It was a gloomy and rainy Friday. But nobody could wet the spirit of 800+ guests who gathered at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in park Lane, to celebrate the glamorous 16th Asian Achievers Awards. Celebrities and guests walked down the red carpet as ushers in fancy attires waited to welcome everybody in.
The success of the night was underlined with the incredible £180,000 raised for charity partner Indian Ocean Disaster Relief,which was founded in early 2005 following the devastating tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. In its 16 years, the Asian Achievers Awards has helped to raise millions of pounds for various charities it has supported.
Winners of the awards included, Selva Pankaj , CEO Regent Group, a London-based education skills and training development group ; Manjit Gill, CEO Binti, who runs a social enterprise that works tirelessly for women's causes in India and Africa; Paralympian, Ryan Raghoo, a long jumper who suffers from cerebral palsy; and Lord Naren Patel KT who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winners were selected by a panel of judges, and nominated by the readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samamchar. The panel included prominent names like Nishma Robb, Head of Commercial Marketing, Google UK, San Guanapala, Audit Partner, EY, Govind Shahi, Business Head at IndiaCast- IndiaCast Media, Shaliesh Vara MP, Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India, Vana Koutsomitis, Co-Founder of DatePlay and Apprentice Runner-up, Ronnie Irani, Former England cricketer and Nikhil Rathi, CEO, London Stock Exchange Plc and Director of International Development
CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, ABPL Group says: “I would like to send a wholehearted congratulations to all the winners of the Asian Achievers Awards, now in our 16th year. As in years gone by, the winners are exemplary individuals who not only have excelled in their chosen professions, but are incredible role models who work for social justice, equality and those less fortunate.
“It makes me very proud to give these people a platform to be recognised for their hard work and remarkable contributions to society and the community. I am also very overwhelmed with the generosity of our guests who helped to raise £180,000 for our charity partner and I want to thank everyone who donated and bid at the auction.”
The evening was once again hosted by Eastenders star Nitin Ganatra,who was joined by glamorous Editor of Cosmopolitan UK, Farrah Storr. Over 650 guests, including business tycoons, entrepreneurs and members of parliament and the uniformed services, attended the 16th Asian Achievers Awards. Celebrity guestsincluded cricketing legend and former England Captain Mike Gatting, Pakistani film star Armeena Khan, former X-Factor contestant Monica Michael andMOBO Awards Founder, Kanya King MBE. Other guests included businessmen like GP Hinduja, Dr Kartar Lalvani, Rami Ranger CBE, Bhanu Choudhrie and Parliamentarians such as Lord Dolar Popat, Lord Raj Loomba, Seema Malhotra MP, Lord Jitesh Gadhia to name a few.
Speakers included George, COO, ABPL Group, CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, ABPL Group, Sanjay Bandari, Partner, EY, Tony Mathru, on behalf of the charity IODR, Rovin, Head of Marketing and Sales, ABPL Group.
Entertainment was provided by Tumbalina, Epika Dance, Kishan Amin, Jayden and a fashion show was put together by Sulochana Monga from Soltee. The charity auction was presented by former Rugby player Peter Scrivener, CEO, CLAS International.
Leading ethnic media outlets Sunrise Radio and Colors TV were media partners. The Asian Achievers Awards were launched in 2000 by London-based newsweeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, which are now in their 45th year and have a significant readership within the UK's Asian community.
ASIAN ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2016 FULL WINNERS LIST
Businessperson of the Year
Mr.Nik Kotecha
CEO Morningside Pharmaceuticals
Entrepreneur of the Year
Mr.Selva Pankaj
CEO Regent Group
Sports Personality of the Year
Mr.Ryan Raghoo
Paralympian
Uniformed and Civil Services
PC Karmi Rekhi (Ms.)
Met Police
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lord Naren Patel KT
Media, Arts and Culture
The Singh Twins
Award winning painters
Woman of the Year
Ms. Manjit Gill
CEO & Founder Binti, a Womens' Charity
Achievement in Community Service
Ms.Zlakha Ahmed
CEO & Founder Apna Haq, a Women's Charity
Professional of the Year
Jo Sidhu QC
Barrister
Photo courtesy: Silver Fox, Manjeet Matharoo, Raj D Bakrania, PrMediapix, Kaushik Bhatia and Vineet Johri
