Helen Goodman, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons |
The seventh prestigious Asian Achievers Awards, instituted by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar newsweeklies were presented at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London on 26th July this year. Over 800 eminent guests including members of parliament, ministers, successful entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders of various organisations were present to celebrate British Asian success and honour the winners for their achievements.
Nominations and panel of judges
Over the years the AAA awards have earned the sobriquet ‘people’s awards’ because of their unique nomination process. It is perhaps the only award in the ethnic press where the readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar nominate the candidates. The final winners are chosen after much deliberation by an independent panel of judges consisiting of eminent women and men from various walks of life. Lord Dholakia was chaired the panel of judges at this year’s awards.
The Chief Guest at this year’s Awards ceremony was Rt. Hon Helen Goodman MP, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. Prominent personalities including Lord Bhiku Parekh, Lord Karan Bilimoria CEO, Cobra Beer, Rt. Hon Keith Vaz, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Baba Ramdev, Mr Suraj Gokani Director of Excel Currencies, Mr S Jagadeesan, Minister Economic, High Commission of India in London, Sir Gulam Noon Chairman, Royal Sweets, Mr K D Row, Regional Head UK & Ireland, Air India, Mr Naseer Khan, CEO, The Accessory People Group, Mr Hasmukh Patel Director, Mukti Tea and Mr Priyesh Patel. Director, CoFresh, graced the occasion. Laila Rouass, Dalip Tahil and Shahnaz Hussain added glamour to the evening.
Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP |
Vishal Patel & Jesal Raj Patel (2nd and 4th from left) of Prideview Properties Ltd., the highest bidder of the cricket bat autographed by the India & England cricket teams with Lord Bilimoria, Lord Dholakia and Ramnik Mehta of Devdaya charity |
The glittering ceremony was marked by several inspiring speeches covering a range of topics. Speaking on the theme of this year’s Awards - 60th Anniversary of India’s Independence - Lord Karan Bilimoria highlighted the rise of India’s economic prowess and recalled the significant contribution of British Asians to the country’s economy, business, academia, and sport. Lord Bhiku Parekh, Rt. Hon Keith Vaz, Lord Navnit Dholakia and Chief Guest Helen Goodman- Deputy of the House of Commons were the other speakers.
Guests donated generously to Devdaya, a charity that works tirelessly among blind children in India. In addition to individual contributions a significant amount of money was raised for the charity by auctioning a cricket bat which was autographed by the England cricket team, courtesy of Naynesh Desai, and a signed snooker cue of Ronnie O’Sullivan, twice world snooker champion.
The Awards ceremony received wide coverage in both print and broadcast media including Club Asia, Venus TV, Aastha TV (India & UK) and Des Pardes.
Proud Winners with CB Patel, Editor, Publisher of the Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar |
L to R. Dr Ramnik Mehta of Devdaya Charitable Trust, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Abdul Ismail, highest bidder, Contitrades with the snooker cue signed by Ronnie O’Sullivan and Lord Dholakia, |
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The Winners |
Nat Puri - Business in Community Award
Eminent entrepreneur, philanthropist. |
Naynesh Desai - Professional of the Year
Well known solicitor. |
Rati Shah - Achievement in Community Service
A leading member of Lions activities and a solocitor. |
Monty Panesar - Sport Personality of the Year
Most well known Asian cricketer in the English cricket team. |
Baroness Shriti Vadera - Woman of the Year
First Asian (Gujarati) lady in the British Government. |
Firoz Kassam - Lifetime Achievement Award
A business tycoon in his own right - property and hotels. |
Dalip Kumar - Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Set up a travel business from scratch and made a success of it. |
Lord Navnit Dholakia - Editor’s Award
Perhaps the most active Lord from the ethnic community in the Upper House. |
Renu Patel - Achievement in Media/ Art and Culture
An aficionada of the performing arts. |