Political & Public Life Awards

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Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Politica Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Politica Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Politica Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Politica Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Politica Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Politica Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2013 Politica Public Life Awards 2013 Political & Public Life Awards 2

Political & Public Life

february

Awards

2013

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Aims differ as the names differ, so says an old cliché

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mbition, its direction and speed are invariably centred around that individual. The recipients of the 7th annual Asian Voice Political and Public Life awards amply illustrate that.

At the cost of becoming a bit personal, nearly five decades ago, when as a British citizen I settled in Great Britain, the primary objective was to qualify as a barrister, as well as a lawyer.

With expected challenges, rather than completing final exams of my LLB and Bar at Law qualifications, I ventured into the path to worshipping primarily Goddess Laksmi (wealth).

This country has ample opportunities and I have benefited bountifully along the way with a certain minimum objective for simple but comfortable life style, and prospective retirement, I reverted back to the pursuit of knowledge (Goddess Sarawati), almost 40 years ago, slightly out of choice and largely because of Swamiji (my father) advised me to have aims higher than horizons and not confine to one's personal benefit. I entered into publishing activity- without any training of journalism, publishing or printing. At one stage, some close friends half jokingly used to say “fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Some fools, some angels.

The Swamiji's simple advice was to: a. Spread knowledge b. Money is important but not everything c. Keep away from electoral politics and d. Never accept state honours

Inspite of several temptations, I stuck to his advice and have benefited enormously. One common complaint, especially amongst Asians of Indian origin that though we are successful in several walks of life as individuals, our community thrust especially in public life and politics is minimum. That may be true even today.

Over the years I watched Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Africans, Caribbeans, Whites, non Whites, religious, non religious people of different political persuasions, their involvement and excellence in umpteen number of business and commerce. I also noticed the increasing number of awards which was very welcoming. The biggest challenge or a missed opportunity was saluting outstanding contributors in various fields, without boundaries of race, religion, nationality and political preference.

As usual I discussed this dilemma with Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP. To my greatest pleasure he concurred with my concern and the rest is history. Mr Vaz, to his credit has formed his own panel of judges.

Keith has provided a yeoman's service for a project which was at the heart of my community relations.

At the 7th Annual Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards, with enormous happiness and thankfulness, I am honoured to present this year's small brochure. All those who are honoured, deserve our heartiest congratulation and best wishes for the future. Those not included will be hopefully nominated in the future and duly honoured.

Whether honoured or otherwise- act well your part, and there the honour lies. Once again, my most sincere thanks to Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP, his office staff, Liji George, my Chief of Operations, Rupanjana Dutta, Associate Editor and the entire team of ABPL. Warm Regards CB Patel Publisher/Editor

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Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP Chair, Home Affairs Committee

Outstanding Achievers

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n behalf of the panel of judges, I am delighted to welcome you to the seventh annual Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards at the House of Commons.

Founded decades ago by the doyen of British Asian Publishing, the legendary CB Patel, the Asian Voice newspaper has the largest readership amongst the Asian community in Britain. It has been at the forefront of ensuring that the issues of concern to Britain’s glorious ethnic minority communities are brought into the public domain. The paper is one of a number of outlets that bridge the gap between communities in Britain. At least 5 million BME people reads one of these newspapers each week.

The British Asian community has made a great contribution to our country. We are key stakeholders in politics, industry, business and even showbusiness. Tonight we celebrate the accomplishments of a few of them.

The uniqueness of these awards is that they are held in the mother of Parliaments and that they honour and recognise political figures who have really impressed the British Asian community. They also celebrate Asian talent of those in the public and political sphere outside of Westminster.

This year’s rollcall of senior political figures include the Rt Hon Theresa May MP, who as Home Secretary, has capably managed what is perhaps the most difficult position in politics; Chuka Umunna MP, who on his appointment as Shadow Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills in 2011 had only been an MP for 18 months, a remarkable achievement; and Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, who has just launched the Green Deal, helping you to save money and energy on your home or business. These awards also celebrate new political talent, such as Anna Soubry MP, made Minister for Public Health in September, who has championed diabetes in her few months in office.

We will also recognise the public figures who have made this Diamond Jubilee and Olympic year special. Including Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, who constructed the Orbit, the largest public artwork in Britain, at the Olympic Park in Stratford.

I hope the evening will be remembered as one where we celebrated achievement but also looked to the future. We remain citizens of the most multicultural country in the world and you tonight are a mirror of that world.

Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP

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List of the Honoree Cabinet Minister of the Year

Rt Hon Theresa May MP

Theresa May was elected as Member of Parliament for Maidenhead in May 1997 and was appointed Home Secretary in 2010. In this role she is leading the Government’s work to free up the police to fight crime more effectively, secure the borders and reduce immigration, and protect the UK from terrorism. She was also Minister for Women & Equalities from 2010 to 2012. She read Geography at St Hugh’s College, Oxford University, before working for the Bank of England and later the Association for Payment Clearing Services. She was councillor in the London Borough of Merton from 1986 to 1994.

Shadow Cabinet Minister of the Year

Chuka Umunna MP

Chuka Umunna was elected as Member of Parliament for Streatham in May 2010.

Born in October 1978, Chuka studied Law at the University of Manchester and the University of Burgundy, followed by Nottingham Law School. Prior to his election Chuka worked at a law firm primarily acting for employees but also employers, having trained as a solicitor at a City law firm. In October 2011, Chuka was appointed as the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. In this role, Chuka leads the Opposition Shadow Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) team, leading for the opposition on a wide range of issues including business, enterprise, science and universities.

Liberal Democrat Minister of the Year

Rt Hon Ed Davey MP

Edward Davey is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Kingston and Surbiton and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Edward was elected in 1997 when he became the first ever non-Conservative MP for the area, with a majority of just 56 votes (now 7,560). Edward held a number of senior shadow portfolios and when the coalition was formed Nick Clegg promoted him Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs and then a year ago to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Edward has always championed the Asian community in his constituency and beyond. Amongst other local British Asians, he works closely with Kingston’s vibrant Gujarati, Tamil, Korean and Pakistani communities.

Junior Minister of the Year

Anna Soubry MP

Anna Soubry was elected as Member of Parliament for Broxtowe in May 2010, having previously worked for many years in TV. She was best known as a reporter working for This Morning and Central TV on Central News East. In the mid-1990s she was called to the Bar and began working as a criminal barrister in Nottingham. Following her election, in September 2012, Anna was appointed Public Health Minister. In this position she has revitalised the role following her appointment, putting particular emphasis on tackling the growing twin epidemics of obesity and type-2 diabetes.

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List of the Honoree

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Conservative Backbencher of the Year

Richard Bacon MP

Richard Bacon was first elected as Member of Parliament for South Norfolk in 2001 and has twice been re-elected to represent the South Norfolk constituency.

Richard is a senior member of the influential Public Accounts Committee and also continues to campaign for a change the law on compulsory country-of-origin labelling for food. In 2006 his fellow MPs voted him ‘Backbencher of the Year’ and he was also awarded the title ‘Parliamentarian of the Year’ by both the Spectator magazine and the Political Studies Association. Richard is married to Victoria, with two children, and lives locally with his family.

Labour Backbencher of the Year

Jeremy Corbyn MP

Jeremy Corbyn was first elected to parliament in 1983 for Islington North and has been re-elected at six subsequent elections. Jeremy is renowned for not being afraid to put his head above the parapet, speaking for those without a voice and campaigning for the human rights of all. The need for more affordable housing for his constituents in Islington has dominated his activities for many years.

Recently he has spoken against the renewal of Trident, preferring the money to be spent on health and housing instead. He is very active locally and in Parliament, being a member of the Justice Select Committee since 2011, and chairing a number of All-Party Groups including Human Rights, the Chagos Islands, Mexico, the Western Sahara and Parliamentary CND.

Peer of the Year

Helena Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws QC An expert in human rights law, civil liberties and constitutional issues and has received many honours for her work. Current chair of Justice - the British arm of the International Commission of Jurists, she was the Chair of the British Council and Chair of the Human Genetics Commission. She recently produced a report for the Equality and Human Rights Commission on Human Trafficking in Scotland and was a member of the Government Commission on a British Bill of Rights. She is the Co-Chair of the International Bar Association’s Institute of Human Rights. She is also Principal of Mansfield college, Oxford.

Changing the Face of Britain Award

Lakshmi Mittal

Lakshmi Mittal is the Chairman and CEO of the world's leading steel and mining company ArcelorMittal, and a board member of Goldman Sachs and EADS. He is a member of the Advisory Board, Kellogg, and of the Board of Trustees, Cleveland Clinic. He is a Doctor Honoris Causa (AGH Krakow) and a recipient of the Indian Padma Vibhushan honour. With a presence in more than 60 countries, ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global carbon steel markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with leading R&D and technology. As a supporter of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ArcelorMittal created the ArcelorMittal Orbit, a permanent landmark sculpture on the Olympic Park, intended as a symbol for London 2012 and of the regeneration of East London.

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List of the Honoree Journalist of the Year

Abul Taher

Abul Taher is a staff news reporter at the Mail on Sunday, where he has been working for three years. He covers all aspects of news, but specialises in investigative and undercover stories. Last year, he led the Mail on Sunday’s campaign against rises in car insurance premiums caused by bogus personal injury claims, especially fraudulent whiplash cases. Before the Mail on Sunday, Taher was a staff reporter at the Sunday Times, where he worked for over four years as a general news reporter, with a special interest on the intelligence and terrorism beats.

Taher began his journalistic career at the Asian newspaper, Eastern Eye, beginning as a junior news reporter, and rising to become its news editor.

Entertainer of the Year

Navin Kundra

Navin Kundra is a talented singer, gifted songwriter, extraordinary musician and an electrifying live performer. His name is synonymous with quality and he has earned the respect of his peers, industry critics and fans alike. Navin’s music combines eastern and western influences together with a contemporary and edgy sound that is uniquely and commercially progressive. He utilises his ability to effortlessly flip from singing and writing in Hindi to English to Punjabi whilst playing the guitar or piano to create an unforgettable musical experience. He has established himself as one of the strongest forces in the British Asian music industry today.

Broadcaster of the Year

James Whale

James Whale is a British radio and television host. He first gained national prominence in the late 1980s with The James Whale Radio Show, a late-night programme produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV. From 1995 until 2008 he hosted The James Whale Show on TalkSport. He now hosts the LBC Drivetime Show, every weekday from 4pm. He is known for his plain-speaking, often acerbic and confrontational, broadcasting style; during phone-ins he frequently hangs up on callers he disagrees with or who do not make their point quickly enough - a tactic used by many presenters.

Reporter of the Year

Andrew Norfolk

Andrew began his journalism career in 1989 as a trainee reporter on the Scarborough Evening News. He worked for the Yorkshire Post from 1995 until joining The Times in 2000. Andrew was the newspaper's north-east correspondent from 2003 until last year and has spent the past 30 months working solely on a long-term investigation into crimes of child sexual exploitation involving organised groups of men. Andrew has been nominated as reporter or journalist of the year at the British Press Awards four times in the past seven years.

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List of the Honoree

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High Street Enterprise of the Year

Snappy Snap, Edgware

The owner and manager of Snappy Snaps in Edgware, Yonas Gebreyesus, took on the franchise in 2008. He previously studied Multimedia and Computing at Middlesex University, before beginning work as a part-time assistant at the store on New Oxford Street. He has worked hard to achieve his current position. The store is renowned for going the extra mile to achieve customer satisfaction.

Snappy Snaps is at the cutting edge of the industry when it comes to high quality prints and a speedy service.

Award for Influence in Indian Politics.

Mohammad Azharuddin

Azhar was the most successful Cricket captain in India ever, by winning highest number of Test matches and ODI matches during his captaincy. He is the first player who has played more than 300 ODIs during his tenure.

Following his cricket career he moved on to politics and won his first political election as an Indian National Congress candidate from Moradabad constituency, India. Azhar joined Indian National Congress in 2009 and won Indian Parliamentary Elections from Moradabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh with a large margin. As a Member of Parliament (MP), Azhar is actively engaged in Indian politics, committed to the service of his constituency.

Media Professional of the Year

Harish Bhimani

Popular Indian compere/Master of ceremonies, voice-over artist and writer, Bhimani has been variously described by the media as 'one of the most recognisable voices in India', 'the most travelled Indian compere' and 'a writer with a zing'. He is most known as the voice of Samay, the narrator in the TV series Mahabharat (1988-1990). His significant achievements include his association with India's ambitious text-to-speech e-venture comprising over 18,000 recordings of commercials and documentaries and recording globally through his unique voice website VoiceSutra.com.

Charity Worker of the Year

Laura Jane Elliot

Laura Jane Elliott or DJ Lora is an internationally renowned disc jockey, who has performed in every corner of the world from New York, London and Milan to Brazil, Dubai and Hong Kong. Apart from making her own mark in a male dominated industry, her list of achievements include her charitable causes, most notably, her significant contributions to the Children’s Wing of the Barts and London Hospital in Whitechapel, for which she single handedly raised £20,000 for toys. She has also successfully helped the Doctors at the Whitechapel Hospital, who run an annual medical camp in Africa, to raise £4,000 - £5,000 for medical supplies for the camp.

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List of the Honoree Professional of the Year

Dr Sunil Chopra

Dr Sunil Chopra BSC, FRCP, FRCP (E), Consultant Dermatologist, was born in Kenya. He became the first ever joint UCH Middlesex Medical Student President in his second year. He completed a two year full time research post at UCL in Dermatology and had several articles published. He self funded and invented Liposomal Bleomycin with PhD student Kent Lau, for which they received the UK patent for this drug in 2010. The drug has proven highly effective against leishmaniasis, a disease from which 4 million die annually. He intends to commercialise the drug for use in developing countries. He is co-founder of the London Dermatology Centre, which employs six dermatologists and has a £1.2m turnover.

Rising Star of the Year

Arjun Anand

Born on 15th May 1989, Arjun Anand was always set on a path of outstanding achievement. From a young age he was interested in cooking and would spend hours with his grandfather learning about flavours and the art of Indian cooking.

Arjun showed great leadership qualities from the offset, head boy at school and captain of cricket team. Whilst still at school he started working as a kitchen porter and waiter at weekends in the family business. He moved slowly up to each and every part of the business learning how each element of the company worked. Today at only 23, and on the directors board at Madhu’s, he is already in the book of ‘who’s who’ and is steering Madhus to innovative and greater heights.

TV Channel of the Year

Channel I

Channel I is a privately owned television network in Bangladesh, owned by the Impress Group. It was launched in June 1997 and began broadcasting 24 hours a day within two years, becoming the first digital channel in Bangladesh. Channel i contains general Bangla family entertainment, but also critically acclaimed news, dramas, movies, magazine programmes and documentaries. Currently Channel i is available in more than 84 countries worldwide. In 2012 Channel i was awarded a ‘Superbrand’ award in acknowledgment of its internationally recognised quality of broadcasting.

Academic of the Year

Dr Sonal Minocha

Dr Minocha is Dean at the University of Bedfordshire Business School. Before Bedfordshire, she was Associate Dean at the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Sunderland, where she was responsible for the international development and external engagement portfolios of the Faculty. Her research interests span strategy, creativity and innovation studies in industries as diverse as management education and the film industry. In 2012, Dr Minocha and the University of Bedfordshire embarked on the ‘Rainbow Lectures’ programme designed to raise awareness of diversity issues. Notable speakers have included Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta.

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List of the Honoree

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International Cooperation between the UK and India Award

Prabhat Verma

Prabhat Verma is the General Manager of 51-Buckingham Gate, a Taj Group Hotel in Westminster London. The ‘Taj’ is the Tata Group’s hospitality company and is not only India’s oldest, but also the largest and most respected hospitality company in South Asia. At 28, he was amongst the youngest General Managers of the Taj. After stints as GM in Resorts and Luxury Hotels of the Taj in India, he was sent to London. Since his arrival in London six years ago, Prabhat has transformed his hotel’s fortunes. True to the Taj’s guiding philosophy, ‘Aditi Devo Bhava’ – translated to mean ‘The Guest is God’, Prabhat has instilled a sense of true Indian hospitality amongst his colleagues and staff at the hotel. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff at 51-Buckingham Gate as they tend to their hotel business. It is no wonder then that 51-Buckingham Gate is now rated by Trip Advisor as amongst the best 5 hotels in London and amongst the best 10 UK hotels.

Restaurant of the Year

EastzEast

Eastzeast, the home of Punjabi Cooking, opened its first restaurant in Manchester on Princess Street in 2005. This was swiftly followed by a second restaurant, ‘The Riverside Branch’ on Blackfriars Street, Manchester in 2007. A third and fourth branches have been launched in Preston and Liverpool respectively. The restaurants have won numerous awards for their cooking and have even attracted celebrities including Tom Jones, Cliff Richard and Steven Gerard. The modern design, stylish fittings and quiet, but efficient service, all add to the refined atmosphere. EastZEast is one of the top Indian restaurants in the Northwest.

Contribution in Art & Culture Award

Maya Deepak

A light vocal artiste with several firsts to her credit, Maya Deepak has been the recipient of many honours. The first Gujarati female singer to perform at the British Parliament, at Trafalgar Square and at the Royal Albert Hall in London, she began her Hindustani classical training at the age of 8. Over the last 25 years, she has lend her voice to a versatile range of musical forms from ghazals, bhajans, lokgeets and balgeets to jingles and film songs.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Deepak Kuntawala

Deepak Kuntawala is the Chairman of the DVK Group, which is a dynamic, high growth finance boutique and commodity trading organisation. This global brand has an established presence in 11 countries from Johannesburg to China, Switzerland to UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Although DVK was formed in 2001, its foundations date back to over a hundred years of international trading experience fused with cutting edge financial and investment know-how. In 2012, Deepak was awarded the prestigious ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ award at the annual Asian Who's Who award ceremony.

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List of the Honoree Innovation of the Year

Dr Sandeep Shah

Dr Sandeep Shah is a leading medical technology experts and Co-founder of the Tarilian Group and 4 other companies including Tarilian Laser Technologies (TLT) based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The company is a unique UK biosensor development company that has changed Medicine with revolutionary and award-winning optical sensor technology. Sandeep is a doctor and medical device expert with significant industry experience both at senior board level and at governmental and advisory group positions.

Young Business Person of the Year

Bobby Karia

Bobby Karia is the Director for Whizzgroup of Companies. Whizzworkers was established in April 2003, with the key business in international recruitment of Hospitality personnel from India, Dubai, China and Thailand to the United Kingdom.

Whizzpermits is the immigration work permit specialist company, that deals with applications for UK visa ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 5 and obtain sponsor license for companies. They are also recognised by the UKBA. Bobby is also into property portflio management.

Achievement in Community Service

Kanti Nagda

Kanti Nagda came to the UK as a refugee from Uganda in 1972. In 1973 he set up Anglo-Indian Circle and started first Asian Drop-In Centre in the UK, followed by a Home for elderly Asians and the Vegetarian Meals-On-Wheel service. He ran Harrow Gujarati School for ten years and established Sangat Centre in 1982. Kanti has helped individuals with housing, welfare benefit, disability benefits, immigration and many other social issues, that has improved their lives immensely. He has chaired and held senior positions in many organisations including being the President of NCGO, Secretary General of Confederation of Indian Organisations and is currently the Vice Chair of North West London Community Foundation, President of Greenford Lions Club and Chair of Harrow Refugee Forum.

Guest of Honour

Baroness Betty Boothroyd Former Speaker of the House of Commons Boothroyd served as Member of Parliament for West Bromwich West between 1973 and 2000. She was the first and to date only female Speaker, serving between 1992 and 2000. As controller of the Commons proceedings and spokesperson for the lower house of Parliament, Boothroyd became a familiar figure to the British nation. Although she refused to wear the knee breeches and wig traditionally worn by her predecessors, she added her own trademark to the familiar cry of "Order, order" long used to urge unruly MPs to behave themselves. She ended the twice weekly Prime Minister's Question Time sessions with a cry made familiar by barmaids in public houses and bars across the country: "Time's up." In 2001 she was created a life peer taking as her title Baroness Boothroyd of Sandwell in the County of West Midlands.

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Years Gone BY 2009 Opposition Parliamentarian of the year Sarah Teather MP Parliamentarian of the year Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP Govenment Backbencher of the year Robert Howard Marris MP Community Award Lord Dolar Popat International Entreprenuers of the year Mr Naresh Goyal & Mrs Anita Goyal Entreprenuer of the year Mr Bhanu Choudhrie Media Company of the year Ms Natasha Mudhar Restaurant of the year Mr Amin Ali Lifetime Achievement Award Mr Mohammed Ajeeb and Marsha Singh Parliamentary Jounaist of the year Ms Ann Treneman Special Award for International Achievement Slumdog Millionaire Asian Broadcaster of the year Mr Rajesh Rupani of Sony TV Journalist of the year Mr Dipankar De Sarkar Peer of the year Baroness Uddin TV Personality of the year Ms Nina Wadia Professional of the year Caroline Flint MP

2010 Politician of the year Rt Hon David Cameron MP Lifetime Achievement Awards Rev Jesse Jackson Labour Parliamentarian of the year Stephen Pound MP Lilberal Democrat Parliamentarian of the year Simon Hughes MP Conservative Parlaimentarian of the Year Damian Green MP Minister of the year Rt Hon Ed Balls TV Personalilty of the year Mr Nitin Ganatra Journalist of the Year Ms Shefali Oza Special Award for International Achievements Mr Som Mandal Media Company of the Year Ms Sheena Bhatessa Restaurant of the year Moti Mahal Asian Broadcaster of the Year Mr Dhruv Gadhvi

Campaign of the Year Incredible India Parlaimentary Journalist of the Year Mr Joe Murphy Male Entrepreneur of the year Dr Rami Ranger MBE, FRSA Female Professional of the year Ms Rhaynukaa Soni News Agency of the Year NDTV Community Award Mr Joginder Sanger Sports Personality of the year Mr Rendall Munroe Female Entrepreneur of the Year Ms Namita Panjabi Male Professional of the Year Professor Jaspal

2011 Parliamentarian of the Year Rt. Hon Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Opposition Conservative Minister of the Year Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education Junior Minister of the Year Ed Davey MP, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State (Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs) Special Award for Achievement in Film – The Kings Speech Tariq Anwar, Film Editor Conservative Backbencher of the Year Nadhim Zahawi MP, Stratford-on-Avon Liberal Democrat Backbencher of the Year Dr Julian Huppert MP, Cambridge Labour Backbencher of the Year Anas Sarwar MP, Glasgow Central Journalist of the Year Paul Lewis, The Guardian Business in Community Kantesh Popat FIBA, Director – Finance House Limited Lifetime Achievement Award Nirmal Sethia Local Government Award (Joint Award) Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets and Dr Neeraj Patil, Mayor of Lambeth Charity of the Year Path to Success, Anita Choudhrie Business Person of the Year Fukhera Khalid, Managing Director – Elbrook C&C & CHAK89 Contribution to Sport in the UK Leicester City Football Club Columnist of the Year Yasmin Alibhai Brown, The Independent TV Personality of the Year Rudolph Walker Restaurant of the Year Curry Fever, Sunil Anand Asian Broadcaster of the Year B4U

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Face of Future Award Arjun Rajyagor, Winner of BBC One’s Junior Apprentice 2010 International Entrepreneur of the Year Subaskaran Allirajah, Group Chairman, Lycatel and Lycamobile Community Award Ranjit Mathrani, High Sherriff of Greater London Professional of the Year Professor Iqbal Singh Creative & Entertainment Company of the Year Naz Choudhry, FlexFX Productions

2012 Cabinet Minister of the Year Rt. Hon Andrew Mitchell MP Shadow Cabinet Minister of the Year Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper MP Parliamentary Journalist of the Year Anushka Asthana Local Government Award Councillor Jagdish Sharma MBE Junior Minister of the Year David Gauke MP Journalist of the Year Riz Lateef Broadcaster of the Year Nick Ferrari Liberal Democrat Minister of the Year Paul Burstow MP School of the Year Haberdashers' Aske's Boys’ School (HABS) Labour Backbencher of the Year Stella Creasy MP Business Person of the Year Bharat Shah Conservative Backbencher of the Year Gavin Barwell MP Diversity in the Public Services Award John Hannett Business in the Community Lycamobile UK Ltd Social Justice Author Award Raj Patel TV Personality of the Year Jameela Jamil Asian Broadcaster of the Year ATN BANGLA Business Demonstrating Sustained Growth of the Year Deepak Nagla, Brightsun Travel LTD Parliamentary Service Award Staff of the House of Parliament Message Bureau Young Entrepreneur of the Year Rajesh Agrawal Restaurant of the Year Chak 89 Editors’ Award Rajesh Prasad, Acting High Commissioner Lifetime Achievement in Health Dr K. Anji Reddy

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Looking Back at Winners of the 2012 As

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Stella Creasy MP receiving her award for Labour Backbencher of the Year from Shadow Home Secretary Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

Subhash Alirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile, receiving the Business in the Community award from Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Secretary of State for International Development

Paul Burstow MP, Minister of State for Care Services, receiving his award from Baroness Boothroyd

Valerie Vaz MP and Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, giving Riz Lateef her award for Journalist of the Year

Nick Ferrari receiving his award for Broadcaster of the Year from Baroness Boothroyd

Shadow Home Secretary Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP receiving her award for Shadow Cabinet Minister of the Year from Baroness Boothroyd

Rajesh Agrawal, Chairman of Rational FX, receiving his award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year from Baroness Boothroyd

Dr Peter Hamilton, Headmaster of Haberdasher’s Aske’s’ Boys School, receiving award for School of the Year from Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP

Anushka Asthana, Chief Political Correspondent at The Time, receiving her award from Baroness Boothroyd

Staff of the House of Parliament Operator Bureau receiving their award for Parliamentary Service from CB Patel and Paul Burstow MP

Paul Burstow MP giving Mr Deepak Nangla of Brightsun Travel the award for Demonstrating Sustained Growth

Jameela Jamil receiving her award for TV Personality of the Year from Rt Hon Yvette Cooper

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Asian Voice Political & Public Life Award

Mr Satish Reddy collecting the award for Lifetime Achievement in Health, on behalf of Dr K. Anji Reddy from Paul Burstow MP and Baroness Boothroyd

Dr Merul Patel awarding Frank Khalid of CHAK 89 the Restaurant of the Year award with Baroness Boothroyd

Simrin Choudrie presenting the award for Business Person of the Year to Mr Manish Shah and nephew

Councillor Jagdish Sharma MBE receiving the Local Government Award from Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party and CB Patel

Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, receiving the award for Cabinet Minister of the Year from Baroness Boothroyd

David Gauke MP receiving the award for Junior Minister of the Year from Baroness Boothroyd

Chairman of ATN Bangla Dr Mahfuzur Rahman receiving the Asian Broadcaster of the Year award from Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi receiving the Special International Award from Baroness Boothroyd

Gavin Barwell MP receiving the Conservative Backbencher of the Year award from Baroness Boothroyd

John Hannett and two members of the union Usdaw receiving their award for Diversity in the Public Services

Guests at the event

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13th ASIAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS (AAA) 6th September 2013 The prestigious Asian Achievers Awards is hosted every year

by UK’s leading news weeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to honour British Asians par excellence.

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British Women Date: April 2013

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Anand Mela Date: June, 2013 British Tamils Date: TBC 13th Asian Achievers Awards Venue: Grosvenor House, Park Lane London Date: 6th September, 2013

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RAF_A4 Temp 31/01/2013 14:08 Page 1

My family have always encouraged me to put education first. I wanted to do interesting things.

By joining the RAF as a medical officer, I am able to do both.

My job means that I’m responsible for everyone’s health on the base.

I also have to do a lot of study and research which is very important for my career.

Outside of work, I have a few hobbies. Beating my little brother at cricket is one of them.

My wife agrees with me on this, living on an RAF base is like staying with extended family.

Royal Air Force, Senior Medical Officer

People around us are warm, friendly and constantly looking after us.

I love what I do.

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