Asian Achievers Awards – Central News Hub

Starmer Lauds Asian Achievements

The event brought together over 500 distinguished guests from around the world to celebrate the outstanding contributions of leading South Asians in the UK…reports Asian Lite News

London’s prestigious Hilton Park Lane hosted the 22nd Asian Achievers Awards. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Rishi Sunak praised the winners in their congratulatory messages.

Veteran Labour politician Virendra Sharma bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 50 years in public service.

The event brought together over 500 distinguished guests from around the world to celebrate the outstanding contributions of leading South Asians in the UK. Former Eastenders star Nitin Ganatra and ITV newsreader Anila Dhami compared the programme.

Amongst the night’s winners were fusion sound duo Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan, Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury, GP specialising in women’s health Dr Nighat Arif, the founder of the Indian street food chain Chaiiwalas, and the founder of the largest distributor of car parts in Europe Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia.

“British Asians are a driving force behind much of the social, cultural and economic innovation we see in Britain today,” the prime minister said in his message. “You represent so many of the values that help our communities thrive — ambition, hard work and inclusivity, to name just a few. This is why it is wonderful to see so many British Asian change-makers being recognised tonight by the team at EPG.”

“The British Asian community adds so much to Britain today,” said Pratik Dattani, MD, EPG Group. “Tonight was a testament to the longevity of our Awards – after 22 years, they still matter and they still are able to unearth the most exceptional people from across the country.”

The evening saw electric performances from Brit Asian music pioneer Juggy D and Edinburgh Fringe Festival winner, stand-up comedian Ahir Shah.

The event was supported by pioneers of financial inclusivity Andaria, Dubai-based real estate innovators Aries Global, a pioneer in luxury ayurveda Forest Essentials, India’s largest bank State Bank of India, solar panel installer Solar4Good, the home of zafran tea FiLLi Cafe, AI-driven legal solutions provider LexLegis.ai, Indian single malt whisky Indri, the world’s most famous cornershop Fortnum & Mason and others, as well as media partners Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar and LycaRadio.

The Winners:

Special Award for Philanthropy: Amir Khan

Art and Culture Award: Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan

Business Person of the Year: Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia

Community Service Award: Iftikhar Chaudhri

Entrepreneur of the Year: Muhammad Ibrahim (Chaiiwala)

Lifetime Achievement Award: Virendra Sharma

Media Person of the Year Award: Tasnim Nazeer

Professional of the Year: Dr Kesar Singh Sadhra

Sports Personality of the Year: Hamza Choudhury

Woman of the Year: Dr Nighat Arif

Special Award for Entrepreneurship: Irshad Akhtar

Special Award for Young Business Person of the Year: Krishan and Shyam Sedani

Special Award for International Business Person of the Year: Bipen Sharma

Special Award for Professional Impact: Navita Yadav

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Nominations open for annual Asian Achievers Awards

Last year, the Awards paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, with Dame Arlene Foster DBE PC, former First Minister of Northern Ireland, leading the tribute with a one-minute silence…reports Asian Lite News

The nominations deadline for the UK’s most prominent and longstanding celebration of British Asian achievement across multiple fields is fast approaching, on 6 July.

South Asians in the UK today occupy leadership positions across a range of fields, including politics, business and civil society. The Asian Achievers Awards continue to recognise the outstanding work of such individuals within the South Asian community.

This year’s Awards will take place on Friday 15^th September 2023 at the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane. The event is organised by global advisory firm EPG in partnership with Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.

Last year, the Awards paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, with Dame Arlene Foster DBE PC, former First Minister of Northern Ireland, leading the tribute with a one-minute silence.

The evening was hosted by actor Nitin Ganatra OBE, and entrepreneur and documentary filmmaker Deana Uppal. It welcomed celebrities, public figures and dignitaries including Love Island contestant Priya Gopaldas; TOWIE stars Dani Imbert and Junaid Ahmed; comedian, Tez Ilyas (Man Like Mobeen); actors Raj Ghatak, Nisha Aaliya and Yanick Ghanty; music artists Bambi Bains, Rumer and H Dhami; Premier League presenter Manish Bhasin; former Miss England Hammasa Kohistani; Deputy Mayor for Business for London Rajesh Agrawal; Founder and Chairman, Vitabiotics Dr Kartar Lalvani OBE; Founder and Chairman of Lyca Subaskaran Allirajah, and lead researcher for the COVID vaccine from the Oxford Vaccine Group, Maheshi Ramasamy.

Now in their 21^st year, the Asian Achievers Awards are recognised as the most prestigious and longstanding celebration of the leading figures of the UK’s South Asian community and their achievements, initiated by public nominations.

There are ten categories available for nomination, including: Business Person Of The Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Uniformed And Civil Service, Media, Arts And Culture, Community Service, Sports Personality Of The Year, Professional Of The Year, Woman Of The Year and Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “This event is always a fantastic reminder of the tremendous contribution that the British Asian diaspora have made to the United Kingdom, and I am pleased to celebrate that alongside you.”

Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer said: “British Asians are a driving force behind the much of the social, cultural and economic innovation we see in Britain today. You represent so many of the values that help our communities thrive – inclusiveness, hard work and ambition to name a few.”

In the last edition, more than 500 nominations were received, from which the judges shortlisted four per category, evenly divided between male and female candidates.

Members of the public can nominate change-makers in the community they deem worth via the awards website at asianachieversawards.com. Strictly no nominations after the deadline on 6 July will be accepted.

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