having a degree in Philosophy, Politics, Economics from St Anne's College, Oxford and a degree in Law from King's College, London.

He is a former Trustee of Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs) and a Board Member of the United Nations Association (UK).

He also sits on the Advisory Board of Epiphany Ventures, a Lakshmi Mittal fund.

Alpesh B Patel Chairman of Judges

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PANEL OF JUDGES Ms Julia Immonen, Presenter, SKY Television Julia Immonen was introduced to the injustice of human trafficking by The A21 Campaign and ever since she has helped set up anti-trafficking groups, held a number of large high profile fundraising events and worked with charities and politicians in this field.

Realising the effect of large sporting event on human trafficking since her visit to Cape town, South Africa, Julia has started a campaign to raise media cover-

age surrounding human trafficking in relation to the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games and gain support to fight it in the UK. In December 2011, she is leading the first female crew of 6 in the Woodvale Challenge, across the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness and funds for anti trafficking charities and victims.

For further details visit www.rowforfreedom.com.

Mr Anmol Nayyar, Founder partner of IndEU Capital Anmol Nayyar is the founder partner of IndEU Capital, an international private equity firm investing in cross-border initiatives between India and Europe. He is also the India founding partner for Bryan, Garnier & Co. Prior to this Anmol was based out of London and responsible for building the global India practice for the leading international law firm, Ashurst and he remains on their India advisory board.

Anmol has been educated and worked in the UK, the US and India and invested in venture and growth capital opportunities in Europe and India. He is an investor and member of companies in India including the Style Kitchen, Uptime Infratel and Cricoo.

Anmol is a charter member of TiE, a member of the World Economic Forum and is the Deputy Chairman of the UKIndia Business Angels Network.

Mrs Sangita Myska, BBC News Presenter As a senior BBC News Correspondent and rolling-news Presenter, Sangita Myska, has worked on some of the most memorable UK news stories of the last decade - most recently, August’s riots, The Royal Wedding, the death of Amy Winehouse and the Pope’s state visit. In 2008, Sangita was invited by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to speak at, and be a moderator for, the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking. This followed her ground-breaking undercover investi-

Mr Thomas Yates Benyon, OBE, ZANE Thomas Yates Benyon OBE is the Chairman of Milton Keynes Health Authority, Chairman of Association of Lloyd's Members (ALM) and founder of many companies. Founder Trustee of UK charity ZANE: Zimbabwe A National Emergency, was born on 13 August 1942, Newmarket, Suffol. A British activist and a former politician, Benyon became the new candidate to be Member of Parliament (MP) for the Conservative stronghold of Abingdon in 1979. In 2005 he was elected for a five year term, as a lay representative of the Diocese of Oxford, to the General Synod of the Church of England.

gation into child-trafficking in Bulgaria. which led Sangita being named one of Europe’s 50 most influential people in the European Voice Magazine and nominations for European Journalist of the Year 2007 and the Amnesty International Journalism Awards. Sangita has made a number of current affairs documentaries. Apart from News, Sangita has reported and presented on a variety of programmes including the BBC’s One Show, The Daily Politics, Holiday and Summer Holiday.

Mr David Lloyd, Intelenet Global David is a former member of the UK India Roundtable, appointed by the then Foreign Secretary. He is a director of Intelenet Global Service, a major BPO company now acquired by FTSE 100 company, Serco. He is a senior advisor to India specialist corporate finance house, Langham Capital. He was a Director of Kleinwort Benson, based out of India.

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PANEL OF JUDGES Ms Tamara Gervasoni, GOAL UK Based in London, Tamara Gervasoni is GOAL UK’s Marketing and Fundraising officer. GOAL works in India on a number of projects related to alleviating poverty and child trafficking and abuse. She first joined GOAL in 2005, and worked as a volunteer in Kenya and South Sudan. Later that same year, she travelled to Ethiopia to work on a GOAL Street Children’s programme in the capital city, Addis Ababa. Upon her return to Ireland in 2006, Tamara joined the staff at

GOAL Head Office in Dublin, working in the fundraising department. In 2008 Tamara travelled to New Zealand to take up a post with an organisation dedicated to ending child prostitution and trafficking (ECPAT).

After her time with this group, Tamara crossed The Tasman Sea to Australia where she was employed as project manager by The Cancer Council of Victoria. In November, 2009, Tamara took up her present position with GOAL.

Mrs Sharon Bamford, CEO MBA World A graduate from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and the University of Southampton, Sharon Bamford, is the CEO of the Association of MBAs. Before joining it Sharon was the founding Chief Executive of the UK India Business Council. Working with UKTI, the Foreign Office and Treasury to influence policy at UK and Indian central government level, Sharon led senior delegations, including the Prime Minister, Lord Mandelson, Lord

Davies and HRH, the Duke of York.

Prior to this role she was the Chief Executive of the Scottish Institute for Enterprise Anmoand as Director of the Edinburgh Technopole, the University of Edinburgh's flagship science park. She was earlier an academic at Aberdeen Business School, lecturing on entrepreneurship to both undergraduate and MBA students. Sharon has started and grown five companies of her own.

Mr Oliver Woolley Oliver - Founder Director of Envestors Limited Oliver Woolley Oliver is Founder Director of Envestors Limited and an Executive Director of the British Business Angels Association (BBAA).

Oliver started Envestors Limited in 2004, to match entrepreneurs with investors. Envestors, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, receives 100 business plans a month, from which it selects four to present to its Private Investor Club, comprising 750 members looking to invest between ￡ 20,000 and ￡5m in high-growth businesses.

They have also opened up in Mumbai, as well as being in London, Manchester, Jersey and Dubai and in 2010 won “Private Investor Network of the Year”. In October 2010, Envestors was sold to Braveheart Investment Group plc. Oliver is also part of the UK India Business Angel Network launched by the then British PM in India in 2008 to help Indian companies find angel funding in the UK for their UK businesses.Oliver has invested in, and sits on the board of, several early-stage businesses.

Mrs Jyotika Oberoi, India Today

Mr John Watson, Co-Chairman CNBC Arabiya

Jyotika Oberoi heads India Today magazine in the UK – India’s leading newsmagazine. She has made a name for herself in the media as an accomplished journalist with bylines across genres from politics to fashion to her name in various publications over the course of the past decade. She divides her time between New Delhi and London and is a regular fixture at red carpet events and fashion weeks in both places.

John Watson after Oxford University was an Investment Banker initially with Daiwa and subsequently with Bankers Trust (now Deutsche Bank).

John Watson was also responsible for several innovations in the financial markets including launching the longest and shortest ever Eurobonds, the first ever swapped zero coupon bond, the first swap securitised call option. He was also instrumental in developing the Asian option and became one of the pioneers of the hedge fund industry when, after founding Westminster Equity. He is also the promoter of Chaucer Capital Limited.

John Watson has published two books on banking including “The Handbook of Equity Derivatives” which became the publisher’s best selling book and a textbook for derivative trading desks in major investment banks.

He was elected a Fellow of the RSA (The Royal Society for the Arts) and has been created a Chevalier of the Order of the Tastevin in France.

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The Finalists

Anuj Chande Anuj works as a corporate finance partner at Grant Thornton UK. Since 1991 he has headed up our South Asia Group, which provides a full range of services to South Asian companies coming to the UK and UK companies going to South Asia.

Additionally, he leads the services to our UK-based Asian-owned clients.

Anuj joined Grant Thornton in 1985.

Previously he has worked with Coopers & Lybrand, NCR Corporation and Albright &

Wilson. He has over 30 years professional and commercial experience, working in the chemical and computer sectors in the UK and USA respectively. He also specialises in financial management consultancy and entrepreneurial and privately held business advisory.

Anuj is also involved in a number of charitable activities including being a Trustee of Tomato Theatre and Embassy of Man.

Bhupendra Jasani Prof Bhupendra Jasani MSc PhD (Nuclear Physics) has worked for the British Medical Research Council (1958-1972), Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (1972-1987) and the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies (1987-1990). He has been a consultant, for a number of outer space and nuclear weapons related UN studies. His work on behalf of the UK and German Governments

for the UN International Atomic Energy Agency resulted in the Agency adopting the use of satellites for monitoring nuclear activities of Member States. He is on the Editorial board of the Space Policy journal.

He lectures each year at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France as well as at the India Space Research Organisation, Bangalore.

Dalip Puri Dalip Puri having joined in 1980 is now Head of Multicultural Banking UK and Global Indian Business Strategy for HSBC Group.He has operated in various capacities in different geographic regions such as India, Hong Kong and Singapore. During this time he has assumed many senior positions in Singapore. Dalip graduated from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management

Studies (Mumbai) with Masters in Management Studies (Finance and Marketing) and Sriram College of Commerce (New Delhi) with Bachelor (Hons) in Economics. Dalip has recently received the prestigious Asian Leadership in Diversity Award at the 2010 Asian Who's Who annual Awards ceremony. Dalip is an avid golfer and an active Rotarian.

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practising as a lawyer. In 2004, she opened up her own practice, LegalCity Limited, working primarily for Skanska on multi million pound construction projects, with the addition of a successful employment department. In March 2011, she was appointed as an employment judge, one of the 53 appointees after a competition involving around 1,000 candidates.

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The Finalists

Bobby Singh By profession a successful importer who was born and studied in England. His interest is in Sikh Heritage and Indian History and the political affairs of India.

However his conservation, restoration & preservation work of dilapidated monuments in India through his foundation remains his paramount passion and has travelled extensively all over the world. He enjoys socialising and

attending events promoting Punjabi/Sikh & Indian culture but maintains an open approach to life. Since the launch of his publication 'The Lion's Firanghis: Europeans at the Court of Lahore' he has received 5 major awards in the United States, India, England & France. He now spends much of his time doing charity work, writing for newspaper columns, as well as attending conferences and giving lectures all over the world.

Nasif Ali Nasif Ali began his media career at the age of 17 at a Birmingham theatre school. He then went on to study at Anupam Kher acting school in Mumbai which led to a junior artist role in Love Aaj Kal produced by Saif ali khan and directed by Imtiaz Ali. After arriving back in the UK, he began making his own productions including producing a feature film at the age of 20. Nasif also

started work with local youth offenders and he organised weekly acting and film classes teaching over 500 students from all backgrounds and ethnicity’s at a local church. He is now working wih organisations such as NHS and Murry Hall and also looking to begin a nationwide school organisation to teach film and acting to all youth individuals.

Shiamak Davar Shiamak Davar is a Dance Educationist, Entertainment Designer, Choreographer, Director, Singer and Founder of Shiamak Davar's Institute for the Performing Arts.

Shiamak has revolutionized choreography in India and Indian Cinema, having won the prestigious National Award for choreography, Dil Toh Pagal Hai and creating benchmarks with blockbusters including Taal, Kisna, I See You, Yuvraaj, Dhoom 2, Taare Zameen Par, Rab Ne Bana De Jodi and

more recently, Game. Choreographing and designing stage shows, movies and events, training the biggest Bollywood stars and singing bestselling albums, Shiamak has led the world in embracing a dance movement that is beyond the ordinary, enthralling people in what can aptly be called the Shiamak Movement. Popularly known as the guru of contemporary dance Shiamak has a strong influence of the performing arts culture in India.

Surjit Singh Ghuman Surjit Singh, is the MD of Panjab radio.

The Station celebrated 10th anniversary in September 2010. A man of action and had proved his credentials and loyalty to his community and through the radio station helped raise ￥200,000 for the devastating earthquake in Gujarat in 2001. With the donations from station listeners, 103 permanent 1 bedroom houses in Gujarat were built. Awarded by House of com-

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Ingredients to Success: Sacrifices and Rewards hen Asians are excelling in various areas of sports including cricket, Rajiv Ouseph is a shining figure in the field of Badminton. A 24 year old English badminton player, is currently representing England as the No.1 Singles Player. He was born and brought up in London and studied media and communication at Loughborough University.

He has won the Senior National Singles title four times in a row at the English National Badminton Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Ouseph became the first player to win four consecutive national singles titles since Darren Hall (1988-1992).

Ouseph achieved a career best world ranking of 11 in 2011 by winning several European circuit tournaments and the US open tournament. His other notable winnings are the Canadian Open, French Open, Scottish Open, Irish Open and the European Circuit Finals. In the junior English national circuit he has won all the singles titles from the ages of under 13 to under 19.

In October, at the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010, Rajiv won the Silver Medal in the Mens Singles Individual Championships and the Bronze Medal in the Team Championships.

Rajiv is one of the English Rajiv Ouseph hopefuls for the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

He spoke to Asian Voice about his journey from aspirations to inspirations.

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The theme of our souvenir magazine this year is 'Aspiration to Inspiration'. Tell us what aspired you to become a sportsperson and why did you choose badminton?

I was always watching sport from a young age and was very interested in all sports. I got into badminton through my Dad who used to play club badminton when I was younger.

How has the journey been from your aspiration to be a top sportsman to be an inspiration for others?

It has been a tough road but my family have helped me a lot. My parents used to take me to tournaments all the time and I used to train with my sisters so I've had a lot of help along the way.

What is the biggest opportunity and greatest adversity in your field, according to you?

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Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

I've been lucky enough to have been on lottery funding since it was introduced so financially I've always been helped and given all the opportunities to play a lot of tournaments. As for adversities, when I was younger I missed out on World Championships selection by a very close margin and that spurred me on to always be in a position to be picked for major championships.

What special preparation/care are you taking for the Olympics?

I'm trying to treat the Olympics as any other tournament, although it’s the pinnacle of our sport, I need to just focus as best I can and be in the best shape physically and mentally i can be in and hopefully the results will take care of themselves.

What message would do you give to Asian youngsters and our readers who want to make a career in sports?

I think any youngsters who want to have a career in sport need to understand that there are a lot of sacrifices to be made but the rewards can be very great and it’s also very important to be able to enjoy what you're doing as if you're not enjoying what you're doing you won't be putting you're all into it.

Who is your ideal or been your aspiration to be the number one badminton player in the UK? There wasn't that many men’s singles players who were at the top end of the game when I was growing up but Danish singles player, Peter Gade, showed that European players can challenge the far eastern players. He now plays at the highest level, even though he is in his mid thirties, so I really looked up to him when I was coming through.

How was your experience at the Commonwealth Games in India?

My experience at the Commonwealths was a really good one, it was my first multi sport championships so it was new but very exciting. The village was really good and obviously winning two medals helped too!!

How do you feel about being nominated for the sports category of the Asian Achiever's Award?

It feels good to be nominated, any time you get recognised for your achievements its very satisfying.

21-Sport_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 10:27 Page 21

The Finalists

Sponsored by

Ashpal is the first British Asian female hockey player to be selected in any of the England Women’s Hockey international programmes. She is currently the only female of south Asian playing international hockey outside India and Pakistan.

Her international debut was at the 4 Nations tournament, 2010. Excelling at every stage, she made it into the national team and the history books. An ‘A*’ pupil

at Notre Dame Sixth form College, Leeds.

Trained by her father, current British Asian Coach of the year, she would like to fulfil her ambition in representing Great Britain at Olympic games. Currently in the England U18 training programmes and recently signed up by England’s Premiership side Cannock HC for the 2011/12 season.

Isa Guha Isa Tara Guha is an England cricketer who played in the 2005 Women's Cricket World Cup in South Africa. A right arm fast medium bowler, she made her Test debut at the age of 17 against India in 2002 when she was named BBC Asian Network Sports Personality of the Year. Her best bowling in 44 One Day Internationals is the 5 for 22 she took against New Zealand in 2004. In 2008, she was ranked the number one

bowler in the ICC Women's One Day International rankings. She took a career best 5 for 40 in her seventh Test match, against Australia in Bowral in February 2008 winning the player of the match award as England retained the Ashes. She plays her county cricket for Berkshire. Isa is currently co-presenting ITV4's coverage of the Indian Premier League.

Rajiv Ouseph Rajiv is currently ranked no.1 in England and has won the Senior National Singles title four times in a row at the English National Badminton Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. In 2009 he won the Canadian Open, Le Volant d'Or de Toulouse, Scottish Open, Irish Open and went on to win the 2009 European Circuit Finals. He has won a silver medal at the 2010

Commonwealth Games in men's singles.

His other notable achievements are winning the European Junior Championship in 2005, the first Englishman to win the title in twenty years. In the European arena he has won the under 19 Danish titles in singles. He also represented England in the Sudirman Cup where he was the youngest player in the English team.

Gold Award for Sports Personality of the year

Ashpal Kaur Bhogal

Manjit Singh Manjit Singh, known as the 'Ironman' is the only Asian to have 45 world records and been on Britain's Got Talent, Jay Leno Show USA. He has pulled a bus with his hair and ears and lifted about 14kg with his eyes.

Known as the iron-lion, you can see him on youtube!

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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23-Community service_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 14:12 Page 23

The Finalists

Fauzia and Nooruddin Aftab Fauzia and Nooruddin Aftab, both teachers, have helped and supported 17 children from various backgrounds over the past seven years. Although they have found fostering challenging at times, they have said it is also very rewarding when you see a young person leaving you, full of confidence and looking forward to further education and prosperous life. They think that if they have made a difference in one child's life, it has been all worth it.

Kamleshben Patel Founder of Anand Milan Kendra (Elderly Day care centre) - Mother to all MembersWriting letters and cards to her highness Queen Elizabeth and family -Arranging all religious programmes, independence day, Rath yatra, Jalaram Day, Seva songs etc.

Major Tikendra Dal Dewan Majors Tikendra Dal Dewan (retired) served in the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas for 31 years in Hong Kong, Brunei, Cyprus, Belize, Nepal and the United Kingdom, rising to the highest rank for a Gurkha officer.

Now retired from the Armed Forces, Tikendra is the Chairman of the British Gurkha Welfare Society and the President of the Greater Rushmoor Nepali Community.

Among various roles within his local com-

munity, Tikendra is a governor of two schools, and serves on the Non-Resident Nepali UK Chapter’s Advisory Board, the 3 OCU Independent Advisory Group, the Hampshire Constabulary Fairness and Equality Action Group, and as the Nepali representative for the PCT Trade Union. He is also the CEO of Gurkha Resources Pvt Ltd.

Gold Award for Achievement in Community Service

Sponsored by

Anjum Anwar Anjum Anwar, a teacher has a unique job as a Muslim member of the staff of a cathedral. She was appointed as a dialogue development officer at Blackburn Cathedral in April 2007, working on its community cohesion, education, outreach and interfaith development agency programme.

She is a trustee of International Learning Movement. On her first visit to

India in 2004 she was met by the then President Mr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who was supportive of the work of the charity in education.

She is the chair of Woman’s Voice, an organization which provides a safe platform for women to raise their concerns about issues in their communities. WV has already touched the lives of many men and women in the past 2 years.

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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The Finalists

Shazia Awan Shazia Awan founded Peachy Pink in just June 2009. She has been recognised by the Home Secretary for her start up business, been named in the start up 100 list, named in Wales's 30 under 30 list, and more recently been named as one of the 35 most successful women in the UK under 35 by the Sunday Times.

Peachy Pink sells a range of anti-cellulite underwear products. The products sold out across British department stores

in just days, after Shazia, marched 50 women in just her underwear down London't Bond Street. The brand is now sold in 35 countries World Wide and still expanding. Shazia is politically active and stood as Parliamentary candidate in the last General Election and was the first Asian woman to address a Welsh Conservative Party conference.

Mitesh Patel Mitesh Patel founded one of the UKs leading IT Outsourcing firms, Fifosys Ltd at the age of just 22. Now celebrating its 10th birthday un-phased by the recent recession, Fifosys continues to move from strength to strength - with 50 employees and a turnover for this year at 5 million.Fifosys adopted the Cloud based technology in 2005 and currently support 120 clients in 7 countries. Having built a successful business, Mitesh is now focussed on support-

ing others in doing the same. Committed to mentoring students and aspiring entrepreneurs, Mitesh offers his knowledge to guide them to achieving their goals.

Nina Kabra Nina Kabra is an Entrepreneur, Mentor, Private, Landlord, Consultant, Professional Speaker and Founder of Nina UK Property, she is fast becoming regarded as the voice for Asian Women's success. She has created a dynamic enterprise that is devoted to empowering property investors, landlords and business owners through her highest quality specialist on-line and offline transformational training programmes which are essential for a partnership from the start.

Glory of award winner by India international friendship society 2010, young female entrepreneur award winner by Life changer 2010, she was highly commended for London Archant Business Diversity Awards 2009.

Gold Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsored by

Abhishek Varma 26 year old Abhishek Varma, founder of Best For You In Europe LTD started his career in the travel industry seven years ago as a freelance tour escort for India’s leading Tour Operators. He handled hundreds of leisure groups from India within Europe as well as in Far East. This led to the launch of his own travel company where he used his practical knowledge and experience to offer the best to his clients without compromising on quality.

As a result, Best For You In Europe took shape in November 2008 and got a very positive response from the Indian Market with notable accomplishments within a year. Today, Best For You In Europe ranks amongst the best incoming travel companies for Europe and has also expanded its operations with its new Mumbai Office.

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

25

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Asian Achievers Awards

SPONSORS

2011

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28-Sonoo Malkani_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 11:11 Page 28

We are unstoppable ■ Sonoo Malkani ritain today is going through a huge upheaval and is being severely tested. It is times like these which help prove our mettle. Never has the saying "When the going gets tough,the tough get going" been truer. Even today, there are numerous opportunities to grow, develop and succeed, providing you really want to.The decision is entirely yours.This is equally true,whatever your circumstances.Look around you and applaud the achievers in your community. It's true- we are unstoppable!

Quite unexpectedly, nine years ago, I had the honour of becoming the first Asian woman to Chair the Harrow Police & Community Consultative Group (HPCCG). I had initially joined the HPCCG to help fight racism,12 years earlier. Little did I realise how passionately I would become involved in helping Harrow become one of the safest London boroughs,with tremendous support from the Met Police, Harrow Council and fellow Harrovians..

Our Police in Harrow are second to none and have achieved the highest satisfaction rate in London.They have worked assiduously to win our hearts and minds. They deserve warm thanks for their co-operation,trust and close partnership-working.

This also applies to everybody at New Scotland Yard, from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner down to the office staff. I have always found them most receptive, respectful and responsive.

What a privilege and joy it has been to serve the largest Hindu population in the UK and become the collective voice of the religiously most diverse community in Europe. My being Indian and a woman has made no difference! Our job is to publicly make our police,council and partners accountable for the safety and security of Harrow,helping to keep it harmonious and cohesive.

A small but highly dedicated team of volunteers, funded by the Metropolitan Police Authority(MPA), manages the HPCCG. All you need is a burning desire to serve and total commitment to get the best for Harrow and for all Londoners.

We are duty-bound to give our best to this great country.

Among the Uniform Civil Services we still need many more Asian and black faces. Otherwise we will not be truly representative of our communities.The Metropolitan Police Service has successfully recruited upto 30% Asians as Special Constables (voluntary) and a similar percentage on our local Safer Neighbourhood Teams.However,the main body still has a long way to go and only has around 7% BME members serving currently.

This needs to be corrected as soon as

B

28

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

possible.The onus is on the Asian Community to step up and join. Only you can only make the break, by taking the first steps to join the Met Police..How dedicated and focussed you are and what you deliver ,will ultimately dictate your final destination.

We have three glowing examples of Sonoo Malkani the highest ranking Asian police officers within the Met Police.Each one joined as a "bobby on the beat” and has climbed up the ladder with sheer determination, dedication and devotion to duty.They are excellent role models and an inspiration for our youth.If they can do it,so can you!

The first of these is the Borough Commander of Harrow, Chief Superintendent, Dal Babu, who joined us in June 2009. He was awarded an OBE for Service to the Community in the Queens Birthday Honours list in June 2010, especially for the expert handling of the demonstrations against Harrow Central Mosque in August 2009.He has been short-listed for the Uniform Civil Services Awards this year. Harrow is fortunate to have him at the helm.

The unique and humble manner in which he has engaged with Harrow’s diverse communities has earned him much respect and affection locally.He has proved to be an excellent leader again,defending Harrow from potential rioters,along with his dedicated officers,only last month..Another feather in his cap!

Dal Babu was born in the West Midlands, joined the Met 28 years back,in 1983, and has an enviable service record.He is an accomplished cyclist and devoted father.

The second highest serving Asian Met Police officer is Sultan Taylor, born in Trinidad. He started his career in similar fashion, joined the Met Police as a PC in 1984 and worked his way up to become the Acting Area Commander for South West London. You can see how well he’s also done!

The third inspirational model is Chief Superintendent, Neil Basu. He also joined the Met Police as a Police Constable and has risen to the post of Borough Commander for the Borough of Barnet,which he is currently serving.

All are from the Asian community. They have made us very proud.

So you can see how you too can achieve greatness.Your aspiration to contribute something really worthwhile will propel you to great heights and inspire others to follow in your foot-steps.Go for it!

29-Uniform_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 10:30 Page 29

The Finalists

Dalwardin Babu Chief Superintendent Dal Babu was posted to Harrow Borough in June 2009. He is committed to ensuring Harrow Borough remains one of the safest boroughs in London by working with all sections of the Crime and Reduction Partnership to help reduce crime and bring offenders to justice.

Dal has performed a combination of operational, community, public order and partnership roles since joining the

Metropolitan Police Service in 1983 and he has been posted to various boroughs and units including Haringey, Islington, Redbridge, New Scotland Yard, a six month secondment to Zimbabwe, Hendon Police College, Specialist Operations , Camden , Enfield, Home Office , Tower Hamlets and Public Order Branch.

He has a Master of Science Degree from London University.

Shindo Barquer Shindo Barquer is the Police Chief Inspector of West midlands police. She has had 24 years of outstanding achievement in the Police service and is the first Sikh Female officer within the west Midlands Police.

She has contributed immensely to the communities at local, national and international levels. She has been the role model/mentor to officers and community

members. Shindo was awarded as the diversity champion in 2009 for her long service in police. She was also awarded the good conduct medal by WMP-2010 by the Lloyds banking group.

PC Asif Sadiq Asif has undertaken many roles within the City of London Police since joining as an officer in 2006; working in the Criminal Investigations Department and undertaking front line duties. As Diversity Lead within the Neighbourhood Police Team he has demonstrated a commitment to engaging with the community and acts as specific point of contact for Muslim issues, both internally and externally. He is currently

Chair of the City of London Association of Muslim Police and was instrumental in setting up the Muslim Consultation Committee, a forum consisting of City workers who meet to discuss policing issues of concern to the Muslim Community. Asif has completed a degree in Management and Human Resource Management and is currently working on his Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Countering Organised Crime and Terrorism.

Gold Award for Uniformed & Civil Services

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Hitesh Oza Hitesh Oza joined as a Trooper in the Royal Yeomanry, a Territorial Army Regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps in Central London in September 1986. He was mobilised in 2003 and served in Iraq at the start of the invasion. Oza has served for over 25 years and continues to do so. He is also a Special Constable with the Metropolitan Special Constabulary since 2009 serving in London Borough of

Haringey.

Having been employed in HM Revenue and Customs for past 33 years, Hitesh works in the Civil service.

Volunteering has always been part of his life and he has volunteered to do seva in the Mandir and participated in London Marathons for charitable causes as well as donating blood over 170 times.

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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The Finalists

Cllr Mimi Harker OBE Cllr. Mimi Harker OBE is one of the longest serving Asian women in British politics having been elected in 1999. She is renowned as a campaigner on numerous issues, nationally, ‘Save our Post Office’ and the 12A film classification, locally, community safety, special education needs, and of course fighting off HS2 to preserve the beautiful countryside she represents.

She received her OBE this year, from Her Majesty Queen for her services to Women, especially Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women, offering encouragement to participate in public life, as well as her dedication and input into her local community. She was recently elected as Mayor of Amersham and also fought the General election in 2005.

Ruby McGregor - Smith Ruby McGregor-Smith was appointed the CEO MITIE Group PLC, the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing and energy services company in 2007 after being with the compant for 5 years. Being the first Asian woman to be appointed in such a role within that group of companies, Ruby has seen MITIE grow its revenue from £0.5bn to £1.9bn, continuing its unbroken track record of profit and revenue growth. She has also

embedded into the business, her strong belief that responsible business practice should sit at the heart of corporate strategy and forms a key component of success.

Her passion for promoting opportunities, entrepreneurialism and equality, have been recognised with a number of awards, media profiles and speaking events throughout the UK.

Yashmin Mistry Yashmin heads up the Leasehold Enfranchisement Department. Her general property practice covers lease extensions, enfranchisement, right to manage issues, appointment of manager applications, deeds of variations and other leasehold documentation. She is also experienced in dealing with enforcement of lease covenants, service charge disputes and forfeiture claims.

In May 2011, Yashmin won “Young Professional of the Year” and also won

Gold Award for Woman of the year

Sponsored by

“Regional Solicitor”. In 2010 Yashmin won “Solicitor of the Year” and “Young Professional" and was shortlisted for "Regional Solicitor" in the ‘News on The Block’ property industry awards.

Yashmin is Honoury Legal Consultant for the Federation of Private Residents’ Associations (FPRA) and writes for News on the Block, FPRA and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Yashmin has recently been appointed Partner at JPC LLP in London.

Devi Kolli Devi Kolli is the CEO of Aisolve ltd UK. She is an inspiration and role model for women, encouraging more women into technology through her passion, dedication and achievements in the field of education and technology. She led many successful innovative,technology blended educational youth programmes in East london to engage disadvantaged young people back onto education and employment.

Devi received a prestigious award in 2010 in E learning industry competing against some top global names. The virtual training product she introduced received 'Best innovative tool title. She has an in depth understanding of emerging technologies and she successfully introduced several innovative digital platforms to companies like Tesco digital.

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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43-Rajesh Agarwal_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 13:51 Page 32

Greatest asset in business - well nurtured manpower here is no perfect composition of skills available to be a good businessman. Something that works for one may not work for another! There are several examples where some of the most successful businessmen lack what you would think as one of the most important ingredients- the above statement was made by dynamic Chairman & CEO of RationalFX Rajesh Agrawal.

Rajesh was born and brought up in a town in central India to a family of school teachers. After finishing his MBA, he worked in a foreign exchange risk management advisory firm in Mumbai and moved to London in 2001. After working for a further few years, he started RationalFX in 2005 with his business partner Paresh Davdra.

Speaking of the inception of the company, Rajesh told Asian Voice, "When we started the business we had no money, so I took a personal loan out, increased my credit card limits and bought a laptop and a printer. That is it! I was living off the money from that loan and on my credit cards for about 18 months, before we started taking a small salary. After all we had 3 employees by then so we couldn’t afford to pay ourselves! But we must be doing something right and growing fast.

Due to very fast growth we had to move the office 4 times in first 4 years! And till date, as a business, we have never borrowed a penny or took any external investment. We became the first company 5 years ago to launch UK’s first online deliverable FX platform for private clients at “real time” prices. Today we are head quartered in the City of London with offices in the Midlands, France and Italy. We have just launched Xendpay – the online money transfer service in 8 languages – for money transfer for almost anywhere to almost any bank account in the world."

With passing time, Rajesh has spread his wings and has generated lot of inspiration in today’s British Asian community. The young entrepreneur has come a long way, when lot many aspire to be like him.

“I don’t feel or see myself as a source of inspiration, but if someone looks at me and feel inspired, it makes me happy!” he said with a smile. He feels that inspiration in fact is at every corner of life but it cannot be given, it can only be taken. Different people get inspired differently – by situations, by certain events of their own life, by people around them, by stories, poems, historical characters or some even by fictional characters of parables.

While he talked about the skills of good businessman, he told Asian Voice, “There is in fact no perfect composition. But to list some in no particular order, they would be traits like ability to share, timing, vision,

T

32

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

leadership and passion about your business. But I feel strongly that one should be true to oneself and others.”

“Business is not about spending less than what you earn, but earning more than what you spend.” To be ambitious, courageous and must be able to take risk is what is believed by this determined entrepreneur.

Rajesh feels that the greatest asset in business is your manpower. Half the battle is already won if your people are nurtured. And to make sure that their aspirations are aligned with your aspirations and business objectives.

Chairman Rajesh Agarwal with Birmingham Football Club manager Chris Hughton And for his aspiration to sponsor the T-shirts for the Birmingham football city club, he says it was a purely a business decision. “Birmingham being the second largest city in the UK having diverse population, it has lot of businesses in the area.” He said that they wanted to do something different for brand awareness and Birmingham City is one of the oldest and biggest clubs in the country. Also, they are expanding into Europe and they are also playing in the Europa league this season, backed by the manager like Chris Houghton.

However Rajesh on the issue of Asians footballers not getting equal chance to play for good clubs added, “I don’t think it’s so much about the chances/opportunities. It is about timing and outlook. In Asian culture, we respect education and the educated. Until few years ago, we wouldn’t even consider football as a profession. If you say you play football, they will say good, but what is your “real” job? And like in most other sports, in football you have to start early, live and breathe football and sacrifice a lot of things. Now the times have changed and the outlook is changing. I am confident that we will see more Asian footballers in coming years!"

32-Rajesh Agarwal_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 14:39 Page 32

Greatest asset in business - well nurtured manpower here is no perfect composition of skills available to be a good businessman. Something that works for one may not work for another! There are several examples where some of the most successful businessmen lack what you would think as one of the most important ingredients- the above statement was made by dynamic Chairman & CEO of RationalFX Rajesh Agrawal.

Rajesh was born and brought up in a town in central India to a family of school teachers. After finishing his MBA, he worked in a foreign exchange risk management advisory firm in Mumbai and moved to London in 2001. After working for a further few years, he started RationalFX in 2005 with his business partner Paresh Davdra.

Speaking of the inception of the company, Rajesh told Asian Voice, "When we started the business we had no money, so I took a personal loan out, increased my credit card limits and bought a laptop and a printer. That is it! I was living off the money from that loan and on my credit cards for about 18 months, before we started taking a small salary. After all we had 3 employees by then so we couldn’t afford to pay ourselves! But we must be doing something right and growing fast.

Due to very fast growth we had to move the office 4 times in first 4 years! And till date, as a business, we have never borrowed a penny or took any external investment. We became the first company 5 years ago to launch UK’s first online deliverable FX platform for private clients at “real time” prices. Today we are head quartered in the City of London with offices in the Midlands, France and Italy. We have just launched Xendpay – the online money transfer service in 8 languages – for money transfer for almost anywhere to almost any bank account in the world."

With passing time, Rajesh has spread his wings and has generated lot of inspiration in today’s British Asian community. The young entrepreneur has come a long way, when lot many aspire to be like him.

“I don’t feel or see myself as a source of inspiration, but if someone looks at me and feel inspired, it makes me happy!” he said with a smile. He feels that inspiration in fact is at every corner of life but it cannot be given, it can only be taken. Different people get inspired differently – by situations, by certain events of their own life, by people around them, by stories, poems, historical characters or some even by fictional characters of parables.

While he talked about the skills of good businessman, he told Asian Voice, “There is in fact no perfect composition. But to list some in no particular order, they would be traits like ability to share, timing, vision,

T

32

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

leadership and passion about your business. But I feel strongly that one should be true to oneself and others.”

“Business is not about spending less than what you earn, but earning more than what you spend.” To be ambitious, courageous and must be able to take risk is what is believed by this determined entrepreneur.

Rajesh feels that the greatest asset in business is your manpower. Half the battle is already won if your people are nurtured. And to make sure that their aspirations are aligned with your aspirations and business objectives.

Chairman Rajesh Agrawal with Birmingham Football Club manager Chris Hughton And for his aspiration to sponsor the T-shirts for the Birmingham football city club, he says it was a purely a business decision. “Birmingham being the second largest city in the UK having diverse population, it has lot of businesses in the area.” He said that they wanted to do something different for brand awareness and Birmingham City is one of the oldest and biggest clubs in the country. Also, they are expanding into Europe and they are also playing in the Europa league this season, backed by the manager like Chris Houghton.

However Rajesh on the issue of Asians footballers not getting equal chance to play for good clubs added, “I don’t think it’s so much about the chances/opportunities. It is about timing and outlook. In Asian culture, we respect education and the educated. Until few years ago, we wouldn’t even consider football as a profession. If you say you play football, they will say good, but what is your “real” job? And like in most other sports, in football you have to start early, live and breathe football and sacrifice a lot of things. Now the times have changed and the outlook is changing. I am confident that we will see more Asian footballers in coming years!"

33-Business in community_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 10:32 Page 33

The Finalists

Mandeep Atwal Mandeep having worked as a teacher for only five years, has developed a programme called ‘Young Voices’ that has provided several opportunities for youngsters to work and represent their local community at a local, regional, and national level. Young Voices took first place in the Community section of Microsoft's prestigious 5th Annual Worldwide Innovative Education Forum Awards 2009, held in Salvador, Brazil. Whilst remaining a com-

mitted teacher at Shireland Collegiate Academy, Mandeep also works for the largest online educational social networking site TakingITGlobal as their Educational Programs Manager. Mandeep currently writes educational resources for Microsoft, TakingITGlobal and the Smithsonian. Her work reaches millions of teachers and students worldwide and she is often invited to be a guest speaker at conferences all over the world.

Manoj Patel Manoj Patel, a Ugandan born Asian, started his career as an apprentice in Electronics with The Ministry of Defence in the UK. By the age of 21 he had been promoted as a Project Manager to liaise with Nato and it’s Allies to represent the United Kingdom’s Defence Strategies.

In 2002, Manoj changed his career and entered the retailing industry to serve the community. Now a proud owner of Mannys , a convenience store in Long Ditton, Manoj is the focal point of the vil-

lage where old and young share all aspects of their lives.

In recognition of Manoj’s community involvement, Mannys has been awarded The House of Commons All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group - Small Shop of the Year award 2010, The My Shop Is Your Shop Gold Award for Community Retailing and recently won an award at the Bestway Retail Development Programme 2011.

Nish Kotecha Nish is Senior Partner and founder of Sphere Partners Limited.; Big achiever, Lots of Public service- Always willing to help , smart and a good parent- Nish trained as an Investment Banker for over 12 years at Lehman Brothers, JP Morgan and BZW. During this period he spent some 6 years covering Asia specialising in India and some 6 years focussing on Europe and the US. He has advised on raising equity finance

(private equity, IPO's through to large Privatisations and equity derivatives); debt finance (including hybrids) and on their Mergers and Acquisitions strategy.He has managed transactions worth over US$30 billion for companies worldwide Nish is a graduate of the London School of Economics; a member of the International Who's Who; Vice President of TiE UK.

Gold Award for Business in Community

Sponsored by

Shernaz Engineer Shernaz, MD of Verity Education, has always encouraged her staff to take part in the ‘Big Society’. The company supports ‘Learning for life a charity’ which assists in educating very poor children in remote regions of South Asia. Her staff also work with the Lady Taverners helping Special Needs Children and give their time annually for The British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research and Terence Higgins Trust. Shernaz is on the board of charities

including, Asian Women’s Resource Centre, Vice-Chair of Governors of Charlotte Sharman School, she implemented a training scheme to educate long-term unemployed women to become Legal Secretaries. She supports Tamasha Theatre and Chair of the Zoroastrian Chamber of Commerce and will soon visit projects in Bangladesh and Nepal for her charity ‘Learning for Life’.

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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34-Cyrus Moore_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 11:05 Page 34

Asian writers: This is their time yrus Moore was born in Farnborough, England and graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Economics. In 2006, Bloomberg ranked him the number one telecom analyst in the UK. His first novel, City of Thieves, is a controversial City thriller set in London in the days leading up to the credit crunch. Cyrus lives in London with his wife and two children. At an exclusive interview for the 11th AAA, Cyrus Moore spoke to Asian Voice about his journey of aspiration to inspiration, and his life from as an analyst to a writer.

AV: Tell us about your journey so far.

It took me one year to write the first draft of ‘City of Thieves’ but seven years to find a publisher. The story of ‘City of Thieves’ is typical of many murder thrillers in that it was about love, greed and betrayal. But it was also a story that had never been told before – a story of one man’s fight to protect his honour in a world where honour holds no value. Eventually, I found an agent and within weeks I was published by Little, Brown Book Group. ‘City of Thieves’ is now an international bestseller in over 35 countries in 4 languages.

AV: How difficult is to make a mark at the top level in the finance industry in Britain as an Asian?

I think Britain is the greatest country in the world to be whatever you want to be. But for me the real question is, “Can we get the right people at the top level in the finance industry?” That question is what governments all around the world are grappling with right now. Britain, like many other countries whose financial regulators have taken their eye off the ball, has created a banking sector that has a perverse set of incentives. Those perverse incentives promote the wrong kind of people. As a result, the City has been hijacked by pirates, treasure hunters and risk takers.

These perverse incentives come in three forms: the bonus culture, conflicts of interest and moral hazard. Together, they create a mould of individual that is not ideally suited to being a custodian of other people’s money.

Until regulators fix these three problems – we are unlikely to see the right people climbing to the top of the banking sector.

AV: What is the biggest opportunity and greatest adversity in your field, according to you?

Within the banking sector, the biggest opportunity is in regulation – if the brightest minds of our generation can work out how to regulate the banks effectively, without reducing economic growth, we will all be

C

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Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

Cyrus Moore

the better for it. By the same token the greatest adversity is incompetent regulators or spineless politicians, as they could send the western world into terminal economic decline, much like Japan.

Within the writing field, my greatest opportunity is to build on the success of ‘City of Thieves’ by continuing the ‘Saracen Laing’ series of murder thrillers. In order to understand what went wrong with the City, you need to get inside some of the minds of the people who work in the City, and that is what my novels try to do. The greatest adversity for writers is that books are being replaced by e-readers and copyright protection is getting weaker. Ultimately, if the publishing industry cannot protect a writer’s content, the bestselling manuscripts of tomorrow will never be written.

AV: Do you think British Asian writers like Monica Ali and American Indian writers like Jhumpa Lahiri have changed the idea about our skills in the field of English novel/story writing?

I think the literary world, like other industries, goes through fads. They favour a certain type of genre at a certain time.

Asian writers are lucky that this is their time. Having said that, many names such as Rohinton Mistry and Arundhati Roy are exceptional in themselves.

AV: Would you want to make a film out of your book?

Of course! I believe ‘City of Thieves’ would make an excellent film. Ultimately, it is a story of one man against the system – a story of good triumphing over evil.

AV: On a scale of ten, how successful do you think yourself to be?

I measure my success in terms of happiness. And my wife and children have made me the happiest man on earth.

35-Business Person_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 14:12 Page 35

The Finalists

Rajan Amin Rajan has been a joint Franchise Holder of General Insurance Broker, Coversure (Kennington) since it was opened in 2002 with his wife Hina. Prior to this they were co owners of another Coversure franchise in Wimbledon.

He has over 20 years experience within the financial and insurance services industry and is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) holding a Certificate in Insurance. He has also com-

pleted and passed the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) and was instrumental in the conception and development of a unique Landlord’s Rent Guarantee Insurance.

Rajan is well respected in the local and Asian community and has been actively involved with many business networks including BNI, TiE, FSB and Business Link. Rajan is currently the President of the Rotary Club of Balham.

Dr Rami Ranger Rami Ranger , MBE, FRSA is a businessman and also a Member of the British Empire who has been honoured five times

by Her Majesty the Queen. Setting up his first business in 1987 , Rami now runs two of Britain's fastest growing companies with an annual turnover in excess of 120 million pounds. His company Sun Mark Ltd received the Queens Award for Enterprise in 2009, 2010 and 2011. This year the company was added to the Sunday Times most

profitable 100 companies in Britain. He is the founder member of not only the British Asian Conservative Link but also the Hindu Forum Britain and Rami set up the Pakistan, India & UK Friendship Forum soon after the 7/7 bombings. He is the Chairman of the British Sikh Association aswell as the Vice President of the International Punjabi Society of British Isles.

Ruby McGregor - Smith Ruby McGregor-Smith was appointed the CEO MITIE Group PLC, the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing and energy services company in 2007 after being with the company for 5 years. Being the first Asian woman to be appointed in such a role within that group of companies, Ruby has seen MITIE grow its revenue from £0.5bn to £1.9bn, continuing its unbroken track record of profit and rev-

enue growth. She has also embedded into the business, her strong belief that responsible business practice should sit at the heart of corporate strategy and forms a key component of success. Her passion for promoting opportunities, entrepreneurialism and equality, have been recognised with a number of awards, media profiles and speaking events throughout the UK.

Platinum Award for Business Person of the year

Sponsored by

Ali Kurji Originally from Uganda, Ali came to the UK in 1968 to train as an accountant.

He joined a firm of accountants in Manchester progressing as an Audit Manager. It was during this time that Ali was exposed to Co-operative societies across the UK. In 1982 he was approached and joined the Coventry Cooperative Society as a Management Accountant.

He continued to rise through the

ranks, finally becoming Chief Executive in 2004. Back in 2000 he was the key instigator in progressing the Helping Hearts Awards scheme whereby all the profits from tobacco sales are donated to local community/charity projects. The scheme to date has donated £636,000.

Ali is involved in his local community in Birmingham and takes an active part in projects dedicated to the education of young people.

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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36-Advertsx4_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 12:20 Page 36

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Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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37-Valerie Vaz MP_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 10:45 Page 37

Asian women have ground breaking roles to play â&#x2013; Valerie Vaz MP

Ministry of Justice. There were a number of MPs who were retiring so I thought I would give it one more go.

The campaign was going to be short which would fit in with my responsibilities with my family and work. I knew I still wanted to be able to serve people and put forward a view of society.

I had worked in Parliament as a volunteer so I was familiar with how to get around. For the new intake, Parliament also organised an Induction day which made it much easier for us. I understand from older members (in terms of service not age) that they were left to their own devices so we are very lucky.

t is a great privilege to be elected to serve as an MP but it was even more special as there were no Asian women who had been elected to the UK Parliament before 2010. There were minority ethnic women in the House of Lords but none elected.

I was delighted to see black, Asian and minority ethnic MPs elected in 2010 from other parties and sitting on both sides of the House. There is still more that can be done to improve the political representation of our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse population. I would also like to see more It has been a busy year in women brought into Westminster, with the coaliGovernment. Women make tion government announcup 51% of the population and ing several big proposals a different perspective for change, for example to would benefit the country. the NHS and higher eduFrom an early age I cation. Making cuts in have been involved with public spending in such politics. My parents were a drastic way, in my view, political and we would is not the best strategy regularly discuss world for the economy at the affairs. My parents sister present time. I do not and brother lived in Aden want to see a rush to legand I can remember how islation particularly on votimportant the World ing reform or other controService was in providing us versial issues, particularly as with the news of the day. To no party has a clear manthis day I remember the signadate. ture tune.

In my constituency of We came to Britain when I Walsall South I have set up an was 10. We lived in Twickenham. accessible constituency office and After leaving university having have held regular surgeries. I want to achieved a degree in Biochemistry, I was Valerie Vaz MP ensure that my constituents do not suffer asked to do research and realised that I by a lack of investment in jobs.

It is a very diverse could not go on to do research as the grants had constituency. been cut. The priorities of the Government of the day I have managed to introduce Ten Minute Rule Bills are political decisions, and I found myself getting and on the strength of that I have a meeting with the annoyed at some of those decisions. When my brothPrime Minister on one of the Bills. To be able to help er heard me he suggested I do something about it and change someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives is encouraging. Getting rather than sit and complain. results fro constituents on casework is also encouragI first stood as a candidate in 1986 in the local ing. council elections. I was elected and served as a counThere has been an increase in the number of cillor for a term. I stood in Twickenham in the 1987 Asian women running for Parliament and political elections in an unwinnable seat but managed to save office.

I hope it continues. Much of the encouragement the deposit. I also stood as a candidate in the European does come from the international political scene from elections in 1999. countries such as India, Burma and others. Asian Before winning my seat in 2010 I had been workwomen have had ground breaking roles in their couning for the Government Legal Service in the Treasury tries.

I hope this serves to inspire women.

Solicitors Department and also spent a year at the

I

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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38-39-Kamal Hothi_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 10:58 Page 38

Asian Women rising to this decade’s challenges – some familiar, some new!

■ Kamal Hothi, Asian Markets Director, Lloyds Banking Group e are facing unprecedented times with the financial sector undergoing some of its biggest challenges. The whole of Britain has experienced a decline in manufacturing opportunities, a rise in unemployment & the breakdown of society’s values. For too long we’ve enjoyed a ‘spend now, pay later’ culture, with no wise man questioning why we weren’t putting away a few pennies for a rainy day when times were good. This has left many feeling very pessimistic and wondering what future role Britain will play in the global economy.

W

When I hear these views and read about all the doom and gloom, I have endless questions running through my mind. Where can we look for optimism?

What is lacking that has contributed to this? Why weren’t the basic learnings handed down by our forefathers followed? I am very privileged that I work in

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Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

banking which has taught me many things, however there are a few lessons that I learnt from my parents.

My father always taught me and my siblings the importance of having enough money to pay our debt, having food on the table, saving for a rainy day and then only the surplus monies to be used for holidays and the luxuries of life.

My father’s teachings makes me reflect and wonder how my parents survived those difficult times and the challenges they faced. Problems that neither I nor my children will ever face i.e. surviving wars, losing their homes - not once but twice, packing their bags and migrating to new shores, not speaking a word of the local language and with no money in their pockets. Only to encounter prejudices resulting in them being forced to change their beliefs in order to fit in and be accepted. Not only did they survive, they protected us and instilled values of hard work, ethics and respect that has been the core formula of our success. If we as their children, can endure these challenges and build businesses starting from nothing, while educating our children and providing them with solid foundations for their own families – I ask what is stopping others to follow?

This all then leads me to ask what more we as a community can do to help the UK Kamel Hothi with winner, K Basran economy recover. and other nominees Maybe it’s a point for values to be revisited… Leadership styles need to be challenged and the rule books re-written.

As a woman and a mother, my main instincts are to protect my family from any harm, ensure they are safe, warm and have enough to eat. I also want to give them a better lifestyle then I had, with access

38-39-Kamal Hothi_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 10:58 Page 39

to educational institutions so they can fulfil their potential. We Asians have done that extremely well, or may I even be so bold as to say we Asian women have been the backbone of the Asian success story!

For decades we have known it is the woman who shapes the future of the family home and plays a key role in all walks of life. Women who as daughters have viewed their parents struggle and watched them working day and night to provide stability for us.

Women who as wives have silently supported their husbands and encouraged and enthused them in their careers. Women who as employees have saved, worked hard, juggled numerous jobs all whilst balancing the needs and respect of the family. And women as mothers who have pushed and overcome obstacles all in the good cause of making a better life for our children.

Which brings me back to my earlier statement of leadership styles that need to be challenged and how we as a community can help the UK economy.

Looking around me, I see my sisters and friends providing the much needed optimism. This was very evident in this year’s Asian Women of Achievement Awards (which I in Lloyds Bank have been so proud to sponsor for 7 years). The Awards demonstrated how far many Asian women have come. Like Kamal Basran who started her venture in her kitchen and now runs a multi million pound company. Or Poonam Gupta who transformed her family business into the multi million pound institution it is today. Or even Jyoti

Deshpande CEO of Eros, who helped establish this brand into one of the biggest Bollywood film distributors in the Western world,whilst also having the roles of daughters, wives and mothers.

So as some parts of our society may be changing for the worse due to lack of leadership, parental guidance, corporate governance or lack of aspiration, there are many other parts where Asian women are now making their mark. They are using ethics that have stood the test of time, building companies based on solid foundations with core values that mirror their own family values.

It is women like these who have learnt from their forefathers, who I believe many other leaders could learn from and the next generation can look up to.

For these women, greed is not the sole driver of success, instead inherited values are at the heart of their commercial success. Employees feel they all own a part of the business and staff are motivated to work hard and be responsible for its future. These same values are instilled in the children these women are bringing up.

In conclusion, we no doubt have further challenging times ahead and we will need to make difficult decisions, however as I reflect, I see our forefathers’ values still present and I see optimism from a new generation of Asian women leaders. As the old saying goes “behind every successful man is a woman”, what I’d like to add to this is “and behind every woman is ambition & vision”.

Congratulations to Asif for being selected as one of the nominees for the Asian Achiever Awards 2011!

The City of London Police is responsible for the safety and protection of everyone in the ‘square mile’.

It is a modern, innovative and forward thinking police force that is sensitive to emerging issues.

The City of London Police has been working on initiatives to support and encourage all members of staff and to build lasting relationships with community-based organisations, voluntary groups and Asian businesses.

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Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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40-Menhaj Huda_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 11:01 Page 40

The importance of training and hard work ■ Anjana Kapuria n the world of media and film, it is often said that success does not come easy. We have all heard about Night Shyamalan and Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth), but it was only after meeting with Menhaj Huda, I realised how much of hard work besides talent, takes to win the hearts and capture the visual imaginations of audience like us!

Menhaj Huda is a Bangladeshi film and television director and producer in the UK. He has directed many films, of which 'Jump Boy' significant recognition.

Asian Voice spoke to Menhaj about his experience, the British film industry and his take on acting and cross country films.

AV: Tell us about your journey so far.

Danny Boyle’s first film Shallow Grave helped me to rethink what I always wanted to do before that usually its USA or European collaboration with British artists were working on and off screen. In early 90s I started my career as a DJ, started conceptualising music videos, and then switched to editing. My work and luck favoured when channel 4 picked me for a music show, Hypnosis and it clicked, although I was thinking to go to America to study films but I started getting work in the industry and dropped the idea and carried on working. Before getting into film making I had a vast experience of television and also a few short films including Jump Boy, the first narrative film. After this an agency kept on providing works and Jump Boy selected in top short films in the UK and brought me respect and status as a film maker, when I convinced myself that I can I represent my generation of film makers and that’s how my aspiration to be 'A-list' Hollywood director of main stream cinema soared.

AV: Which is your favourite creation and why?

“Everywhere Nowhere” is a recent release a drama film based upon a young British Asian’s conflict between his passion and tradition, the nature of the story and the face value along with the conceptualisation of the idea is important and very significant for the second generation of British Asians. There is not much marked in visual media on these issues so I believe this film would be remembered for long and very special for me.

AV: How difficult do you think is to make a mark in the British film industry as an Asian?

Genuinely if this has been asked a few years back I would have said no, it hardly makes any difference but in the aftermath of 9/11 yes, absolutely there is something in there. I have always tried to ignore that by trying to be better than anybody else. I entered in those

I

40

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

arena where Asian were not expected to reach. I have success and recognition which does restrain me with the reaction of 9/11. Yes, it has been noticed quite a lot by me and I learnt that one has to work twice hard to let people look beyond the colour of the skin.

AV: What message would Menhaj Huda you like to give to our readers who want to make a career in TV and Films?

Sit down and see your production. See if you can appreciate your own work. If you can't why will others do? It is a lot of hard work. Be committed to do so.

AV: Do you think British Asian as subjects in areas like cult movies or cross country films are turning heads?

The Asian products had always fetched attention what had been done in a right way with commercial standards. Here’s the same reason that Everywhere Nowhere has been appreciated by all as it is promoted in the right way although having cultural issues in it.

AV: Do you believe the division between main stream and ethnic productions have ceased to exist?

Yes there is a division therefore I am going through mainstream with next horror film Come down.

I want to make a thriller then an action or may be animation film. I always felt that core audience appreciate the ethnic production but when its style, casts, appeal, across the border language approaching to wider audience I like to work genre films AV: Do you think formal training is mandatory for people to succeed in the field?

For me formal training started with working as a runner for a production house. Training is important when it is in the form of working, gaining practical knowledge in the field of one’s interest mere going to the university to earn a degree cannot serve the purpose.

41-Prideview_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 11:01 Page 41

With the honeymoon period now over, it’s time for the real work to begin better than no business, and we remain grateful for that. s we come to the end of another bustling, Fourthly, key to a colourful and fun-filled wedding season, particusuccessful marriage is larly memorable this year because it included clearly setting expectamy own, I thought why not share and compare some tions from the outset. At of the advice I have received this summer to the Prideview, all our Prideview Properties work ethic. clients are different and First up, divorce is not an option (!). Sure, in all their properties differ. today’s tough market, many who picked up properties Being a family business in the pre-2008 ‘honeymoon period‘ have since been with a long track record forced to sell. But via our subsidiary, Pride in property trading as Management, we emphasise active management of well as a £50M portfoour clients’ properties, much in the same way that we lio under manageNilesh Raj Patel should all be actively managing our marriages. Among ment, we have the other things, we can: unique mix of flexibility and skills to be able to offer a l Leverage our relationships with commercial lenders tailored approach to building your asset to buy you some vital breathing base. space Finally, please don’t forget to take l Reduce property costs – we have a break once in a while. And where betassisted our clients obtain ter to go than Incredible India, to enjoy £350,000 of insurance premithe buzz, excitement and ordered disorums in 2011, all at significantly der only found there! Indian property is lower prices booming, driven by economic growth, a l Manage / find tenants - chasing burgeoning home-loan market and the late payers, dealing with ad-hoc desire of a young, ambitious population issues and negotiating leases, rent for a better life. But to tap into it you reviews, dilapidations etc. need guidance throughout and a name l Identify planning opportunities to you can trust. We act as exclusive increase the value of your property agents for several exciting projects – Secondly, life is too short. We ideal as a second home or as a pure must always enjoy those special investment – and will stick with you moments, rather than let the day-tofrom buying to holding to selling: day issues of marriage overshadow l Mumbai: Worli, 3.5-bedroom flats, them. Similarly, property manageapprox. Rs. 25k psf – almost sold out ment can be very taxing, underminl Mumbai: Andheri East, 1.5, 2 and Nilesh Raj Patel married Shareen Patel on ing the satisfaction that owning 3-bedroom flats, approx. Rs.10k psf – solid ‘bricks and mortar’ should give August 21st 2011. He now lives happily ever 85% sold out after, taking on the headache of managing your you. For fees as low as 2.5% on l Vadodara: Sevasi (the New properties…! commercial and 5% on residenAlkapuri), 3-bedroom flats, approx. tial management, we can remove that headache, Rs.2.5k - available allowing you to sit back and relax knowing your assets To speak to one of our team, please don’t hesitate are in safe hands. to call on 0208 863 8680 or visit our websites Thirdly, we’ve been advised to always keep each www.prideviewproperties.co.uk and www.prideother at centre stage. Even in business, companies management.co.uk. And to join our quarterly gradually begin to take their clients for granted. But as newsletter which summarises all the ways we are helpmany of our clients will testify, our young team at Pride ing our clients make and save money, please email me (not Bride!) Management are keen to build new, longat Nilesh@prideequity.co.uk lasting relationships as well as maintain the older ones.

Lastly, we would like to congratulate all nominees Although most of our clients own just one or two propfor Asian Achievers’ awards – you have provided inspierties, we still strive to give them the attention they ration to us all and prove exactly why our community deserve, because in these tough times any business is is so integral to the UK.

■ Nilesh Raj Patel ACA

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Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

41

SilverStar_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 13:56 Page 1

Amitabh Bachchan opening the Silver Star Diabetes Centre in Leicester

Silver Star so far...

Mobile Diabetes Unit has visited over 152 companies or community events in London, Leicester, Manchester and Birmingham.

Tested over 15,500 people for diabetes has held 96 Diabetes Camps in Goa, India.

Established a base in Yemen promoting culturally sensitive healthcare & sponsoring diabetes insulin.

Opened a Diabetes Centre in Leicester in August 2008 by the Bollywood Star Amitabh Bachchan.

In October 2009 launched its first Mobile Diabetes Unit in Goa, India.

SilverStar_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 13:58 Page 2

SILVER STAR AND DIABETES The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

What is Silver Star?

The Silver Star charity raises funds to run a Mobile Diabetes Assessment Unit which travels out to local community groups, places of worship and workplaces. The unit provides diabetes assessments for all as well as raising awareness of diabetes.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). In many cases this is linked with being overweight.

Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes related causes. source: International Diabetes Federation

Help us to save lives........

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Why is Silver Starâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission to raise diabetes awareness so important?

It is estimated that people with Type 2 diabetes are diagnosed between 9-12 years after the onset of the condition and it is often only picked up when they are already showing signs of one or more of the complications associated with diabetes.

Overall there are currently over 2.8 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and another 1 million people who have Type 2 diabetes but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet know it.

Early diagnosis can prevent many people from developing the complications of the condition.

44-Kruti Buch _A4 Temp 13/09/2011 11:46 Page 44

Power of a small group of thoughtful people ■ Kruti Buch Kruti Buch

think working for a non-governmental organisation like Asian Foundation for Philanthropy (AFP) you don’t have to go far in order to find inspiration or aspiration. Every person that has become of the AFP network has said one thing, “I aspire to do more.” What do they mean by more? That is to support AFP’s mission of reducing poverty in India and inspiring social change within the British Asian community here in the UK. We are all global citizens, and never more so, have we been connected to our fellow citizens around the world. For many of us, our cultural heritage and links to India remain deep rooted. Through AFP, many of the second and third generation Asian people have wanted to explore that link and the country of their heritage and haven’t found the avenue to do so. For many British Asians, we feel this inherent pull to India and are interested its struggles and triumphs but we just don’t have the forum to discuss explore this. But that is where AFP comes in.

My role at AFP, as Project Manager of Gyaan Yatra (the knowledge journey) enables people to fulfil that aspiration. Gyaan Yatra has allowed people from all backgrounds (Statisticians, auditors, film makers and

I

Congratulations to all the Winners!

44

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

students) to find an issue that they are passionate about, and inspire them to change that situation. They commit to very exciting Saturday sessions, and then use that knowledge to talk to you, the Asian community. So far, over 1000 people have attended events, and have been inspired to do more. It’s people like Rajesh Kishan who has a demanding job in the corporate sector. He aspired to do something different, but as he says “What I didn’t expect was to come in on a Saturday morning after a 60 hour week and feeling enthused about being amongst like-minded people who are committed to this in their spare time.” Rajesh (who is going to be holding an event about the future of microfinance in a week) is part of a 30 strong Ambassador team, who will be holding discussions around what we can change in the world, up and down the country, and through discussions online.

It is also people like Vineeta Muthoo, a statistician and Gyaan Yatra Development Ambassador, who wanted to make a stand against corruption in India.

Reflecting on her trips to India, she was shocked that ‘even to get a birth certificate, we need to pay a bribe’.

She always had the aspiration to do something about it, and the Gyaan Yatra programme provided the inspiration. She held an event in London, daring all Indians to attend, to ask the very specific question ‘When is corruption going to stop?’ Through these events, our Development Ambassadors are inspiring others to make a change and make a difference.

For me, and my role, it is this chain of reactions that inspires me every day. It’s the times, when you hear how because someone came to an event, they decided to volunteer or when they met one of the Development Ambassadors, they decided to pursue a career change because they had been inspired by the people speaking. It’s those smaller things, that are not quantifiable, are not tangible and so in many people’s eyes have little or no worth that make your role worthwhile. It is those small yet significant changes that really inspire you every day. I see changes in the people around me and I know that I still have a lot to learn but I also know that in their own way, each person can aspire to change the world. It reminds me of Margaret Meads’ quote “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

(Feel inspired? Want to come listen to and challenge the ambassadors? Get inspired now! gyaanyatra@affp.org.uk)

45-Bari Malik_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 12:54 Page 45

Aspirations are inspired by challenging the limits of possibility ■ Bari Malik FRSA s parents, teachers, community and business leaders our career choices, life experiences, skills, knowledge and attitudes give us all the potential to inspire. Motivating and raising the aspirations of learners to such an extent that they truly fly higher than we have done or perhaps ever will.

However there is a huge risk that inspiration is drowned out or lost in the noise of what passes for the hurly-burly of everyday life as we know it today. There is a clear and present danger that we are now settling for “we can’t ...”, rather than “we can or must...” and as a result end up threatening our very own expectations and aspirations that were inspired by those who taught and indeed showed us that the possibilities are truly endless.

Indeed the limits of possibility should be continually challenged and we have to do this by asking what defines the limits of possibility? Is it that we are limited by what we believe is actually possible and our consequent attitudes as a result, or is it our own understanding and application of our knowledge as parents, teachers, community and business leaders. Or is it our lack of confidence that skews our perceptions of “external” constraints.

In my humble opinion it is all of the above and much more besides to the extent that a learning revolution is required more than ever. A learning revolution driven by thoughtful parents, dynamic teachers and industrious community and business leaders - not one that is led by top down government initiatives but a learning revolution actively encouraged by schools, colleges and universities working as learning communities informed by research and with a passionate belief that all learners are capable of far more than is currently being achieved.

It does not mean that measuring learners attainments should be aborted or that the quality of learning should no longer be evaluated as without these mechanisms we would not be able to share successful practices and techniques.

But what is required is a leadership transformation and a recognition that by establishing schools, colleges, universities and indeed even the work place as learning communities you will unlock the potential of young people and by doing so unlocking the potential of parents, teachers, community and business leaders as well.

If we accept that we are not only educators but are learners too – and especially in this amazing or bewildering period depending on your personal point of view of technological advancement and that we still

A

Bari Malik

have a lot to learn if only just to keep up with the demands of the likes of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or even the very latest apps on our smart phones to name a few - will go some way in accepting that learning and sharing expertise and education as learning communities is the way forward to inspiring higher expectations and raising aspirations of the learners who will in turn become the educators of future generations to come.

The community in question and one that I am proud to hail from is the Asian Community which believe it or not has an incredible 400 year old history in Britain and believe me it’s come a long way since the 1960’s let alone the 1600’s. It is a community for which the term or concept of Generational Knowledge Transfer is most apt and truly applied.

Today in 2011 it is a community built on the principles of family, hard work and thrift for whom change is embraced as an opportunity. A community who’s wealth is a significant contributor to the UK’s economy and above all a community whose contributions in just about every single field and profession you can name has made a significant impact on society at large. It is an Asian Community of parents, teachers, community and business leaders with so much to be proud of and a community which has to be the inspiration for the aspirations of the future.

I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all those who have been nominated for the Asian Achievers Award. May they all continue to inspire and raise the aspirations of all those around them to achieve even more.

(The author is Bari Malik, a Fellow of Royal Society of Arts, Visiting Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the National Center for Maritime Policy at Bahria University and Industrial Fellow at the Centre for Enterprise at the University of Greenwich. He is also the Founder and Managing Director of Corporate Media Associates Limited an international corporate research and marketing communications consultancy.)

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

45

LookBackx All 5pages_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 14:16 Page 46

A Look back...... $" "" Winner Winner Jitesh Gadhia, ABN Amro Bank

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46

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

Winner Sergeant Gurpal Virdi

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Pravin Amin - Community Campaigner Rati Shah - President, Brent Indian Association Ramesh Vala - Community Campaigner

WINNER Trupti Patel, Pharmacist

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Winner Ranjit Baxi J&H Sales International Ltd

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Ronni Irani - Cricketer Arvind Parmar - Tennis player Priti Trivedi - Senior Administrator, Scottish Premier League

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LookBackx All 5pages_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 14:17 Page 47

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/ The Editor’s Choice award was presented to 14-year-old Shabnam Kanchwala. Since the age of 9, Shabnam displayed an acumen for Fashion designing. She secured admission at India’s prestigious JD Institute of Fashion Design in Mumbai for a creative course. She came out

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with flying colours and the institute gave her an award for outstanding performance and creative excellence in projects and assignments presented during her course of creative fabric designing, fashion illustration and fashion embroidery in the academic year 2004-2005.

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47

LookBackx All 5pages_A4 Temp 13/09/2011 14:17 Page 48

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Vijey Ratan - Social worker Manubhai Makwana - Social Service Gopalbhai Popat and Induben Mehta Founders Asian Foundation for Help

Winner - Arjan Vekaria -

Winner - Manish Shah Partner Sigma Pharmaceuticals Plc

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Winner: Chandubhai Kanani Founder member- Lohana Community of West London

Winner - Jasuben Seghani - Shop Owner

Winner: Rati Shah Fund Raiser- Social Service

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P Owais Shah : Cricketer Puneet Arora - Chef Dr Ramesh Gandhi - Fund raiser Saima Hussain : Rugby Player and Sports Ritu Sethi - Lawyer- sethi partnership solicitors Mahendra Jadeja - Charitable work Development officer Dr Satya Narayan Agarwal - Orthopaedic Surgeon Madat Ahamed - Social Welfare Kiran Matharu : Golfer

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Winner: Shriti Vadera - Parliamentary Under secretary of state for International Development

Winner: Renu Patel - Performing Arts

" !"

Honey Kalaria - Stage Performer Mira Kakad - Fashion Designer Ravi Sharma - Presenter-Sunrise Radio

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Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

!

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Deepakben Patel - Professional Golfer Kalaria - StageMrs Performer Gita Jobanputra - Professional masseuse and Teacher of Complimentary Therapies Nilam Patel - Partner Wine Cellar Consolidations

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!

Winner: Nishma Gosrani Consultant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers Anuj Chande - Grant Thornton UK LLP Raj Joshi - Red Lion Chamber Dr Akbar Ali Malik -Solicitor Supreme Court

Winner: Yogesh Mehta Managing Director of Amertrans Shipping

Bemal Patel - Pharmacist Hasmukhbhai Patel - Director of Mukti Tea Dolar Popat - Founder of TLC Group

!

Winner: Kuljinder S. Bahia, Director of Southall Travel

Rajesh Agrawal - Founder and CEO RationalFX Devin Chawda - Founder Y-Cam Solution LTD. Suraj Gokani - M.D. of Excel Currencies

!

!

Winner: Kamel Hothi Lloyds TSB

Manula Sood - Lord Mayor of Leicester Sangeeta Patel - M.D. of Post Offices Anita Chopra - Solicitor Salima Mawji - Solicitor

Winner: Dr Dak Patel Director London SAM Dr Reshma Ramesh Gandecha - Pharmacist Arun Patel - Chartered Accountant Dr Satyanarayan Agarwal - Orthopaedic Surgeon

Winner: Dr Rami Ranger Chairman of India,PAK,UK Friendship Forum Vinod Kapashi - Literary Fugure Bhadresh Trivedi - Hindu Chaplain Gordhandas S Patel - Voluntary Services

! !

Winner: Maiyuran Ratneswaran, Fencing Shivam Shah - Guinness World Record holder Rashmi Yadave - Marathon Runner Manjit Singh - Record Holder Guinness Book

2009 WOMAN OF THE YEAR Winner Uma A Mehta Shortlisted nominees

Dr Monika Khanna Parveen Hassan Honey Kalaria

Winner: Ravi Sharma Radio Ambassador India & UK

Jay Kumar - Bollywood Dance Choreographer Nikita Thakrar - Finest Dance Artists Paresh Shah - Musician, Entertainer, Magician

CIVIL SERVICE ANd UNIFORM Winner Capt Sandip Patel Shortlisted nominees Natubhai Somabhai Patel Shilpa Solanki Bhimji Vekaria

BUSINESS IN COMMUNITY Winner Narendra Patel

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Shortlisted nominees

Shortlisted nominees

P.S. Kang Naynesh Desai Satish Parekh

MEdIA ARTS ANd CULTURE Winner Chamanlal Chaman Shortlisted nominees

Jasvinder Singh Bal Ashish Amrit Kotak JeetsScreen Idolz

Winner Manjul K Vasant MBE Cheryl Dhillon Zafar Siddque Mohammad Asghar

ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICE Winner Vraj Pankhania

Shortlisted nominees

Madhurikaben R Patel Chhotalal Maganlal Limbachia Shree Chhotalal Narottambhai Chauhan

Winner: PC Mebs Ahmed Chaiman of Lancashire Black Police Association

Supt Raj Kohli - MET Police Dr. Kadaba S V DL - Consultant Pathologist Ajit Patel - Royal Guard

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Winner Anil Maneklal Solanki Shortlisted nominees Kirit Patel Thariq Mohammed Koolesh Shah

YOUNG ENTREPRENUER OF THE YEAR Winner Rishi Lakhani Shortlisted nominees

Snahal Patel Nina Kabra Bhavisha Patel

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR Winner Rajeev Bagga Shortlisted nominees

Ashwin Bhatt Shivam Shah Samit Patel

Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

49

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2010 Professional of the year Winner

Achievement in Community service

Media Arts and Culture

Winner

Winner

Vijay Goel

Anjali Bulley

Ranjan D Manek OBE

Shortlisted nominees Prof S homer Vanniasinkam Dr Nora Vyas Dr Sandeep Mane

Shortlisted nominees Burjor J Avari Mark Sumariwalla Rajini Vaidyanathan

Shortlisted nominees Cllr Filly Maravala Darshan lal Kalhan Maneck A Dalal OBE Sanjay Jagatia

Business Person of the year

Winner

Arun Panchariya Shortlisted nominees Dr Vijay Patel and Dr Bhikhu Patel Hemang Shah Raj K Aggarwal OBE

Pavani reddy Shortlisted nominees Jasuben Mistry Shalina Alabaksh Shashi Kiran Gossain

Business in Community

Young Entreprenuer of the Year

bala Mahendran

Shortlisted nominees Sanjiv Mehta Subir patel Anil Sehgal

Best Overall Enterprise

Asian voice Special Award for Ingenuity in Business

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Editors Award for Vision and enterprise

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Subaskaran Allirajah

Shortlisted nominees Aliya Rashid Aswin rana Zaheer Ahmad

Jalaram Money Transfer & Parcel Service n

Sanjiv Mehta

Shortlisted nominees Ashpal Kaur Bhogal Michael Chopra Zesh Rehman

Winner

Sukhpal singh Ahluwalia

Shortlisted nominees Abhishek Varma Jason and Dennis Singh Digwa Sujan Shah

Winner

Ravi Bopara

Uniformed And Civil services

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Winner

Riz Navsarka

Dr Vijay Patel and Dr Bhikhu Patel

Sports Personality of the Year

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Young Business person demonstrating sustained business growth Amit Patel

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Asian Achievers Awards 2011 Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar

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