Deep Rajah Dhir was born on 2nd December 1969. His career path has not been an easy, born into a medical family in Delhi he moved to UK at 1 year old. As an undergraduate he read Politics and Law at SOAS University then a Masters in Legal and Political Theory at University College London.
He began his career as a recruitment agent; where he learned how to ‘place people together’. This gave him the confidence he needed to move on. After a year of doing that he transferred to the hospitality industry.
Moving into corporate hospitality he learnt to take the pressure of a job with big responsibilities, securing Ian Duncan Smith MP amongst others as a speaker for his hotel chain; a blind alley led to California where he worked for a small travel agency which he quickly transformed into a recognized agency with Hollywood star clients.
In 2013 answering an advertisement for a radio presenter he joined Sunrise. Sunrise is recognized as the first station designed specifically for the Asian demographic.
Rajah moved to Dilse, to allow his audience speak from the “Heart”, His audience is made up of 30% Pakistani, 40%Indian and the rest mostly Bengali, Sikh and Sri Lankan, and calls even come from Norway and the US while tweets are global. Raja attracts VIP guests, he has recently interviewed Prime Minister David Cameron and many others.
One to One Questions
1) What is your current position?
I am the producer and presenter of a one of Britain’s most popular Asian Talk back shows on Dilse Radio. Known as Let’s Talk I provide a platform for people to discuss their opinions on everyday issues. From the poll tax through to why do all Asians want to be Doctors?
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Firstly learning to walk all over again after major hip surgery. It was one of the hardest things to do but it taught me how valuable your health is building up a loyal and friendly set of listeners from nothing. Secondly, initially no one had heard of me let alone Dilse, now sometimes if I wear red socks people start wearing red socks too! Thirdly, my sense of humour!
3) What inspires you?
1. My father who despite all his faults has really made an impact in his career.
2. The Dilse team who really encourage me when I am not at my best
3. My love of people and the art of communication. I love people and the way they act it’s always fascinated me.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
My self! I believe we are our own worst enemies and we build our own obstacles in life but if we have a bit of self-confidence it’s amazing the heights you can reach!
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
I have always been an admirer of Rod Eddington the former CEO of British Airways he once met me and came to meet me for a cup of tea when I was working in hotels. It was then that I realised that no matter how high or influential a person is its remembering to be humble, kind and giving everyone the respect they deserve. He will always be a major influence in my life.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
You never know who is going to call you and say what to you. It’s the most exciting aspect to it. No matter if they are famous or not it’s what they will say to me that is so exciting. Challenging an opinion, making people re think their thoughts and turning people’s ideas into a reality is something that you cannot beat in a job like mine.
7) And the worst?
That people take the debate a little too seriously at times. They forget they are talking to someone they don’t actually know so when a person starts shouting at me and even getting abusive, what they forget is that I am only human and I have feelings too!
8) What are your long term goals?
To be the best chat show person there is.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I think the closeness of the PM and if people could reach out to the PM and his cabinet in a more easier way maybe, just maybe, they may have a better understanding of the reasons behind some very harsh and hard decisions that have been made.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Ideally it would be two people. Mahatma Gandhiji and Nelson Mandela. They are both very aspirational figures in life and have really changed things through their own ways. Sitting on a dessert Island with them I am defiantly sure I would not get bored.
